AboutBluebird Bob Walshaw Expertise I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please. A free 20 page Bluebird book is available by sending your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net
Experience I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 15 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.
Organizations Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance
Publications Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News, etc.
Education/Credentials Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.
Awards and Honors Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.
Question QUESTION: Hi, My daughter found a very small killdeer about a month ago and she decided to raise it. It has grown and doing beautifully and we were hoping to release him/her into the wild when all of his feather came in. Unfortunatley about 2 days ago the bird started losing the use of one leg and then the next day the other. He doesn't seem to have any strength in either leg. Like I said he was doing beautifully but then this happened. He is still eating and drinking but can not walk. The only thing that has changed is that we got an indoor kitten. The kitten can not touch the bird but can look at it but like I said the cat can not touch the bird at all. Can you help us. We have invested so much time in this bird and really want to see him/her back in the wild. Thank you for your time.
ANSWER: I wish I could tell you something specific that would help. If you are absolutely certain that the kitten could not have injured it then it probably is that what you are feeding it does not match the natural food that its parents would have been feeding it. This is why I advise against feeding baby birds. It is best to put them where they were found and usually the parents will find them. When babies are fed they bond to the feeder, do not learn to forage or to recognize predators and do not survive in the wild.
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QUESTION: Hi, Thank you for getting back to us. We have been feeding him meal worms and trout worms. I'm absolutely sure the cat could not get to him at all. The only reason we kept him was that a cat had him and she rescued him from the cat. I agree trying to raise baby birds is not a good idea but after we left him under the nearest tree for about 1/2 a day he was running around and dodging the cat so she decided she would take care of him herself. In your opinion what should we do next? Thank you so much for your help.
Answer Unfortunately I don't have an answer. What you have been feeding it probably doesn't have enough protein to develop bones properly. If by "trout worms" you mean common earth worms, this always is bad for young birds (except Robins) as they are full of soil. Try to find a bird rehabilitor in your area and ask them.
