Birding/Hacking

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Expert: - 6/15/2010


Question
I have a background as a wildlife rehabilitator for a veterinary hospital in New York state.  I have raised and released several bunches of birds of varying kinds.  I have a fledgling robin who has been with us for about a week and a half.  Normally I have several birds at once and they learn from one another, this is the first "solo" robin I have had.  I would like some suggestions on how to teach him to find food and eat on his own.
Thanks

Jen

Answer
If you can put him/her in a big cage with a bottom that has food (worms, grubs, etc.) buried in soil or sawdust, that would work. Or a big cage that he/she can be in outside with a natural soil surface, maybe augmented with food. He/she will find food on his/her own after a day or two.

Birding

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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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