Feeding This Little Guy His Baba Tumblr
Common Myna
Acridotheres tristis
Size: Between a bulbul and a pigeon, about 23cm.
Characterised By: A Common Myna is largely a brown bird with a black head, characterised by bright yellow legs and bill, and a patch of bare skin around the eyes. A large white patch in the wings is conspicuous in flight.
It is commonly sighted in areas of human habitation and is omnivorous. When in its natural habitat, it can be seen feeding on earthworms, winged termites, crickets and grasshoppers.
A fully feathered baby is called a fledgling. One that has no feathers, is often referred to as a 'fallen pinkie'. If a baby bird has fallen out of its nest and seems unharmed, it is a good idea to try and return it back to its nest. In trying to do so, make sure predators such as cats or dogs are nowhere around. It is a false notion that the parent bird will not accept it once in contact with a human being.
SHELTER
Temperature is crucial factor when it comes to raising a baby bird. For the first two weeks it must be kept in an environment of about 33-34 C. Post two weeks, temperature can be reduced to 30-31 C.
Shoe boxes or similar containers are ideal places for them. Make sure the box is perforated with many holes before placing it inside. Line it with newspapers and a clean cloth or towel and place a paper towel on top. It is best to keep the baby bird in a dark and quiet place. Make sure it is warm, but not hot. Heating pads and light bulbs can be used to provide warmth in cold climate, but only under constant supervision so as not to overheat.
When the Myna is about three months old it can be shifted into an aviary or an empty room, where it can exercise its wings and and take short flights. Its box can be kept nearby for it to take shelter in, along with plenty of food and fresh water.
FOOD
click here for a high resolution/print friendly image
How to feed:
Never feed a baby bird water, for it can aspirate. A newly hatched bird (with no feathers at all) takes in food in very small quantities. Do not rush the feedings- make sure the bird has swallowed each bite before giving another. A mynah does not have a crop so you can't go by that. Liquids are not be given as the moisture in the food is sufficient to keep it well hydrated.
Feed only from sunrise until about 10 at night. Even newly hatched babies do not get fed during the night. Tap the bill of the bird gently, if it hasn't already opened its bill wide, in anticipation of food. Take a small amount of food (pasty consistency) on the end of your finger and place it into their mouth like the parent bird would. Alternatively, you can use a syringe of about 2ml and place it at an angle on the side of the birds beak. Press the plunger very slowly and make sure very little food goes in at a time. You can also use a dropper or the end of a plastic spoon. All equipment used for feeding must be washed with warm water and a very mild detergent and must be properly disinfected. It is important to make sure the consistency of food is not liquidy, or the bird can choke.
What to feed:
One choice of food is mashed up cooked rice combined with either chicken ground to a paste or mashed up boiled egg. The food should be the consistency of a thick paste. As it grows, fruits such as mashed bananas can be added to it's diet.
Another choice of food is Sattu. It can be roasted, then powdered. The resultant flour can then be kneaded into a dough using water. It should be a loose dough and of a pasty consistency.
Soft fruits such as mashed banana and papaya can also be introduced into their diet slowly.
Interval and Age:
A newly hatched bird, with no feathers and possibly blind- 0-2 weeks, must be fed every two hours atleast. The interval can be decreased slightly should the bird demand food at shorter intervals.
At 2 to 4 weeks, when some feathers start to appear on the barbs, the interval can be increased to three hours. At this stage the mashed fruits can be introduced into their diet.
When the flight feathers slowly start to appear at 4-6 weeks, the feeding interval can be increased to 5 hours. In addition, bits of food and water must be provided because it may begin drinking from a bowl and picking at moistened food.
Weaning* should occur at 6-8 weeks. The young bird will now begin to resemble an adult Myna. Small pieces, sattu pellets, pieces of hard-boiled egg as well as boiled rice and dal (lentils) can now be provided for it to eat on its own.
Even it it may not be eating on its own at first, the water and food needs to be available so the bird can have access to it when it it is strong enough and ready to eat on its own.
Baby birds can be prone to diarrhea so make sure you don't over feed and keep an eye on its stool, in order to moderate the quantity and type of food. The stool is very watery and frequent, do consult a vet at the earliest.
REHABILITATION
At about four to five months, the Mynas are ready to explore their surroundings. Then can be let out of an open window early in the morning and the window can be left open throughout the day, should they wish to return. Plenty of food and fresh water should be made available and the surround areas should be checked for predators. As they grow comfortable, they will spend longer durations outside and learn to feed on what is available to them outside. By the age of six months, they should be completely independent.
In case you find an adult Myna who cannot fly or appears to be injured, keep handling to a minimum, as birds are prone to shock, and let it recuperate in a quiet place (free from predators). Provide plenty of food (see diet for adult Myna) and fresh water. Contact your vet and let them have a look at it for any injuries.
* Weaning: Accustom to managing without something on which they have become dependent.
Note:
The information provided here is by no means a substitute to visiting the vet. It is best to get the bird checked by a veterinary doctor as soon as you find it. Make sure you run all the food types, quantities and intervals by your vet.
Bibliography http://rehabbersden.org/ http://www.mynahbird.org/rescue/rescue.html
(we'd like to thank)
Birds of India by Martin Woodcock
Source: https://perchproject.tumblr.com/post/35192055128/commonmyna
0 Response to "Feeding This Little Guy His Baba Tumblr"
Postar um comentário