Orphan nestlings - Tiggywinkles

Orphan nestlings
If you see a baby or young bird apparently deserted by it parents, in the first instance leave it alone.
Retire to a hiding place and watch to see if the parent birds fly down to feed their offspring; this can
be some time when they are encouraging the youngsters to feed themselves. If there is a danger from
cats, however, move the fledgling to a high, safe place or alternatively put it into a box or old bird cage
so that the parents can still reach it. The best solution of all is to arrange for the cats to be kept in until
the bird has flown.
Occasionally, baby birds with no feathers whatsoever are found on the garden path. These are usually
sparrows or martins and it is best to return these to their nests under the eaves. The parent birds cannot
deal with this type of foundling if it is out of the nest, so you must take action of some sort.
However, if you can’t find the nest of the unfeathered nestling, then you must step in to help.
Feeding the patient
As feeding and rearing orphaned baby birds is a very specialised job, it should only be undertaken by
experienced personnel.
Most baby birds that are hatched into nests are fed by their parents on insects and grubs. Obviously, it
is impossible to collect enough’ creepy crawlies’ to satisfy a rapidly-growing youngster. A very effective
substitute that we call ‘glop’ can be made instead.
Tiggywinkles’ glop
One cup dog food
One cup dried insects
(such as Sluis Universal or Haiths Prosecto)
One cup cold water
Pinch of stress
Pinch of Pan-Crex (available from vets)
Liquidise until the consistency of soft ice-cream and freeze. Thaw slowly before feeding.
For orphans of seed eating species, Tropican rearing food (available from Rolf C. Hagen Ltd),
can be used.
Passerine (or perching) birds all gape with their beaks wide open, enabling their parents to push food
right down the back of their throats. By tapping the sides of its box or beak, you can usually encourage

a bird to gape, whereupon you can deposit a small amount of the food mixture down the back of the
throat. Do not pick the bird up or feed it with your finger or it will become imprinted. Those little plastic
spatulas provided in cafes to stir tea with, are very useful. When feeding a bird make sure that no food
or moisture enters its glottis; the hole which is situated immediately behind the tongue. Always keep the
bird clean; do not allow food to go onto its feathers - a ‘baby wipe’ will help.
Bird head diagram
Baby birds should be fed at least every 10-15 minutes from dawn to dusk. You will know when a fledgling
has temporarily had enough as it will stop gaping.
Heat
Small unfeathered hatchlings need heat at all times.
They are notoriously difficult to rear - phone us for advice
with any problems. Large birds with feathers need
to be kept in a draught proof box at approximately 60ºF.
Overhead heat lamps with ceramic bulbs are ideal for
baby birds.
Weaning
Birds will probably fly before they are weaned, so do not
release them until you have seen them regularly pick up
seed, in the case of a seed-eater, or clean, white maggots or waxworms, in the case of an insectivore
(both of which should be gradually introduced to the bird).
Species
As with seed-eaters and insectivores, it is important to identify the species of the orphan, as some birds
require specialised feeding.
Owls and Birds of Prey
These need dead mammals or birds in order to survive - a very specialised job. The food may have
to be cut up into bite-sized pieces for youngsters. All birds of prey must bring up pellets of indigestible
bones and fur.
Pigeons and Doves
Baby pigeons and doves are different from all other British birds in that they are reared on a milky
substance produced in their parents’ throats. To rear them we use Tropican for very tiny pigeon, and
ground corn mixed with water for larger birds. This mixture is then syringed straight into the
pigeons crop. This should only be attempted by very experienced bird handlers.
Waterfowl
These can pick up their food as soon as they are hatched. Offer them Chick Crumbs
(stocked by most pet shops) and a small bowl of drinking water.

Do not let them bathe as the feathers are not yet waterproof and the birds can easily chill.
Moorhens are especially difficult - please phone for advice.
Game and Other Precocial Birds
These will peck away at seed and chick crumbs mixed with some insects. A small branch of unsprayed
greenfly, off the roses, will probably tempt them. Once again, only a small dish of water.
Crows, Magpies and Seagulls
These will eat copious quantities of puppy food or other meat products. Be very careful not to imprint
these very intelligent birds. Keep human contact to a minimum, and when you feed them, use a spatula
or tongue depresser without picking the bird up.
For more information read: Practical Wildlife Care, by Les Stocker
Don’ts to bear in mind when fostering baby birds:
* Never try to give a drink of anything as the bird will probably drown.
* Never offer a bird bread and milk, or alcohol.
* Earthworms are sometimes toxic, so don’t feed birds on worms.
* Keep the handling of the bird to a minimum as it will easily become imprinted (tame).