How to Care for a Baby Starling

Caring for Baby Starlings

"I found my bird in a bush, and a few days afterward, she stopped tweeting. She wants food 24/7. Unfortunately, I don't know what bird type she is, but she has black beak and a yellow mouth with brown feathers. Can you tell me her bird type? I want to how to take care of her if she is ill. Sometimes, her eyes are open, but not 24/7. - Amy"

Although you did not tell us exactly where you are located, it appears to be a fairly common species that is widespread in most of the world. It looks like a Starling (Sturnis vulgaris). I could be wrong, and as she grows up, you can compare her to the images in your search engines image files and see if that is correct. (Some of these images are only correct for the subspecies of Starling found in your area, so it is best to type in your region before searching for those images.)

Normally, when you find a bird that young, it is a good idea to put them back in the nest, if possible. Or if the bird is older, fully feathered, and already left the nest, you can put them onto a high branch where they can avoid cats but still call to their mother. (If you have lots of cats in your area, you are better off taking the bird to a wildlife rehab center.)

Feeding Baby Starlings

Even after leaving the nest, the mother is going to feed the young bird the most common type of insects and other food she finds in your area. During the winter, they will be an adult and will most likely scavenge any vegetable material they can.

Since the Starling is raised in your home, however, you need to feed them a fairly high protein diet now while they grow. At the moment, the best thing you can give them is canned cat food. There is plenty of moisture, which they need, and adequate protein so that they can grow normally. Starlings are omnivorous, so you can feed vegetables if you need to.

It is going to take more effort on your part, but you should also go to a pet store and get a supply of mealworms if you can set up a small colony in your home. Mealworms are high in protein even if they are fed wheat bran, but if given a food like pea or rice protein will contain 70 percent protein. (1) This is even better than highest quality canned cat foods, which contain about 50 percent protein, and a much more natural source than the canned food.

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If you cannot set up a vivarium for them, you can buy them fresh from the pet shop or stick to the cat food. Do not buy the dried meal worms, as one of concerns with raising hatchlings is that they can become dehydrated before they start drinking.

Illness in Starlings

There are not a lot of illnesses you need to be worried about with baby Starlings. As long as you make sure they are eating moist food, they won't become dehydrated, and a good diet will keep them healthy. The most common problem seen with wild birds is that they may have already picked up some external parasites (mites). There is one type of mite that can spread to humans. There are several treatments available if you start itching when in contact with your bird.

Another thing you should do is take a stool sample to your local vet and have it checked for any internal parasites. They will prescribe the correct medication if any is needed.

I also want to point out that there are many studies into the various bacterial and viral infections that Starlings can spread. It does not mean that you cannot keep one of these birds as a pet, but you need to remember that with a Starling, as with all pets, you should not let them loose in your kitchen. They could potentially contaminate your food or the places where you prepare your own food.

Source

1. Kröncke N, Benning R. Influence of Dietary Protein Content on the Nutritional Composition of Mealworm Larvae (Tenebrio molitor L.). Insects. 2023 Mar 6;14(3):261. doi: 10.3390/insects14030261. PMID: 36975946; PMCID: PMC10053216. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10053216/

This article is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from your veterinarian. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

© 2024 Mark dos Anjos, DVM