Caring for a baby swift bird can be a rewarding but challenging experience. Swifts are highly social birds that form close bonds with their owners when hand-raised. However, their specialized needs mean they require more specialized care than typical pet birds. With patience and the right approach, caring for a baby swift can lead to a wonderful lifelong friendship.
What are baby swifts like?
Baby swifts are altricial birds, meaning they hatch blind, naked and helpless. They rely completely on their parents for warmth, protection and feeding. Here are some key facts about swift hatchlings:
– Hatch between 17-23 days after eggs are laid
– Weigh just 12 to 20 grams at hatching
– Have pink, wrinkled skin and are mostly featherless
– Eyes are closed for the first 7-10 days
– Depend on parents for food, warmth and protection
– Stay in the nest for 30-45 days before fledging
As they grow, baby swifts gradually open their eyes, develop feathers and become more alert and active. But they still require round-the-clock care.
Do I need any special equipment?
Raising a baby swift requires some specific supplies and equipment. Here are the key items you’ll need:
– Incubator – To keep abandoned eggs or chill-prone hatchlings warm
– Brooder setup – An enclosure that provides a controlled climate for rearing hatchlings
– Heat lamp/heating pad – Keeps the brooder at the proper temperature
– Thermometer – Monitors the brooder’s temperature
– Hand-feeding formula – Specially formulated for insect-eating birds
– Syringes/spoons – For delivering the hand-feeding formula
– Gram scale – To weigh hatchlings and monitor growth
– Housing – An aviary or flight cage where fledglings can practice flying
Having the proper supplies will help ensure the baby swift stays healthy as it grows. Be prepared before the hatchling arrives.
What temperature and humidity do baby swifts need?
Maintaining the proper brooder temperature and humidity is extremely important when raising baby swifts. Here are the recommended ranges:
– Temperature: 85-90°F for the first week, then reduced by 5°F per week until ambient temperature is reached
– Humidity: 60-65% relative humidity at all times
The brooder should have a warm side and a cooler side so the hatchling can self-regulate its temperature. Add a heat lamp or pad to one side while leaving the other at room temperature.
Low humidity can dehydrate hatchlings. Add a humidifier or water-soaked sponges to increase moisture levels. Closely monitor temperature and humidity in the brooder at all times.
What do baby swifts eat?
In the wild, baby swifts are fed by their parents on a diet of exclusively insects. When hand-raising swifts, it’s vital to replicate this high-protein, high-fat insectivorous diet. Specially formulated swift hand-feeding formulas are ideal. Most contain a powdered base of insects, vitamins and minerals that is mixed with water before feeding.
Some common ingredients in swift hand-feeding formulas include:
– Mealworms
– Crickets
– Pureed beef heart or liver
– Bone meal for calcium
– Vitamin and mineral supplements
Avoid fruit-based parrot hand-feeding formulas, as these are inappropriate for swifts. Feed the formula using a spoon, syringe or specialized feeding utensils.
How often do baby swifts need to be fed?
For the first two weeks, baby swifts need to be fed every 30-45 minutes from sunrise to sunset. This matches what their parents would provide in the wild.
As they grow, the feeding frequency can gradually be reduced. But even older nestlings and fledglings cannot go more than 3-4 hours without food.
Here are the general feeding frequency guidelines:
Swift’s Age | Feeding Frequency |
0-2 weeks | Every 30-45 minutes, sunrise to sunset |
2-4 weeks | Every 1-2 hours, sunrise to sunset |
4-6 weeks | Every 2-3 hours, sunrise to sunset |
6+ weeks | Every 3-4 hours, sunrise to sunset |
Set alarms overnight to get up and feed the hatchling every 3-4 hours initially. Missing feedings can quickly lead to malnourishment or even death of the fragile baby bird.
How much do I feed baby swifts at each feeding?
Overfeeding can be as dangerous as underfeeding for baby swifts. Follow these general guidelines for amount to feed at each meal:
– Days 1-3: Start with 0.1-0.3mL per feeding
– Days 3-7: Slowly increase to 0.5-1mL per feeding
– Week 2: Feed 1-2mL per feeding
– Weeks 3-4: Increase to 2-6mL per feeding based on appetite
– Weeks 5-6: 6-10mL per feeding
– Fledging: 10-15mL per feeding
Always watch for signs of over or underfeeding. Hatchlings should have a slightly distended crop after eating but it should never be tight and swollen. Adjust food amounts gradually based on the swift’s weight gain and appetite.
How do I get a baby swift to eat?
Baby swifts have strong feeding reflexes that make hand-feeding fairly straightforward. Here are some tips:
– Use warm formula (105-110 ̊F) to trigger feeding response
– Gently open the beak and place drops of formula inside
– Lightly stroke the throat to encourage swallowing
– Feed during daylight hours when swifts are most active
– Avoid overfilling the crop at once; pause feeding if the crop appears swollen
Be extremely gentle and never forcefully pry open or squeeze the beak, as this can cause injuries. With patience, the hatchling will readily accept the feeding syringe or spoon.
How do I know when a baby swift is full?
Check the crop after every feeding to assess appetite and avoid overfeeding. Signs a swift hatchling is full include:
– The crop feels softly rounded but not hard or tightly packed
– The skin over the crop still has some give or flexibility when gently pressed
– The hatchling starts refusing food and turning its head away
– Little to no begging behavior between meals
A full crop in young swifts should be about the size of a grape. If the crop is over-stretched and swollen, gently massage it to help digest the excess food.
How do I get baby swifts to defecate?
Like all young birds, baby swifts need help eliminating waste for the first few weeks. Here’s how to stimulate defecation:
– Gently massage the vent/cloaca area with a warm, damp cotton ball after every 1-2 feedings
– Place hatchlings directly on a nest of tissue paper or cloth to catch droppings
– Feed a warm hydrating formula mix prior to stimulating for a bowel movement
– Be extremely gentle; never squeeze or force feces out
Proper waste removal is key to avoiding dangerous conditions like sour crop. Monitor droppings to ensure they remain the right color and consistency.
What are normal baby swift poops like?
Baby swift droppings should be:
– Brown, tan or greenish in color
– A loose, liquidy texture
– Small in amount
Abnormal poops to watch for include:
– Excessively watery and profuse
– Very foul smelling
– Completely white or yellow
– Tinged with blood
– Dark blackish-green coloring
Contact a vet if poops seem abnormal, as this indicates illness. Monitor waste at each feeding to catch problems early.
How do I know if a baby swift is healthy?
Check for these signs to ensure a baby swift is healthy:
– Bright, alert and active
– Eyes open wide and watchful
– Feathers growing in normally
– Skin is pink with good blood flow
– Crop soft and rounded after feeding
– Gaining weight steadily
– Defecating regularly
– Strong begging reflex when hungry
– No discharge from eyes/nose
Contact an avian vet immediately at the first signs of lethargy, weakness, injury, swelling, abnormal feces or other problems. Catching issues early is critical.
How do I monitor a baby swift’s weight?
Weigh hatchlings at least twice daily on a gram scale, and record the weights. Healthy swifts should gain about 10-15% of their body weight daily.
Sudden weight loss, failure to gain or very slow growth signals a major problem. Be prepared to intervene with extra feedings, fluids and vet care if weight is abnormal.
Target weight ranges for common swift species:
Species | Hatch Weight | Fledge Weight |
Common Swift | 12-18g | 75-100g |
White-throated Swift | 18-22g | 80-110g |
Chimney Swift | 14-20g | 45-65g |
Weighing hatchlings provides an objective measure of health and ensures proper development.
Do baby swifts need vitamins or supplements?
In addition to a complete hand-feeding formula, baby swifts need extra calcium for proper bone development. Lightly dust insects with calcium supplement powder prior to feeding.
Vitamin D3 is also essential for absorbing calcium. A swift-specific vitamin powder can be sprinkled onto food 2-3 times per week.
Always consult with an avian vet before providing any other vitamins, supplements or medications to avoid toxicity or overdose. Follow label directions carefully.
What are signs of illness in baby swifts?
Watch for these common health problems in baby swifts:
– Fluffed, lethargic appearance
– Weight loss or poor weight gain
– Labored breathing, wheezing, coughing
– Discharge from eyes or nostrils
– Feather abnormalities like plucking
– Swollen eyes or ankles
– Inappetence or difficulty swallowing
– Distended abdomen or crop stasis
– Discolored urates or diarrhea
– Abnormal posture, tremors or weakness
Sick hatchlings can deteriorate rapidly. Seek emergency vet care at the first signs of illness to maximize chances of successful treatment.
How do I avoid dangerous conditions like sour crop and AGY?
Two deadly diseases in hand-raised swifts are sour crop and AGY (acute gastrointestinal yeast infection). Here’s how to prevent them:
Sour crop:
– Disinfect feeding tools daily
– Avoid bacterial contamination of formula
– Massage crop if food not digesting
– Keep crop empty 4+ hours before night
AGY:
– Keep brooder clean and dry
– Avoid formula temperature extremes
– Limit stress
– Use probiotics
– Watch for symptoms like vomiting
Impeccable hygiene and proper feeding techniques are key to avoiding these diseases. Monitor the hatchling closely and be proactive.
At what age can baby swifts start flying?
Most swifts fledge and begin flying between 30-45 days old. To prepare for fledging:
– Let wings and flight muscles strengthen and develop fully
– Exercise wings daily once feathered
– Move to roomy cage allowing short test flights
– Ensure fledgling is eating well and alert
– Supervise first longer flights closely for safety
Premature fledging leads to injury. Allow young swifts to build flight muscles naturally before their first flights. Fledglings will let you know when they are ready!
What are some tips for getting baby swifts to fledge successfully?
Here are some tips for a smooth fledging process:
– Choose a predator-safe site for first flights
– Clear the area of obstacles, pets and dangers
– Start exercise and short flights well in advance
– Ensure the swift is fully feathered first
– Have a soft landing zone like grass or mulch
– Carefully monitor from a distance during longer flights
– Limit fledgling’s unsupervised free flight time initially
The first flights may be awkward but the young swift will quickly gain skill and confidence. Celebrate this major milestone!
Do baby swifts make good pets?
While charming, swifts are not ideal pets. Here’s why:
– Require extremely specialized care
– Need large aviaries and daily fly time
– Loud, constant screams can be disruptive
– Can become aggressive in breeding season
– Prone to stress-related illness
– Lifespan of 10-20 years means long commitment
That said, hand-raised swifts can form close bonds and interact affectionately with owners. Ensure you have the time, resources and knowledge to meet their complex needs before committing.
Can I release a hand-raised swift?
Release is controversial. Hand-raised swifts may lack survival instincts but some have integrated into wild flocks. Guidelines include:
– Choose a release site with existing swift nests
– Get help from a wildlife rehabilitator
– Release just before migration season
– Hard release is less risky than a soft release
– Accept the swift may not survive
There are no guarantees. Weigh risks carefully before attempting any release of a hand-raised swift.
Conclusion
Caring for a baby swift is a big responsibility but can lead to a lifetime of joy. Do research to prepare for the commitment. Work closely with an avian vet and mentor. Have emergency supplies ready. Follow proven hand-feeding protocols. And get ready to fall in love with these amazing aerial acrobats! With diligent care and attention, your hatchling will transform into a stunning, graceful swift over the coming months.