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About Julia Booth
Expertise
I can answer questions about bird identification (by sight or sound), behavior, distribution, population, conservation, mating, nesting, fledging and feeding. I do have some practical knowledge about foreign species, but identification skills are limited in that arena.
Experience
I have ten years birding experience in Southern California. I am well versed in all the species living in the Western US. Many hours spent birding. I have been frequently told I should lend my knowledge to good use, and have encountered few bird related questions that I cannot answer.
Organizations
Audubon Society
Education/Credentials
My education is in art and photography -but I have a substantial portfolio of nature related work.
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You are here: Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Birding/Wild Birds > Birding > Baby Bird
Expert: Julia Booth - 11/4/2009
Question
QUESTION: I found a baby bird one week ago today in a parking lot. I have owned and worked with birds in the past so I'm familiar with hand feeding. When I first saw this baby bird I didn't have a clue as to what breed it was. It was a dull grey with no distinctive markings, had quite a few pin feathers but, at the time, I wasn't even sure they were pin feathers because they weren't white or straight. The pin feathers were yellow and almost curly. I thought the bird had been abused or singed by something or someone. Thank goodness I was wrong. I purchased some baby bird formula and had to force feed it for the first few days. Now the bird takes the dropper fairly readily. In this week, the adult feathers have come in a lot and it's almost able to fly. I believe it is a dove or pigeon. But, my question to you is; once I get it on pigeon feed and it's eating well on it's own how do I acclimate it to the wild again and will it be able to find food for itself? Is there something I can do to aide in this process? FYI: The bird is solid grayish brown on the top part of it's body and wings with the chest and underbelly being a slightly lighter gray. The tail is straight with several white feathers on the underside. I had to fan the tail to see the white feathers. It sits on a towel I put in the tank but it has access to a branch, hay, and some dirt. It prefers the towel. The beak is black and straight with a slight widening on the top center part between the nostrils and the tip. No markings at all.
Thank you.
C
ANSWER: I have never heard of feeding a "baby" bird anything of a liquid consistency with a dropper. That is a sure fire way to drown them, as they do not develop the ability to drink until they are ready to fledge. They generally get all the liquid they need from their food. What sort of formula did you say this was and where did you buy it?
Without knowing what kind of bird it is, I can't say for sure what you should or shouldn't do as far as releasing it. Most birds can be re-released into the wild with no problem. Most birds of pray and scavengers cannot.
I could most certainly ID this bird with a picture. Can you take one? Because otherwise all I can give you is my best guess.
Julia
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I purchased Nutri-Start baby bird formula at Petsmart. I was using a dropper because the bird was so small the first few days the syringes I have would have been too clumsy. Obviously, the bird hasn't drown, in fact it's thriving. I'm am using a larger plastic dropper now that I cut the tip off to achieve an opening large enough to suck -up the formula. Following directions on the Nutir-Start container, I dissolve the powder in warm H2O, approx. 102 degrees, and mix to the consistency of loose pudding. In fact I'm on my second container of formula as it has finished the first one. I have saved/raised two baby Kestrels' years ago. They were eating live mice and crickets, (also purchased at a pet store), by the time I turned them over to a woman I used to know whom volunteered for the Audubon Society. She took these birds of prey when they were strong, fully feathered and eating live food and released them into the wild at the appropriate time after working with them for several months. I had the Kestrels for at least 6 months and I know it's very different protocol than a dove, pigeon or bluejay, etc.. I've never released a bird myself and would like some advice as to how to appropriately release this baby bird. I don't believe it's a bird of prey. I think it's a dove or pigeon. I'm sorry, my digital camera is broken so I can't send a picture today. I will send one ASAP. If you don't feel comfortable advising me without a picture, I understand. The only change I would add to my first mail to you regarding the description of the bird would be that it's beak is not black but rather a darker shade of gray than the feathering.
Thanks again,
C from Florida on the Gulf Coast
Answer
Really there isn't much involved in releasing a non-bird of prey. You take it outside, hold it in your hands and move your arms up and down to simulate flight. It should begin pumping its wings as a reflex. If it doesn't, then it's not ready to go. You can do this every day until it's ready, beginning when its flight feathers have appeared. Early morning is best.
Sounds like a pigeon or dove, from your description. But I don't feel comfortable saying for sure without a picture.
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