Birding/baby bluebird

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 5/29/2007


Question
I've found a mature baby blue bird brought in by the cat. Its left foot seems out of shape but other than that seems happy. I read on the Internet that you can feed it watered down cat food and bread. i tried feeding it with a syringe but it won't take to it. It snuggles down in the apron pocket in a shoe box and makes little noise. What do i do and what do i feed it.

Answer
Bluebird parents feed their young even if they get out of the nest early and can't fly well. If you have seen Bluebirds put the bird outside where the cat can't get it and they may feed it. They eat insects and trying to feed them is almost impossible. Call the local Bluebird society, Audubon, the Humane society or the Wildlfe dept. to see if there is a bird rehabilitator in your area. And buy one of the new automatic litter boxes and keep your cat inside. They kill millions of birds and small animals. Bluebird Bob.

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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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