Feeding a bird

When a young, sick or injured bird is found we do not usually know how long it has been without food and in cases where you are unable to take the bird to a Bird Rescue Centre immediately we recommend you try and give it something rather than nothing to eat. 

The information below is a guideline for short term care and is not recommend for long term.

Please call a Bird Rescue Centre should you require any further information or advice on 09 530 8283. 

Introduction to feeding

• It is important to correctly identify your bird before feeding any food
• The bird should be warm, as it will not be able to digest its food properly until it gains it normal body temperature
• Foods for birds must not be freezing cold, they should be warm and ready to digest (keep out small quantities so the food is finished before it has time to go off)
• You should not feed a bird milk as they are lactose intolerant
• Allow the birds to clear their crop before re-feeding (remembering the younger the bird the more often they need to be fed i.e. a nestling out the egg needs to be fed every 10-15mins)

Syringe / Dropper feeding

This method can be used for very small or very weak birds

Stick or finger feeding

Make sure the stick has a blunt end, the handle end of a teaspoon works well, place the food on the end of the stick or hold the food and place it in to the birds mouth.  Not too much at a time.  You may need to use your other hand to ease the beak open. 

Below is a list of foods that various birds eat and what can be used in an emergency - a/d or Poly-aid can also be used

Quick reference guide to emergency food for some of the common birds and what they can be fed temporarily

Birds with an asterisk are protected and cannot be kept by members of the public unless they have a permit