Hi Paolo,
It sounds like you have a fledgling there. There's a couple of days in
their development where they can only fly horizontally, (a very
dangerous time for them). If he's still alive, (sadly, they don't live
long in a regular house setting), he may be ready to fly by now. If he
seems healthy in every other respect, I'd get him back out to the garden
where you found him. He may be ready for better flight patterns by
now. His Mom and Dad are probably somewhere nearby and hopefully
they'll still tend to him. It's not true about them not taking care of
their babies after humans have touched them. Too much time may have
gone by though. You could watch him from a distance and make sure his
parents find him.
He's not eating solid food because he hasn't learned to forage for
himself yet. Even though he's out of the nest, Mom and Dad would still
be bringing him food at this point. Michelle's advice about wetting
down dry dog, or cat food is what I've been told too. Saturate the dry
food with unflavored pediatric electrolyte, (for babies with diarrhea to
prevent dehydration), instead of plain water. You could also try jar
baby food on a toothpick,or syringe, (be careful not to gag him). It
sounds like he's too old for the 'open mouth-feed me' thing, but
hopefully you can get some food down him. A rehabber would be the best
thing for him. They put the babies all together in aviaries and they do
quite well, (not as much human interaction and they learn from each
other). When they're old enough, if they don't have any physical
limitations, they're released. Some vets will accept them and hold them
for rehabbers too.
Good luck with the baby. Please let us know what happens.
Nina
Paolo wrote:
Hi all,
I know this could sound quite bizarre but... well, two days ago I found
a little sparrow in the garden, he stayed perfectly immobile and when
tried to fly, could fly only for a very few meters. I took him to my
house (I save you the details about how to "segregate" my cat from the
little sparrow...) He's not that small, just a bit smaller than an adult
sparrow, with the light down [underfur feathers] typical of the baby
birds half gone already.
The problem is that he doesn't eat nothing solid, no bread, no rice,
and no meat of course (ham, finely minced meat). He only wanted water+
sugar.... I understand it gives carbohydrate and avoid dehydration,
but it's definitely not good on the long term because sparrows are
carnivores, they eat insects... he's totally lacking any protein input.
It sounds odd, but all the offices of the italian bird protection
association are closed for holiday!!!
I need advice about how to give proteins to him, and I need it
urgently!!!
Thank you to everybody
Paolo
