Daughter brought me a nestling that had fallen 35 feet from its nest to the horse arena. Impossible to return to the nest, these nestlings usually keep the barn cats fat. Except for this one. Judging by the mother that dive bombed the rescuer, it is a starling. And, judging by the sparse feathers, it is less than two weeks old which is excellent because they imprint between one and two weeks of age.
I’ve found that an old sports bra makes a great first foster nest and allows me to go about my business on the 15 minute feeding schedule that baby birds demand. In only a few days, however, it outgrew my bra and then it went into a ventilated box with a good lid to keep it from my jealous dachshund and Daughter’s cats.
Because of the feeding schedule, I took my nestling to school. The professors were very accommodating. In fact, the professor for my Life Span and Family Issues class was charmed (herself a bird person) and used my little bird as an example of developing trust. (The nestling would peep whenever it heard my voice in class.)
An insectivore, it eats dampened dry high protein cat food mixed with a little applesauce and hard boiled egg which I feed to it with tweezers (my makeshift beak). A fledgling now, it has the run of my bedroom and is learning to fly. It roosts at night on my open closet door and, at first light, flies down to greet me for the day to my delight. It will pry with its beak into my hair to see if I am hiding any yummy bugs. It snuggles under my chin and generally makes me happy.
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Comments
This is never easy. It is imprionted on me now. Lots of accommodations to make as I do like them to fly free. Wish me luck on weaning.
You're such a sweet hearted person.
Rated
You made me snort my corn chip...
My wispy hair seems to be accepted in lieu of feathers. It is beginning to pry my mouth open now because it has noticed me eating stuff. Baby birds are intense.
AND look at all the baby bird ads! Who'da thought?
Starlings are very successful at evolution. Made of strong stuff. Read a paper where starlings put aromatic herbs (yarrow, queen anns lace) in their nests to up their babies' immune system.
Yes, I will update. Want to get some pictures of bathing but it is an active process--throws water out at least six feet.
Yeah, its kinda cute. Feathers feel so nice up against my neck.
Thanks for lovingly welcoming this dear creature into your life!
( m&m )
I know that's normal for mothers to feel about baby people, but your chick is not a mammal. I'm not very good with non-mammals. It's devastating to try so hard and then lose them. I'm impressed.
Lovely story.
Thanks for coming for a peak at my newest baby.
How nice to have starlingites right here on OS! I have indeed found starlingtalk and am learning quite a lot. I've taken the course in rehabing and have done it for awhile but always learn alot from the birds themselves.
I first became interested when I read Arnie the Darling Starling and have always wanted one of these smart little critters.
I had an English Sparrow named Percy for awhile and I loved her so much. She would nest in the hollow of my elbow when I typed.
So cool!
Thanks for the good wishes! You have a happy fourth as well! Yes, with my daughter's three cats, it might not seem like the best place. However, they are outdoors all the time now. The doxie is pretty good with all other animals but am not trusting her yet.
You are so right. A lot depends upon thier age. My sparrow was very young but managed to pull through. This one was almost 2 weeks. One other one Daughter brought home did not last the day.
Lainey,
Lucky! The vulnerable period is when the babies fledge. They land all over the place and too innocent for their own good. Many times when folks say they have been close to a wild bird it is because they are juveniles who don't know better!
Really cool, Steph.
is yes, a world of dew
and yet ...
- by Issa Kobayashi.
`
Sorrow:`On this earth, feelings beyond words- the saga of personal tragedy, and I share this haiku that was written after 'his' one month year old daughter died of smallpox. There were five others of his children who died.
Two wives died.
His house burnt.
Grief in our lives,
human condition,
all broken hearts,
transient as dew,
"and yet....," yes,
something deep
within us ... in
human's spirit
imperceptibly
wills to shout
or whispers,
"and yet ..."
Percy sounds like a darling, too. What a sweet image that is!
BTW, have you decided what to name your starling? Franny and Zooey were wondering :-)
( m&m )
hahaha You know me! I actually took one of my baby birds in my sports bra to one of my nudist gatherings. It was all I wore and I walked around to everyone and pulled my top out and said, "Wanna see what I got?" We have an odd sense of humor.
Ablonde,
I actually have more room in my bra, I believe, than you may. I usually lay down a cloth as a "diaper". Because starlings are insectivores, they need a lot of protein and the cat food is actually the best thing.
Tim4Change,
Thanks for dropping by, my friend, and enjoying.
Stella,
I always treasure compliments from you as I know you really mean them. Thanks so much for being a friend.
I have loved that Haiku by Issa for years. I have rarely read a better commentary on a Haiku than yours. Quite lovely and evanescent as the poem with many levels of meaning.
Thank you so much--it was a gift.
Am still thinking about the name. All the other animals have names beginning with W--just started that way by chance and have continued it. Thought of Widget but then it is too close to Wiggers, the dog's nickname which would not set well at all.
I love the Salinger names! How long have you had them? I will go over to your site and see if you have blogged about them.
:^)
“I love the Salinger names! How long have you had them?”
It’s been a little over three years now—every moment fascinating and delightful (except for the anxiety-inducing episodes, which all turned out happily, thank God).
“I will go over to your site and see if you have blogged about them.”
We’ve talked a bit about them at metaness (most recently the post before last), but I (Melissa) am actually hoping to start a separate blog in the next week or so specifically devoted to the running journal I’ve been keeping about them. We are in some disagreement about the title of the blog, so that’s the main holdup at this point :-) We’ll let you know once it’s up.
( m&m )
Yes, I would have thought you had a baby bird or two in your past. Feeding is cool. My last bird (jay) taught me that food = love.
Hey Natalie!
Thanks, my friend. I am lucky this year--have always wanted a starling.
Melissa,
I look forward to your log about F & Z!
You made me laugh right out loud! It is an oldy for sure. For many years now, I have only worn them to keep my birds in.
hahahaha
now you know you have to post regular updates about this chick, right?
Glad you like!
Brie,
It's the little wispy feathers on her head. Super cute.
Roy,
Thanks for being glad. I have decided to be in more as it keeps me sane and much happier.
I will postagain on this little bit of feathers. She is all over my bedroom, checking into everything. (I have hidden my jewelry. The jay was a great thief.)
I once read a book called "Arnie the Darling Starling", about just this very situation. It had lots of good advice for raising that particular kind of bird. Very old book - don't know if it's still available.
One question: if the adult starling was attempting to attack the rescuer, would she have taken the baby back, or are the babies neglected once they fall from the nest?
Keep up the good work, foster bird mommy!
SO nice to see so many of my friends here today.
I do remember that book and date my wanting a starling to that.
Mamoore,
Yeah, lucky bird. Lucky me.
Hi Lisa
I can just see you helping a little bird.Its always better to put it in the nest if you can. This nest was 35 feet up.
The parents will take it back regardless. When they are learning to fly is the critical time. If you find one that is feathered out and on the ground, try to put it up in a tree. Parents can find it there.
Chicago!
Thanks for coming by to see my bird.
That's a good one! Blue footed, perhaps?
Kathy,
Glad to see you!
I DO appreciate the effort. If it gets to be too much, you can sneak back later and add it, okay?
Kim,
Yes, often these stories don't work out.
Eric,
A perfect phrase from the perfect blogger for it! And you made me laugh out loud.
MB,
It is a "sweet grumpy face" as Lisa Kern said. That downturned mouth spurs you to hurry up and get some more food. Its beak and throat were bright yellow and now she only has a little yellow on the sides of her beak. (The yellow makes a great target for the parent.)
Jane,
Yeah, I'm likin' it.
So sads about your long ago bird. They are so vulnerable. Just today, I was feeling appreciative of the internet for looking things up.
Sometimes, for kids, it is the summer we learn about death. We had some rabbits one summer...
My doxie is pretty mild but, I keep her away cause she is very jealous. She usually keeps mommy's rules so understands that "do not kill the bird" is one of them!
Shaggylocks,
I love that you love starlings. Not many do. Gotta admire a successful creature.
Owl,
My bird friend!
Roger, J lynne, Jon, Scupper and Athome pilgrim--I so thank you for leaving your comments.
Woke up this am to find that my little bird is at the top rated which really touches my heart. To care about the least of Mother Earth's creatures says a lot about the quality of the folks here.
AND, after my long absence when I thought that everyone must have forgotten me, it warms my heart clear through to have so many old and new friends drop by.
I just love all of you, OSers.
She rescued a wren, and while she had it the bird was never far away. She set it free, but it stayed outside the house. One of my favorite memories is watching her limp up the street with that little bird hopping along behind her. It flew away one day, and she missed it terribly. Thanks for bringing that memory back, and enjoy the birdie!
Guess I am...at least, in my next life!
hrndmwmn,
What a lovely reminescence of your mother. BIrds are really so loving and loyal. What a beautiful image you have painted.
Hello, Lea!
Yeah...Hard to hide myself around here!
Hi Coyote!
So good to see all my friends!
Good to know that there is another woman who "bras" her birds...!
"It will pry with its beak into my hair to see if I am hiding any yummy bugs."
I'll giggle just a little bit whenever this crosses my mind today.
Rrrrrrrated!
Yeah, you could say I am birdbrained!
BeeTones,
Thanks for buzzing my way!
http://news.aol.com/article/squirrel-in-cleavage/555485
How interesting. Some true things are stranger than fiction...
Monsieur,
Metaness have two that they have had for three years as pets. These birds, like English sparrows and Pigeons, are not protected under the wild bird act. If she is happy, if she considers me her mother and if she thrives, she can stay. She will certainly have the run of the house once she is a better flier and will shall see about the yard.
Yeah, I love the birds with attitude. Jays, sparrows, starlings--they all have attitude.
*Snoopy dance* Stephanie's BACK!!!!!
Thanks, bbd, for the kind comment. Must admit, this is me through and through.
Bill S,
Love that snoopy dance and the big Bill grin!
It's amazing how birds acclimate to human parents, isn't it?
My daughter found a sparrow in an identical situation, about the same age. We 'rescued" it, fed it a mushy kind of meal we got at the pet shop. No one was home during the days, so I would put it in a box and take it to work with me. Several times per day, I would shut the office door, let it out of the box and feed it, eventually leading to live meal worms.
After a few weeks, that little bird would fly around my office, landing on my desk, begging for meal worms. I had many people look at me with a rather odd look on their faces when they would see this going on, but hell with'em.
We kept the liitle guy/girl, feeding it, letting it fly around the house until we thought it's wngs were strong enough to fly. I built a birdhouse for it, put it in the birdhouse and hung it up on the porch cover. In a few minutes it shot out like a bullet. We never saw "Bayou Bonnie" again, but it was a great feeling to do that.
Thanks for coming by.
Boomer Bob,
What a great story. Sounds like you made the perfect bird mother--to hell with everyone else! People tend to look askance, I think, because of the bird poop factor. At least, it's small poop.
Good for you!
I have the same problem with the gender thing. (I may be able to tell when she/he is 6 months.) I resist calling Starlin' an "IT" as I feel she is very much her own creature as I am. Have decided upon her for now...
Update--she has gone from grumpy to pretty damn mad!
I am currently enjoying watching our male house sparrows feed their fledglings seeds from the feeder. It's amazing, I've never seen it before. Haven't gotten a picture yet but I'm pretty determined.... :)
Had a new birdie tonight--Black-headed Grosbeak, the first one I've seen here. Having feeders makes such a huge difference.
As for starlings--I love them, they're such characters. Feisty little buggers.
Maybe Winni? Short for Winifred? It means "Friend of Peace."
Good luck to you and the baby. :)
Noahvose,
Was wondering if anyone would ever notice my katchina doll in te background. I really prize him. A gift to me, he is the only doll related to sun; apparently, most have to do with rain. Sunface.
Merwoman,
Did expect my fellow bird lover!
She/he is a cute little guy. Winne sounds very good. Am trying out "Starlin" right now.
Have been thinking that I should post a guide of what to do (mostly, get thee to a wildlife rehab center).
LuluandPhoebe,
Hi girl. Starlin is doing better now but did have a mishap. Need to update soon on the little rascal.
livemonster,
so agree with you. Our love with creatures can be so uncomplicated and restful.
In one sense, you are infriging upon sacred turf. But in this case, I certainly understand. :)
As promised! Just went up today.
Love the new avatar. Absolutely hilarious. And congrats on a well-deserved EP, as well!
Happy imprinting,
—Melissa (of metaness)
Monte
There are odder things in bras (see Travis' comment above).
Sioban,
So good to see you again!
Blue Surly,
I envy you your sparrow. Such lovely sprightly little scamps. Smidge is a great name!
They are pretty tiny. At least this one had some feathers. I have saved one sparrow who was under one week but that is rare.
EmmaPeel,
Happy to enchant!
Monte and Hawley,
Yes, M&M (now the Yellow Starlings) and I may be starting a starling fad!
The book--Arnie the Darling Starling--is quite cute and has been mentioned up above. Alas, she lost Arnie due to not having any stiptic powder around. They only have about a teaspoon of blood in all.
Going over to have a peek!