What To Feed An Abandoned Baby Bird

How, What, and When to feed an abandoned baby bird. Ideally, we recommend putting the baby bird back into its nest, leaving it alone for the parent birds to feed it, or getting it to a licensed bird rehabber. Only if these options are not available, and your baby bird is truly orphaned, should you intervene and feed him. This video should be helpful!
Narrated, Photographed & Edited by Mike Franzman


[@KAREN-od9yx]

A few months ago I raised a baby sparrow using a mix of crushed cat biscuits, boiled egg yolk, ground oats, banana, and finely ground eggshell all mixed into a paste with some water. It did the trick and the baby survived. Unfortunately, it later became apparent that the fledgling was paralysed...He's still with me now, but as a pet...no chance of release.

[@utley]

how does a bird live paralyzed?

[@ll2323]

If I use this mix should the consistency be more watery or solid?

[@KAREN-od9yx]

@@ll2323 A very wet paste, but not watery.

[@KAREN-od9yx]

@@utley They can still fly and jump around. Actually, movement returned to my sparrow's feet and legs, but they are still deformed in shape and their position on his body. He can use one foot now to grip my finger. I also designed his cage in a way that it is padded (chopped up an old yoga mat) and he has soft platforms to land on. I let him out every day to fly around the room, and hold my hand out as a landing platform...He always flies back and lands in my hand... Surprising how resilient and adaptable birds can be.

[@mkitty5333]

@@KAREN-od9yxamazing 💛selfless heart n soul . Thank you for being u. I sign so many animal abuse petitions by lady freethinker animal advocate I make calls send emails to govt NYCCouncil VA precincts n it’s disappointing how ppl think of animals as objects. So thank you for being u- selfless 💛

[@Anarky]

Oh thank goodness! My cats just brought in a baby bird. Thank you for letting me know I can feed them soaked dry food. What a relief!!!

[@Anarky]

Update, I put the baby bird in a cat box in the kitchen with towels and a hot water bottle under. I made the dry food cereal with hot water and from what I saw in the morning the baby ate from it

[@Anizz_artcafe]

Ur cats brought in a baby bird???? They didn’t harm the tiny thing??? Omg that z so sweet

[@Anarky]

@@Anizz_artcafe They brought it in coz they were trying to eat it unfortunately

[@nicholasgeere5125]

​@Anarky I just picked up 2 baby birds that were freezing to death in a heavy storm we were having. Turns out most pet stores have baby bird formula it's called ensure. I make some of that with some crushed up worms I drown (bait worms from Walmart) good luck with your 🐦

[@Anarky]

@@nicholasgeere5125 I don't live in the US and I don't have a car but the soaked dry food worked just fine! Also sachet cat food coz its really juicy and tiny pieces

[@IowaKim]

One of my fondest memories as a child was when raising a baby bird found without home or parents. A great experience for a child. The responsibility that comes and also the thirst to know more about birds is really stimulated in a child. Both bird & child can get benefit from the experience. That said, here I am at 64 years of age with a baby wren. It rekindles that sense of awe of the experience. Thank you for your video.

[@BluGrassJack]

Are you feeding the baby bird 20mins through the night? I just have an abandoned egg, I’m trying to hatch, but I can’t imagine feeding every 20mins through the night..

[@adamcenteno6155]

I know I can find it in the internet but it’s nice to hear you explain it since you’ve had experience already. Thanks.

[@mannyromero4511]

I've rescued hundreds in my lifetime...4 words....Purina......Medicated....Chick.....Starter.....moisten the starter, squeeze out the execess water like he said and buggar them tweezers, fingers have done nicely for me since 1970.

[@ceciliaobrien7044]

Thank you!! Followed the steps and baby sparrow is thriving, feeding him (?) every 20 min. What we did to keep him consistently warm was a bowl of hot water under his nest (same bowl as the one with hot water below) and microwaving the water every time we feed him, for one minute. The ‘nest’ on the top bowl is a fuzzy sock filked with rice and lined with tissue paper, easy to change as he poops. At night he is in a room with a small heater nearby. Worked out! Good luck to you all❤

[@oh_k8]

Mike your videos about rescuing baby birds have been priceless. Rehabbers are few and far between and sometimes they are so overloaded they cannot take anymore birds.

[@HM-ju9tv]

This bird fell out of a nest very high up in my backyard. One of my cats almost hurt it so I instantly picked it up and put it in a cat carrier so the mom could talk to it. The mom has been around but I can’t put the baby down because we have so many cats around.

[@krajaneesh]

hope it survived. any birds I try to save similarly always die.

[@chxrrybloomz2671]

well if you touched the baby the parents won't want it anymore

[@OguzokBanana]

​@@chxrrybloomz2671 yeah, sure 🙄 Do some research before writing anything 🤡

[@melanatedroyalty3877]

Thank you, Mike! I found a fresh newborn in the driveway today and this video helped a lot! ❤

[@le_th_]

Thank you for your video on dos and don't, and tips for where to access knowledge for trusted resources. Very kind of you to do this so others, with much less experience, can help birds.

[@susanravella6261]

Thank you so much! I was standing in my kitchen with a nestling in my hand when I found this video, and I am so appreciative! There were a lot of ignorant videos that wasted valuable time to get to the end where they smugly informed the audience to either find a rehabber or let nature "take its course." Thank you for being a caring person 💕

[@davidtuck4046]

Same!!! You're the man Mike

[@BirdieMcLovin]

Yes, they guard their secrets on how to help baby birds like it's Fort Knox. If I can help, I will and just need to get the proper information.

[@susanravella6261]

@@BirdieMcLovin Thank you so much for offering to help! The baby sparrow survived, and is living large in my master bathroom currently. She is quite healthy, but about half the size of the other young sparrows outside. She chose to stay with us, probably because we were the first faces she saw when her eyes finally opened. She is a miracle and a blessing, and honestly, I am glad she decided to stay!

[@Trupak786]

Great video Mike, but one thing you forgot to mention is that often the nests will get attacked by predators. In those situations it’s safer to rehab than leave the nestlings in the backyard where, even though the parents are feeding them, they have no nest (and no safe hiding place) leaving them vulnerable to attack at any moment. Most likely by the same predator(s).

[@a.n.n.abanana]

Yes, I found a baby bird yesterday with its eyes just barely opened and it was on the concrete with 2 siblings. Unfortunately, the two others were dead most likely from the fall, however the nest was not up on the pillar where it used to be an I couldn’t find it anywhere. I remembered where an abandoned nest was so I took that nest and put it where the baby had fallen. I came back and fed it dog kebbel that had been soaked in sugar water mixed with a boiled egg and baby cereal. No bird came back to retrieve or feed the baby and there were bug eggs in the abandoned nest, so I made my own nest and put in in my garage. It started chirping for the first time.

[@kimcup5000]

@@a.n.n.abanana Hi anna. Skip the sugar. Not good for them. Good luck!

[@user-uc5qq5ks2k]

Thank you so much. Your video gave the best answers to my questions. There's a nest with 5 baby birds in it, just outside my front door. Thank you.

[@andrewortiz687]

Definitely informative with the right type of info as far as diet and the moral thing to do. Thank you I have a baby bird that was in my dogs mouth I examined it, looks fine no cute or crushing just wet and scared I’m hoping it can fair through the scare it had.

[@DuderTrax]

So cool of you to put this video out. Much love from norcal

[@ablue5419]

Really good information thanks. Blessings always.

[@lovelyrobles]

Praying the baby sparrow we found makes it we are trying our best to feed it. Trying to find the right meals for what we think is a week old. My fiance found it while checking for wasps around our house. But sadly found his sibling passed away next to it on the ground but this baby was alive with cockroaches next to it eating the corpse and nibbling at this living baby bird. We tried looking for the nest but nowhere to be seen or momma. Prayers up😓 this poor baby thrives and makes it .🙏 ✨ thank you for the tips you are amazing.💕

[@Onelightoftheworld]

Help!!!!!

[@Onelightoftheworld]

I have one right now but I think it’s Mom is near.

[@lovelyrobles]

Sorry for the late reply always try to make sure you can find momma first and its nest. If anything make sure to keep it warm if it's still a baby. We are feeding it moist kibble food mush with tweezers. Hope it helps.✨💕

[@Onelightoftheworld]

@@lovelyrobles Thank you so much! I’ve found two from separate nests. I’m trying to let the mom help it. Last night I had to find a box to put it in and keep it by the nest. The other one is in a safer location and I just fed them both sporadically and watch to see the Mom helps them. Their down feathers are off.

[@mammadingo9165]

Did it pass

[@cpjv1987]

Great video, good information and simple to understand. Thank you.

[@HazellRahh]

Thank you for posting this. Very helpful and you helped save a bird : )

[@susanbishop344]

You give great advise. Thank you so much!

[@abracadabradeepmindexperie5866]

This was exactly what I needed. Thank you!

[@htwntx7131]

Cats being around is another reason to rescue some baby birds that have feel out of the nest. Tried to put them back and was getting attacked lol I got them on my porch in a box now with something soft to be on. I'll try the cat food and scrambled egg thing tomorrow.

[@juancamaran1628]

Thank you that was all the information I needed, God Bless you

[@ramazanzuberi7956]

Awesome video! Just found a baby starling with two siblings dead and most likely the mother dead as well based on the environment I found the nest in. I struggled trying to find out how to take care of it, feed it, what kind of food, etc. I went to the local pet store and they recommended bird formula which seems to be doing the job well. But then I came across this video and now I'll be changing some things up. So far, the bird seems to be doing very well and growing. Any further suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!

[@cvetanvelinov4404]

Thank you kind sir!

[@warren.5229]

I wish i knew earthworms could have parasites before i just spent 3 hours digging them up

[@triindespeville8807]

Very useful video thank you. My cat brought a baby bird into the house and I’ve been following your tips feeding the bird.

[@kellyhparmenter28]

This is very helpful information for people who find abandoned baby birds because those babies need loveand care around the clock.

[@hummbo216]

Your video helped me understand what to do and feed the baby bird that he were forced to help or it would have been ran over . No nest that we could find and at a gas station . Thank you so much :)♥️

[@Brownie_boy1]

thank you so much mike me and my cousin found an unhatched egg that was left by its parents and now we know what to feed it when its hatched so again thank you

[@710MaryJane]

Thanks a lot. I needed this information!

[@karenmason4912]

Thank you Mike , Awesome video 🥰

[@tonkysue207]

You have no idea how helpful this is...in this situation todsy.thank you so much.💙uk

[@christinamajors2424]

Thank you for making this video I found a hurt bird without parent and I needed to feed it it’s at my house right now so thank you for putting out this video

[@sandycalderon751]

this is great! I find birds after a storm every year, but I put them back in a nest, if the nest is gone, I have even moved to an empty nest and the mother bird ALWAYS follows me and just picks it up from there. they dont seem to mind me relocating to a viable home, when theirs was torn up by storms. and so glad you say not to give them water! I know people who immediately do that, or worse- milk. birds are not mammals and can not digest milk. and remember, fledglings are supposed to be hopping around the ground. they are learning to feed on the ground and fly, the parents are near by, leave it be. great video!

[@user-bd3sd7ys7z]

Thanks for the help

[@annkizza4921]

Just very much helpful thanks sir

[@rabidunicorn46]

This did help, my husband works at a saw mill and sadly he found a baby bird with no nest any where nearby, he searched all around and it’s nearly 102 F• out so he took it home since he didn’t want it to die out in the sun all alone. We raised plenty of ducks, chickens and turkeys from babies but never a regular

[@user-qg2me6mp4y]

Thanks Mike your video helped me out a lot. I have 4 baby birds that I didn't know we're in a blanket I had out side hanging I grab it an shook it when I did part of the next an 4 babys came out I put them back but no mom bird came back with the rain I had to bring them in. Put them back which I saw a full grown bird flying around but I did not see her feeding them which then night came an th babys were left with nothing to take care of them an we had hard storms happing so again I took them which I was under the impression that there mom was not going to help since 4 days went by an nothing so I have been feeding them dog food an cooked eggs. I need to take them somewhere but I have no way to get there ATM. So your video helped me to figure out how to feed them better..

[@Sasha_lee11]

Wonderful words of advice I thank you for this I’ve taken care of babies before and I was lucky they survived but I would like to know how to release them I have trouble there

[@BirdieMcLovin]

You're the best Mike!

[@tlkcrafts3872]

Great information! Thankyou!

[@alasanabayo8484]

Thanks for the information

[@vladimirgolbanov980]

A great informative and useful useful. Thanks

[@srishanmukhipriya4851]

Thank you so much sir...for sharing this

[@Anizz_artcafe]

Thank u so much sir. This video really cleared a lot of doubts

[@azizullah4648]

Nicely done the teaching

[@DXB725]

Thanks Mike this helps a lot.. I have 5 abandoned baby finches.. Parent refuses to feed.. Now I know what to do

[@Pine476]

I have four little banded birds but one died in an egg and 2 died and it was hurt and I have one Only now

[@chawn1971]

You have an awesome heart. Thank you

[@lcclkk]

Thank you so much Mike today I just found a baby bird abandon so I took it home tysm mike❤❤❤

[@kimcup5000]

Great video. Thank you so much!!

[@georgeodeh7914]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@sOdEeP406mUsIc]

I absolutely adore your channel, I adore your videos, one thing I do want to mention is I guess in the case of such things like house sparrows are not supposed to have earthworms? I think they're toxic to them? Anyway thank you so much for your videos I love watching them. I just watched one of your starling and I'm about to watch more I love been watching your channel so far. Thank you so much for taking care of the animals and thanks for all the information!

[@Myoldfloridianhome]

Love your video . I had formula left from my cockatiels. I handfed and raised my cockatiels from 2 weeks and they are healthy birds . We rescued a wild bird and got it 2 days ago , thought it was going to make it , even after waking up and giving it feedings and having it on a chair beside me so I could tend to it , it didn’t make it . I literally last fed it and when I woke up it was dead .

[@wendyk6875]

I'm so sorry that is heartbreaking I know I also lost one. I have this little one now I named her Eleanor LOL and I don't know what I'd do if she passed away I'm so attached to her and so far I've gotten her moving along really well, I'm so proud of myself you have no idea or actually yes you do. So a lot of work that's for sure

[@chaplainand1]

Thank you. There is a fledgling woodpecker in our yard. No nest observed. No adults seem to be around after a couple of hours. I'll try your suggestions. Thank you.

[@5volts440]

Awesome video. Thank you

[@honeyleebalicoco4524]

Hello your video is so helpful!

[@MrNonaste]

Great video. You're a good guy.

[@user-ud9qo6jk2j]

Great video Mike. we found a baby sparrow and it has a clicking sound and shallow breathing since 4 days ago. I've also seen it mouth breathing as well. I know this is lkely a respiratory problem but is there anything I can do right now to help it or does this mean its definitely going to not make it? the baby is still eating well and active, other than this clicking/crackling noise.

[@sherrigodbey9244]

Awesome video! Thanks!

[@saifu8578]

Thanks a lot Mike! I found a tiny baby nightingale today fallen from its nest which was too high for me to reach. So now I’ve nestled it up in a chocolate box and feeding it chickpea flour and sugar dough. Hope it was okay to do so. Now after watching your video, I’ll feed him some protein too!

[@saifu8578]

@Cementāriī 🇭🇺 unfortunately that one couldn’t make it. But I’m caring for its sibling now, doing very well and growing big day by day

[@linnaea3387]

​@@saifu8578 how's it doing now?

[@khanhle8665]

Very interesting .Thanks !

[@portermilton]

OMG thanks 🙏🙏🙏 that was awesome and very very helpful! 👏👏👏 My cat was trying to get this baby bird that I don't know where it just fell out of the nest!😢 Again thanks!🥰

[@shelleyanne1431]

Great info thanks ❤

[@sumitsutradhar2085]

Thank you Soo much for this Video👌👌👌

[@JagjitK86]

Thanks, great video

[@jackhawtin1121]

my cat tried to eat the bird but my brother saved it in time and now we r looking after it and your info help us so much we had no clue what to feed it thank you so much by the way we locked the cat up away

[@melvaleventhal5231]

Thank you!! ❤❤

[@skater4318]

What a nice and pleasant man you are. Thanks for the info mike! I’m hoping I didn’t just give this baby bird I found pneumonia after giving it water from a thin steam from my sink😭 I should have watched this first. Wish me and the bird luck! Gonna feed it soaked dog food now

[@mikeyfranz]

OK, good luck. Either way, thank you for helping! Many baby birds dont make it out there, whether raised in the nest, or by humans, there are lots of reasons they dont make it but a day or two. Then other times, it all works and they do make it. Keep us posted!

[@user-wv8we2mx8s]

I just found a starling. Your videos are very helpful. Im hoping to put him back outside in the morning in hopes the parents will step back in. I cannot get him back in the nest as its in an attic vent. How long should I listen for him before stepping in and taking over? Id rather the bird stay wild. Also, do you refrigerate the unused food for later? If so, how long does it last and how do you warm it?

[@jadeveylupek5938]

You did your best to save the wild animals. Me too...I tried my best and they went well...whew!

[@reneerocha1796]

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!! 😊

[@inayacherinenora4425]

Thank you for your video

[@MaximumMotorsport2012]

We accidentally knocked 2 baby birds about 1 week old out of the nest so I feed them every hour. We feed them mushy weetbix, they eat about 3 or 4 teaspoons of It and every now and then mix it with some sesame seeds and crushed pumpkin seeds. Give it a go they will love it.

[@bareknucklebeauty4594]

Thank you so much!

[@joaot1699]

Thank you! What about when it is time to change foods, to seeds? When it is time to let it go?

[@jeffreystorer4966]

Good on you thanks

[@culbinator]

Great video. Thank you

[@rynothealbinoryno]

My cat just brought up a baby bird by the wing. I am unsure if the bird is hurt or not.. probably... but nothing visible that I can see. I am going to try the moist cat food and see if it's interested and then look around for any nearby sanctuaries. Thanks for the video!

[@larrylishman6038]

Thank you sir

[@Obediah002]

Cut a lot of trees down, find nests in trees after have cut them down; really like to save them appreciate your video on what how to feed them.

[@kev2633]

They should make it a law that if you’re cutting down trees you have to check for bird nests so you don’t kill then

[@ccnfession]

I've been looking after a baby bird for about 48 hours now, and I couldn't have done it without this video. I tried looking for rehabbers, but it being warm they're all overcrowded. So far I'm guessing that the chick is 5-6 days old, and he's now starting to open his eyes! One thing I'm struggling with is keeping him warm at night, I have a wee box, and it has a hot water bottle for the bottom, but I'm not sure if that's enough. I read that their incubator should be 30-35c, and his is usually 28c. Any advice would help! I don't know too much about birds, but I'm willing to learn for him.

[@Pine476]

Thank you so much I have a baby bird and thank you for teaching me😁😁😁

[@jillkneer6036]

Great video

[@BatmanBoss]

Thanks

[@fernandojuarbe77]

Thanks you so much

[@chazdietrich8048]

Thank you

[@theworldjay4344]

Missed theses videos

[@unpolishedpearl3769]

Thank you so so much for doing this, you’re so beautiful, I wish all the best for you always. I found a baby sterling just before the sun was setting, on the street by a garbage can and it was going to be a cold night. Unfortunately this baby still has the eyes closed and there’s no way I can get them up into a nest, and there were no signs of it’s parents and I’m pretty sure it didn’t eat for a big chunk of that day because he was very weak and his crop very empty; didn’t even open his mouth, so I don’t think I can return him to his parents when he’s half conscious. We’ve had strong winds in my city this year so I’m not surprised to find the little one blown out of the nest...

[@mikeyfranz]

You’ll have to keep him warm, at about 90 degrees F, and start feeding him

[@yoana7870]

THANK TOU

[@shreyashibarik9712]

Hello Mike, thank you so much for uploading this type of informative videos ! I found a baby Robin fledgling with fractured leg, parents were not around for hours and crows were trying to get it so ended up rescuing her . She looked like she went through quite a bit of stress. I was feeding mix of Purina kitten chow, hard boiled egg yolk and apple sauce. She started to look healthy but a week later she had a seizure like symptoms and passed away in my hand. I kept her in a wicker basket, neat and clean for the time she was with us . I am not sure what went wrong, wanted your opinion on this. Please let me know if you think I did anything wrong, so I don't end up making the same mistakes in future ! Thank you so much.

[@mikeyfranz]

No, it doesn’t sound like you did anything wrong. I have had the same exact thing happen with some baby birds, they do good for seven or eight days, and then suddenly their breathing becomes labored, they weaken, and then they die. Even my latest successful rescue with the starling/grackle, we went through a day where it looked like he wasn’t going to make it, then he suddenly was OK again. I think I really statistic that over 90% of baby birds don’t make it. They have too many problems, diseases, predators, and things that can go wrong, even if they eat stuff too quickly or inhale the food, they can end up getting pneumonia. And sometimes earth worms have parasites that they cannot handle. So it is kind of a losing battle, if you help them to survive even a couple of days you did good!

[@shreyashibarik9712]

@@mikeyfranz Thank you so much for such uplifting reply ! I truly appreciate it . I always follow your instructions when it comes to rescue . Please keep sharing your experiences so we can learn . Thank you so much .

[@NobodyUR]

@@shreyashibarik9712 like you if you break a bone or crush a muscle and can't get treatment or the bone fracture.under control infection will take all beings. Any decently injured baby fledgling is hard to bring back a bird rescue is usually their only chance. I generally leave injured fledglings I know I'm just likely prolonging but even if a orphan it has a better shot at another bird like the father taking over. So if injured I'd leave it near a nest you make around where you find them if you can't find the original. Or if you have a rescue near you...then it's a good chance. You did all you could and that's a sign your a decent human.

[@BBoy-te1cb]

Hey I have a nest of house wrens I’m monitoring. Last night I had a bird attack it early in the morning and I ran it off. We had 5 of 5 eggs hatch and all are so cute and peep up when I sit outside. Can I set food in a feeder? For the parents. I worry I’ll attract competition but I want to help some. The parents are calm but I worry they might run at a sigh of more trouble. Thanks for the info

[@j.m.k.3406]

Thanks man, found a baby Wren last night, well my German shepherds did

[@clearpass5001]

Thanks Mike, you're doing a fantastic job! Totally agree with you, everything is absolutely correct! Respect ! Regards from Bulgaria.

[@denisemalloy2761]

I found a baby bird that hardly had any feathers over 5 years ago. I fed it exact baby bird food. Then as it got older fed it worms it got so used to me when I tried to set it free once it was old enough to take care itself it would not leave me finally it did I named it Hoppy because when I found it it was hopping around it was my first time ever caring for a baby bird even though I had to wake up every 2 hours and feed it for the first year after I set it free I would go outside and call it it will come close to me I had the bird for about 2 months

[@morganwallen4life737]

Tysm Mike! It’s so sad because just today these baby birds underneath our stairs just got attacked by a snake, and we got it on camera because we just bought a web cam! Unfortunately though one out of three of the birds got eaten by the snake, so we got an axe and killed the snake to see the bird inside. We are going to see tonight if the momma comes back to feed it, and if not we are probably going to feed it and take it inside or let it out to die 😭😭😭 what do you recommend?

[@krystalamaya3512]

Thank you! My neighbor’s cat killed the mama bird and we are hoping daddy bird comes and feeds them, but no luck so far. Not sure how long to give dad to show up but they are gaping for food.

[@derycristinatorresdedoming3648]

Thank you so much. I found a baby bird. He fell out of a tree after a storm and I didn't how to feed him o what food to give him.

[@UltimateFIFAFanatics]

Today I saw a baby cute bird sitting outside my door i was about to crush him and realized that its a bird 😢 I googled a lot then found your video to put back in nest i thought he was abandoned Now me and my mom using some tables made sure that my hands reaches the net and i put the bird in the nest i was so aftaid to hold it they seem so soft Then after few seconds the bird came and started feeding it ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@kitcat2449]

If anyone can enlighten me I'd be happy: Can nestlings choke on the mush? If yes, what's the best way to avoid them choking on it? Is it better to give soft pieces of food or 'porridge'? I read you're supposed to aim the food to the right side, but how far in the mouth should you put the food?