How To Care and Feed Newborn Baby Sparrow ?

mktpromeal
Jun 15
4 min read

Caring for a newborn baby sparrow is a delicate task that requires love, attention, and patience. These tiny, fragile birds cannot survive on their own and depend completely on warmth, food, and safety. Whether you find an abandoned chick or one that has fallen from its nest, this step-by-step guide will help you provide the right care and prepare it for life in the wild.

1. Observe Before You Act

Before picking up the chick, take a moment to observe. Sometimes, a baby sparrow on the ground is not abandoned — it may be a fledgling learning to fly, and its parents might be nearby. If the chick is featherless, cold, or crying continuously and no parent returns within an hour, then it likely needs your help. If the bird is in danger from predators or on a road, carefully move it to safety and continue to watch for the parents. Only take the bird in if you're sure it's truly alone and in need.

2. Create a Warm and Safe Nest

Newborn sparrows can't keep themselves warm, so you need to make a temporary nest. Take a small cardboard box or container and line it with soft tissue paper, cotton cloth, or dried grass. Avoid using synthetic fabric or wool as it can tangle around the chick’s feet. To provide warmth, place a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel near the box. Make sure the chick is not in direct contact with the bottle to prevent overheating. Keep the box in a quiet corner of your home, away from cold air, fans, or loud noises.

3. Feeding the Chick (0–5 Days Old)

Very young chicks need to be fed every 20 to 30 minutes from sunrise to sunset. You can offer them a soft mix of soaked plain dog biscuits, mashed banana, boiled egg yolk, or mashed papaya. Make the food into a smooth paste so it’s easy to swallow. Use a dropper, cotton bud, or blunt tweezers to gently feed the chick. The chick will usually open its mouth when hungry. Be gentle, and do not force food into its mouth, as it may choke. Avoid giving milk, bread, or any spicy or salty food — these can harm or even kill the chick.

4. Feeding as the Chick Grows (5–15 Days Old)

As the chick grows stronger, you can slowly start to change its diet. After five days, begin feeding every 45–60 minutes. Add foods like boiled rice mashed with egg white, small pieces of soft fruits (like apple or mango), and mashed mealworms or soft insects. The chick’s digestive system becomes stronger at this age, so slightly more solid foods are okay. Always keep an eye on the crop (a pouch under the throat that stores food). It should be full after feeding, but not bulging too much. Overfeeding can cause health problems.

5. Cleanliness and Hygiene

Cleanliness is very important for the health of a baby sparrow. You should clean the box or change the bedding once or twice a day to prevent infections. After every feeding, gently wipe the chick’s beak with a moist tissue to remove leftover food. Make sure no food is sticking around the mouth or feathers, as this can attract flies or cause fungus. Always wash your hands before and after touching the chick or preparing its food to prevent spreading germs.

6. Watching for Growth Milestones

Around day 6 to 8, the baby sparrow will open its eyes, and soft feathers called pin feathers will start to appear. By day 10, the chick may begin fluttering its wings, preening, or hopping in its box. These are signs that it is growing well. At this stage, you can begin feeding every 1.5 to 2 hours. The amount of food can also be increased slightly, as the chick becomes more active and needs more energy. Keep encouraging movement and healthy behaviors, but still handle it gently.

7. Learning to Fly (15–21 Days Old)

As the chick gets closer to three weeks old, it will start trying to fly. You can support this stage by placing the chick in a small, safe room where it can flap its wings and try short flights. Put your hand at a short distance and let it fly to you. Also, begin placing small trays of fruit or mealworms nearby so the chick learns to eat on its own. This stage is important for helping the bird become independent. Try to reduce how often you handle it now so it doesn’t get too used to human contact.

8. Time to Release the Sparrow

When your sparrow can fly properly, eat without help, and behaves alertly, it’s time to let it go. Find a safe place near trees or bushes, ideally close to where you first found the chick. Release it early in the morning so it has time to adjust. You can leave some food outside for a few days in case it returns. Watch quietly from a distance. Most healthy young sparrows quickly join wild flocks if they’ve been raised well. The goal is always to return birds to their natural environment.

Helping a baby sparrow survive and grow is a beautiful act of kindness. It takes effort, care, and time — but the reward of seeing it fly free is priceless. If possible, always try to reunite chicks with their parents. But when that’s not an option, your care can give it a second chance at life. If you're unsure or if the chick seems sick, contact a bird rescue center for guidance.

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