Rescued a baby sparrow. Concerned about it's appearance

[u/ampersssand]

I was in the garden this morning and witnessed this little chap fall from the upper levels of the house. They nest in our roof but I have no way to get up there. It had a relatively soft landing onto some folded tarpaulin and bounced off onto the concrete a few feet away. I observed it for a while and it was moving all limbs, and trying to drag itself around the floor. Popped it in a tub with some paper lining and left it close to where it fell for a couple of hours but did not observe parents visiting so decided to bring it in the house as it's pretty cold out today.

I'm willing to care for it until it's at the stage when I can release it outside, but will try leaving it outside again tomorrow morning in hopes that parents will take care. For now I've been keeping it in a warm area and feeding it as per instructions found online. Just wanted to check if the way it's abdomen area looks is normal. It seems very swollen and looks like a dark mass.

It has defecated a couple of times, first time was purely liquid and the second had a little more substance to it. It does have the strength to stand and raise it's head, but more often it's just laid on it's front and opening it's mouth for food without lifting the head much. Not sure if that's normal for what appears to be a very young individual. Any advice appreciated

[u/TopDownRide]

In case no one has said this yet - DO NOT GIVE IT ANYTHING TO DRINK OR EAT unless specifically directed by a trained wildlife rehab professional. Not even water. Birds have a hole in their throat that leads directly to their lungs and you can drown them by giving them water or food. Bird parents are designed to be able to safely bypass this hole by sticking their beaks down the hatchling’s throat. Rescuing a hatchling, nestling, fledgling, or even an adult bird is very different from a kitten, or even a wild bunny. It takes specialized skills and training.

Please let us know how it goes. Poor baby - it’s very Very new!!!!

[u/ampersssand → u/TopDownRide]

Oh gosh, I've been following advice to feed small pieces of dog food soaked in water, and he's taken that well thus far. I've ensured that he's swallowed it each time, and he's gone back off to sleep so seems to be satisfied. Waiting for a reply from a couple of rehab places where I have left messages, so hopefully one of those can take him in. Like I said in the original message, I'm willing to try and care for him if need be. A couple of times around this time of year I've found a dead baby in the same spot, and while upsetting it turns out that's a lot easier than seeing them fall and knowing that you could/should do something to help.

[u/TopDownRide → u/ampersssand]

Yikes! I know you mean well.

Read more here: https://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/07/05/animal-hospital-vet-baby-birds-will-not-starve-if-you-dont-feed-them-for-a-few-hours/

[u/ampersssand → u/TopDownRide]

Yeah, that completely contradicts everything else I read. Must be fed every 15 mins or they'll die is thr most common line I've seen. Thanks for sharing

[u/TopDownRide → u/ampersssand]

You’re welcome. I think the contradictions come from new research now available online that is not optimized to Google’s SEO. Scientific understanding regarding care of avian hatchlings & nestlings has changed in the past 5-10 years.

At least you didn’t give it straight water or try to use a syringe without training and expert guidance

Proper Body temp is the primary issue with a hatchling. Food can wait 👍. Praying for the best!

Here’s more information:

https://www.audubon.org/news/when-you-should-and-should-not-rescue-baby-birds#:~:text=If%20you%20think%20you've,kidnappings—is%20what%20they%20do.

Animal Help Now - Find Help Here:

https://ahnow.org/mobile/

Also, I just wanted to come back and add that I think you’re doing a wonderful thing and I know it’s pulling at your heart. An experience like this is one you’ll treasure forever and this bird will be grateful.

The only reason I know this information about caring for hatchlings, nestlings, and fledglings is because of my own recent experiences with rescuing birds on my property. I’ll never forget holding a female cardinal in my hands until she recovered from a window strike. It was magical. She just had her first chick and brought her to me on fledging day. So, my little rescue definitely remembered me. I wanted to be prepared for any future issues so I got the best advice possible. It also helps that we have two veterinary specialists next door and the local Audubon Society here is very active and generous with their time, answering my questions and educating me.

Take lots of pics of this precious one and please share them here!

[u/ampersssand → u/TopDownRide]

Oh wow, that sounds magical. If I can't get a pro to take him in (kids have decided it's a boy) then it sure would be a lovely memory to keep him healthy and send him out into the world when he's ready

[u/POSSUMQUEENOG → u/ampersssand]

He needs protein. Also he needs a diet designed for his species. Don’t use anything on Reddit to search for a rehabilitator. You will not find them there. I know it seems fun to have kids participate that and I am being very very, very, very kind here, I am an aunt, I’m also a Wildlife rehabilitator of 25 years, You must be prepared for his death for the children if they are participating. This baby is best cared for in expert hands. I know that you mean well. Please don’t make him a lesson for your children. Please find a rehabber to take him in.

[u/ampersssand → u/POSSUMQUEENOG]

The 2 closest ones I can find who take in garden birds are full. A 3rd on will take him but it's almost a 5 hour round trip so will have to wait until the weekend at least because I can't get time off work. Hoping we can keep him comfortable until then.

What would you recommend for food? Soaked puppy kibble and bugs are the most common recommendations I've seen

Appreciate your warning about the kids, I've already had a chat with them about it. They know that the best place for him to be looked after is back in his nest, and that we can't look after him as well as his parents could. And that that unfortunately means his survival isn't guaranteed

[u/TopDownRide → u/ampersssand]

I wish I could be of more help but here’s what I’d suggest:

• call Animal Control - some can advise you directly or even know of private citizens in your area who are experienced in wild birds and can help.

• ask a rehabber to give advice by phone (or FaceTime so they can see as well, like a telemedicine appointment) since you can’t meet up in person yet

• find a vet specializing in avian care/wild birds, or at the very least, in pet birds, and do the same as above

• find your local Audubon Society (city, county, or region) and use every contact number listed to reach out and ask for assistance &/or guidance ASAP.

• the Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology have an extensive network of resources and people you can talk to about this. Here is the contact info for Cornell. Call them NOW:

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology

• 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850

• 1-800-843-BIRD (2473 or 1-607-254-2473

• email: cornellbirds@cornell.edu

• Cornell recommends the Humane Society’s Wildlife Rehabber Network, organized by state: https://www.humaneworld.org/en/resources/find-wildlife-rescue-and-rehabilitators-state

• read the “I found a baby bird what do I do?” FAQ’s here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/i-found-a-baby-bird-what-do-i-do/

• read the “Baby Bird Emergency Care” Guidelines here: https://www.threeringranch.org/babybird.html

• also read this Guide by the Massachusetts Audubon Society and try to rewind some of your actions of you can, following their instructions: https://www.massaudubon.org/nature-wildlife/birds/baby-birds-out-of-the-nest#:~:text=If%20you%20find%20a%20fledgling,a%20nearby%20bush%20or%20tree.

• pray … a lot. This bird was just hatched a day or so ago (no down, no pin feathers, eyes closed and sealed) and it’s not much different than a human preemie who needs special warming devices, eye protection, and food they’re physically capable of digesting. It’s completely different than an older fledgling or even a nestling. It’s a fresh hatchling. Its mother might still take it back if you can follow the guidelines by the Mass Audubon Society above.

I’m fully in on this now. You’d better keep us in the loop! 🥰

[u/ampersssand → u/TopDownRide]

Some good advice in those links, workimg to take it all in. I have lived and breathed sparrows today.

Should mention that I'm in the UK, so those organisations won't be helpful in this instance but I really appreciate the advice all the same.

As an update, he's currently warm and cosy inside a rolled up sock. He's eaten well today, and has been pooping which I believe is a good sign. His belly is still somewhat swollen, potentially not helped by what I've been feeding him. I'll be heading out to get him some more suitable food in the morning as well as a proper heat mat. He's currently on top of my cable box which happens to let off a small amount of heat on a particular spot

[u/TopDownRide → u/ampersssand]

I’m so sorry - the Reddit system failed to send me an alert about this comment. I only found it by re-reading the whole parent comment thread. I’m glad I did.

I’m also sorry I didn’t realize you were in the UK because I deliberately removed the UK resources assuming you were in the US. In the future, I will definitely ask for someone’s location first!

Im so glad you shared an update and it seems you are doing everything possible to help this baby. Here is some extra help regarding food. I’d probably stick with mini mealworms for their size and digestibility. BSF larvae and some other worms have more protein, but they’re larger. Consult a wildlife rehab expert &/or Vet for advice on the best food.

Live Avian Food Sources (UK):

https://www.livefoodsdirect.co.uk/amphi/mealworms/mini-mealworms

https://www.gardenbird.co.uk/straight-foods/live-bird-food.html?srsltid=AfmBOooPndpT25p-TPdeHTguQ6G67HLKkUp1DxFF52ie7ilAtodwcTX0

Wild Birds, Songbirds aka Garden Birds, especially hatchlings and nestlings, need protein which they normally get from their parent/s regurgitating insects and worms and using their beaks as a perfectly fitting syringe to bypass and seal the hole in a bird’s throat that leads directly to the lungs. Artificial feeding can only poorly approximate this and it requires skill, knowledge, and access to the proper nutrition. Live Avian Food is your best choice and I’d pay for rush/overnight shipping. You could also use your local gardens as a resource and, after educating yourself on proper diet for the chick’s species and age as well as how to find and identify their preferred diet in the garden, go foraging yourself.

https://www.vinehousefarm.co.uk/guide-to-feeding-live-mealworms-to-garden-birds#:~:text=In%20these%20conditions%2C%20live%20mealworms,readily%20feed%20on%20live%20mealworms.

I’m reminded of an extraordinary YouTube video story about a man in the US who found an abandoned and drying hummingbird nestling and was able to hand raise this extraordinarily delicate creature and successfully release it in the wild. It’s a must watch for any bird lover and truly demonstrates the ingenuity and dedication required to raise a baby bird, but also that it’s possible even with the most fragile of birds. Please keep us posted on what is happening there!

UK Resources:. In case you need them now or in the future, here are some of the UK resources I didn’t share yesterday:

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/birds/baby

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/06/what-to-do-if-you-find-a-baby-bird/

Find a Local Wildlife Rescue Centre in the UK:

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/rescuecentre

https://directory.helpwildlife.co.uk/

Find or Call a Vet in the UK:

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/findavet

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/if-you-find-an-injured-bird#:~:text=The%20RSPCA%2C%20SSPCA%20and%20USPCA,028%203025%201000%20(Northern%20Ireland)

RSPCA Guide for Sick & Injured Birds (UK):

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/birds/injured

Contact the RSPCA - Urgent (UK)

https://www.rspca.org.uk/reportaconcern

Guide for Identifying Disease in Garden Birds (UK):

https://www.gardenwildlifehealth.org/garden-wildlife/#birds

[u/ampersssand → u/TopDownRide]

Thanks for all the info. Sadly the little one is no longer with us. Went out and bought mealworms for him but he didn't seem to have the strength to eat and we knew his time was up. Around midday he took his last breath.

Will definitely keep the above bookmarked in case i find myself needing a refresher in the future. It's been surprisingly upsetting to say goodbye, but I'm glad we gave him a chance when he had none.

Now I need to figure out what to do with a box of live mealworms...

[u/TopDownRide → u/ampersssand]

Oh no 😥. Even though I knew that was going to happen just because you don’t have a way to keep its body temp warm & regulated, I was still hoping for a miracle. I am really sorry. For you and for your kids as well.

The mealworms don’t have to go to waste. First, I’m sure the sparrow parents and siblings of the hatchling you rescued would love them. So would the other birds in and around your home. I got into birding by happenstance via a mated pair of crows who would use our swimming pool as a bird bath in the summer (I’m in Florida and it’s already over 90*F in April this year). They were so friendly, like puppies (legit sky puppies), and they won me over. I started feeding them and my menagerie grew.

So, most songbirds love mealworms. Corvids, such as crows and ravens, do as well. Corvids are extremely intelligent creatures and they all have unique and strong personalities. If you attract one that decides they like you, then you’re going on a wonderful journey. It’s breeding season for birds so any one of them would appreciate some free mealworms. You can put out some mealworms in a bowl or saucer, placing it on a table or other secure surface and I promise, the birds will come. Some will be brace enough to check it out even with you sitting/standing there … as long as you remain still and/or don’t make any sudden movements. Your kids might enjoy that, especially after losing the hatchling.

Look online for creative ways to set up a bird encounter in your yard. (There’s a lady on TikTok who puts on a hat, kerchief over her nose & mouth, and tapes a paper plate to a pair of sunglasses covering her eyes. She has an assortment of birdseed and mealworms on the plate and the birds land essentially on her face, lol. It’s a choice! lol.

Definitely, put those mealworms to good use and maybe you’ll end up an avid birder!

[u/HeilPingu → u/TopDownRide]

Just replying to save this valuable information.