Expert: Roger Lederer - 5/25/2005

Question
Hello,

I'm sorry to bother you with this, but my friends asked my to find advice and I can hardly think of a better place.

They found a tit nestling yesterday. The bird must have dropped from the nest. They have fed it (or tried to) with some worms and insects but they have no idea what exactly they should do and what scenario to look to. There's no zoo where they live. Can they raise the bird on their own (having no experience)? How long it will take?

I know the story from e-mail, so I can't give you more details now. The bird is of one of the European species, most probably the great tit.

I'll be most thankful for any advice!

Yours sincerely,
Bartek S.

Answer
Best thing to do is find some bird rehabilitation center somewhere in your area. Lacking that, you can go to www.ornithology.com/rehab.html for advice on raising baby birds. But it is very difficult without experience. Very difficult. So expert help is needed and the very best thing to do is find someone who has had the experience. Good luck. Roger Lederer