How to Take Care and Feed Newborn Bulbul Bird?

mktpromeal
Jun 15
5 min read

Finding a baby bulbul bird can be a surprise. These cute, chirpy birds are common in gardens and trees. But if a baby bulbul falls from its nest or is left alone, it needs special care to survive. In this blog, we’ll explain in simple steps how to take care of a newborn bulbul until it’s ready to fly back to the wild.

1. Understanding If the Baby Bulbul Needs Help?

The first thing to do when you find a baby bulbul is to understand whether it truly needs help. Many young birds, especially fledglings, are often found on the ground while they are learning to fly. In most cases, the parents are nearby and continue to feed them. You should watch quietly from a distance for at least 1–2 hours. If you notice that the chick is in a dangerous place (like a road), looks weak or cold, or no parent bird comes back, then you may step in. Avoid touching or picking up the chick too quickly, as unnecessary human contact can stress the bird and reduce its chances of being accepted back by its parents.

2. Making a Safe and Warm Nest at Home

If the chick truly needs your help, the next step is to keep it warm and safe. Newborn bulbuls cannot control their body temperature, so a warm environment is very important. Use a small box, bowl, or basket and line it with soft tissues or cotton cloth — but avoid synthetic fabric, as it can cause tangling. You can keep a warm water bottle wrapped in a cloth beside the box to provide gentle heat, but do not place the chick directly on it. Keep the box in a quiet indoor place, away from fans, cool air, or loud noise. The warm and cozy space will help the baby feel safe and comfortable.

3. Feeding a Newborn Bulbul (0–5 Days Old)

Feeding a baby bulbul is one of the most important and time-sensitive parts of care. In the first few days of life, the chick needs food every 20 to 30 minutes from morning until sunset. Use soft, mashable foods like soaked plain dog biscuits (no salt or masala), mashed banana, boiled egg yolk, or papaya. Mash the food into a smooth paste and use a soft dropper, blunt tweezers, or a clean cotton bud to offer small amounts gently into the chick’s mouth. The chick will usually open its mouth when hungry. Be careful not to overfeed or push food too deep, as it may cause choking.

4. Feeding an Older Chick (5–10 Days Old)

As the chick grows, its digestive system becomes stronger. From around Day 5, you can slowly introduce slightly thicker food like mashed rice mixed with boiled egg white, soft fruits, and a small amount of mashed mealworms or insects. At this stage, you can feed the chick every 45 to 60 minutes. Keep an eye on its appetite and behavior — if it seems energetic, that’s a good sign. Never give milk, bread, or spicy food, as these can harm or kill the bird. Clean and fresh food is important to keep the chick healthy.

5. Keeping the Nest Clean and Hygienic

Just like babies, baby birds can get sick if their living area is dirty. It’s very important to keep their space clean. Change the tissue or cloth in the nest at least once or twice a day. After feeding, gently wipe the chick’s beak using a soft, damp tissue. Make sure there’s no leftover food stuck around its mouth or feathers, as this can attract flies or cause infections. Always wash your hands with soap before and after feeding or handling the chick to avoid passing germs.

6. Watching for Growth and Changes

As the baby bulbul grows, you’ll notice small but exciting changes. Around Day 6 to 8, the chick will open its eyes, and small pin feathers (tiny tubes from which feathers grow) will appear. From Day 10 onwards, it will become more active, try to flutter its wings, and even hop a little inside the box. This is a good sign of healthy development. During this time, you can increase the gap between feedings to every 1.5 to 2 hours and increase the amount slightly. Keep checking the crop (the pouch in the bird’s neck that holds food). It should feel full, not too tight or too soft.

7. Helping the Bulbul Learn to Fly (15–18 Days Old)

Once the chick is around 15 to 18 days old, it will start trying to fly. At this point, you can allow it to practice short flights in a safe, closed room where it won’t hurt itself. You can gently encourage it to fly by holding your hand at different distances. Place small plates of fruit or mealworms nearby so the bird starts feeding on its own. This is also the time to reduce handling the bird too much, so it starts depending on its own natural instincts instead of getting too attached to humans.

8. Getting Ready to Release the Bulbul

When the bulbul can fly well, eat by itself, and stay alert and active, it’s ready to go back to the wild. Choose a quiet spot near trees or bushes — ideally, close to where you found the chick. Release it early in the morning so it has the whole day to adjust. You can keep some food nearby on the first day in case it comes back. Most bulbuls raised with care and minimal handling adjust well once released. Watching your bird fly away healthy is the most joyful part of this journey.

Raising a baby bulbul is not easy — it takes time, patience, and love. But helping a helpless little life survive and return to the wild is an amazing experience. While nature is the best parent for birds, your support can make a big difference when a chick is truly abandoned or injured. Always try to return wildlife to its natural home, and if you're ever unsure, contact a wildlife expert or bird rescue center. Your care could give that baby bulbul the gift of life and freedom.

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