TEMPORARY BABY BIRD CARE:

From, I Found A Baby Bird, What Do I Do?, Basic Manual, Wildlife Rehabilitation, by Dale Carlson, 1997.

 We often receive telephone calls from people who find a baby bird out of the nest.  Every attempt must be made to return an uninjured baby to the nest, or to create a “nest�?for the bird off the ground/safe from cats; however, if this is not possible, or if the baby is injured, or if the parent is clearly dead, then the baby should be brought to Sarvey.  If you are geographically close to us, we would appreciate it if you could bring the bird yourself.  If you are far away, then check with Sarvey @ 360-435-4817 to see if there is a drop-off site near you.

 Since most of our drop-off sites do not stay open overnight, or their staff cannot take the time to feed baby birds, it might be best if you care for the baby overnight and take it  to the drop-off site, or to Sarvey, the next morning.

 If you are willing and able to handle overnight care, here are some tips:

1. The most important thing is to keep the baby warm and in a quiet place.  Babies without feathers cannot thermoregulate.  Even when they have feathers, they rely on their parents and siblings to stay warm.  The simplest thing is to place a heating pad under the box or critter carrier, on “low�?  Do not put the bird directly on the heating pad.  The quickest way to warm up a baby is to place it next to your own skin, under your shirt.
2. Do not feed immediately. All wild creatures are traumatized and stressed by being handled and transported. Wait at least a half hour until the bird is stable and shows signs of being hungry. Feeding before this may cause death, due to the shunting of blood away from the brain and other vital organs to the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Feeding a baby bird water can be risky, and result in the death of the bird if the water goes down the airway. Instead, fluids may be provided as small bits of watermelon or berries or grape halves.  Water in this form also provides a little sugar.
4. Do not overhandle the baby.  Extreme fright can kill.  Also, do not move your hands around while holding the baby, or turn it upside down, as rapid changes in posture can also kill.
5. Identifying the age of the baby: HATCHLINGS are tiny baby birds with no feathers, unable to stand, eyes closed; age newly hatched to one week.  NESTLINGS have feathers, eyes open and can hop, but are not standing up; age 2-3 weeks.  FLEDGLINGS are feathered, standing, hopping, and flying, but NOT self-feeding; age 25 to 28 days.
6. If the baby is still being fed by its parents it will “gape�?when you move your finger over its head, or if you gently tap the container or the side of the mouth.  If the baby does not gape, but still appears very young, the beak may need to be gently pried open to feed it.  Baby birds that are fully feathered, and trying to fly, and do not gape may be fed adult food for that species, along with a small shallow container of water.  (Too much water may result in drowning.) At this age, it is essential to know the species of the bird in order to provide the correct food. (Seed eaters vs insect eaters, such as Robins and Starlings, vs omnivores, such as crows)
7. Temporary diets: Feed hatchlings every hour from 7 AM to 7 PM.  Feed nestlings every hour from 7 AM to 7 PM, and fledglings, every 2 hours during the same time period.

Emergency food:  May feed in tiny bits, either dry dog or cat food soaked in warm water until completely softened, or mushy canned dog or cat food, or strained baby-food beef.

More complete formula:  Mix together the following ingredients:

½ cup of good quality canned dog food

2 Tablespoons of high protein baby cereal

Moisten with warm water, or fruit juice, not milk.  Add enough liquid to make a slurry and feed with a dropper, or “diabetic�?unit syringe (without the needle!).  Make sure the tip of the syringe or dropper is far enough down the throat to miss the airway.  Any food going down the airway will kill the bird.  Be gentle!  For older birds, add less liquid, and put tiny bits of the food just inside the beak.

For fledglings or adult birds:

1 part canned dog food, or, dog chow, soaked and softened in warm water

1 part high protein baby cereal with wheatgerm

Applesauce

Make a mush of these ingredients, and offer small bits just inside the beak, if the bird still gapes sometimes.  For an adult, provide the food in a small shallow dish, such as a jar lid.

 Do NOT feed bread to wild birds.  It fills them up with empty calories.

 It is not legal to keep a wild bird, and you should consider these suggestions as TEMPORARY only, until you can get the bird to a drop off site, or directly to us.

 Thank you!

What to do if you find an injured or orphaned animal.
If you find an injured or orphaned animal first take the time to observe the animal and it's behavior. If you conclude it's definitely injured, call Sarvey Wildlife Care Center at (360) 435 4817 and describe it's condition. Sarvey will suggest the best course of action for that animal.
Please, use common sense if you need to contain the animal. Raptors, Raccoons, etc, any dangerous animal are best left to the Sarvey rescuers to capture.
It's important to remember that any wild animal will try to protect itself. This is a natural reaction, they don't know your trying to help them. Don't consider the animal to be vicious, it's very very scared.
Now, if you've determined that the animal needs to be transported for rehabilitation
Prepare a container-put a soft cloth in a cardboard box or cat/dog carrier. If in a box make sure there are air holes.
Protect yourself- wear heavy gloves if possible. Some animals may bite or scratch to protect themselves, even if sick or injured. Remember they are terrified of you.
Cover the container-with a light sheet or towel. You want to keep the animal warm and calm. Keeping the container dark will help keep the animal calm.
Gently pick up the animal and put it in the prepared container.
This is worth repeating..Keep the animal warm and calm.
Note exactly where you found it.
Bring it Sarvey or one of our drop off locations.
Please do not give the animal food or water, keep it away from children and pets.

All migratory birds are protected by federal and state laws and there are stiff penalties for violations. It is illegal to shoot, trap, or otherwise harm any Bird of Prey. It is illegal to have possession of a Bird of Prey, even if it's one that was injured or orphaned. It is even illegal to possess an egg or feather of one of these birds without a special federal permit. These laws are intended to protect our valuable Birds of Prey, so that they will continue to play their vital role in maintaining the health of the natural ecosystems.

Opossums...If the mother is found dead you can check her pouch for babies. They are attached to her nipples and can be gently removed. Keep them warm and get them to Sarvey as soon as possible. Opossums that are 7 inches long (not measuring the tail) and are not injured usually don't need assistance. At this size and age they're pretty much self-sufficient.

Fawns...Often people see fawns sitting quietly, all alone, and think they have been abandoned. In most cases the mother has left her baby while she's off foraging. This is quite normal and sometimes well-intentioned people "rescue" the fawn. If you find a fawn and it's lying quietly, leave it alone, and leave the area. Mom will not return while you are nearby, and she's more than likely watching you. If the fawn is obviously injured or you know that mom is dead, call Sarvey immediately.
Point of interest: Doe's routinely hide their defenseless babies in brush or tall grass while they're away feeding. She will return to the fawn a few times during the day to nurse it. Fawns can remain motionless for long periods of time, and give off no odor at this stage of their life. A predator can walk right by the fawn without detecting their presence.

Bird Strikes...If a bird has hit your window and appears injured/stunned, place it in a box/container with a lid, be sure there are air holes. Place the box/container in a quiet area and monitor for a few hours. In many cases (if stunned) the bird will be ready to fly away in an hour or two. If a bird has been attacked by a cat or dog, please bring it to Sarvey for treatment as soon as possible.