Found a juvenile sparrow...

[415_s2k]

Was walking back from lunch and found this little guy (or gal) peeping on the sidewalk:



It's about 90 here tonight, so I think that it may have overheated while trying to learn to fly. I've rescued overheating sparrows before; it's just that I've never found one this little before...!

It sits on my finger (obviously) and is currently asleep in a little box; it was asleep in my hand. I've given it water by holding my hand under the faucet and letting it drink from what's running off my finger.

Do you think it's too little to eat whole seeds? I may have to mash some up to feed it with a syringe. Any advice would be appreciated.

[J5K5LY]

In the past when I found baby birds, the wildlife rescue told me to soften dry dog food and mash it. Feed with an eyedropper as you need to get it in the back of the bird's throat. Don't know if advice has changed from 10 yrs ago but it worked me and the birds.

[415_s2k]

Another picture:



It seems to prefer my hand to the box.

[Beenaroundabit]

I'd take it to a wildlife rehab center. As a migratory bird, it is technically illegal to possess without a permit, regardless of good intentions.

[foxywench]

you found him before he was lost...its not unusual this time of year to find fledglings on the ground...99.9% of cases you should put them back where you found them (preferably off the sidewalk under a bush ect) momma will continue to return to feed untill they can fly...

contact a wildlife rehabilitation center ASAP, keeping him is illegal (and not doing him ANY good)

[cansgirl]

Fantastic that you have rescued this little guy as I am a wild life carer I would suggest giving him to someone who really knows what to feed him until he is old enough to eat seed himself as it is so easy to feed baby birds the wrong food and this usually is a death sentence to them

best of luck