Mary Rosseland
Member
Hello, I'm Mary and I'm in Norway currently. We found a great tour nestling last Monday, and I'm seeking advice for him/her.
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Hello from Norway (2 Viewers)
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Mary Rosseland
Member
Sorry, my phone did auto correct. We found a Great Tit nestling in the driveway lady Monday, no nest in sight, parents didn't come either.
We have raised him in a basket, not handling him. He loves eating but it's not thrilled with humans.
How do I transition him to living outside and catching his own bugs now that he's a fledgling? He isn't perching yet, so I think I need to get a more appropriate living space for him, until he leaves.
We have raised him in a basket, not handling him. He loves eating but it's not thrilled with humans.
How do I transition him to living outside and catching his own bugs now that he's a fledgling? He isn't perching yet, so I think I need to get a more appropriate living space for him, until he leaves.
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Hi Mary and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators. We have some general guidelines here for the care of injured and baby birds.
Please don't be afraid to ask again if you've more questions that this page doesn't answer.
I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.
Please don't be afraid to ask again if you've more questions that this page doesn't answer.
I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.
Mary Rosseland
Member
Thank you!
I read through that. We on our 11th day with him, so I need advice for the next steps.
What cage set up does he need to learn to perch and practice flapping the wings? Should we have the cage outside so he can get used to outside noises, rather than inside noises?
How do I teach him to find insects by himself? Let him on the ground for periods of time? If he flies away without showing us that he can get his own food, do you think he will come back to us for worms?
Sorry, there's not much info on the web about how to handle this transition.
Best,
Mary
I read through that. We on our 11th day with him, so I need advice for the next steps.
What cage set up does he need to learn to perch and practice flapping the wings? Should we have the cage outside so he can get used to outside noises, rather than inside noises?
How do I teach him to find insects by himself? Let him on the ground for periods of time? If he flies away without showing us that he can get his own food, do you think he will come back to us for worms?
Sorry, there's not much info on the web about how to handle this transition.
Best,
Mary
Hi Mary, I'm not sure too many of our members would really know either. In the wild they will spend at least a few days flapping their wings to strengthen their muscles, when they feel they're ready they go! They sit in a hedge or tree for a day or so while the parents provide a gradually reducing amount of food.
Is there a wildlife rehab organisation anywhere in your area, they have the skills with knowing how to get them through each stage. Often, over here anyway, they have a lot of young birds at the same stage and they are released as a group when they're ready.
Is there a wildlife rehab organisation anywhere in your area, they have the skills with knowing how to get them through each stage. Often, over here anyway, they have a lot of young birds at the same stage and they are released as a group when they're ready.
Mary Rosseland
Member
Thank you for the reply. The local wildlife guy was sick last week and couldn't help us.
I think I will improvise, take him outside gradually, and lay some meal worms near him, so he can see them. And hope he figures it out!
His name is Freddy Mercury... Lol.
Hello Mary and welcome to the forum, enjoy and all the best.
Mary Rosseland
Member
I don't really mean "cage", but a safe temporary living environment (that's why I am seeking help). The local wildlife help person was sick last week and said he couldn't help us.
Hi, welcome to the forum. I think you will find us a friendly and helpful group. Actually a cage with a perch could help in the transition (from what I’ve read - can’t remember where). It will/might help him learn to perch, you can leave the door open outside, with you nearby, and he might start going in and out. From there, once he is fully fledged you can then leave him out day and night, I’ve read he will eventually fly off.
Mary Rosseland
Member
Thank you! That is what I was thinking. I just fed him outside, and he was skittish. I covered him and left him out for a few hours so he could hear different sounds. I will post progress!
