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Question
A cat killed the mother bluebird so we took in 5 babies. They now have all their feathers and are trying to fly, I don't know how or what to feed them next. How to I go from hand feeding to them eating on their own. What do I feed them next.
Feeding baby birds is usually a bad thing to do as they bond to you, don't learn how to forage or to recognixe predators and almost never survive in the wild. Also it weakens the species if they do survive. In addition to this one parent can almost always raise the family. If the surviving parent is still hanging around the box and if it has been only a very brief time since you took them in you might try to put one baby back in the box to see what happens. Failing this, do not try to feed them unless you can give them insects (and you can buy mealworms at a pet store) To find a rehabilitator go to http://www.sialis.org/emergency.htm Also please send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net so I can send you my free 20 page Bluebird book. Good luck. Bob Walshaw.
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Answers by Expert:
Bluebird 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.
Experience
I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 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,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World
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.
Past/Present Clients
Many
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