Thrushes are songbirds that belong to the family Turdidae. There are around 65 species of thrushes found throughout the world, and they can be identified by their large eyes, upright posture, strong legs, and speckled breasts. Some common thrush species include the American robin, wood thrush, hermit thrush, and song thrush.
Baby thrushes, called fledglings, require specialized care and feeding. If you find a baby thrush out of its nest, it likely needs human intervention to survive. Here are some quick answers about caring for and feeding baby thrush birds:
- Baby thrushes eat insects and fruit. Do not give them bread, milk, or seed.
- You can feed them mealworms, chopped earthworms, mashed berries, and softened dog or cat food.
- Use tweezers or wear gloves to hand feed baby thrushes every 20-30 minutes.
- Only help baby thrushes if you find them hopping on the ground and unable to fly back to a nest.
- Return baby thrushes to the nest if possible or contact a wildlife rehabilitation center.
Now let’s go into more detail on everything you need to know about feeding and caring for baby thrush birds.
When to Help Baby Thrushes
You should only provide care to baby thrushes in specific situations. If you see a fledgling on the ground, observe it for 30-60 minutes before intervening. Fledglings often leave the nest and hop on the ground while they learn to fly. The parents still feed and watch over them during this stage.
Only provide care if the baby thrush:
- Has no feathers and is naked or nearly featherless. This indicates it fell from the nest early.
- Is calling loudly and constantly with no parents responding.
- Appears injured or lethargic.
- Has been in the same spot for over an hour.
- Is in immediate danger from pets, people, or vehicles.
If the baby thrush is in danger, you can place it in a nearby bush or tree off the ground. Monitor it from a distance to see if the parents return. If the parents do not come back or continually alarm call, the baby likely needs help.
Housing for Baby Thrushes
You’ll need to provide proper housing for a baby thrush that requires care. Here are some tips:
- Get a small box, basket, or bird cage lined with paper towels or tissues.
- Place the housing in a warm, dry, dark place away from loud noises and other pets.
- Only handle the baby thrush when necessary and keep interaction minimal.
- Wash your hands before and after handling to prevent disease transmission.
- Do not keep more than 2-3 baby thrushes together, as overcrowding causes stress.
Make sure to ventilate the housing if fully enclosed. As the thrush grows, it will need room to start hopping and moving around inside its enclosure.
Diet for Baby Thrushes
Baby thrushes need a specialized diet to survive. Here are some dos and don’ts of feeding baby thrushes:
Do Feed Baby Thrushes:
- Mealworms or waxworms – crush the heads first.
- Chopped up earthworms.
- Wet cat or dog food, preferably high protein and low grain.
- Berries mashed up with a fork – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries.
- Chopped grapes and bananas.
- Chicken baby food or canned meat.
- Insectivore rearing formula.
- Nutritional supplements like calcium powder.
Do Not Feed Baby Thrushes:
- Dry foods – seeds, cereal, chips, nuts, etc.
- Dairy products – milk, cheese, yogurt.
- Bread, crackers, baked goods.
- Chocolate, candy, junk food.
- Caffeine or alcohol.
Feeding baby thrushes the right diet will provide protein, nutrients, and hydration. Allow time between feedings for proper digestion. Signs of overfeeding include food accumulating in the crop and loose watery droppings.
How to Feed Baby Thrushes
When feeding baby thrushes, follow these tips:
- Wear gloves or use tweezers to handle food.
- Gently open the beak and place small bits of food towards the back of the throat.
- Feed every 20-30 minutes from sunrise to sunset.
- Alternate different food items at each feeding.
- Ensure the crop empties between feedings.
- Stop feeding at dusk and don’t feed overnight.
- Provide fresh water in a shallow dish, changing it frequently.
The crop is the enlarged area of the esophagus below the neck. You can see and feel if it’s full. An empty crop indicates the last meal has digested.
Baby thrushes fledge between 10-14 days old but still rely on their parents for 2-3 weeks after leaving the nest. If you are raising a baby thrush, attempt to release it once it can fly strongly and feed independently. Only keep injured thrushes that cannot be released.
Potential Health Issues
Baby thrushes can develop health issues that need veterinary care. Watch for these problems:
- Injuries – bleeding, broken bones, head trauma.
- Infections – discharge, swelling, lethargy.
- Mites – small bugs around face and eyes.
- Candidiasis – white plaques in mouth.
- Bumblefoot – sores on feet.
- Pneumonia – discharge from nose/mouth, open-mouth breathing.
Contact a wildlife rehabilitation center if the baby thrush develops any concerning symptoms. They can provide proper treatment and supportive care.
When to Release
The goal is to release rehabilitated baby thrushes back to the wild. Use these guidelines to determine release timing:
- Feathers are fully developed.
- Able to swallow on their own.
- Flies strongly.
- Eats independently.
- No longer begging for food.
- No signs of illness.
- Good weight and body condition.
Release the thrush during daytime hours in suitable thrush habitat. If it was found fledgling, release it in the same area if possible. Monitor the release to ensure the thrush can thrive in the environment. Capture and re-evaluate any thrush that cannot acclimate.
Finding a Wildlife Rehabilitator
If you cannot adequately care for a baby thrush yourself, locate a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible. Here are some tips:
- Search online for “wildlife rehabilitation center [your area].”
- Contact wildlife control offices, humane societies, or veterinarians.
- Look on the National Wildlife Rehabilitator Association website.
- Don’t waste time at pet stores, zoos, or government agencies that won’t help.
- Ensure the facility specializes in native wildlife.
Provide temporary supportive care until you can transfer the baby thrush to an experienced rehabilitator. This will give it the best chance at survival.
Preventing Baby Thrush Rescues
While rescuing baby thrushes can save lives, it’s better to prevent needing rescue in the first place. Here are tips:
- Keep cats indoors to prevent predation on nests.
- Avoid pruning trees and shrubs during nesting season.
- Monitor nests to keep away predators and report issues.
- Put up fencing or dividers around nests in high traffic areas.
- Place protective cages or covers on ground nests.
- Keep nest location records to prevent future disruptions.
- Let fledglings be if parents are present and baby is safe.
Educating yourself and others about living with nesting birds is also important. When people understand thrush behavior, they can take steps to minimize conflicts and problems.
In Conclusion
Caring for baby thrushes is often necessary when they fall from nests or become separated from parents. With proper housing, diet, feeding techniques, and rehabilitation, many baby thrushes can be released back to the wild. Always reach out to wildlife experts when needed and focus on preventative measures to avoid disruptions during nesting season. If we all work together to understand and protect wildlife, baby thrushes will have their best chances to thrive.