Expert: Roger Lederer - 7/27/2007

Question
We just brought our 5th wheel trailer from our cabin area in the North Central Washington (Conconully, WA) spot it was parked at and evidently a birds nest was built somewhere inside the trailer area or perhaps up on the roof top because I noticed today a toppled birds nest under the tip out are - with 3 baby birds in and around it...my cat was keeping guard but did not touch or harm them so I picked the nest and babies up - put them in a box with the nest and they are safe, healthy and comfortable. It appears without their mother, they may not survive. How can I help them? What do I feed them? I have a dropper and have given them tiny tiny droplets of water and they appear to be doing well.

Answer
The best thing to do is to contact your local wildlife rehab center for advice/help. Failing that, you can go to www.ornithology.com/rehab.html for information on raising abandoned birds. But it is VERY difficult to do without experience. They won't live long on a diet of only water. They need lots of food and often. Check with the local Audubon Society or wildlife official or humane society as well for local help. Thanks for your concern.