Birding/baby bird rescue

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Expert: - 6/2/2009


Question
Hi, I found a baby bird that fell out of her nest.  I put her in a fish tank with grass and tree branches.  I am feeding her worms that I dig up in my garden.  How often should I feed her?  Any tips or wisdom would be most appreciated ~ Thanks!

Answer
The best thing to do, IMMEDIATELY, is put the bird back where you found it. Baby birds rarely fall out of their nest. They JUMP out before they can fly and the parents feed them on the ground until they can. You have taken the baby away from its parents and you need to put it back right away. I understand your concern, but the parents know better than you do so let them take care of their offspring.

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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