Rescued Starling

[hau kola]

I`ve rescued a Starling that had fallen from its nest into my cats mouth.Its parents wouldn`t come for him so I`ve got him in a box,in nest like conditions and i`ve named him Joseph.I`ve given him water and small worms and a bit of seeded bread soaked in milk.Is there anything else,food wise,that i could try?I`ve a feeling he`s strong enough to pull through.

[fairkatrina]

Hi, your best bet is looking at

http://www.starlingtalk.com/babystarlings.htm

that site deals with pet starlings (young and adult) and will give diet and care details. One thing, stop feeding it on earthworms, as they are not part of its natural diet and can be toxic.
Hope it all goes well for you, just be aware that young birds can do downhill very quickly and for no apparent reason, so just prepare yourself for him not pulling through, despite all your best efforts. Good luck!

[wiggal]

I have the same kind of thing, only i dont think the one i have will be alive by the time i get home from work :(

By dog was playing in the garden last night and when i looked out, he dropped something on the patio and it ran, so i went outside and its a bird :( Not sure what happened as the dog couldnt of caught it, it looks like it has some old injuries & if one of my cats had got it, it wouldnt of been alive!
He/she is in a cat box with some water and i know this sounds bad but some hamster food, it was late last night when i found him and had no idea what else to do!

[hau kola]

fairkatrina thankyou,thats a really helpful site.Joseph seems stronger tonight than this morning.I am prepared for the worst as its happened before so we find it best not to get our hopes up.My concern is that i can`t be here in the day because of work.

[hau kola]

Wiggal,i hope your baby will be ok.Please let me know.

[wildwood]

From fairkatrina's link you can determine approximately how old the chick is. If younger than 10 days it would really be better if you handed it over to one of the bird rescue organisations because it won't do very well not being fed during the day when you're away. You can always make some arrangement that you will take the care back over when it is 20 days old.

[hau kola]

wildwood,thanks for your comments.I think he is more than 10 days.He`s doing really well,taking food etc.I have someone looking after him today and hubby has a day off tomorrow.I`m hoping by sunday we might be able to think about releasing him.Problem is,cats.I can keep my two in but our garden is a throughway for all the neighbourhood cats.Anyway,i shall access the situation at the weekend.

[Babz]

Strange that, there have been a few birdies around this area lately that have fallen into our cats' mouths. A few mice have volunteered themselves for games as well. Good luck with Joseph I hope he makes it.

[gtank43]

do not feed it bread or milk. meal worm from pet shop is ok

[wiggal]

My little birdy didnt last the day :( he survived the night after we got him but when we got back the next day he was no longer with us! :(

[hau kola]

Sorry to hear that wiggal.Joseph is doing really well,i feel quite proud of myself and my daughter.I made up some feed for him from the site fairkatrina found for me and he`s been eating it like a good un.Tonight he is actually standing up looking around.I`ve got him in a wire cat carrier so its very much like a cage.He`s flapping his wings and clinging onto the sides as though he were a budgie.He may be ready to go tomorrow.

[Mel_C]

Hi hau kola, how is Joseph doing?...just been reading the posting...

[hau kola]

Hi Mel_C,yes he`s doing fine.My in-laws are looking after him tonight and tomorrow `cos we`re going to London to see Muse.About an hour ago i noticed a blackbird on our fence being fed by its dad.The baby was huge,a lot bigger than Joseph so i don`t think he`s ready for the big bad world just yet.He`s getting there though and he`s eating really well.