[rec.birds] Help!!! I've become a surrogate mother!

tockro@studsys.mu.edu (tock) (07/20/90)

Yesterday, I found a very young sparrow (I think) that must have fallen
from its nest.  I don't know much about birds, but from what I remember 
from high school biology, it can't be more than a couple of days old.
It has no feathers and its eyes are not open yet.

Now what?  A friend advised me to feed the bird moistened cat food and
to keep him/her warm.  I've been doing that over the last 15 hours or so,
but I'm not sure that the bird will live.  It looks really scrawny--all
skin and organs, almost like a miniature chicken with a huge mouth.  I'd
appreciate any help anybody could give me in assisting this bird.  Please
reply here, if you think that others would be interested, or via E-mail.
Thanx!

--rOY

tockro@studsys.mu.edu (tock) (07/21/90)

Just wanted to let you all know of my progress.  I took the bird to a 
local wilderness center.  They said that it looked as if the young bird had
a ruptured spleen, but that the doctor would take a look at it.  I'll find
out more on Tuesday.  Thank you all for your suggestions.

--rOY