Raising A Baby Sparrow - by Mike Franzman

Sammie The Sparrow was an abandoned baby bird found in a flower-pot, during the Summer of 2014.
Found on the first day of its life, with no nests or other birds in the area, we kept it warm, and fed it baby food from a medicine dropper every half hour, for about a month, until it was able to pick up seeds on its own, and fly with strength and accuracy. Eventually we ventured outside with her until she was confident enough to be released. She flew around outside, and came back to me when hungry, for another two weeks or so, until she decided to stop returning.
This video shows footage from about Day 15 to Day 60. On Day 97, Sammie finally flew off for good.
Photography, Video, and Music by Mike Franzman
For more footage and photographs of Sammie, view Bird Rescue: 2014:
• A Sparrow Rescue Docum...

[@kadek1470]

Aren't birds just adorable?! :)

[@sonnyaparicio]

Kade Aan yes they are

[@MegaDoc360]

tell that to the crow that shit on my windshield

[@lizzydee1784]

MegaDoc360 I guess it didn't like u LOL

[@nicoletrueba1948]

crows are just jerks to anyone

[@angelobellino5716]

Nicole Trueba Even pigeons

[@mikeyfranz]

*** To anyone who has ever tried to raise a baby bird, I applaud you for your intervention, and your compassion, and your bravery! Most baby birds that we would find on the ground would not survive the first day, the percentages are that most don't make it past a day or two. You never know if they were sick, injured, or bitten by some animal… All we can do is try to keep them warm, safe, and fed.Every now and then however, we can feed them and rehabilitate them, and introduce them back into the wild, and it is worth the effort :-)

[@Ghowost]

Me an my mom went to kfc an when we came out of the store there was a group of baby ducks with there mom under a fire truck. ..the light was turning green and my mom quickly grabbed 5 of them and the mom took her other baby. ...when she crossed the road we gave them back. ..she then put one of there head completely in her mouth ...then he looked all limp and she started scaring them away and she ran away with her other babies and they huddled together near the limp duck. we then picked them up carefully and I picked up the limp one. I feed them earthworms from my garden. I even made a light paper mache cast for the duck.... but he has a hard time eating and doesn't move often...and when I go to get more food one of them jumpes out..I took the other 4 to the park but since I leave across the street they followed me home safely. help I need tips

[@rtrain67]

My daughter loves LPS. So what happened to the duckies?

[@Ghowost]

+rtrain67 they eventually stopped following us home.

[@goth2008]

I remember walking on my way home from school and my aunt screamed and I looked down to see her almost stepping on a baby bird. I took it with me (I was 9) and tried taking care of it, and for a 9 year old who didn't have the help of her parents (because they didn't care) taking care of a baby bird, I did good, though it only lasted 4-5 days before It died and I remember crying my eyes out. I had a tablet to which I recorded videos with it but my brother broke it and I can never see it again.

[@djmz1969]

Mike Franzman I gasp to the level of dedication and compasion you gave to this beautiful creature just super kind and sureal.

[@mikeyfranz]

Yes, I do still read all of these comments, and I am so glad that my video has helped rescue so many other nestlings. Keep up the good work, everyone! Anyone who feeds a hungry baby, is doing good in this world.👍 I often hear how the sound of my sparrow chirping in the video, causes other people’s sparrows to open their mouths in response, helping them during feeding! An unexpected digital bonus. :-D Keep them warm, keep them fed, any protein-based human baby food, cat food, kitten food, will keep them going.

[@tanniestienie7833]

Thanks for being so compassionate! I've just got a fledgling sparrow, in South Africa we call them 'mossies' thanks for the tips on what to feed her. She is the 2nd baby I've had. 1st was a Klaas cuckoo. Let her back to the wild when she was big enough. I have a cat that honestly Rescues baby animals in need. He doesn't harm them and brings them to me to help. It's amazing.

[@victoriahills-jury7558]

What do you feed them?

[@texasktea]

Do you still check this? I need help I just found a baby sparrow who won't eat!! Can I force feed? His heart rate gets heavy every time I start bothering him. Also can a heatpad be too warm? My bf keeps saying I'm gonna cook him but it's on low and he's in a cardboard box.

[@BiggerBoat834]

Texas one was brought to me yesterday also and won't open his mouth. I gently slide my little fingernail into the side and prise his mouth open, and put food in. You have to make sure the food goes above his tongue. Stroke the side of his beak, that stimulates them to open their mouths - mine has just done it. Good luck they aren't easy to save.

[@BiggerBoat834]

Also mine is on an electric blanket on low in a cardboard box and it's not too hot

[@michaelschmidt5702]

Mike, you had done a very good job! You are an Hero, and I wish more humans would have the same empathy for animals. I support many animal welfare and liberation organisations!

[@shimronnetia]

Mike Franzman may God bless you for your good humanity work of helping the bird

[@mikeyfranz]

Sammy The Sparrow spent a couple of weeks going indoors and outdoors, exploring the trees, and then flying back to his cage or my shoulder for food, and then on day 97,, he opted to not return anymore. I personally feel that a creature of nature like this, should be free to live in the wild. That was always my goal.Here is another video, with more photographs, that document Sammy the Sparrow.kzbin.info/www/bejne/noXGY6Z7ot6qhbc&sns=em

[@sudhakar35gm]

It is endangered in India. Some come near my first floor window and chirp in the morning when they need food. I just put 5 biscuits soaked in water on the slab of the ground floor room from the window of the first floor room. Chirping will be cute. But mostly crows come and eat them. I have control them also. All birds must not be kept under captivity.

[@primitivetech1694]

i dont have passions for that this is too much

[@CountrySing]

thanks for update,but how can u be sure it just not returned on its own vs something happened to it?

[@judygagnon2544]

Pedro Gunderson you are a bad species for the United States.

[@helixhelix1217]

What was the type of food you were feeling Sammy with the tips of your fingers? Thanks!

[@GurpreetKaur-qz5qv]

I love you for this big compassionate heart

[@pricelessmoment2905]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZiWn2uIgdeZrZY

[@mikeyfranz]

well, I am pretty sure I can see Sammie outside every day, but since Day 97, (today is day 111) she doesnt let me get up close to her. I think she opted to be a free bird, and stay outside to do sparrow things :-)

[@howlingwind1937]

Mike Franzman - that's really nice at least she knows she is safe in your back yard and maybe she'll keep it as her home and bring her babies to you. I I've sparrows even though they are considered pests here in Australia, they are very smart and make the most of an opportunity for food and they are great little characters with loads of personality. Cheers from Tasmania!

[@ltlredhen4177]

Mike Franzman you did a great job! I found a baby fallen from the nest on june 30th, he/she just finished unsheathing much of the feathers. I hope I can rehabilitate him as well back into the wild

[@howlingwind1937]

Dizzy Angel thank you for a reply, I think Sammie is probably out there feeling very safe, youdid a good job raising her, I Iove sparrows they have a lot of character. Cheers from Tasmania!

[@lorenatapia3058]

Hi Mike Franzman! I've seen several of your videos and I like them so much because they give me hope that my little house sparrow could be alive after I released him a Month and a half ago. You seem to have experience taking care of birds and putting them back into de wild. So I was wondering if you can share your opinion with me. I fed and raised a house sparrow since day one that he fell of his nest, and when he was able to fly and eat on his own, I released him. I was hoping he would Stay near my house because his parents live near here , but he flew like a block away from my house where there's another flock of sparrows (i could see baby sparrows also) . I saw him following them and I returned to my house calling him in case he wanted to return. He did not came back on its own, but I returned that afternoon to look for him in case he was hungry and after calling him, he standed on my shoulder chirping and I brought him to my house, fed him, and he spent another night with us because it was late to release him again. The next day, I open the cage door again (which was on my backyard so he can see outside and get to know the surroundings and other birds) and after a minute of flying between trees, I saw him flying back to the same spot that The day before. That's the last time that I saw him. I could not see if he joined The same flock again but I think is very possible because he chose to fly there again. I returned all week at different times and I could see many sparrows but I could not get close enough to recognize him. And when I called him, there was no response. So I've been worried since then. This was my first time raising a bird and I got very attached to him and I miss him so much. I don't know if he lived or died, but I wanted to give him a chance to be free because I hated to see him in a cage watching other birds fly. So I want to know from your experience. How do you know that the sparrows you released survived? Have you had one that did not come back since the first day but you could see him getting by in its own? The ones that you released, ignore you now that they are hanging with other birds? Because I think mine ignored me since that day, and it Seems so extreme that if he did survived and he was with that flock of birds, he did not respond to me and never came back even when I left his cage in my backyard with food. I worry about him. Could he have Found shelter when it was raining? If he wants to return, can he remember where he lived? I dont know if birds can remember where they used to live. I hope you can share some of your experience with me so I can have a little peace of mind. Regards!

[@lorenatapia3058]

Hi Mike! I was wondering if you had a chance to read the comment that I left you above. I would very much appreciate your feedback

[@charlie-june9283]

three days ago, my cats dragged a baby sparrow in. (fledgling) and he could hardly walk. I decided to calm him down and put him in a paper box outside, so he could fly out. After 20 minutes or so, he did. I was happy for him and I walked back inside. 10 minutes later I heard a baby bird screaming for help. I ran outside and saw the same baby sparrow, surrounded by my cats. I decided it wasn't safe for him outside, as he was a baby. it's now the third day I'm taking care of him and he refuses to leave me. He is currently sitting on my head as I'm writing this.

[@tjade9150]

Awwww

[@tjade9150]

How is he doing now?

[@rosaliacruz3249]

Lol and that is so cute

[@jns6320]

No offense, but this is why cats shouldn't be let outside. They usually decimate local songbird populations.

[@jns6320]

@@CakeSSO you should google up your local wildlife rehabilitation center and give them a call. they can give you specific advice relevant to your area and the species of bird. if it is a fledgling, it can probably already survive outside on its own. but if you do keep it, just make sure it stays in a dark, warm and quiet area.

[@rangavenkat5104]

Inter species bonding is really something special It makes humans feel soo much relaxing

[@besteverepicmillennial5927]

you like to say "humans" I bet

[@bigotonbrand]

That's what she said

[@niggacockball7995]

​@@bigotonbrandwhite women

[@bozdoganli666]

This is one of the cutest thing I've ever seen. Cuteness Overload melted my heart!

[@angelobellino5716]

LeventD Me too

[@alexshum2411]

Mike, I can feel that you are very kind just in a 5 mins video. The greatest love is you able to let Sammy go to find his nature world.

[@مرتضىماجدالبصراوي-ف1ل]

qwertyigdxvk xxs

[@arfacough]

Well done Mike - The little fella really loves you, he/she knows what a great person you are.

[@leeknowvrl]

i always watch baby sparrows to make me remember my baby sparrow, please take good care of this precious animal.

[@susanmayes4031]

We currently have a baby bird the tree cutters found when they took down a pine in my yard. Thought it was a wren but I believe now that we are on day 13 , it is in fact a sparrow. Original there were 2, but the smaller of the two died on day 3. From videos I assume they were only about 2 to 3 days old when we found them.. The surviving one is doing great. She is now pruning herself and flapping her wings...escaped the box several times trying to fly. I know the time is near to set her free...I hope he/she will come back to be fed and visit as yours did. Love the video!

[@CZ350tuner]

I've raised countless baby Sparrows over the years. Multiple are easier to return to the wild as they don't imprint on humans. However lone baby Sparrows will. They can be taught simple commands before they're fully feathers and the first one I usually teach them is, "Do a poo", and said bird will stop and do a poo. The normal parent birds will make a certain sound to cause this to happen so they can carry it away. I feed baby Sparrows on boiled rice grains as that the nearest to the regurgitated grass seeds and stuff that adult Sparrows feed their young on. They grow rapidly on this diet. On the down side they make an unbelievable amount of noise first thing in the morning as first light. As the parent they expect food and poo disposal on demand 24/7. If they're going to be returned to the wild there is also the education function that their normal parents would indulge in (how to be a successful Sparrow training). As the adopted human parent one has to take them into the garden and teach them essential skills such as Cats are bad news, what to be frightened of, where and how a bird feeder works and where their normal wild food can be found. They also have to integrate into the local Sparrow community. They will occasionally suddenly stop playing and become very focused and interested in something a human parent is doing and you can see it in the change in their behaviour. It's like a "Learn mode" has clicked on in their brains. This is always a good time to teach them something new.

[@spock7945]

wow, those are some abridged pro tips there Andy. I've ssubscribed your page just so i don't forget who all i like here but do you have any blog or videos or social media thing where you share these insights? well actually i am more of an e-mail only person so that'd do too.

[@KP-vb4dd]

I'm currently raising some abandoned baby sparrows. Fledglings. Started with 5 and down to 2 :( trying to wean and have no clue what I'm doing with that lol any advice?

[@mahmoodisaeed]

@@KP-vb4dd Can you tell what should I feed him, I just rescued common sparrow.

[@KP-vb4dd]

@@mahmoodisaeed moistened cat food

[@herecomesthewater4952]

Jesus christ you're raising them on rice grains. You really must want to kill them. Baby birds dont eat pure carbs moron.

[@ajt02]

"chrip" - birb, 2014

[@MrAerp]

chirb

[@rjpena6273]

Uber Crow Yay! monument Valley!

[@Yukiromo]

Uber Crow ii

[@brittanysacco2335]

Uber Crow cute

[@tophatpolargaming5874]

Uber Crow Sammy*

[@thunderboltcloud3675]

And that was the childhood of Captain Jack Sparrow

[@backtonature8083]

Facts

[@poonamvipani8465]

Lol

[@kylaanderson3107]

That’s my baby birds name! Except I learned that she’s actually a Jackie sparrow

[@aleksandramakari]

@@kylaanderson3107 That's why I'm not naming mine until it gets feathers so I can see. Lol, I'll name it either susumu, Yuki, or something else, hmmm...

[@hariv5664]

🤣 xD underrated af

[@mjremy2605]

So sweet, I can't stand it! I raised a baby sparrow once among other birds. So much work!!! Feeding every 30 mins for 8 hrs a day. I used to pack the baby in a cage, along with my live mealworms in a lunchbox with a cooler pak, and every 30 mins regardless of where I was I had to stop to feed. Even when swimming laps, I had to get out, feed, then return to swim. Those bird parents work very hard for their young. I applaud you for your tireless work and doing such a great job in raising Baby. She's lovely and utterly adorable.

[@adamfox1669]

Great job being a bird-dad. I have a few hundred sparrows that show up for breakfast and dinner at my house. Great birds

[@tynix1]

Many will say, is just a sparrow, there are millions...But it matter for her. They only live three or four years, in the wild...

[@angeliparraguirre7329]

Good point.

[@cptVLK]

There are also millions of people, every being is special, it doesn't matter whether it's big or small ! ;)

[@barbwellman6686]

"All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all."

[@aniraquijano4702]

But up to 13 in captivity

[@ericbitzer5247]

I feed the sparrows in my yard. There was a cardinal during the winter, but I don't see him anymore.

[@PatentSTM]

This man has a lovely kid.

[@astrowiz3544]

I hope the mama bird pays child support

[@ertanakdeniz9702]

Heart melting along with lots of tears of happiness, thank you Mike.

[@kayde.xoxo.]

Your bird sqawking in the beginning has mine talking back lol

[@ChristineR02]

Oh wie süß ❤🧡💛💚💙💜 Thank you for feeding this little bird.

[@l30hzs]

I had a really bad day today and this beautiful act of kindness wiped out all away. Thank you.

[@justaguy864]

I have a sparrow too. She fell out of a nest and her leg is too damaged to be released. So now she's our indoor sparrow.

[@sethgreenhavingavietnamfla3990]

Does she carry a jar of dirt?

[@damjanigra1657]

My sparrow has a broken leg and he s a boy he lived 7 years and hes still alive hes happy always :D

[@akshitatambe6527]

Same here..what to do I'm not understanding plzz suggest something.?

[@blakat71]

DM GAMING , just read ur comment....I recently noticed a young english sparrow in my backyard with malformed feet, he can fly but just very short distance and very low but he kept tripping everywhere on the mulch and bushes and get himself in troubles so, last time I cought him, I took him to a rehabilitator and she said she was gonna make a “boot” for his foot/feet....not sure that really happened though cause I just visited the bird 2 days ago and he wasn’t wearing anything and no progress to me; considering to take hime back to my house and possibly learn how to build that boot that might help to form his feet right but, because winter will be here soon I might have to keep him inside and so I was wondering if that’s possible...I mean, can they survive in a cage for awhile? At least till next spring...

[@نونةالمدريديةنونةالمدريدية]

بلبل لو عصفر

[@desleykakoulidisgallaway3382]

She is so sweet brings tears to my eyes 😭😭thanks for caring for her- you’re a good hearted person xx

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@mongolkhan288]

😭😭😭😭

[@robertp.wainman4094]

Lovely little sparrows - the cheeky chappies of the bird world!

[@pwiseclown]

Thank you for saving this adorable bird 🤗

[@gmx0413]

I found a newly hatched sparrow in my yard about a week ago, and it's parents never came back for it. My mom and I have been raising it, feeding it moist dog food for now, and helping it get stronger in its legs. We're starting to let him eat meal worms, and hopefully soon some bird feed. He's growing incredibly fast, and he's doing well. It's been quite a fascinating experience. Awesome video!

[@ghostrider3795]

You are a real good man. I love these little birds, and am so happy to find someone like you who cares for them. May you have many blessings, sir.

[@sherrieoneillthompson7061]

Aww! Takes me back a few years. I raised 3 siblings from about 2 days old. All made it and were a total joy. Were able to do a soft release.

[@onlinegeographytutor7035]

How do I do a release, we found ours under our bath it had fallen into our wall from its nest and down to under our bath, we managed to rescue it, it had some feathers but pink in places, had it for a week now been feeding it in a cage, it has now grown much more already still not eating on its own, but don't know how to go about releasing it.

[@DEVINdevdev]

I'm in the middle of building sparrow hotel with 16 nest boxes. Glad videos like yours keep popping up.

[@voicezful]

Absolutely wonderful Mike - cannot believe at time of my comment over 800 people chose to dislike you helping a poor defenceless little creature. A very sad reflection of society.

[@rickpd2005]

This video made me smile, thank you for posting it and your caring nature for these little creatures. :)

[@SilverTwinkle]

just hearing it chirping makes me want to talk all the time. Just the same as with my budgies.

[@LOLGAMERWr]

Raddix i also have budgies

[@jojobee42]

I have a baby sparrow here on the keyboard, watching your video!

[@ynic0rn]

That's so precious ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️I love that you let her have free flight

[@mikeyfranz]

Yes, I do not like the idea of a caged creature, in any form.

[@eagleeagle7802]

I love this baby birds because he calling his dad great human being God bless you always..jesus this guy made me feel like i need to do more for animal.

[@smegmalasagna]

This is heartwarming :) Thank you for making my day a littlebit better Mike!

[@l0serl0ser20]

So cute!! Raising a baby Sparrow who seems to be around the same age as this one! Found him orphaned at a bank a week or so ago and he's been doing really well! He was in shock when I found him and was a bit scared that he'd be dead the next morning; and was even expecting that. After feeding him and putting him to rest in a temporary box, he was so vocal and energetic the next day! Plan on raising him because he's just too cute.

[@mikeyfranz]

Awesome job, keep up the good work! :-)

[@MimiDallasGuzzardo]

I did this once and now seeing this make my heart happy! you are a good man :)!!! ty for making my day. Love birds!!!

[@mikeyfranz]

Thanks, you may enjoy my ongoing documentary about these two robins I rescued, they had fallen from a high nest, and the parents were ineffective... I started feeding them and keeping them safe for maybe 7 days... now I let them go outside, and feed them out there... on of them still returns... Robin Rescue Part One - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWe1hoBrh8t8q7s

[@AbdulBasit-oh2fb]

Beautiful Sparrow

[@mahumnaseer9070]

Lovely little birb.

[@albertvillarreal3369]

Just had a baby sparrow fly on my feet and, it stood their for a few minutes. Whelp I decided it was best to make it part of the family. As I didn't see mom/dad come back. He wouldn't had survived nighttime. Bunch of stray cats around here. Funny thing is, our pitbull loves the darn thing.

[@aldee3018]

man has the ability to do great things and showing compassion to other living things is the greatest ability of all.

[@ThereIsNoLord]

How about showing compassion for our native cavity nesters, and not raising their killers, like House Sparrows and Starlings?

[@larsmonsen88]

my grandfather raised a squirrel:P there is a really nice old photo of him smiling with the squirrel on his head:)

[@spock7945]

post the photo :) please!

[@bekah9651]

Beautiful soft releasing. It's the best way for baby birds !

[@DaSALTmustFLOW13Marquez]

I love you little birdy!!!!! Thank u to birdy daddy for being so loving.

[@phoebeandtilly]

I work at a bird sanctuary. You can go to a pet sore and buy small meal worms. They love them. Eggs, scrambled well, grapes - cut in small pieces and cat or dog food soaked in water are also options till they are eating on their own.

[@mikeyfranz]

Meal worms! Yes, that is what I have been forgetting to go buy, thanks. I have been feeding a baby robin lately, and I'm doing the dry kitten food soaked in water until soft, and various berries

[@phoebeandtilly]

Mike - Make sure you buy the small ones and keep them in the refrig. Scrambled eggs (well scrambled) are also good. Use a hemostat or narrow tweezers and try not to bond. I know it is very hard but it is better for the bird once they are released. Good luck. Let me know if you have any questions.

[@mikeyfranz]

I bought them today... the meal worms are so tiny! I do with they were a little bigger... it has not rained here in CT in a while, and it is really tough to find any earthworms or inchworms lately...

[@phoebeandtilly]

Just remember tiny mouths, tiny bites. There are bigger ones but they are thicker and a good deal longer. Remember to keep them in the refrig. They should come packed in corn meal because that is what they eat. Try cut up seedless grapes and the eggs, as well. Make sure she/he gets enough water. Poop should be gelatinous (gross) and loose - it should look like a bubble. If it is dry, they are not getting enough water. Baby birds usually poop when you start feeding them. Put a paper towel under their bum so you don't have a mess. Make sure their bum is kept clean and vent is clear - warm wash cloth.

[@LalitKumar-lb2eu]

He had got the cutest friend a man can get! Love from 2019♥

[@backtonature8083]

I love videos like these

[@mikeyfranz]

In regards to what you should feed a baby bird, all babies need protein, and from the information I've gathered in my Internet searches, the easiest things to feed them are high-protein dry kitten food (or high-protein dry puppy food), you have to soak it in water for about 10 minutes until the dry food becomes soft wet and spongy, but you have to get the excess water out of it first, so you don't drown your baby bird! Babies can also inhale the water and get pneumonia and die. Many of them die within the first 24 hours, it is not easy to feed them, because even with best intention, The babies off and jump around when you are feeding them trying to get more food then their siblings, and the jumping makes it hard to be exacting. Having said that, they also can eat cooked egg yolk, chopped up scrambled eggs, cut up blueberries or raspberries, Gerber baby food that is high in protein like chicken, carrots, Gerber multi grain cereal that you add water to, until the consistency is like oatmeal, all of these are good. I like to give them a variety. Whatever you feed them, has to be tiny amounts to fit in their mouth. Then you will see them push the food into their "crop" (on the right side of their neck) with their tongue. If your bird has feathers, you might not notice this, but if your bird is still newly hatched, you can see the crop swell as they fill it with food.

[@jenniferdefelice4423]

Even as I'm watching your video, my little orphan sparrow "Charlie" is hopping around on the keyboard. Charlie is a 4 week old sparrow that fell out of the nest twice. We tried to put her back in and she fell out again. The nest was in a boarding stable in Ridgefield, WA. We were afraid the baby would get eaten by the cats or run over by a tractor, or stepped on by a horse. She's doing great now. I use a coffee grinder to grind crickets, grasshoppers, meal worms, cat food, and birdseed and mix the ground mixture with Gerber applesauce, pureed peas, beef and gravy, and Pedialyte. I use a straw with the end cut into a scoop to feed. As she gets older, I make the feed a little more solid and start showing her that she can pick it up on her own. She is flying around the house a little more each day and getting stronger all the time. She rides around on my shoulder and roosts under my chin. I just wish she wouldn't poop on my keyboard.

[@mschoplos]

Jennifer DeFelice they love live meal worms and crickets

[@oneyedthing]

Does your feeding tutorial apply to Pied Fantails as well? We occasionally see babies drop from trees during fall/mid spring. And some of them do not survive. We see the mama birds rescuing them off the ground but, yeah some of them die. I might try to save a few, I'm just worried what to feed them.

[@mikeyfranz]

Probably... I am not an expert on birds by any means, but my internet research on what to feed baby birds has revealed that they all seem to be fed protein by the parents. Even seed-eating birds, like sparrows, are fed protein by the parents. A google image I found of a Pied Fantail from New Zealand showed a parent bird feeding a fly to the nestling, affirming my belief that they need protein as they are growing, and then later, will forage for the food they prefer on their own.

[@kzhen2074]

are there any other options for feeding a fledgling baby bird instead of cat food?

[@kavitakhastgir7190]

Wow the bond between you two is simply adorable. May she be happy in whatever she choses, be it flying on her own to far away land or staying close to you as she trusts you. Happy for her either ways.

[@Bioshadowknight]

Having raised a baby sparrow myself, this video fully captures the experience.

[@adriansalas8424]

Awesome job Mike! Good people making a positive difference, amazing relationship you guy's have.

[@D4N3R5]

Those guys hang out on my front porch column every morning and every evening.

[@kulmainer]

It reminds me to the movie at Alcatraz with Robert Strout (Burt Lancaster), who within his time in prison became a famous expert in birds! Thanks to all of you defending one of the most beautiful creatures God gave us! They are so especial and also important to human life because they catch all these insects!

[@rebeckabailey81]

great movie

[@spock7945]

The Birdman of Alcatraz

[@kabirsingh4611]

I love this cute bird !

[@wilddrat]

I watch your video 4 year ago and cry alot and today june 2021 same thing happened,. And i decided to help the birds 4year ago . And now i proud of myself only because of you,🙏 but the world should help me so, i can help such more birds please support me

[@serling3520]

Thank you for not ruining your videos with music. I can't stand that Sarah mcglocklin stuff. Just gimme the story. You're stories are great!! No hook, no music. Just facts.

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@eraldha]

Last summer my boyfriend and I found a baby lying on the floor of the house portal, and we decided to pick it up. The first days she was scared and didn't open the peak. We fed it with wet dog food. After a few days, she began to eat much more, and to take much more affection to us. She loved to stay on our finger as well, and when we got closer she began to move her wings. She was so cute! One day it was time for his flight, we never saw her again. It was a very nice experience, I'm happy we helped her!!

[@garyswanson5272]

Wow! I day i was out walking and found an egg. Looked a little bit like a chickens. But had alot of poo on it so we assumed it fell out of a nest as it was under a tree. So we brought it home. Put it in an incubater and after a few days to our amazement it started to hatch. We were so happy then thought thats a funny looking chicken. It had no feathers a week or so later just scales and it was growing rapidly. We put it on a lead to take it for walks and after few months the local cats & dogs in the neighbourhood started to go missing. We though it might be a kidnapper so we were very vigilant of our little chicken. Then 1 day a farmer came to the door and said his cattle & pigs were missing and do we know anything about it? Why would we i said? We only have a chicken as a pet? He said how come you have bones mounting up in your yard then? Then i got a little suspicios so took my little........not so little chicken to the vet for a check up. Afterwards the vet said you you realise your chicken has eaten my receptionist? WHAT i said? He said your chicken iz a tyranasaurusrex! Hes now happily living on an island off peru. Bless him.

[@parsashirali8957]

You and your bf have a very kind heart

[@CakeSSO]

No idea if you are going to see this but how old do you think she was when you first saw her? And what age did she learn to fly? I currently found a 2 weeks old sparrow and im taking care of it for now

[@eraldha]

@@CakeSSO I don't know the exact age... I asked my bf and he says that aprox 2 weeks old!

[@oliviag6407]

@@garyswanson5272 Lol

[@mayank_upadhyay_19]

This way of keeping birds as pet is humanity

[@jeanmyers7833]

you are an angel i believe mother nature sees this too you are what people need to be to each other and animals i know you are a hero for the little and i wish more people were like you

[@mbat2am]

You sir are awesome-I wish the world had more kind people like you-

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4KrZ6qZfJWtaac

[@SkyLover4Life]

I remember when I saved a baby sparrow as well. I felt torn because my family had insisted for nature to take its course and put it out of its misery. It had no feathers to speak of and it still had its eyes closed, but as stubborn as I was I wanted to give it a chance... I had an old syringe for taking fluid medicine laying around in the cabinet and I was desperate on options to feed him. I knew he needed protein and something smooth to go down. I own fish and opted to using fish flakes softened by water. I even used a few blankets and a desk lamp to keep him warm through the night. I didn't sleep as I read he had to be fed consecutively. I was pleasantly surprised he actually enjoyed it. When he got older he graduated to seeds and I let him go near a park near my home. I miss him. I got really attached to him and seeing him go...was the most hardest and rewarding parts.

[@mikeyfranz]

Great job! Yes, it is amazing how many seemingly "nice" people will tell you that there is "nothing you can do". I don't know how people can look at a hungry, defenseless, cold creature and not give it food and warmth? Imagine if mothers all around the world said there was nothing you could do every time there was some trouble or some danger? There would certainly be less traffic…

[@adeled8833]

Oh I love sparrows, they sound good and are cute

[@trublood6410]

OMG THIS AMAZES ME SO MUCH. This is how if you want a bird as a pet it should be. I hate people who keep birds in cages FOREVER

[@RitviksGreenHaven]

Aww!! such a beautiful soul. 💝😍 May God shower his 🙏 humble blessings upon you 💕

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4KrZ6qZfJWtaac

[@adreannedietrich4115]

You are so amazing!! What a kind soul. I found a baby today Im not sure why she didn't make it. She didn't look injured and she loved me holding her but I couldn't get her to eat anything. I took her back outside hoping her parents would feed her and she passed within an hour of me finding her. They are so precious. Bless you and thank you for these videos. The world needs more people like you.

[@marisjules1092]

I've got a nest of house sparrows in my window and I talk to them often to gain trust and let me say,,,, those are some cute ass birds

[@backtonature8083]

wild birds need more appreciation

[@TheAshFactor1]

You're a good person :)

[@tactical-bucket]

Yeah, promote a bird species that beheads native populations of songbirds. Really good person you are.

[@tactical-bucket]

@@happyshanghao No nature doesn't carry these aggressive birds across an ocean so they can decimate the populations of birds there. Idiots like you do that.

[@tactical-bucket]

@star chip Is that a serious question? Would you put a hungry bear in a cage with 200 baby rabbits? Shut up snow flake

[@tactical-bucket]

@star chip So we should facilitate every other species of animal to do the same thing? Fuck off idiot.

[@Andrea-ue2uw]

omg you mustve missed her lol amazing job you did with rearing her❤

[@kkknotcool]

or would it be, winging her. ;)

[@timwilde4200]

I went down this path many years ago. The sparrow I found was so young that it didn't have a single feather on it and I didn't know the first thing about how to keep it alive. After asking around I managed to put together a formula that it took to, and from that point onward it thrived. That little bird grew into such a character, always trying to nest under my hair each night when I went to bed. He'd perch on the edge of my dinner plate at meal times and work around the perimeter, sampling the food like a smorgasbord. Funniest of all was how he always knew when I was heading to the fridge to grab a mouthful of coke from the bottle - he'd perch himself on the top of the fridge in expectation, and I'd duly give him a little cap-full to drink from.

[@ghosttgirlghosttspook5478]

she's adorable!

[@esmeraldapena9858]

Your video is motivating to help and raise my baby sparrow. Hopefully it turns out healthy like yours. :)

[@spock7945]

Hey, how did it go, any updates?

[@pricilacampos8171]

Bird...ANd you are so sweet to see the picture of you guys doing life together. HAPPILY His I Is on the Sparrow and I know He watches ME. Love each other for the first time I've found the bird today .I said to the bird you shall not die but live.amemp

[@IanPhillipsWildlife]

Good job, I've raised a couple of baby sparrows, always find them a little tough to release though!

[@tactical-bucket]

Sparrows are non-native, invasive and vicious. They will invade native songbirds' nests, beheading the parents and babies in order to take over. DO NOT promote their populations.

[@DEVMAR-mm8zh]

Golden Centrifuge I have just recently read that also

[@Nimarjeetbala]

every bird is cute dont hate them they have feelings

[@gheffz]

Gorgeous well-behaved little fellow!

[@rebeccacurran8365]

That's so cute. You are a good father.

[@mohammadratul1448]

nice...I love this Birds

[@ChalkTeacher]

I started giving food and water to some sparrows in my house since 2 weeks ago. Now there's like 8 of them always appearing at certain time of the day waiting for more. Only one of them seems to be comfy when I'm around, the rest just runs away. I prefer the later so bad people don't use them as toys (aka using them as targeting points for their rifles)

[@ChalkTeacher]

Well, update. Some neighbor started using his rifle like 3 months after I wrote that. As result they all ran away and didn't returned. Got a really heated discussion with the guy because one of the bullets hit my room's window. (and the cops in my country are a joke, they never appeared). Anyways. Since August some birbs started reappearing, sparrows and thrushes. Everything has returned to normal, and no crazy neighbor shooting at them because he left.

[@comatose1818]

Chalk Teacher sparrows do eat the guides of the beans, so they are quite damaging, my grandpa had a big problem when he was growing beans, the sparrows ate the guides, the brands wouldn't grow so he took to shooting them to keep his plants safe, it's all about how you look at it

[@USAFreewayROTF]

Chalk Teacher He used his rifle irresponsibly. It should only be used for hunting when certain animal species are overpopulating and are a threat. Sparrows are common, and not a threat. And self-defense. He wants target practice? Go to the freaking gun range... don't care if it's a year ago, he shouldn't use his rifle like that.

[@spock7945]

Tiza, you are a compassionate kind person. which country are you i wonder (cops not doing their duty)! about your neighbour, it might be a good idea to rather befriend him/them and over time, offer them delicacies or foods as a social gesture.. *but only after mixing real heavy dosages or the complete bottle of strong laxatives in those items.* ;)

[@Nit2315]

I would probably shoot in one of his windows after this ^^

[@mikeyfranz]

Fawn, yes the parents probably threw him out if he looked abnormal or sick. It is awesome that you are caring for him. I am not a vet, but I would think that you can give him that food for another bird with the nutrients in it. Babies of almost all species do require protein, which is why they recommend that you soak some dry kitten or puppy food in water, until it is spongy, then squeeze out the excess water and feed it to them carefully. I have also read that you can feed human baby food (that is high in protein) to them, or a multi grain cereal, some birds eat berries like raspberries, blackberries, blueberries. Many people recommend cooked egg yolk, but not egg whites, whites can choke them. And it is best to not feed him only one type of food--- feeding them a variety, gives you best chance for success and keeping them healthy until they can make it on their own. :-)

[@nicoletrueba1948]

Mike Franzman he could of been the runt out of all the other baby's so the mother probably kicked him out

[@TheFofoqueira]

You are very knowledgeable in that department 😊 I've successfully raised and released several birds throughout the years and I've mainly used a mix of cooked egg yolk and baby human food, it works wonders!

[@thegoofystoic95]

Mike Franzman It reminded me of my lil birdie. I had one baby sparrow when I was a baby myself.. it fell out of it's nest..my mother took care of it.

[@Sgtslapnut]

How long did it take before she eats on her own, mine is still demanding food solely from me lol she can fly and she about 21 days old. Dont mind feeding her just trying to make sure her development is on track, unfortunately she cant ne released shes blind in one eye and has issues with her right leg not sure what happened before my wife found her about 1 day old on the asphalt, but shes pretty handicap to survive on her own.

[@Blisksimp]

+Darrell Durham how often do you feed it? Try feeding less often to encourage her to try the food left out? Im raising a baby sparrow recon it's about 14 days now, and I was trying to work out when to start introducing other food (I know it's still too soon but wanted to be ready) I'm still feeding every hour - 1 1/2 hours atm.

[@5volts440]

Thanks Mike. Beautiful video. I don't have green grass in Vegas, but feed starlings with watermelon and peanuts.

[@heliaalves9062]

I can't believe you have a sparrow as a pet! And it comes back to you! So heartwarming

[@ukstevengill]

Well done 👍 raised a few different species of abandoned baby birds in my youth. Memories of a by pigeon that I saved from a cat which kept coming back to my parents home for weeks after it was fit and released. Also a Song Thrush which ended up so tame and I cried when it was Time for it to go 😂

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@КираВоробьева-ь9ь]

А за что пришлось убить дрозда? Птичка ничего плохого не сделала....

[@birdyfulbirds]

Tip: If you find a baby bird who can walk, it means that the bird has already left the nest, do not try to care for it,

[@melonlord9271]

If bird left the nest and only walking. There is where they need help exactly. Until they are on the ground it's harder to fly. They easily can become food for cats.

[@ML-zk3qq]

@@melonlord9271 endeed, and if you found the nest it will be good back it up to it, but if not you must take care of it. Same happened to me now I'm taking care of a little fledgeling house sparrow.

[@melonlord9271]

@@ML-zk3qq I mean. Everything is better than leave little bird there on the ground. Take care of it or put it back in the nest.

[@ML-zk3qq]

@@melonlord9271 leave him in the ground it makes him fast food for predators. Yeah of course I'll do that, he was dehydrated close from death but now his fine. Thanks ❤️ you

[@melonlord9271]

@@ML-zk3qq I also raised few sparrows. Now they are living near my house. Some of them has nest on my windows. They are so cute. I'm still feeding them with hand.

[@VillageTV]

AWESOME JOB

[@coldrainynovember]

I wish i had a sparrow too they are so beautiful cute creatures..

[@ansheethakuur209]

Beautiful video. Thanks for sharing! I found a baby sparrow yesterday and taking care of her till she is strong and confident enough to fly. 🙂

[@zinyuzhiri3146]

2:00 que gloton jajaja, los gorriones son aves muy hermosas, ademas pueden aprender varios trucos

[@wilfordbrimley3319]

0:26 Birb: "CONSUME!"

[@parsashirali8957]

SUSTENANCE

[@jyd1384]

That's a great video I've ever seen. Generally, sparrows are a hard creature for breeding by humans. Because if a full-growth sparrow being captured by humans, they might get death from strongly stress right away. So the best way for breeding them, it's should obtain their eggs on the nest and try to artificial hatching through egg hatching machine. If baby sparrow saw a human breeder when they hatched, they would think that a breeder is their parents according to animal theories.

[@kulmainer]

Mike, thanks! Birds are the most wonderful creatures God has given us. I think we all must protect them and guard them! This spring I put up two more bird houses in my Garden and within both another starling family came to life! It was a pleasure to see this little ones looking out and getting ready to fly! Thanks Mike, may God always bless you! Greetings out of Bavaria!

[@sanjayanand3605]

This relationship between sparrow and human show's that this world is still a better place to live.

[@mikeyfranz]

Thanks for all the comments on my sparrow video! You all might enjoy my latest documentary, "Robin Rescue". It is in four parts, here is part one. And it is ok to share and repost Robin Rescue: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWe1hoBrh8t8q7s

[@بنوتهكيوت-ي1ش9خ]

ففف556هه555Mike Franzman

[@PUBGGamer-fk8ll]

Mike Franzman what you feed her when she was baby

[@sunshine_1122]

This tiny fluffy thing is so cute 😍

[@JainGardeningandBirdsCare]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKayo3iEmbOUpM0

[@georgeralph8031]

l love everything about birds except the indiscriminate pooping. If it weren't for that, I'd have a couple.

[@noahglau6897]

Your mother is horrible for doing that, that bird will have a very tough time surviving on its own.

[@barbarapommier5219]

The reason birds poop indiscriminately is they are designed to spread seeds out side. That causes plants to spread since they cannot move.

[@MegaPerson012345]

I have raised three sparrows over the years. Best little birdies.

[@Brandyadcock1977]

What a sweet man! Thanks for being a bird lover and being so kind!