kind of not finch related but was wondering

[birdeatcat]

Hi there everyone, I have had a normally successful time with my finches and realize that this is a finch forum, but I was hoping you guys and gals on here could help me out. I found a wild robin and was feeding him as I brought him home today and he's about ready to fledge I think. I saw him hopping around and then sat and stayed in one spot. I left him alone while I went to deliver my newspapers, and came back, I went to check on him and noticed a cat began to stalk him in the area. I grabbed him and ran home with him in my hands and put him in a cooler for safety (with the lid off of course

I've been feeding him wax worms because he refuses finch baby food, and was reading that I shouldn't keep him because it's bad. I know a lady that rescues birds and mentioned that a lot of the times the wild life Organization in Canada will want to put any animals down that have had human interaction.

He comfortably sits on my hand, and I was wondering if you have any suggestions for feeding other than just wax worms, and dandelion leaves, I'll try fruits later.

Thanks I hope not to get negative feedback, and apologize if I have violated any rules.

[lovemyfinch]

My boss managed to save 3 baby birds, I believe swallows.
Because when she found them they were featherless, she was able to give formula that I gave her.
Towards the end, when they were getting ready to fledge, I had her giving them soak seed, and well as wild bird seed to make sure that they at least knew what to do when they found feeders in yards.
She ended up letting them fly away......never to be seen again

[Queen_Bee]

I have to admit that I am on occasion a baby bird rescuer myself, especially if that baby is in danger from cats (who should be kept indoors for their own safety, as well as that of birds... but that's another post ) Anyway... I found this information on what to feed a baby robin on a wild bird website. "Robins, Starlings and other insectivores: tinned cat or dog food, preferably beef for robins; small pieces of earthworm can also be offered on the end of a toothpick"

I don't think you need to worry too much about a robin imprinting on you and becoming too attached to humans for its own good. If he was on the ground and hopping he is just about ready to start flying. I would try to release him in the area you found him when you feel his is ready to go. The parents may still be around and will help their baby.

Good luck with the baby - hope this helps!

[birdeatcat]

I really would love to put him back, but I Am a little nervous of the people who live where I found him, just scared that he may not survive because their REALLY mean people and show no consideration for anything.

I was thinking about releasing him in my yard but the parents may not be around.

I guess it would be really bad to keep him, but he doesn't seem to unhappy.

Another thing that I was thinking of doing maybe allowing him to grow up a little bit and release him in the area too.

[6finchfriends]

If you release him when he can fly I don't think the mean people in the area would be able to get close enough to bother the little guy. Robins are wild and this one won't be 'tame' when you release him, if you were worried about him being friendly to people. That's wonderful of you to rescue him. Yes, cats should be kept indoors but that's another of my soap box issues as well. It is tempting to keep him as a pet but I would advise against it.

[birdeatcat]

Nope, I love him very much and I prefer him be happy, he seems to content for me to feed him at the moment (unfortunately he loves sitting on my finger). I am encouraging him to fly in my room and get stronger, I'm also gonna try to teach him to forage, I am thinking by mid this summer (or earlier) he's gonna be a big strong boy and able to fly, it'll be a heart break but at least he's okay, and I'll release him. He is indeed a wild birdie and needs to be free. I'll be posting a bit of a diary on my deviant art if anyone is interested, or If you would like I can start a little thing here.

I just want to see lil' Isildur be a happy Robin (yes I named him)

[Ursula]

Maybe that helps a little:

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/robin/FAQBabies.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 705AALFcvt

http://stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2 ... chive.html

I don't doubt that you are caring for the robin the best you can, and that you really love him... But maybe you should try to contact a wildlife rehab center and at least ask for advice on the recommended diet...

This is not meant to be negative in any way, it's brave that you rescued him from the cat! But robins are no pets after all and especially a baby might need more than waxworms and dandelion...

[birdeatcat]

I am feeding him other things, I fear a wildlife person because they don't do their job most times they see wild life as an aggravation and kill the animal.

Unless there is a known place where they are guaranteed not to do this. (the city of Toronto is one of the worst. I found a sick squirrel and yes he was too sick to live but they were so heartless with me and told me it didn't matter what happened the squirrel who cares, I could have rabies.) I was so pissed I didn't bother with the rabies stuff. I knew that I was fine. Yes I was important but I thought we had feelings too?

I have done my research on feeding him, just slowly giving him different things.

so far he really likes grapes.

what frazzles me here is any Joe blow an keep a tiger and lion in their back yard but if it's a robin, everyone wigs out, a Tiger or lion is far more dangerous. It's not that I want to keep him forever but what is the big deal of looking out for a wild animal and sending him or her back to the wild later? (yes I know for sure that he can be rehabilitated, I know quite a few people who have raised baby birds from younger age then this guy and integrates just fine.)

[Mozelle]

Well - my first thought was he had just fledged and the parents were most likely close by. But I have to admit with a cat around I'd be concerned as well.

I've raised some robins myself. I think most of the "laws" were meant to deter misguided people from trying to make pets of wild creatures. I have raised quite a few wild birds and released them. 3 years later, one robin in particular would return to our house, and call at me - coming within a few feet of me when I made the call I used to use for "dinner". He never let me get close enough to touch (I did test it, it was a concern), but did visit.
Anyway... that little guy was raised almost solely on worms. We lived on a farm at the time, and learned (can you believe it...) that the fattest juiciest ones were under nettle and mint plants. And pieces? Nope.. he'd suck them back like a piece of spaghetti.
If I were to do it again, I think I would probably add some birdie vitamins just to give him a boost. He also loved cat food, which I learned was healthy for him. Please don't experiment too much. A robin isnt' likely to get grapes in the wild. He needs to learn the foods that will be available to him. And too many kinds of food can upset his digestive system.
Personally, I'm glad to know there are caring people like you out there. Keep in mind this is a wild creature, learn what wild robins eat and how they teach their young. You'll give them best start you can then.

Best of luck!!

[kenny]

hi
in the uk robins mostly eat mealworms when they are fed in my garden i always put a few in a dish for them and its the first thing they eat...i have seen people on thier gardens feed robind who land on thier spade handles ,they are very freindly but i think you should release him back into the wild ....preferably where there are no cats


ken

[birdeatcat]

I am going to release him Very soon actually, he's acting more adult, I probably will be able to release him in probably about 1 week at the most a week in a half. He's maturing at a very high rate, Today he was preening himself and knows how to bring food up from his crop and eat it already, and he's an amazing flyer. He's got the idea of bathing and drinks water from the bath too =D I am so proud of him I am looking forward to the day that I can let him go, because I know that he'll be happier and have his own life. He's also just about mastered eating food off the ground. I try to get him to take worms from my hand, and when he finally does it without coaxing (hopefully tomorrow). I'll be tearing my yard up for earthworms and dirt.

As soon as he's got the Idea for foraging, I'll wean him slowly off my hand and he can go be free.

[Mozelle]

Sounds like a remarkable youngster

[birdeatcat]

yes, He is indeed. Quick learner and Smart cookie, Unfortunately he even chirps his name Isildur o-o. I did notice he's more difficult to keep down he just wants to fly everywhere, so yes =D an even better indication he's about ready to go =D

[Ursula]

I'm glad that he's getting on so well, you did a very good job!!

It's just sad that you have such a bad opinion about the wildlife recues. I'm sure not everybody there is heartless, you must have just happened to meet the wrong person. (which can happen anywhere in life I guess.) If they didn't care for wild animals they wouldn't be in that profession...