25-day old jumper only 36 g

[JRow]

Hi all, I have a fledgling found in my driveway from a neighbors pm house that I've placed in my nests 3 times. The fledgling continues jumping but can't fly. Looks like "he" is 25 days old but when I weighed "him", he's only 36 g. I am now feeding him....and he seems content. I only have dried mealworms and eggs on hand.

Should I place him back in one of my gourds with nestlings of the same age tonight or will he need more care than they can provide given his weight? I don't know where to place him in the neighborhoods house because they don't keep records.

Thanks for any advice.

[Dave Duit]

I would continue to feed him for 4 or 5 more days. They eat alot, so regular feeding two hours apart is ideal during the day. Try to place him in a nest with similar age group. Watch to see if he can fly on his own. If he can fly, he will most likely match up with his parents.

[JRow]

Thanks Dave, I'll continue to feed him. I think I have him caught up a bit with the food as he is not eating as much as he was earlier today. He is tucking the beak and snoozing. Hope he gains some weight in the next day. I'll weigh him again tomorrow afternoon. Maybe that will be an indication of how he's doing.
-Jen

[JRow]

Hi Dave,
Just weighed the little guy and he's 40 g. He's gaining some weight!!! Seems like a decent gain in 24 hrs. I'll continue to feed and hope for the best.
-J

[Dave Duit]

32 days of age they will surely be able to fly. 26 to 32 days is the range of flight time. Once he is able to fly on his own, I would place him back with the colony for his parents to take over. Best of luck my friend.

[JRow]

Hi Dave,

Just seeing you response. He gained another 4 g and is bright-eyed and bushy tailed. I put him in with a nest of mine born 7/1 late this afternoon. The nest has 3 young and both adults feeding young-and him now. Bad idea? I don't know where he belongs because half my birds are fledged and I actually think he is from the neighbors house (based on where I found him). I'll keep an eye out to make sure he doesn't jump.
Given I'm not sure which nest he jumped from, I thought if he'd be adopted, his chances will be best....then there's the issue with spreading disease if he's sick...taking resources from the other three in the nest...hard for me to make a decision. For now, he is with other birds.

I appreciate your advice!

[Dave Duit]

I'm glad I could help. Now that the adoptive parents are feeding him, he will more than likely stay with these new parents and continue to be fed. The other nestlings should be fine as long as there were not a large number on nestling already in the cavity. The little guy would have jumped by now, but I believe the new food source from his new parents will allow him to fledge as normal nestling do. His old home probably lacked the food and could have contributed to his early jumping. Keep us updated.

[JRow]

All was good until my noon walk under the rack. The little guy was on the ground again. I marked his toenail with polish so I know it's the same one (good suggestion Toy!). He was hanging out in the shade cast by the pole and glad to see me. Good grief. He's not very hungry so apparently he decided to jump just because. I'm starting to think he might just be a bit odd. I did witness the parents feeding him last night and this morning. I think they would have accepted him if the little stinker would stay in the gourd.
He's back in his box with me for now. Plan B....

[ToyinPA]

All was good until my noon walk under the rack. The little guy was on the ground again. I marked his toenail with polish so I know it's the same one (good suggestion Toy!). He was hanging out in the shade cast by the pole and glad to see me. Good grief. He's not very hungry so apparently he decided to jump just because. I'm starting to think he might just be a bit odd. I did witness the parents feeding him last night and this morning. I think they would have accepted him if the little stinker would stay in the gourd.
He's back in his box with me for now. Plan B....

I would guess if he has clutch mates they fledged & he's the smallest, one sort of left behind. Parents will often stop feeding to force them to fledge. If he wasn't ready, he won't do well, not being fed.

Is his tummy wrinkled? If it's not wrinkled then he is getting fed. If it is wrinkled & his keel bone is sharp then he's not getting fed or not getting enough. I'd suggest hand feeding him at least twice a day. Morning & early evening if possible. As many crickets or meal worms as he'll swallow. Usually 6-10 depending on the chick. It may take a few plus days of feeding to get him caught up. You may need to feed him & put him back daily until he can finally make it to a tree on his own.

Also check his vent. If he has a dried glob of poop that's an indication of lose bowel, which isn't good.

If you need details on how to hand feed e-mail me [email protected]

Toy in PA

[JRow]

Hi Toy,
I'll send you an email in a bit. He actually seems to be doing well. Busy preening and looking around. He eats like a horse and every 15 minutes. He's big enough to just take the food from my fingers so I'm not too concerned about where his tongue is (assuming he knows what he's doing?).
I think too that he was the runt of the batch and the others fledged. It's a bird from my neighbors house which is next to my driveway. My pm housing is across the street and up a hill. My neighbors don't keep records or pay attention, long story...
Initially he had diarrhea, probably dehydration, and thin. He doesn't anymore (yeah!) but is still light for his age.
Thanks for your help!

[ToyinPA]

Hi Toy,
I'll send you an email in a bit. He actually seems to be doing well. Busy preening and looking around. He eats like a horse and every 15 minutes. He's big enough to just take the food from my fingers so I'm not too concerned about where his tongue is (assuming he knows what he's doing?).
I think too that he was the runt of the batch and the others fledged. It's a bird from my neighbors house which is next to my driveway. My pm housing is across the street and up a hill. My neighbors don't keep records or pay attention, long story...
Initially he had diarrhea, probably dehydration, and thin. He doesn't anymore (yeah!) but is still light for his age.
Thanks for your help!

Jen:
Replied to your e-mail.

It's great he got past the diarrhea. Most don't. Preening & eating a lot is a good sign. I think he just needs more time to grow a bit & then he'll be ready to fledge. These smaller ones tend to need a few extra days, even a week, of steady feeding until they are ready.

You're doing a great job caring for him .

Keep us update.

Toy in PA

[JRow]

Thanks Toy!
He is really working his wings now. He must think he is close to being ready to fly! I fed him a lot over the last 4 days. I went through 25 small/med crickets in about 6 hours last evening. Hopefully there are enough bugs in a flight radius for this bird! Lol
I'll keep you posted-

[JRow]

Well, the little guy fledged this afternoon. Glad to see him in the air and hoping for the best! Look out dragonflies

[-=DKC=-]

Well, the little guy fledged this afternoon. Glad to see him in the air and hoping for the best! Look out dragonflies

A fairy tale ending. Love it!

[Buckeyefarmer]

Good job JRow!

[C.C.Martins]

Boy, I was worried about that guy, good job! I particularly liked the part you described of him in the pole shadow looking relieved you showed up to take care of him. I think he will be back to your place.

[Dave Duit]

JRow, Congrats on a successful fledge. You saved the little guy. I'm very happy to see all your efforts and dedication pay off in the long run.

[JRow]

Thanks for the advice Dave and Toy! You both certainly contributed to a successful fledge!
DKC, Buckeyefamer, and I heart birds-thank you for the kind words!
Best,
Jen