Update on the baby birds (with photo!)

[Colleen A.]

I'm happy to report that the baby birds are doing fine. I called the wildlife rehab and found out what they are (barn swallows). Although they wanted me to bring the birds to them, they are doing so well (and aren't so little) that I still have them here and when they are ready to fly, DH will take them back to work where the mother bird is (he would of left them there, but without a nest, they weren't protected and there are MANY wild cats in the field - they would of been lunch!:( ). They are eating dog food well, and are trying to fly. There are only a few baby feathers left on them. One has baby feathers left on his head that stick straight up like a really bad hair cut so we named him Einstein. The other, who has baby feathers sticking out from all over her back in Spike. Anyway, here is a picture of my DD Jeana and Spike. She likes to sit on Jeana shoulder or neck and hide behind her hair!
http://members2.photofun.com/ColleenA/iTOOLImageGallery/Jeana%20with%20bird.jpg

Colleen

[KaraKW]

Awww! That's so cute! How wonderful of you and your family to be helping these little birdlings out! :)

[helenabear]

Awww that is so cute and wonderful you are helping these birds! I am so loving all of these bird sagas :)

[Saffron]

Where will they get the dog food in the wild? Will your husband be leaving them a plate of it for them at work?

[nativetxn]

Wouldn't the wildlife rehab be able to help them learn how to survive on their own in the wild or will the mother bird still accept them back and teach them?

Cute photo

[Dan Murphy]

That is a priceless picture, Colleen, love Jeana's smile. Great you are trying to take care of them. Thanks for sharing. :sunny:

[goofygirl]

Wow what a great story and photo!


I also like that you named the bird Einstein ;)

[WDWfanatic288]

that's a very cute pic! :)

I'm glad yall are taking care of them!
thanks for sharing! :)

[Colleen A.]

We have been taking the birds outside in the yard and they do peck in the the grass and appear to be eating so I can only assume that they are catching and eating bugs on their own. I was reading an wild animal website that the stories about mother birds abandoning their young after a human has touched them is simply not true. It says that birds do not have that good of a sense of smell. In most cases, other wild animals that do have good smell (like racoons or wild cats) will smell the human and follow the scent directly to the nest. Since the nest is no longer in existence, that won't be the case. We would never do anything deliberately to harm any wildlife. This is just such a learning experience for my kids. They are so gentle with these little birds and as odd as this might sound, they seem to enjoy the company of my kids. Given the choice of walking in the grass or hopping into your hand, they choose the hand most every time. (You can see by the pic how relaxed they are with my kids!)By the mother bird being in the field behind my DH's job, he'll be able to see how they are doing. He did say he found other little ones from the nest out yesterday. They didn't make it...:( The mother must of taken them away before the ones we have.

[newmousecateer]

Colleen

That is so cool that you and your family helped those little guys. Love the picture of your daughter. :D

[Beauty]

Even though it gives me the hibby jibbies...I just don't like birds at all! I think its wonderful what you are doing with these babies! As long as your DH can keep an eye on them and make sure they are doing okay in the wild then thats good. I'm sure your kids are wanting to keep them as pets aren't they? I have no idea but is that a possibility?

[Kermit]

What a cute picture! I'm sure your kids and the baby birds are both benefitting from this arrangement.

[Colleen A.]

....did a "little birdie" tell you that my kids wanted to keep them!:bounce: We have had the discussion MANY times that these, no matter how cute they are, are still wild animals and not a pet. One reached a milestone late this morning. He flew a couple of feet (and very close to the ground!) but still had lift off. I told them it will not be too much longer so prepare themselves. We did decide to release them both at the same time. What amazes me is how much like real children these "siblings" are. The little one loves to go up to the bigger one and "pick on it" (peeking it on the back of the head) and how they bicker like my kids do!:rolleyes: Gee, you don't think they have learned that in the few days they have been with us?!:earseek:

[cotye]

Cute! :teeth:

[Dan Murphy]

How are they doing today, Colleen??

[catsrule]

What a a cool story! Yay for birdies. Love the pic!

[Colleen A.]

.....I know this is good for them, but it has hit the kids hard. The baby birds are now free...the have flown away with their mother. They were flying well enough, especially Einstein, to fly into the window and "land" in the curtains. How can something so good make you sad?:D :( The kids wanted them to stay longer, but with them both able to fly, even if for only short distances, put them in danger inside the house. I would of hated to see them hit a wall or window and gotten hurt or worse. At least the kids all have pictures of themselves with Einstein and Spike to remember this time.:)
http://members2.photofun.com/ColleenA/iTOOLImageGallery/ACF943.JPG
http://members2.photofun.com/ColleenA/iTOOLImageGallery/DCP_0005.JPG

[zurgswife]

Thank You Thank You.....They finally look like birds to me....

They are really cute......:D