I've been caring for a starling baby since she was a fledgling, ( bad injuries, now healed and flying ) and am waiting to release her. HOWEVER, she will not feed herself and I am still spooning her mush into her wide open beak every hour or so. Has anyone the experience of raising a wild bird? How can I get her to feed on her own. I have offered her bugs, she will eat them IF I smack them to to point of senselessness... leaving them only with a bit of a "kick" of the leg ( to get her attention) She is not a seed eater. ANy good advice will be welcome
raising an injured starling baby for 5 weeks..
you will have to put down some live food and walk away. If it can't feed itself it will die in the wild. Quit feeding it, just put in the food and go away for about 30 minutes then go check on it. earthworm, meal worms, other bugs disabled so they can't crawl away, small berries and some chicken feed pellets. You are lucky this bird is not a native US bird or you could be in heeps of trouble under the Federal US Migratory Bird Act. You should always call a Wildlife Rehabber and turn injured animals over to them
bluebunn, I haven't looked too far into this site, but it looks like they might help. I googled (actually, Dog-piled) "fledgling starling won't eat" and found quite a bit.
http://www.starlingtalk.com/index.htm
Some critters wildlife rehabbers won't accept, or must euthanise. Methinks it may sometimes be a judgement call.
I am a rehabber. The hardest stage with birds is this one, especially Starlings. What he needs to see is other birds feeding themselves outside. I usually release them and feed them outside for a few days. They get the hang really quick. Live food in the bottom of the cage often helps and the movement attracts them. Don't try earthworms, they are not a part of their diet.
I will move the birds cage out on the porch for a few days, then open the door and leave it open. I contnue feeding it, but a bit less than normal after the door is opened. The bird will go out and come to you when it is hungry for a few days. I use soaked kibble, not mushed. You simply pop a piece in their mouth everytime they open it. Much easier.
There is nothing illegal about keeping a starling. Although they are pests in the wild, they are smart, engaging and funny. I knew one who even learned to mimic some speech like a crow.
Thank you all for your information, I do appreciate. I would never leave an animal to die, despite the rules and regulations of the Federal Gov. But in my state, Starlings, and house wrens are legal to keep as pets. I am giving Esther a choice. She can live in the wild or with me, in my studio. SHe does have an aviary that is attached to my window in which she goes from cage to room all day long.
If you are quick enough in diagnosing curled toes (during the first day or two that the chick cannot stand up) then you can treat them with a multivitamin drink that contains Riboflavin. The toes will straighten out after a few days but if you aren't quick enough, permanent damage will have been done and the toes will continue to grow curled.
I found this info.