Feeding passerines: robins, starlings, blue jays, and other
birds of that type– (not waterfowl or raptors: hawks, eagles,
etc.)
Feed with plastic syringe.
Put one teaspoon of Exact into a small jar (you
can use a baby food jar), add baby food beef to the formula. All
baby birds eat bugs, so you are making a worm. Stir it up - if
the bird is very young (transparent) then add a drop more water.
Add a teaspoon of baby food applesauce. This is a complete food
for the baby bird. If you do not have Exact, then mix a raw egg
yolk with the baby food beef. Crack the egg over a sink and let
the white run out. Then stir the yolk into the baby food. Be sure
that it isn't runny, but you should be able to draw it into the
dropper and release it easily.
This baby Robin (above) is "gaping:" and
wants to be fed. He will push up into the syringe and you can push
the plunger very slowly (below). Allow the food to be swallowed
before injecting more.
If the bird is older and has all his feathers,
as in the photo above, you can feed moistened dog food. Soak puppy
chow in hot water and, when it's soft and warm, pop it into the
gaping mouth. Slightly crushed blueberries are another treat.
Note: If you see a baby robin fluttering and hopping
along the ground, he may be okay. The parents feed the babies on
the ground for a couple of days while they are learning to fledge.
Look for parents.
