So doing yard work at my folks' house in Sugar Land, a bird nest fell from a palm tree. Two babies (maybe larger) were in it. One died immediately. The other one seemed shocked/weak for a while. I put it in a shoe box lined with paper towels. There's also damp cloth in there. I've read a bunch of things online and a lot of it contradicts. Not too familiar with this area anymore since I haven't lived here in awhile. Might look for a place to take it tomorrow because the mom hasn't come back. It seems more lively now. Like it might be able to fly in a week, but I don't really know what I'm talking about. Thinking that if y'all can identify it, then I can figure out what food to buy it until it can fly away or something. I now nothing about birds.
A lot of times you can put the bird/nest right back and it will be fine. The idea that a bird won't touch a baby once it's been 'tainted' by human hands is false. We have lots of sparrows that nest near our backyard and that happens from time to time.
The nest broke apart...it was pretty high up in the palm tree. I did put the shoe box at the base of the palm tree. I'm not sure if the mom is smart enough to come back. At least the baby is lively now and makes noises when I walk up to it. Not sure if I should leave it out there tonight, but I don't think there are stray cats around. It sort of nuzzled itself under the paper towels. It'll probably be hungry soon.
Take it to the Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition. They're located in Houston and take in orphaned birds.
Thanks for the tip. I'm crazy busy tomorrow, but I think I'll drive up to the TWRC before business hours and leave the shoebox, a note, and some money at there door. Now way I can be there during their open times.
Why are some of you being pricks about this? It's reassuring that some people still have the decency to go out of their way to help others, or in this case, animals. I'd suggest the SPCA, since my cousin did something similar for an injured cat. Good luck!
Just kidding. Maybe you can get some baby food or something that's the consistency of regurgitated food? Maybe some mashed berries or worms or something.
The pictures are from my phone. My camera is at my place, 2000 miles away. I'll call TWRC tomorrow to make sure all is good. Hope the bird makes it through the night okay.
Your baby bird is a mourning dove and needs specialized feeding. Doves do not gape like regular song birds. Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation located on Hammerly off the tollroad is the best place to take it. They are open every day 10-2 and also M-Th 5-7:30pm. Mrs Dubious
That's right -- think of the birds! :grin: Seriously, he is getting good advice in this thread, so a few jokes were entertaining, at least to me. I liked the camera joke in particular.
All is good now. Was able to get some free time and took it to the Texas Wildlife thingy on Hammerly before it closed (hours are 10am - 2pm jeebus) and everything looks okay. They have an abandoned baby bird program that will give it fluid injections and food until it can fly off. They said it was probably a morning dove, so great call Mrs. Dubious. I laughed at the sign on the door saying please do not abandon animals there, for that was Plan A. That place is pretty cool and full of squirrels, turtles, snakes, birds, and whatever.
cool story, bro. no, seriously. I would have let Mother Nature or Natural Selection take care of this one. my mom has this one fern where wrens lay their eggs every single year, and she grows attached to them whether they live or die. She usually just watches through the window but has seen them fall victim to the elements or to predators.
