RESCUE MISSION OR NOT?
Baby birds come in two categories: nestlings or fledglings.
If you find a nestling (naked or partially feathered), first gently warm it in your hands. If it is not injured, try to find a nest overhead or nearby.
If you cannot find a nest, make a "foster" nest from a berry basket or plastic container punctured with holes. Line with dry grass, pine straw or leaves. Hang the new nest from a limb; secure it in the "V" of a tree, or a bush. Gently place the baby in its new home. Watch for parents to return, for 2 hours.
If the parents do not return, bring the baby indoors. Please follow the instructions on how to help a baby bird. Baby birds need protection from dogs and cats. Cats are a leading cause of bird injuries.
Fully feathered baby birds with short tails, hopping around on the ground should be left alone. These are fledglings and Mom is nearby.
HOW TO HELP A BABY BIRD
Place it in a tissue nest in a small box with air holes.
Keep the bird warm: ½ on / ½ off a heating pad on low, or hot pack.
Keep the radio off and keep the baby away from people or pets.
Never give milk or bread. Birds cannot digest them.
Never give liquid by eyedropper; that may cause pneumonia.
Use a small child's paintbrush, wet it with water, and touch the beak.
TEMPORARY DIET (two day maximum)
1 can moist dog or cat food, (chicken or beef); blend with
1 hard boiled egg yolk
EMERGENCY FEEDING
Young birds need to be fed every 30 minutes.
Feed tiny pieces of the above diet, and wait for the bird to swallow.
Follow by brushing the beak with water.
GOALS
Act as ambassadors for the Avian Community, providing advice, guidance and referrals to the public.
We do not have a bird ambulance, so we rely on caring members of the public to bring us orphaned baby birds.
We are volunteers and in 2007 raised 490 orphaned babies. We have State and Federal permits.
If you wish to donate to Orphaned Bird Care, please send your tax deductible donation to:
Ogeechee Audubon Orphaned Bird Care Project
C/O Sharon Spector,Treasurer
Ogeechee Audubon Society
8 Woodbrook Ct, Savannah, GA 31411.
We use contributions to purchase special food for young birds, such as live crickets and mealworms.
Sincerely,
Pat Wolters, Founder Orphaned Bird Care, 2002
|
