Birds--General/baby birds

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Expert: - 12/30/2007


Question
hi!
i have 6 parakeets and 2 mated. the female laid 4 eggs and all 4 hatched.
unfortunately, 1 died. the baby birds grew their feathers fast and the biggest
one had white feathers all over his body and head. i was wondering if it was
ok to take out the biggest baby and examine it. i heard somebody say that if
you touch a baby bird, the parents would refuse to feed it. is that true? is it
safe to take one of the babies out and place it back later?

Answer
Hi, Katelyn,

It is a myth that if a human touches a baby bird, the parents will reject it, even wild birds.  I've touched/held babies from first hatching for 18 years and have never had parent birds refuse to do anything with their offspring as a result.  In fact, you need to be touching these babies if you want them to be tame.  You also should be cleaning out the nesting box when necessary which means you have to take the babies out and keep them warm while you clean out the nesting box.  Yes, it is safe to handle the babies.  You can't keep them out too long without maintaining the warmth they require.  You cannot remove the babies for say a day and then put them back with the parents, but 15-30 minutes would be OK, but only if you can keep them warm enough while they are out.  Since they don't have any feathers, they will get cold quickly.

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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