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It's a great sticky situation... A baby bird was found 3 weeks ago inside a wall of a building. No nest or other birds in sight. It looked not great. A friend took the bird in under her wing. Meet Buckbeak. Buckbeak ate and ate and ate, and grew. And smelled so horrible.    Now we're at the point where Buckbeak is flying and wanting outside. Yesterday was Buckbeak's first day in the outdoors. He flew, though not gracefully. He started learning to hunt insects. He mostly wanted to be near people. He has a LOT of learning to do to be a bird. Looking for any advice on how to safely transition this bird to a wild life, if that may be possible. I think this is a European Starling.  
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Jul 14, 2015 17:58
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| # ? Apr 27, 2024 03:04 |
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Since he was people-raised he may never transition properly to being a wild bird. I'd recommend contacting a local wildlife/avian rehab center and talking to them. 
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Jul 15, 2015 00:39
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Ditto on the wildlife rehabber, they are equipped with things like outside aviaries and know all about how to reintroduce Buckbeak to the wild. Great job getting the little guy this far, he was a fresh baby when you found him! If you have trouble finding a rehabber in your area, call local bird stores, check out forums on the Internet, ask at the animal shelter, etc. To my knowledge starlings are not one of the 'no-no' species and you won't get in trouble for having one in your posession.
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Jul 15, 2015 02:32
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Velvet Sparrow posted:Great job getting the little guy this far, he was a fresh baby when you found him! Also yeah this too  He is a very handsome little fellow!
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Jul 15, 2015 03:44
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LITERALLY A BIRD posted:Since he was people-raised he may never transition properly to being a wild bird. I'd recommend contacting a local wildlife/avian rehab center and talking to them. I'm going to see if there are any rehab options now that Buckbeak has grown.
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Jul 15, 2015 03:54
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Velvet Sparrow posted:Ditto on the wildlife rehabber, they are equipped with things like outside aviaries and know all about how to reintroduce Buckbeak to the wild. Great job getting the little guy this far, he was a fresh baby when you found him! In the mean time I might have to pick out a birdhouse for Buckbeak to call home. He will be fed and watched over while he's on the grounds.
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Jul 15, 2015 04:48
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Looks like a starling. http://www.starlingtalk.com/babycare.htm
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Jul 15, 2015 18:57
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Hood Ornament posted:Looks like a starling. It would be possible to make him a bird house and make sure he has food and water outdoors daily. I don't think he'd be able to make it outside in the winter here even with a bird house.
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Jul 15, 2015 19:57
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Rat posted:It does look that way. He must be 4 weeks old now, not quite 5. That explains why he can't feed himself. It also doesn't look great for a wild life. He was a single chick and he definitely imprinted on his caretaker(s). That's not good. The bird rehabbers wouldn't take him as a tiny chick and that opportunity to learn has passed. They might just have to keep him?
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Jul 15, 2015 20:15
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Hood Ornament posted:They might just have to keep him?
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Jul 15, 2015 20:46
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Yeah, a lot of places don't accept starlings or sparrows as they're considered invasive species. Your best bet is probably your outdoors birdhouse idea (and perhaps you could take him inside during the winter), and you can have a little bird friend living next door to visit and hang out with.
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Jul 15, 2015 21:46
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Where is the bird located? Maybe there's some sort of program where he can be taken as an ambassador animal.
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Jul 15, 2015 21:49
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Hood Ornament posted:Where is the bird located? Maybe there's some sort of program where he can be taken as an ambassador animal. Lots of people have pet starlings, they make awesome pets...but since it's summer, you do have time to slowly acclimate him to the outdoors and ease him into being a wild bird. Likely he'll hang around your house once he's released, especially if you provide food and water sources and he knows it's a safe area. If you do decide to keep and then release him, I'd raise him until he is an adult and then release him in your yard. Meanwhile you can set his cage outside during the day (not in direct sunlight!) and let him get used to the great outdoors while still being safe. My friend Kasia (a fellow chicken person!) runs an animal rescue called Kasia's Ark, her starling Damar is a great talker and I love him to death! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KId25_Jf7Fc She works with a lot of European starlings and might be able to help or advise you (she's in New Orleans), her Facebook page is here: https://www.facebook.com/KasiasArk Velvet Sparrow fucked around with this message at 23:00 on Jul 15, 2015 |
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Jul 15, 2015 22:32
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Hood Ornament posted:Where is the bird located? Maybe there's some sort of program where he can be taken as an ambassador animal. Northern rural Alberta. Google has helped with nothing I'm afraid. There's really nothing nearby that is willing to deal with starlings. When there was an orphaned goose we got help, this bird not so much. LITERALLY A BIRD posted:Yeah, a lot of places don't accept starlings or sparrows as they're considered invasive species. Your best bet is probably your outdoors birdhouse idea (and perhaps you could take him inside during the winter), and you can have a little bird friend living next door to visit and hang out with. I want to make sure here can learn the right songs and learn how to mostly feed himself. If he can learn to not approach every human, that would also be best. Very interesting intelligent creature, afraid I can't take in a pet bird.
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Jul 15, 2015 23:05
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Rat posted:If it's not a horrible life for a bird I'll do what I can to get him a secure outdoor shelter. This location is good for it. Wooded and surrounded by wetlands. It may be possible to do that for him. Not sure about an indoor cage for the winter. As it stands he's living outdoors but returning to be fed throughout the day. Ah, yes, I meant if you couldn't find a shelter or specialist to take him in. Even if you can't an employee or volunteer might be able to give you advice on what to expect and what resources are available.
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Jul 15, 2015 23:30
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Velvet Sparrow posted:Lots of people have pet starlings, they make awesome pets...but since it's summer, you do have time to slowly acclimate him to the outdoors and ease him into being a wild bird. Likely he'll hang around your house once he's released, especially if you provide food and water sources and he knows it's a safe area. If you do decide to keep and then release him, I'd raise him until he is an adult and then release him in your yard. Meanwhile you can set his cage outside during the day (not in direct sunlight!) and let him get used to the great outdoors while still being safe. LITERALLY A BIRD posted:Ah, yes, I meant if you couldn't find a shelter or specialist to take him in. Normally people bring the animals to us and it's OK... just not baby birds!
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Jul 16, 2015 00:50
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Current bird status: Buckbeak is on day 3 outside after his Monday morning release. at one point he would not leave me alone. Then he did that.  Otherwise he's keeping more distance, coming around when he is hungry--and then being in your face, or my face anyway. I saw a few other starlings nearby, Buckbeak seemed to notice them. He was gone hanging out in the trees in their general area for a few hours. Can he even interact with other birds? Maybe he can recognize their song. Trying to minimize his handling. He has safe spaces outside. Everyone is on watch for his well being. He has a bird bath that he seems to thoroughly enjoy. We're feeding insects from the yard, and supplementing with some store bought live insects. Buckbeak was able to stir up a few young grasshoppers and eat them without any assistance. He seems to be OK outside on his own at this time. Is there any major danger to having him outdoors at this point if we are attempting to have him live his life outside? There are corvids, they hang out for dog kibble scraps at the end of the day without fail. Otherwise they don't bother much.
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Jul 16, 2015 03:01
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Cats, mostly, I'm sure. Birds of prey. Snakes.
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Jul 16, 2015 03:44
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Teach him to say "Help I've been turned into a bird!" And release him in the middle of a crowded park.
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Jul 16, 2015 04:11
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Tasty_Crayon posted:Teach him to say "Help I've been turned into a bird!" And release him in the middle of a crowded park. ^^^^ Best idea yet. Or, 'I can talk, can you fly?' just to piss off park-goers. It sounds like you are easing him into being a wild birdy the right way, I think he'll do just fine. I had a female Broad-tailed hummingbird that someone brought to me as a fallen nestling, I raised her to adulthood--she used to sit on my desk at work in a little basket where it was warm, she'd 'BEEP!' when she was hungry. People would look around trying to figure out what the Hell was beeping. I eventually released her in my back yard, after a few days I didn't see her again. I was kinda sad not knowing what happened to her. The next Spring she suddenly reappeared in my back yard, flying around my head and squeaking. After that she came back every Spring to hang out. I knew it was her because she clealry knew me, and where I lived Broad-Tails were not normally seen. So don't worry too much about Buckbeak, birds are tough and starlings are smart little suckers.
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Jul 16, 2015 04:51
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Tasty_Crayon posted:Teach him to say "Help I've been turned into a bird!" And release him in the middle of a crowded park.
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Jul 16, 2015 05:03
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Came into work early to feed Buckbeak and see how he was doing. He swooped me hard from behind and was chattering up a storm. Seemed to love cricket hunting. Then he flew off to sit on a fence. He's leaving other people alone so far. His chirp is sounding more bird like and less squawky. Good job buddy!
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Jul 16, 2015 15:06
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Heard a story about Buckbeak! Also believe Buck is a ladybird. Buckbeak was released in an area that is mostly undisturbed, but near a property used for fire training sometimes. On her first night of release there was a fire drill with a live burn not far away. As a firefighter in full gear was hosing down a burning structure Buckbeak swooped in at his face. The fireman was shouting and flailing and spraying everywhere while Buckbeak kept at his mask. The firefighters had to stop the drill for a bit. They had no idea and were not expecting a bird attack! She just wanted to eat. Thankfully Buckbeak has been keeping her distance more, flying a lot, and doing some of her own hunting. I will see her in a few hours. Many bug treats for her.
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Jul 17, 2015 16:31
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AHAHAHA...starlings! 
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Jul 17, 2015 20:55
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Hahah silly bird I'm so glad she's doing well!
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Jul 17, 2015 21:27
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She's doing very well. So well that she's started acting peckish and squawky when food doesn't arrive promptly. My poor ears! That bird! She's also throwing the feeding tongs aside if she sees it's cat food. A few bites and then what I imagine is a chorus of "where are the bugs?!" Her chirp sounds different already. Much more melodic.
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Jul 17, 2015 23:23
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Congrats on your new pet bird OP
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Jul 18, 2015 00:54
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EXTREME INSERTION posted:Congrats on your new pet bird OP
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Jul 18, 2015 02:30
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| # ? Apr 27, 2024 03:04 |
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Buckbeak has become pretty pro at flying and hunting stuff. If she keeps bothering random people a friend has a rural property with a huge garden, Buckbeak would be great pest control.
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Jul 23, 2015 16:25
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