Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 8/3/2009

Question
my mother and i are known as animal rescuers,we take the occasional animal and help it,release it, or find it's owner. i was asked to go and rescue a baby bird, who i later found out was a supposed wren.i at first fed him bread soked in milk, hen once in water, i am now feeding him chopped up worms. i have had him for this is the second day i have had hi. he has a white under-belly with black spots,and a brownish over coat  on top. he is partally feathers, still some growing to do.we have guessed him to mature in about aw week.i have had him for a day  and a night while historicaly camping at deer river rendezvous,thats when we found him.now we are home and i have some questions:
he sits and opens his  mouth,but not for food,i have guessed this to be somewhat like panting? i gently blow on him and he stops ''panting''?
am i giving him adiqute food?
is ok to realease him away from where i found him? we are about 5-6 hours away?
he seems to be doing all-right, when i put my hand in the nest(a wind storm aparently nocked it out of the tree as i was told,and the mother has never come to the nest)and it is not to hot, he cuddles up in it,is this all-right?
i occasionaly blow on him to keep his temp down a touch so he does not over-heat. do i have to feed him at night?as in, when i go to sleep? i  did wake up and had to feed him early in the morning,how long is the max he can go hungry?
i have been feeding him when-ever he squakes or opens his mouth for food,is this ok?
is there a way to tell if it is a boy or a girl?i am curious to know.
will he come to me when he sees me after i realease him? or will all ties ''be-gone'' when he flies away?
i realy appreciate you answering my questions, so sorry for the long list,but you have made a difference in the world!it takes me hours to find tidbits on the answers i need(as i care for many different pets,things,hobbies,ect.)
         thank-you so much,
                 ~Anna Jameson :)-|-<
P.S. is i normal for him to lay slightly on his side? i  thibk it is, but better safe than sorry,thank-you!!!


Answer
I am sorry but I cannot encourage you to try to raise a baby bird. It is actually illegal, but also something that should not be done. It will bond to you, will never learn to forage or to recognize predators and cannot survive in the wild. The best thing to do if you find a baby bird is to leave it where you found it as the parents will usually find it and feed it.

Regarding animals, it is cruel to release them in a new area as there is usually a dominant animal already there and the relocated animal will either be killed or starve. Eliminate them humanely.