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How to Care for Fledgling Robins

Fledgling robins are baby birds that have recently acquired the feathers that allow them to fly. Despite the presence of these feathers, fledgling robins are still learning to fly. After hatching, robins are dependent on their parents for three weeks. After two weeks in the nest, fledgling robins begin to hop around and explore the world. Parents locate their babies and feed them regularly until they can fly. If you find a fledgling robin that you are certain is orphaned, you can care for it temporarily, but do not plan to keep it as a pet as these are wild animals that do not survive well in captivity.

Things You'll Need

Two water bottle lids
Cardboard box
Towel
Bird vitamins
Mashed berries
Ground beef
Chopped earthworms
Warm water bottle

Instructions

- 1
  Look for a licensed rehabilitator of wild birds in your area. Search the yellow pages and the Internet. Professionals have the best chance of successfully rehabilitating a fledgling robin.
- 2
  Place fledgling robins in a cardboard box that is spacious enough to give all of them room to rest separately from one another. The box will allow the robins to feel protected and safe, as if they are concealed in a hiding place.
- 3
  Line the bottom of a box with a clean towel.
- 4
  Place a small dish of water in the box. A water bottle lid is a good size for food and water dishes. Clean the water dish daily and replace the water.
- 5
  Place a small dish of food in the box. Fledgling robins can eat food similar to adults. Place small bits of ground beef, small pieces of earthworm, and mashed berries in a water bottle lid. Clean the bowl daily.
- 6
  Refill the robin's food dish as it becomes empty. Fledgling robins eat every 10 to 20 minutes during daylight hours and do not need to be fed during the night.
- 7
  Sprinkle vitamin powder from a pet shop that contains Vitamin D3 on the fledgling robins' food to compensate for their lack of exposure to sunlight.
- 8
  Fill a water bottle with warm water and place it in the box with the fledgling robins to keep them warm. Robins have a higher normal body temperature than humans. If the robins do not feel warm when you brush them with your fingertips, they are too cold.
- 9
  Observe the fledgling robins. When they begin to flap in their box and attempt to fly, place them outside for short periods of time. Allow them to return to the wild when they are capable of flight.

Animals & Science