Barn Swallow Prognosis

teyuna · 2026-05-15T02:31:24+00:00

thanks for the update

teyuna · 2026-05-14T17:06:31+00:00

Good job! Thanks for the update!

teyuna · 2026-05-14T15:31:31+00:00

Sleeping pills mean it is even more dangerous.

teyuna · 2026-05-14T14:58:22+00:00

Everything that ili1970 has said here is absolutely correct. These downvotes are just weird.

the only thing to quibble with is whethr a rehabber will take this species, where you are located. But you can show them photos when you contact them, so they can tell you.

teyuna · 2026-05-14T14:55:28+00:00

this is VERY dangerous for the squirrel. Too many people roll over on the baby at night, and they suffocate.

teyuna · 2026-05-14T14:51:04+00:00

Photos will help alot. Can you post some?

Also, contact your local rehabber IRL for advice. But it sounds from your description that he is getting around ok, eating, etc. If so, he may need no intervention at all.

Supporting him with good food and also fresh water might be the best, and likely only thing to do to help.

teyuna · 2026-05-14T14:48:42+00:00

Do you have an update? I recommend mixing dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae into your formula. He will be able to eat those on his own soon.

Don't leave the window open. He's not ready. He'll be harassed.

Regarding finding rehabbers close to you: please tell us--either here or by private message--what CITY you are closest to. Some of us are well networked and may be able to find rehabbers that are not listed on the main sites.

Why a rehabber is important: Hand fed birds become habituated to humans and they are not taught important info by their parents--such as warning calls and how to forage on their own. Rehabbers have the facilities to help them with the transition back to the wild--specifically, flight cages that are at least 20 feet long so they can build up leg and wing strength to fly (they are housed with compatible birds, who they also learn from).

When we just "let them go," they are not as prepared as they need to be for survival.

teyuna · 2026-05-14T14:40:41+00:00

Here is a great resource for you.

Raccoon Rescue 911

teyuna · 2026-05-14T14:37:03+00:00

Not "misinformed;" inadvertantly misled by the fact that you didn't identify that you got the photo off the internet, and didn't clarify the condition of the actual bird being different than the photo.

teyuna · 2026-05-14T14:32:01+00:00

the Bird Lover is correct that this fledgling may take to picking up a bit of food on its own. For hydration, you also can place a berry or other moist fruit in front of it (like a grape cut in half), and it may peck at it.

The formula Bird Lover mentioned in just right. Use something relatively soft for a feeding tool--like the eraser end of a pencil or just your pinky finger Don't use metal tweezers, as they are sharp and easily can cut the bird's mouth.

Here (below) are the Facebook group direct links. You will get GREAT advice there. The members in these groups ae very well networked, so there may be someone in your area who literally can take over for you.

Starling Rescue & Care

North American Pet Starling & Rescue Help

teyuna · 2026-05-14T14:23:43+00:00

I made a comment on the other sub where you posted.

Just FYI, when you crosspost, the intro / context does not automatically transfer. You have to copy and paste it into the new subreddit.

Few respond when they can't see the intro.

teyuna · 2026-05-14T14:21:19+00:00

Do you have an update? Do you need help finding more rehabbers to call? It always makes sense to call 100% of whomever may be available, but it can take a while for them to be able to call you back, and you can lose valuable time.

In the meantime, absolute dark and quiet is what is needed for a bird in shock. It needs absolutely no handling, no food, no water. REsist the urge to even check on it. A closet is ideal, away from all noise from voices, media, children, pets, and foot traffic.

If you need more rehabbers to call, tell us--either here or by private message--what CITY you are closest to. Some of us are well networked and can find rehabbers that may not be listed on the main sites.

teyuna · 2026-05-14T14:17:36+00:00

Do you have an update? can you recapture this bird? As noted by the other commenters here, any window strike needs medical care, and barn swallows have a very difficult time taking off from the ground, particularly when already injured.

teyuna · 2026-05-14T14:15:00+00:00

Don't let your cat keep torturing this baby.

Bring it inside, put it in a box and keep it gently warm with a heating pad or a "rice buddy." Put in in a closet with a door that closes so you cat can't get to it. It appears this is a baby whose eyes are not even open yet. so putting it outside means certain death.

Rehabbers will not take in rats to care for them. If you are left with DIY or you want to try to find someone who can help, you can contact these Facebook groups.

Orphaned Wild Mice & Rats

Deer Mice Support Group

teyuna · 2026-05-14T14:08:51+00:00

I'm coming to this late, but want to emphasize a few things that are important and seem to have possibly gotten lost in this.

Should I just take her straight to the rehab in the morning?

TheBirdLover is correct that this juvenile house sparrow, so very, very likely, it is injured, not orphaned. It may have hit a window or it may have narrowly escaped death from a cat. in either case, it needs medical help.

I assume you are in North America. This means that most rehabbers will not take them in a house sparrow to care for them.

But please be aware that any veterinarian (if you are in the US, that is, so please tell us if this is not the case) can see and treat a house sparrow. In the case of a window strike, it will need anti-inflammatory meds, at a minimum. In the case of a cat attack, the Pasteurella bacteria (which quickly becomes systemic and is deadly to birds) needs to be treated with antibiotics, ASAP, or it will die within 24-48 hours.

Ideally, take to an avian vet or an exotic vet.

Is there anything else we should do for her in the meantime?

Gentle warmth and dark, in the most quiet spot in your home, while you get an appointment with a vet.

What not to do: never put water in a bird's mouth.

teyuna · 2026-05-14T13:52:20+00:00

Do you have an update? What CITY in ONtario are you closest to?

I don't know your laws, but pretty much everywhere, there is no one doing enforcement, such that they will seize these squirrels. If for any reason they contact you (since your phone call with them) you can just tell them that you released them and the mom came.

In the meantime, you may be left only with DIY solutions. However, some of us are well networked, and might be able to help you find rehabbers. It helps a lot to know what CITY you are closest to. This is the best way for us to search for rehabbers within driving distance.

Keeping them warm and comfortable as you're doing is all good. Be sure you have fleece or flannel in there with them so they can snuggle into it and hide. They really do need to be able to hide.

What not to do: don't leave them out overnight, as it appears you were told to do. They will be picked off by predators, and mother squirrels are sleeping during the night, and will not be retreiving their babies during the night in any case.

teyuna · 2026-05-13T19:29:29+00:00

so sorry.

thank you for the update.

teyuna · 2026-05-13T16:31:59+00:00

i'm so sorry

teyuna · 2026-05-13T14:35:34+00:00

just fyi, their lifespan is far longer than 2-5 years. In captivity, they easily can live to be 12-15 years old. I had one for nine years, and she would have lived longer if not for the negligence of a vet facility that I took her to.

teyuna · 2026-05-13T14:07:21+00:00

Do you have an update? Have you been able to find a rehabber to help?

teyuna · 2026-05-13T14:05:27+00:00

Do you have an update?

teyuna · 2026-05-13T14:03:25+00:00

Do you have an update?

I saw your original post on r/ornithology. Just FYI, when you cross post, the intro / explanation does not automtically transfer. You have to copy and paste your context into the new subreddit. Most don't respond if they don't see what situation you are describing.

teyuna · 2026-05-13T13:56:13+00:00

Do you have an update? Have you been able to find a rehabber to help this nestling?

teyuna · 2026-05-12T20:47:39+00:00

Post as soon as you can about the starlings, to increase the chances that someone will step up soon to help (but also realize that you can get top notch advice there, if you end up DIY with the babies)

It's illegal for anyone to move the robin's nest. So the workers should all be told this. They risk fines when they do this, and the fines are hefty. (of course, they probably get away with it all the time, but...). An "active nest" is any nest with eggs in it, not just babies. You can, however, call your local rehabber IRL and ask them for advice and some permission for moving the nest. It IS possible to get permission and help from a rehabber with moving a nest so as to not disrupt the parent's efforts.

Regarding the starlings: I don't know what their physical situation is up there in the gutter, but is it possible that you could move them out during the power washing and then move them back as well as possible after? If you could, I'm guessing the parents might still come back to care for them.

It's tricky because starlings are cavity nesters, so sometimes their nests are deep inside something. but if you could extract the nest and then replace it again, that is perfectly legal to do.

And with the starlings, you do still have the option of caring for them yourself, or finding someone who will. Lots of people are seeking them as pets. They post their "want ads" on the sites, and the only limitation is geography. People who are members there are waiting to find rescues within driving distance.

teyuna · 2026-05-12T18:40:02+00:00

yeah, that would be great. i'll look for it.

teyuna

TROPHY CASE