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Diurnal Raptors 333

All bands, cloth or otherwise, need to be checked daily as the bird is growing quickly, and all such
identification bands must be removed before release.
A detailed medical record should be kept on each animal, with results of the initial examination
recorded and any updated information added as it happens. This should include daily body weights
taken at the same time each day, whether the bird has cast (regurgitated a pellet of indigestible
materials such as hair and bones), any unusual droppings, whether the crop is emptying, what has
been fed at what times and how much was eaten, and any medications given, as well as progress of
treatments and pertinent notes on behavior.

­ Initial­Care­and Stabilization

The main rule of initial baby bird care for any species is warmth, rehydration, and feeding, in that
order. Warm chicks before giving fluids, and then hydrate them until they start passing droppings.
Only then is it safe to commence feedings. Feeding a cold or dehydrated baby bird before it is warm
and hydrated could kill it as it might not be able to process the food.
New patients should be allowed to rest for 15–20 minutes in a warm, dark, quiet container before
examination. If the bird is not able to stand, it should be placed in a soft support structure such as
a rolled cloth “donut” or paper nest not much larger than the bird’s body. For larger species, an
upside-down cloth toilet seat cover with a towel rolled and placed under the elastic edges makes a
good substitute nest. The whole thing can be covered with another towel to minimize how many
towels need to be changed at each feeding. This provides the legs with the necessary support to
avoid splaying.
Do not allow the bird to lie on its side or other abnormal positions. Hatchlings and nest -
lings should be placed in a climate-controlled incubator if available. When the animal is
warm and calm, it may be hydrated orally and/or subcutaneously (SQ). If there is any sign of
blood in the mouth or droppings, or extensive bruising of the abdomen, any of which might
signal injuries from the fall from the nest, SQ administration of fluids is advised. A gentle
palpation of the abdomen will indicate whether there is food or casting material in the
ventriculus.
Warm sterile fluids, such as 2.5% dextrose in 0.45% sodium chloride or lactated Ringer’s solution,
may be administered SQ at 5% (50 ml/kg) of body weight once, although repeated administrations
every 2 or 3 hours may be needed for extremely dehydrated birds.
Because raptors do not gape, active hatchlings or nestlings should be orally hydrated via gavage
until they produce droppings. Human infant electrolyte fluids (unflavored) are excellent for oral
rehydration of baby birds. Again, ensure that the bird is warm before administering fluids, and that
the bird is both warm and well-hydrated before receiving food. Start the bird on a small piece of
clean meat dipped in warm water after it begins passing droppings.
If the bird is depressed or not swallowing well, oral rehydration must be done especially care-
fully, because there is a greater risk of aspiration of fluids into the respiratory system. It may be
better in this circumstance to use SQ fluids, rather than to give oral fluids. If SQ fluids are not an
option, give tiny amounts of oral fluids deep into the mouth by tube (into the crop if possible) and
ensure that the bird swallows everything before giving more.
If a young bird does not begin passing droppings within 3 hours of having been given the fluids,
begin feeding the appropriate diet. However, keep the diet very moist and the meal size small until
droppings are seen.