Birding/baby swallow

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Expert: - 7/14/2010


Question
there are some swallows nesting in my barn and i have found a baby on the floor, i have tried to put it back up in the nest but the nest is to high up. I don't know what to do with it but it is currently in a box. I have tried feeding it some chicken food (corn) but it won't eat it,what should i do?

Answer
The only chance the bird has is to return it to its parents. Raising baby swallows is VERY difficult. Call your local wildlife rehab center or wildlife official for help or someone with a big ladder. Swallows will not eat corn or any other chicken food. Try mashed eggs and insects in the meantime. Thanks for your concern.

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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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