Expert: Roger Lederer - 9/5/2004

Question
Hi roger. I asked you questions about a baby sparrow before. Now i need more answers for these questions. What kinds of bugs should i feed him and how. When should i release him back. If i release him back where i found him will he go back to his nest and expect his mom to feed him an starve.How often does he need to be fed. Thanx again!

Answer
As I said, the best thing you can do is to put him back where you got him, but the longer you wait, the less chance he will have for survival. He will not go back to his nest. They leave the nest before they are ready to fly and their parents feed them while they walk around on the ground. Many people think the babies fell out of the nest. They did not; they left the nest on purpose. If you let him go his parents may take care of him. But do it now! Do not feed him anymore - please let him go. His parents know best. If you try to raise him yourself, the chances are very good he won't make it.
For more information on caring for baby birds, see www.ornithology.com/rehab.html.