The Brood takes flight, well I hope…
September 10, 2007 – 3:20 pmAimee tells me that even her mother, the woman who has butterflies land on her finders like Cinderella, had poor luck with baby birds. The folk at the Bruckner Nature Center said the best thing to do would be to release the critter. When I explain that it can not fly, they told me that animals at this age can’t and it is part of the natural order of things that they are eaten by predators. I am again in a position where I am probably going to be disappointed in my poor ability to save a critter who is in need.
On the day that Po Po (now named Harley) was adopted by Rabitcha (gee, can you tell she is a biker), I found this baby bird trying to fly and failing misserably. It was a rainy day at the Ohio Renaissance festival and the critter was not only so small that I was afraid he would get squished by folk in the crowd, but that he was hopping / walking / almost flying towards John Parker’s cat (who is in no need of any more food).
So I scooped him up an called the folk who one would think could take him off my hands, the Allwood Audobon and the Bruckner Nature Center. Allwood said good luck. Bruckner said that it is the nature of things that critters like this will die. Maybe so, but I am on my way to the pet store for Lafabers Bird Formula. It seems that the folk who raise birds for profit don’t seem to think it is odd that hand feeding a captive baby bird is possible. In fact, as a captive mama bird can not gather food for its children, feeding baby birds is something that folk in the business must to otherwise they would die.
I am somehow reassured by the idea that if one can profit from a task, they will figure out how to do it. However, as most folk advise me that the critter has less than a one- percent chance; well I am ready for disappointment. I am starting to wonder if being willing to rescue animals might be a bad influence on my daughter. She loves animals so much, that I am afraid the dissapointment of when you can not save them might not be a good thing.
Aimee is confused. She says that most women marry someone who reminds them of their fathers. She married her mother. I have met my wife’s mother and I think I will take that as a compliment.
13 Responses to “The Brood takes flight, well I hope…”
A.J. You any bait shops nearby???? invest in a few tubs of worms….baby bird will survive better on worms than man made formula..which can be too rich for their system..( earth worms are good source of protein)
By gina on Sep 11, 2007
I say worms as opposd to formula because baby birds dont drink lots of water while they are still in the nest as a rule..they get all the moisture they need from their diet which consist of worms, grubs, bugs and so forth..the extra water stresses their kidneys..the 1 exception are birds who actually regurgitate their food…like pigeons and parrots and so forth..With wild creature its best to keep the diet as natural as possible.. And good luck!
By gina on Sep 11, 2007
Gina said: “like pigeons and parrots”
I think it is a morning dove. Isnt that a pigeon?
By A.J. Drew on Sep 11, 2007
mourning doves also produce “crop milk” for regurgitation..try formula.. add insects if u can…if u have and old blender not being used…u can add natural protein to it’s feedings..(sounds gross, I know) when he/she gets older then introduce bird seeds..as they are ground foragers, the baby looks fully feathered.. and not much yellow on his beak..so he/she might peck at seeds now too..
By gina on Sep 11, 2007
Like I said, I *think* it is a morning dove. I dunno. I love all critters, but have never been much of a bird person. Tried to rescue a few but usually after a cat got to them, not much luck there. Does it look like a morning dove to you? Uh to anyone reading?
Mornign feeding went EXCELLENTLY. S/he (how the hell do you tell?) didn’t do the tilt the head back and churp thing, but after the first little squirt, s/he started opening his mouth wide and letting me get in there.
I saw the first example of what I think is the gullet getting full. Is it kind of a balloon on its chest, storage facility?
I am concerned that the way the person at the pet store showed me is different than what is going on. He seemed to think that the suringe goes more down the throat than I can do because his throat is so small. So I get it into the mouth, towards the right side of the back of his throat, he puffs up his mouth to make it easier and then I squirt a bit on in. But some does wind up in his mouth.
Is that bad? I do not think he is aspirating it. Well, I dont think so because he is breathing just fine.
Could it be that hitting that side of the mouth causes a reaction to not breath? Not sure what mysteries of nature are at work here.
In particular, I am rackign my brian over the idea that mama bird knows which side of the throat to add food too. No seriously, I didnt know the first thing about taking care of infant humans (uh mine) until someone told me (that would be Aimee) and I still make mistakes.
Ah yes, I remember fondly the day when Aimee explained the one year upside down rule. No babies are allowed to be hung upside down till they are a year old.
Oh Aubreyahna, where are you…..
By A.J. Drew on Sep 11, 2007
It does look like a mourning dove to me…ur vet may be able to confirm this..Are you using a syringe or a eye dropper to feed him? ( something tells me its a boy but I could be wrong) their crops/ craws do stretch to a cetain extent..for a bird his size a good syring full at feeding should suffice..just be sure to avoid the tiny opening you see in the back of their tongue when he opens his mouth..thats his trachea..feed him every couple of hours.when he opens his mouth put the tip of syringe into his throat past the smaller opening u see.. When I raised Oscar, ( a pigeon) I had to use a turkey baster to feed him..I made him a mush from chick starter and dry milk and boiled water.which worked real well in his case..Oscar lived for several years and gave me several clutches of babies, he made a great father too..He actually tried to rear a golf ball that my practical joker son put in his cage..
By gina on Sep 11, 2007
just avoid that little opening and he’ll be fine…their throats are quite stretchy..
By gina on Sep 11, 2007
AJ
I don’t know if you got my other post to this since it is not showing up. sighhhhh
It is a crop that stores the food in their throat.
Most pet stores place a tube thing down the throat so they can make sure the bird is getting enough to eat. The ones they hand feed are expensive birds. (daughter works at PetSmart)
Starfire has fed birds from the nest with formula.
You have made it through the first 24 hours so it is looking good. Be sure to keep the little guy/girl warm!!!! No drafts.
The bird looks like a starling from the pictures but it is hard to tell.
As I said give a call if you need help.
There is a bird doctor in Reynoldsburg on Main St. Dr. Mohan. He is in the phone book.
By Rhiannon on Sep 11, 2007
So I don’t know if I should be happy or sad. I took him out of the cage to feed him and he started flying around the kitchen banging into things. The cats took and interest and I managed to get the back door open in time for him to, well take a big dump on my lap top and fly out the door.
I guess what I was originaly told was right, it just takes a few days for them to learn now to fly. Seems like a screwed up way to start a life but then again, I do feel shat upon right now.
So for this year I think this makes me 3 out of 7. 1 saved bird, 1 saved turtle, 1 saved kitten. Not the best score in the world, but I am starting to think that sometimes the odds are stacked against you and you do what you can despite thinking it is a loosing battle.
By A.J. Drew on Sep 12, 2007
The big picture is that you tried 7 out of 7 times. Some many just walk on buy. Its not there animal after all. I do animal rescue for both pet and wild animal. The odds of 3 out of 7 are not bad at all.
On behave of the animals
Thank you.
By Otterkin on Sep 12, 2007
The Goddess knows where your heart is, A.J. and thats all that counts…
By gina on Sep 12, 2007
Well A.J. Harley is doing so well! He fits right in our family! Harley rode home to Michigan between my Boobs! I can tell you raised him! LOL! he is right at home in our bed! Thank you for letting us adopt him! Our other two babies (Shadow and Spooky) are still in the checking him out phase! He moves too quick for them right now, they are really curious about him! At first they wouldnt come near, but now the are getting closer. They are all back on our bed, one big happy family!Harley loves the kitty tower you bought him! He loves the hammock part the best!He already answers to his name, so I guess hes happy with the name Harley! You should hear him purr, thats why hes named Harley! That and he loves Boobies!LOL! Will try an get a pic soon of him and the other too!Thank you again for letting us adopt Harley! He is already getting spoiled! Our cats just let us live here to feed them and pay the bills!LOL! You did a good thing by taking the time and love you gave those kitties! They wouldnt have had a chance if you didnt take them and love on them the way you did! Knowone else could have done the best you did for them. Sometimes Mother Nature has other plans for her children then we would like. You gave the kitties the best chance they could ever have had! Look how many people just passed them by! I know it hurts that they all didnt make it, but none would have made it if you hadnt cared! Thank you again for being the Yeti that cares! Will give you updates as often as possible! Know that Harley will be one Spoiled kitty! Blessed Be!
By Rabitchka on Sep 13, 2007
Sounds like you did just fine, AJ! My parakeets had an unexpected nest full of eggs. I was shocked when one actually hatched! Well, it’s been 5 years now, and I have a very deformed little bird on my hands (her legs stetch straight out at her sides). But she’s a fighter and her father chirps to her all the time and keeps her company. Her mama died, but she wasn’t the friendliest bird around. Some think I’m cruel for keeping her alive, but she’s getting by. As long as she lives, I’ll take care of her and make sure she has company. We do the best we can, and hope it’s ok. What else can we do?
By Shaitan on Sep 18, 2007