[anspackgrl]

I found a baby bird in my yard, it looks like its about a week old. It moves around and makes noise, any ideas on how to care for it? I have tried to find the nest it came from but I couldn't.

[Meg S]

I've raised baby birds in the past with my grandmother, so I'll tell you what I've learned from her. Chances are, it will die, but it's still worth a shot. If you've touched it, the mother won't accept it (even if you did find the nest). The best you could do is keep it some place warm and dry. We took straw and old soft towels and tucked them into a small basket, to make the baby bird feel more secure and safe. It will need fed every couple of hours. Find worms and mash them up as best you can to fit in an eye dropper. Press the dropper against the bird's beak and it will open its' mouth. Hover the dropper in its mouth and release the mashed worm slowly. If the bird's not sick, it will continue to eat, and never fail to tell you when it's hungry.One time we raised a baby robin and named it Melvin. Eventually he got strong, and learned to fly on its own, and would spend time with others of its kind and come back to us and land on our shoulders, etc (it got really friendly with the neighbors, to their complete surprise, too!). Hope all of this helps. Good luck!

[kelleygaither2000]

how long have u been observing it? Mom and/or Dad might be still caring for it. they're always the best providers. watch it for about a day from your house, n c if they fly to it. they may be a short distance off. did it land near a tree? you could try and find its nest and put it back. birds can't tell u've handled their young, and will accept it back w/o hesitation. call ur local fish and game and tell them what has happened if mom n dad don't come back or u can't find the nest. ppl often try(i have in the past) to save baby birds, not realizing the incredible task it is. for exp. a mother Robin makes more than 500 trips a *day* back and forth to her nest, feeding her baby. also,plz be aware that if it is a bird of prey, it is illegal nation wide to have one in your posession w/o proper permits. plz call ur local fish and game and let them take if from there. you don't want a wild baby bird to imprint on humans.