Unfeathered or Partially Feathered Birds Emergency Care
If you have found a healthy baby nestling every attempt should be made to return the bird to it's nest. Parent birds will not abandon their babies once they have been touched.
If an entire nest is found containing warm dry and alert babies, the nest can be re-attached with wire close to its original location--or in the nearest tree limb at a safe height and out of full sun.
Watch from a sheltered location for at least 2 full hours for the parent(s) to return.
If you cannot locate or reach the nest, cannot replace or repair a damaged or fallen nest and secure it in or near its original location, or if the parent birds have not returned within 2 hours, bring the nestling(s) indoors.
Featherless babies, including those partially covered with down, must have an external source of heat. A nestling can be cold outside of it's nest, even if the outside temperature is hot. When held in the palm of your hand, the bird should be warmer than your hand. (A bird's body temperature is higher than ours.) Although a healthy fledgling does not require as much external warmth as a nestling, heat must still be provided.
Place a basket or shoe box on a heating pad. Adjust the setting to maintain an ideal temperature of 90 - 95 degrees Fahrenheit. (We often use aquariums with screen lids and place the heating pad inside.) The bird should feel warm to the touch--not hot. The bird is too hot if it is panting (holding its mouth open). If you do not have a heating pad, a light bulb placed appropriately near the bird or a hot water bottle will suffice temporarily.
Never attempt to feed a cold or unresponsive bird!
Once the bird is warm, alert and responsive, it should become active, begin making noise and produce droppings. If the bird is warm but not alert and responsive, do not attempt to feed it. The bird should be taken to a rehabilitator as soon as possible to receive remedial care.
A bird will be unable to digest food if severely dehydrated. An electorlyte solution/rehydration is indicated when the bird appears weak, has been without food for an extended period, has been cold, over-heated, or has suffered physical trauma. In the desert climate, it is better to assume that the bird is somewhat dehydrated.
To rehydrate orally, Pedialyte or Ricelyte (available in the baby food section at the grocery store) contains electrolytes and is preferable to water. Use in place of water when preparing food for at least the first 24 hours. (Gatorade may also be used.) If using mealworms during this time, use only the mealworms that have just shed their skins and are whitish in appearance.
If an electrolyte solution cannot be obtained, hand-feed small pieces of fruit such as diced grapes, berries or melon for the first few feedings.
Never put water or liquids directly into a bird's mouth, as this could result in drowning.
If you have a warm, active, responsive bird follow these temporary feeding guidelines and contact a rehabilitator.
For The Birds Rehabilitation Foundation
Phoenix phone - (602) 944-8060
P.O. Bo 39513
Phoenix, AZ 85069
Prescott phone - (520) 778-4142
