Gray catbirds are medium-sized songbirds that belong to the mimid family. They are native to North and Central America and get their name from their distinctive cat-like meowing call. Baby gray catbirds, like all baby birds, require a specialized diet to ensure proper growth and development.
What do baby birds eat?
All baby birds are altricial, meaning they hatch blind, naked, and completely dependent on their parents for food and care. Baby birds have very specific dietary needs that change as they grow and develop. Their nutrients requirements include:
- High protein for muscle and tissue growth
- Calcium for bone development
- Fats for energy and warmth
- Carbohydrates for energy
- Vitamins and minerals for overall health
Parent birds provide their hatchlings with soft, high-protein foods that are easy to digest. This includes insects, worms, egg yolk, and regurgitated seeds/fruit. Exact diet composition varies by species. As chicks develop, the proportion of insects vs fruits/seeds is adjusted based on nutritional needs and ability to digest.
Natural diet of baby gray catbirds
Gray catbird parents feed their chicks a diet of mostly insects and other invertebrates such as:
- Mealworms
- Waxworms
- Crickets
- Grasshoppers
- Spiders
- Caterpillars
- Ants
- Flies
These foods provide essential amino acids for growth and development. The proportion of insects in the diet starts around 75% immediately after hatching, and decreases to about 60% once feathers begin growing.
In addition to insects, parent catbirds also regurgitate homemade “bird milk” – a secretion from their crop that contains proteins, fats, and antibodies. Seeds and berries are introduced after a few days when chicks are able to process more complex foods.
Transitioning to independence
As baby gray catbirds grow, they are gradually weaned off the high-protein insect diet and transitioned to seeds, fruits, and vegetation. This shift is necessary as chicks develop the ability to fly, forage, and feed themselves. Key timelines in the weaning process include:
- 2 weeks – pinfeathers begin to emerge
- 3 weeks – flight feathers start growing
- 18-20 days – chicks leave the nest (fledglings)
- 3-5 weeks – chicks become independent
During this transitional period, parent catbirds decrease feedings and encourage foraging. By 3-5 weeks, the young are entirely independent and consume an adult diet of insects, seeds, fruits and berries such as:
- Crickets
- Grasshoppers
- Caterpillars
- Ants
- Beetles
- Wild berries
- Flower nectar
- Grains
- Seeds
Diet in captivity
Ideally, baby gray catbirds should be cared for by their parents in the wild. However, if a rescue situation is necessary, the goal of rehabilitation is to mimic the natural diet as much as possible. Chicks should be fed high-protein insect and egg foods every 20-30 minutes from 6am to 8pm. Exact portions will depend on age and development. Here are some appropriate diet options:
Hatchling (0-3 days)
- Dry cat or dog food soaked in water
- Chicken egg yolk
- Waxworms
- Mealworms
- Commercial bird handfeeding formula
Nestling (4-13 days)
- Fresh crickets
- Mealworms
- Earthworms
- Hard boiled egg
- Pureed fruits
- Dry cat/dog food
- Handfeeding formula
Fledgling (14 days – independence)
- Live crickets
- Mealworms
- Chopped fruits/veggies
- Soaked cat/dog food
- Finely crushed nuts/seeds
- Handfeeding formula
In all stages, calcium and vitamin D3 supplements are recommended to prevent deficiencies. Access to water should be provided once chicks can swallow on their own. Careful observation is necessary to ensure proper feeding and nutrition is maintained as diet transitions occur.
Common feeding mistakes
It can be challenging for rehabilitators to provide the right diet for developing baby birds. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Not feeding enough insects – lack can cause protein deficiency
- Introducing seeds/fruit too early – can cause digestive upset
- Using only handfeeding formula – lacks variety for balanced nutrition
- Overfeeding treats – can lead to vitamin/mineral imbalances
- Abrupt diet changes – switching foods suddenly can cause stomach upset
- No calcium supplement – can lead to metabolic bone disease
- Infrequent feeding – chicks need to eat often for energy and growth
Weaning tips
The transition from handfeeding to self feeding can be challenging. Here are some tips for successfully weaning baby gray catbirds onto an adult diet:
- Around 2-3 weeks, offer small amounts of mashed fruits/berries after feedings to encourage foraging
- Provide fruits and veggies chopped into bite-sized pieces
- Introduce leafy greens and live insects in shallow dishes to practice hunting
- Place natural branches and foliage in habitat for hopping/hiding food
- Gradually decrease handfeeding frequency based on consumption of weaning foods
- Ensure fledglings are adept at self-feeding before releasing to the wild
Patience and proper timing is important when transitioning diet and feeding methods. Careful observation of weight, droppings, and development milestones can help determine readiness.
Conclusion
Baby gray catbirds require a specialized high-protein insect-based diet to fuel their rapid growth and development. Parent catbirds expertly adjust feedings to meet nutritional needs at each stage. For rehabilitators, the key is mimicking the natural diet as close as possible. With proper care and weaning, hand-raised chicks can successfully transition to independence.