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What do I do with this baby Sparrow whos top beak is completely broken off2007-11-24 17:17:05

I have a baby Sparrow who tried to fly the nest and flew right into a window and broke its top beak completely off. The nest was way too high up so I couldn't put it back. At first it went into shock and a couple hours later after the blood cleared it was doing fine. It can breathe fine out of its nostrils and it will not stop chirping (I think because it is hungry?) but I really cannot feed it anything since it has no top beak. What should I do? I called the vet and they said they could put it to sleep humanely but is there any way an animal rescue can help this bird survive?

Answers:

The animal is done for. It's great you have compassion for this creature, but imagine if you hadn't been there to "rescue" it... what would have happened to it in the wild? It would either have starved to death or become food for some other animal. I don't think there's such a thing as prosthetic beaks for wild birds, and even if there were, it would never be accepted back into the nest at this point. Sorry! The circle of life is cruel sometimes.

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Call the wildlife commission in your area, most likely they will rehab the bird if possible and let it free when it is better.

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Slit the top of a straw and slide a moth/bug into it, and carefully drop it down the throat of the bird when it opens its mouth for food, like the mothers do... do the same with water one tiney drop at a time.. dont give up on it unless its suffering!

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Do you have a nature center nearby? If so, call them or look up the word "wildlife" in your phone books or online. See if you can find a wildlife rehabilitator who can advise you or take the animal. Calls several veterinary offices & see if they know of a wildlife rehabilitator - sometimes they know someoone. I don't know much about birds, so don't know how much the missing beak part will affect it. If you can tell the species, try looking online for what they eat - some bird eat seeds, some eat bugs, some eat worms, some need mom to regurgitate (throw up) their food into the babies' mouths. If you know the species you may be able to feed it until you can speak with someone who knows more. At last resort, soak some dry cat or dog food in water until its soft & try feeding it that. Any zoos nearby? - our i n Asheboro, NChas a wonderful aviary & probably would have someone that could advise. Also, put some colorful stickers on any large window areas to help prevent more "crashes". Keep birdie in a warm area without drafts & keep cats, etc. away. Good luck.

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contact a wildlife reserve or even your local DNR can point you in the direction of someone who can take care of it. you can grind up some worms and feed it to the bird with a syringe.

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Beaks do grow back like fingernails. Unfortunately feeding can be an issue. Gerber 1st stages chicken baby food diluted a bit in a syringe can be injected into the mouth. Feed until it's sack inside the side of its neck feels full. You will see it get larger. It is possible, but do you have the patience..if not, take it to a vet and have it put to sleep.