Raising A Baby Grackle: part II - by Mike Franzman

An abandoned baby bird, in urgent need of food, warmth, and shelter, was brought to me on the evening of May 22. While I always recommend putting the bird back in the nest, so the adult birds will raise it properly, it was not an option in this case: no nest, no adult birds, plummeting nighttime temperatures, and this nestling had been screaming for food all day, with no assistance from other birds.
Part I covered Days One through Ten. This episode continues, Day Eleven through Day Fifteen, as we chart his progress!
Note: we initially thought that this baby bird was a starling, so incorrectly titled the video, "Another Starling Story" at first.

[@laurismith7673]

What an intelligent, kind, compassionate man you are! God bless you for being a hero to this little bird :)

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@holaforistas]

He’s an special person, yes indeed.

[@sgt_loeram1933]

Indeed a hero he single handedly saved this birds life!

[@celestesand4133]

This is really heart warming to watch.

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@SheenaRea]

@@JainGardeningandBirdsCare Wow, I just watched your video. How beautifully you care for little orphaned birds! Thanks so much.

[@thomasmleahy6218]

Hey, that Gerber sounded good! Usually starlings are usually very very chatty, with many many different sounds.

[@ooohlaa13]

This burst my heart open and made me cry, I have pretty much isolated myself from all the hate and division in the world. To see your caring and kindness, and the natural way you present this, no razzle dazzle, no showing off or beintg cute and clever, to entertain us. You are modeling human decency and respect for Life and the stark contrast to what is going on in the world is heart wrenchingly beautiful and sorely needed! Thank you.

[@Wal48]

You echo my feelings watching this exactly!

[@ooohlaa13]

@@Wal48 thank you ... glad there are many of us who can have compassion and recognize goodness. I find it most in people who are animal lovers especially when you see interspecies commuications between all kinds of animals and people, and all kinds of different animal species with each other.🐦💓

[@catmeifyoucan4649]

My thoughts exactly. There's still goodness out there ;)

[@siamaknormani2977]

Say , Mike, you are a bird man, and I see how sincere you are in what you do for birds. I love to watch your programms, and it gives me a good feeling, and I have learned a lot, how to be a bird mama, should I ever find a lost, or unattanded baby bird. Thank you. You are an amazing human being

[@evajawidzik2562]

Really exciting to see you help the sweet bird. Thank you so much excited to watch him grow up. Do they ever come back to visit you.?

[@ljubalozica665]

Hi Mike, going round bend to se how to get the two starlings to eat. All other sites talk of what to feed them. One is bit bigger. Last night There were several nests and there were about 6 taking their first flight. They Made it, si it looks Like they did flying to a big Tree. I think these were of different nests. One is almost ready to tako off but they had several attempts but ended falling😢i taken them home. But they do not want to eat🥹 will i wait or keep trying. Thinking if they dont eat they will perish. Can you give a sugestion? Please!! I would Like to try.

[@lorrainewelch5176]

I saw a bit of sadness when you spoke about him flying away. God blessed you . You seem to have special gifts of God “ like St.Francis of Assisi

[@carolegriggs3107]

He does - bless him

[@patsycav]

Lorraine Welch ... my daughter sent me pictures of a hanging plant with a nest. It had four little blue eggs in it. They finally hatched, all but one, and the mother bird took care of them. They have since flown away. It was a beautiful place for their nest, with bright red flowers that bloomed before they hatched. They were born in a mini garden of Eden. She lost her husband two years ago, and since then, unusual things have been happening ... spiritual things that give pause for thought. "Heavenly Blue" morning glories were a favorite of his. She planted them near the patio in the backyard in memory of her lost love, and they flourished. She installed a trellis for them to climb on. It was so beautiful and reinforced my belief in everlasting life.

[@pattyvoakes1053]

What a Wonderful Dad you are !!! That Little Sweetheart is Sooooo Happy with You !! Yes !! You are Doing Fantastic!! Don’t pay attention what other people said . With You Little ONE is surviving!! Alone in the Wild ... NOT good !! Thanks so Much for your Kind Heart ❤️!!! God Blessed You !! Al ways!!! 💖💕👼🙏💖💕

[@rbspider]

Boy is he gonna be disappointed when he switches to bugs and worms..

[@bigbehr72ful]

You are such a kind and caring Man! The little darling starling loves sitting on your arm and neck, because you are warm! Thank you for sharing your rescue, and God bless you!

[@ProfRonconi]

Such a a loving relationship between different species... If only humans would understand that we are all but a single species.

[@carolegriggs3107]

Yes indeed..

[@TheHaq0007]

@@carolegriggs3107 &&s&

[@ProfRonconi]

@@petermackay1929 Thank you, Peter. I just don't want to delve for too long in your delusions, lest I be dragged into them. Just get professional help, would you?

[@ProfRonconi]

@@petermackay1929 Dear Peter: Contrary to what you may have gathered from my answer, my intention was not in any way egotistical. I genuinely believe you ought to seek professional help. I did not mean it as an insult, but just as a suggestion. You seem to have fallen pray, through no fault of your own, to a delusion. There are no non-human groups responsible for dragging humans into countless wars. Such a statement has no evidence to support it. When you start believing in statements with no supporting evidence, you're dangerously close to either religious fanaticism or psychosis. Take your pick.

[@HelenaMikas]

how very true ..Each one of us can make a beginning as Mike has ,,and others :

[@jaydoncheng4790]

Thank you so much for making this video. I found a young Zebra Dove, fallen from a tree with its nest, ants around, so i decided to bring it home. It's been with me for a week now, and has learned to fly and walk short distances. There's so much guidance to learn off your video. Thanks.

[@mikeyfranz]

Awesome, glad the video helped. I believe doves eat in a "different" manner than starlings or grackles though, they use more of a tongue action, if you research pigeons and doves it might be helpful to you. Although if you've had him a week he's obviously eating for you? Great work!

[@marcelaoyarce5384]

Thank you Mr. Franzman for all the videos, for the time you take to tell an amazing story while taking care of life, its ideal to have kids watch this, for so much more than enjoyment. I'm a fan.

[@mikeyfranz]

You are very welcome, I enjoyed it myself! It is sad, that I can only do such things, when I find myself to be "in between day jobs". Being in sales, I was often in between assignments, and if the timing was right, I could accept an abandoned baby bird for care, until release. When I am working full time, I cannot do this, unfortunately...

[@royniven2389]

its reassuring to see there is kindness still out there that would sacrifice their time to look after a common bird, usually i am the guy that is handed all the strays.

[@marianneosielworld]

having resistantly step up to the plate of taking care of a feral cat colony a few years ago single-handedly for 3 years, I can say that it's a thankless job but rewarding in the connection you have with the part of wildlife you take care of.thanks for being more than a Good Samaritan, being a good soul with the ability to research and come up with what this little bird needed... interested to know what happened to him after this period of upbringing. Thanks so very much, Mike, for all that you

[@thomasmleahy6218]

Oh yes, splashing in the water, instinct takes over. Some will get so carried away, they'll be completely soaked, looking so different, looking like they almost drowned, but had great fun doing it. Had a parrot in the shower, couldn't believe he had such a great time, he didn't want to stop! So funny! Totally impossible to fly. Just loved it. Gave him a gentle towel patting, then on my finger held high, drop him down so he would flap his wings, do that a few times, back on the roost, cage, whatever, let him preen and fix his feathers. Still funny to me all these years later. Totally soaked.

[@zahidakaramat6931]

He's a real super human being so kind he really helped the poor lonely chick bless you great video 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️👌👌👌👌💕💕💕

[@Hiirikettu]

Wonderful job. Thank you for your effort for this little bird.

[@fhill2895]

Nice video, congratulations on a fine job helping another little one without it's parents. You are helping to take out a bite of our invasiveness :}

[@lisamcnish3287]

Love to watch you take such care with these birds, he has thrived with the love and nourishment you have given him. Think it must be bittersweet to let him go, but your reward is his success!

[@Mounhas]

Aw, the fluff on top of his head! Your care for the little fella is fantastic.

[@davinatest8467]

Roosting at sunset it’s instinctive .....great job!

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@SheenaRea]

These are excellent videos on how to take care of orphaned birds. Thank you so much, love what you're doing!

[@catmeifyoucan4649]

I can still see that bald baby bird body underneath those wet feathers lol ..so cute!

[@DavidMiller-mo4in]

I live in Florida where we have millions of starlings. They nest anywhere and everywhere and are noisy in a most beautiful way! Every evening they start to roost and the whistling starts. One will whistle, then another and another. until it is a beautiful harmony! One morning, a starling was sitting on top of a shed and he started to imitate a microwave beeping sound. It sounded exactly like someone entering minutes on a microwave. I love those birds!

[@auntihooha]

I love your approach and disagree with those who say you shouldn't bond with the bird. Crows from all over the place flock together at dusk; they need that bonding time. Social beings need other beings and in leaving them alone, they are being traumatized. I'm glad this little guy got a good start in life. 💚

[@valerieangell7588]

You are a wonderful man...and he’s a wonderful bird.

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@pirongia5168]

Thank you Mike for uploading these videos to KZbin. Seeing your tender compassion towards the little bird is so inspiring.

[@falistapally78]

So sweet. My grandmother used to rehabilitate sick/injured/abandoned wildlife before she got too old. She passed a few years ago. It's nice to see there are good people in the world who do this. I know it takes a lot of time and dedication.

[@trouty7947]

My grandad on my dad's side was an avid bird keeper and breeder, and had rehabilitated injured birds (even got some kind of hawk healthy again with a bad wing. He had to drag food across the ground to stimulate its prey drive so it would eat!). He got a reputation as the go to person to give ill birds to. When he died however, it seemed his reputation had spread further than we realised, as a few weeks later my dad went to get into his car and found a sorry looking Heron wrapped in a towel on the passenger seat haha xD. They were both a bit confused about the situation.

[@thomasmleahy6218]

​@@trouty7947 A heron! That's a pretty tall order! A wildlife rescue is a real necessity in a case like that.

[@nisa0714elix]

Hi Mike...I have a European Starling the same age as this one your video. It's my first Starling, though I rehab animals. These birds aren't really "loved" in our area so I've had issues with getting any help. Your videos were very helpful,and I've learned a lot. Now I'm confident my little bird 🐦 will be just fine.

[@carolegriggs3107]

God Bless you. You are a wonderful man. Dear little bird...

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@johnkean6852]

He aint flying off your shoulder because he knows where his bread's buttered 🤣

[@OceanTopInc]

I raised a black bird...... one day she flew away for good. A year later she retuned, built a nest in our garden and had chicks. She still came very close to me, within a foot of my hand but was not willing to be touched. It was lovely to see her again alive and well.

[@dianasherwood9647]

You are a great rescuer and caretaker, how fantastic, I couldnt let the bird go, its like family!!! Bless you.

[@markbailey286]

A noble act of kindness not often seen, very rewarding just to watch it, well done!

[@funnylookingfoetus]

You're a good man, ty for sharing and thank you for taking care of this little guy

[@HelenaMikas]

I could watch this all the the time .If there were more people like you wouldn't our world be a kinder and more understanding place :)👍

[@gabc6353]

I love watching you take care of the birds. When I watched the robin one I thought he got too heavy. Instead of flying to you he was walking up to you like dog in the driveway when you got out of the car. In the wild these birds would never eat as much as you are feeding him. Aside from that you are amazing.

[@birendersinghsachan182]

You are this bird's mom and dad wonderful awesome fantastic marvelous effort you are putting for this little bird. God bless you with awesome compassion for bird.

[@debndogs2208]

The little bird loves you💕

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@lilypadcandee]

You have a great heart ❤️ doing this. I'm so happy to see someone who really cares about animals. He is lucky to have you. Thank you 🙏

[@rhonacunningham4942]

Beautiful !!! Thank you for your kindness with this little bird. I so wish there were more people who cared about nature. Stay well and be safe.

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@sharonsechrist5200]

You're a nice man...birdie loves you because you took him in and took such good care of him,,,,he appreciates that.

[@lolwutathon]

I put out meal/calciworms and suet pellets for the starlings around my house and I love watching them teach their youngsters to pick up their own food.

[@prakashpinto2394]

Those who are kind to birds and animals are kind to human beings as well. Thanks for ur kindness.

[@s.e.fernandez4002]

I'm following your story and very thrilled at your patience and your kindness. birdloversRus.

[@vitoriarui7091]

It was not you that adopt him it was im that adopt you.Some deep and strong instruction inside his brain say" fly away from humans they are the danger".Somehow that instruction was erased creating an amazing bond and that is a gift...I truly hope that this incoming generations learn to preserve and respect nature,something that should be started 100 years ago...All the best for you.

[@arthurlipner-archive77]

This is fantastic Mike! Thanks so much for making and posting it!!

[@yberrios6]

❤Thank you, Mike, for your videos. Today is day 1 of an abandoned nest. The temperature severely dropped tonight, and the momma hasn't come back. It may be due to the fact that 3 of 5 birds fell out of the nest, and she didn't like me handling their nest they made on my wreath. It was tilting more and more forward the bigger they've gotten, causing them to fall out. I set the nest on a chair right below my wreath, but that deterred her away. We just had one successful feeding at 3 am.

[@yberrios6]

One of the babies died on impact. I made your initial recipe, and they accepted it. I can sleep knowing they have a bit of food in their belies.

[@PhoenixsArt]

So next time stay out of it, you scared the mother away and killed a bird with your great care

[@stephen25uk]

Good man, made the world a tiny bit better.

[@MsLoumon]

Thank you for respecting him and preparing him to go back into he wild.

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@richardbondy9199]

Great care for this cute starling...Thanks for awesome video, and love for this starling hatchling...

[@ohthelovelypoems]

What a great foster dada you are, love it's little tufted head! One time a bird swooped down in front of my vehicle and in looking in my rear view mirror it looked like a goner in the road. But something made me turn around, jog over to it while stopping a car in that lane and swoop it up. It wasn't bleeding nor did it have obvious wounds. Wasn't sure if it was just unconscious or what. Was heading to an appt with a lawyer and at the time I was driving a mini truck with a topper, so set it in a box in the back of the truck while I proceeded to the appt. Happy to report that when I came out and stepped over to open the window it had revived itself, flew out, flying high and strong. 😊👍🐦♥️🌳🌻

[@jasperine141]

I found that a bird that looks like a magpie, don't know the name of it, was eating the cats food, pouch and biscuits as well as chicken that I had left out for the strays, usually it would fly down in the evening after the squirrels had their 5pm foraging which they would do after next door's cats would go inside for the night as commanded by their hooman server. Slugs also like cat biscuits and they look funny after a feed cos you can see the shape of all the round biscuits pushing against their skin from the inside. This is very useful information if someone has the same occurrence as you have with abandoned/lost birds. What a lovely caring person you are.

[@dianesorokac2260]

Thanks 4 sharing from 1 bird lover/rescuer to another...beautiful

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@carolinec8796]

You are so wonderful father to the bird is so beautiful works you doing for him

[@Constablegrowler]

What a wonderful, kind and patient person you are. It shows what we humans are capable of.

[@karintolbert7452]

So precious 💗 I've learned a lot watching these videos. Thank you!

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@paulabennett5105]

Brilliant. Such patience. Lucky bird.😄😃👏

[@lindajohnson1109]

So kind of you to take care of them and to give it love

[@chelseydeetta2847]

What a saint you are sir, you are St. Francis. I think that is so wonderful other wise in the wild he would of died. Many thanks for your caring of a living creature.

[@JanieP53]

Thank you for caring.

[@sarahaligned]

Mike you are the best, thank you for all these awesome videos

[@srinivasrao2036]

I am speechless after watching this video. Vey kind n affectionate 🤗

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@jbello9398]

aawww he's adorable... love this video, thanks

[@patsycav]

What a loving, gentle soul you are. Maybe you are one of God's angels on earth. Maybe we can still have hope for better things to come.

[@dianesorokac2260]

Great job...good man...thanks 4 helping this little guy

[@marshawoods4983]

You are a wonderful human being thank you so much for sharing this is so cute

[@djarvils]

You can definitely see good relationship here. That's amazing

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@meeofcourse4152]

Thanks for SHARING

[@1957jmhiser1]

Beautiful bird. He's saying he loves you with the tiny chirps. Birds can become quite attached to their humans.

[@l.richmondchilds9548]

Good Work Mike! I had no idea that a starling was as Dynamic of talker as any bird. You know you must have a gift from Heaven to have them feel at home with you. I care about them like you but they are not at home with me. I’m impressed with you and the care of your and kindness. It is nice to see others care like we do. This is why I love the internet. I live in the Mountains of Utah we don’t have have Cardinals , Blue birds from the East. Orioles. We do have Robins, Starlings, Sparrows, Magpies,blackbirds,Meadowlarks. Thanks 🙏 for inspiring me and bringing back memories.🙏😇🤓👍😷🏔🌎

[@thomasmleahy6218]

They are great mimics of all kinds of sounds.

[@melindacefa]

Love your videos keep them coming I find them very educational if you find a young bird and need to feed it

[@GoodVibes_4You]

Well done :) You did real good .. Thanks for sharing

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@rickstokes1]

You are one cool dude. Thanks for caring.

[@patriciacourt5946]

He’s so adorable, Thank you for sharing your videos and all the care you give for these baby birds....

[@pattyvoakes1053]

He is SO HAPPY!! 💖💕👼🙏💖🥰💕

[@joannlittle1807]

I just found a baby Crow this morning at 6. Thank you for making this video the baby eat as soon as I offered the food. Just got a hold of a rehaber to come get him. He fell from a 50 ft tree. Your awesome and again thanks for the info.

[@katayounahoo4016]

You are a great man 👍👍👍👍👍👍God bless you. You are doing great job, you have great bond with birds. That’s awesome🙏🙏🌹

[@kathleenchristenson8467]

Hi.Mike Franzman.What a love. You sound and think like me. We learn a lot. My brother rescued a baby eagle and did as you are. The Gamewarden took him from him saying Eagles are protected by fed gov (Indian Treaty). My brother served a year in jail for trying to be so good. I don't think any trouble for you.

[@melindalacatus5722]

Both f you are super! Stay healthy! Huggs from România!💕💕💕💕

[@Sigridovski]

How nice, a bath, he is SO cute. They flap their wings when they are happy. A transparent glass bin is better than aluminium, or Pillivuyt porcelains which is lead free. He loves you. He likes to sit close to you. Of course you should bond with the bird. It makes him strong. He needs affection and to be happy to go.

[@osho2012]

Thank you for making this film. So beautiful to see this wild creature so at home with a friend in you as a human being...How the world would be if all humans treated all of our family as family, just as you are doing here. So delicate. So precious. So patient. So connected. All creatures are teachers. Somehow, they are patient and compassionate and trusting, without judgement. I am quite moved to see what has been shared here.

[@robinsydney140]

That's your baby, right there!!!

[@jfeal]

Great video!! Nice to see compassion nowadays, kudos to you!!

[@momckenzie7100]

Thanks so much for restoring a semblance of sanity to our world. I suspected humans could not be as cruel as they appear.

[@holaforistas]

Nice videos. I enjoyed looking this little fellow growing and getting stronger.

[@iuliancosman637]

I like your work😊👍👏.

[@steveyoung5122]

Mike, you are fabulous bloke...:-)

[@tudibug8260]

Yeah he eats wayyyy better than the normal bird!....that's so cool how you raised him!...love this video..

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@duckchorus]

Mike, you seem to have this very well thought out. You are a bird whisperer. Your instincts seem excellent!

[@elsjemassyn8921]

of course you have to bond with the birdie youre doing everything perfect for him

[@BirdBath1]

Elsje Massyn, look at bird bath

[@elsjemassyn8921]

@@BirdBath1 so cute 😁

[@pinabarryscott]

Wow! That is so nice and so cute! I wish I could find one and raise. I love birds; I feed them everyday, my husband said I feed all the neighborhood birds. I have all kinds of birds even ravens and crows. I learned so much by watching them.

[@ckrutherford1137]

Thank you for your kindness!!!

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@soapaddictOH]

As I'm searching for videos on starlings I found your videos. This bird is a grackle, not a European Starling. They are a protected species. I think the two species get mistaken for one another. I'm currently raising 4 starlings but they won't be released. They may be okay as they would basically be their own little flock, but without basic survival instincts and learning how to find food in the wild, plus the fact they are used to humans it could be a death sentence for them. They're usually not accepted into a larger flock of starlings. Thanks for helping this grackle chick, I hope it's still around and comes to visit once in a while.

[@BirdBath1]

Maureen Saunders, look at bird bath

[@animallover4ever229]

I dont agree with those people about bonding! God created us to care for the animals. I think we dont do enough for animals. Thank you for all you do to help th these beautiful creatures.

[@carlandlizacomeau4515]

Very kind and caring man

[@starrlehner1881]

Thank you

[@mikeyfranz]

you're welcome

[@JerichoAndFriends]

I appreciated your comment about the bird being a living creature. Everyone needs companionship and love.

[@1965mustapha]

I've read that mynas belong to starling family that's why my baby hill myna behaves exactly like this bird, even it has the same sound. he doesn't like staying in the cage and still trying to fly away although I release it inside the room. thanks for sharing this heroic story and teaching me how to feed my baby.

[@ilovemeevennow9125]

I have baby starling maybe around 14 to 21 day old today got his feathers on wings and can open them nice and eating of the back of the fork some baby food with sweet potato! I love your connection with your beautiful bird

[@sweetssushi]

Amazing ! Waiting for part 3

[@mariagsolaro3867]

You're so sweet! Thanks for this video!