Cliff Swallow - Help Please

msalcido · Sun Jul 06, 2014 8:44 am

I found a baby albino cliff swallow today. It was on the ground about to be eaten by a crow. I'm not sure how old it is, but it has full feathers. My neighbor has a gourd with 4 baby martin about the same size as this swallow. Should I place it in with the Martins?

I'm not sure what to do - any and all assistance would be helpful.

ToyinPA · Sun Jul 06, 2014 8:58 am

I have no idea what to suggest. I would think they eat about the same thing. Take it to a rehabber maybe?

Can you post a photo of it?

Toy in PA

msalcido · Sun Jul 06, 2014 9:05 am

They do eat mostly flying insects. I'm trying to find an age identification because it is fully feathered but can't fly. I tried feeding a meal worm but wouldn't take it. Here is a pic.

msalcido · Sun Jul 06, 2014 9:12 am

forgot to attach the pic

msalcido · Sun Jul 06, 2014 9:19 am

I guess my main concern is if I add the swallow to the Martin nest, will it harm the Martins?

William A · Sun Jul 06, 2014 9:45 am

Hey, great idea I think about putting it in with the martins but I feel Louise will be along shortly and she will know what to do. Good Luck

msalcido · Sun Jul 06, 2014 9:59 am

I spoke with a rehabber and she said I could put it in with the Martins but the only concern is they have two different migration patterns. I'm not sure what to do at this point. I am about 2 hours away from the rehabber.

Louise Chambers · Sun Jul 06, 2014 1:09 pm

Mike, I hate to say it, but I think a rehabber would be best option because this bird has two handicaps or more. Being an albino, its vision may not be as good as it should be, its feathers won't be as strong - the rehabbers might end up finding it a home as an education bird, rather than releasing it (that's just a maybe if it is not releasable)

Putting it in a martin nest might work - you could try it and see. It's amazing that you crossed paths with this bird and rescued it - what a beauty. Thanks for working to help it.

msalcido · Sun Jul 06, 2014 1:22 pm

Thanks Louise. I don't think it is going to make it. He seems to slowly be declining. I've been able to get it to take about 3 meal worms but that is it. I spoke with Penny and she advised that the Martins will either kick it out of the nest or it will try and leave the nest because it's afraid of the other birds.

feeling rather defeated at the moment.

~Ray~Gingerich · Sun Jul 06, 2014 1:43 pm

If you can't get it to a rehabber try feeding some cricketts, they are moist and will help prevent dehydration, I use frozen cricketts then thaw them out with warm water. I add a few drops of bird vitamins to the water after they are thawed out. You might have to gently pry the top beak up to get it's mouth open, after several feedings it might open up on it's own. Another thing I'm doing right now is collecting Japaneese bettles and freezing them.

Ed Pace · Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:52 am

I would take Rays advice on this one. If it lives and is strong enough it will join it's own for migration. I think the adult martins will kill it or push it to the side. Ed.
Ps A Good rehabber would be the best course but they will seldom take the time to teach the little one to hunt.