Feeding a baby bird requires precision, common sense, and constant attention. Meal frequency depends on several factors: age, species, health condition, and ambient temperature. This is not something to improvise. Each bird has specific needs. Here is everything you need to know to avoid mistakes, maximize survival chances, and replicate as closely as possible what its parents would provide in the wild.
Feeding frequency for a newborn baby bird
A baby bird that has fallen from the nest or been orphaned has no way to feed itself. Its digestion is very fast. Its stomach empties in less than 30 minutes. During the first days, feeding frequency is extremely high. It is generally necessary to feed it every 20 to 30 minutes, from sunrise to sunset. This represents 25 to 30 meals per day.
During this phase, warmth also plays a key role. A hypothermic chick cannot digest properly. The temperature must therefore be maintained between 32 and 35 °C, depending on the species. Meals should be lukewarm, never cold or too hot.
Feeding frequency depending on the baby bird’s species
Seed-eating birds, such as sparrows or finches, have a slower digestion than insect-eating birds like robins or tits. An insectivore will need more frequent meals: 20 to 25 feedings per day for very young chicks, compared with 15 to 20 feedings for a granivore at the same stage.
In columbids (pigeons, doves), feeding relies on “crop milk.” These birds digest more slowly, which allows meals to be spaced every 2 to 3 hours, even in the early days.
Birds of prey feed on whole prey. From their first days, 3 to 5 meals per day are sufficient, with larger quantities. The intervals are longer, but each meal must be nutrient-dense.
To feed a growing insectivorous chick, dehydrated mealworms are a particularly suitable protein source. They can be rehydrated for the youngest chicks, then offered dry once the chick begins to peck on its own.
Mealworms for Baby Birds
Ideal for feeding insectivorous chicks from their very first days.
Number of meals to give according to the baby bird’s age
The age of the chick significantly affects feeding frequency. Below is an indicative estimate for a typical small bird (such as a sparrow):
| Approximate age | Number of meals per day | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 4 days | 25 to 30 | 20 to 30 min |
| 5 to 7 days | 15 to 20 | 30 to 45 min |
| 8 to 14 days | 8 to 12 | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| 15 days and over | 5 to 7 | 2 to 3 hours |
| Ready to fledge | 3 to 4 | Morning, midday, evening |
This progression should remain flexible. If the chick begs less, digests well, and gains weight, meals can begin to be spaced out. However, if the crop remains empty or the chick chirps constantly, action is required.
How to tell if a baby bird still needs to eat
The crop is a pouch located at the base of the neck. It serves as a temporary storage area. It fills after feeding and then gradually empties. This makes it an excellent indicator. As long as it still contains food, you should wait. Refilling it too soon can cause stagnation, fermentation, or even suffocation.
An empty or nearly empty crop, active behavior, and normal breathing are signs that a new meal can be given. It is better to feed small amounts frequently rather than large quantities at once.
Should a baby bird be fed at night?
No. Birds sleep at night, even very young ones. Their metabolism slows down. However, it is essential to fill the crop before nightfall and resume feeding early in the morning. A chick under 7 days old cannot go more than 6 to 7 hours without eating. It is therefore crucial to organize the day to maximize intake between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Some particularly fragile species may require 1 or 2 nighttime feedings during the first three days. This mainly concerns chicks raised for reintroduction or rare species.
How much food to give per feeding
A one-week-old sparrow will consume about 1 ml of mash per meal, totaling 15 to 20 ml per day. This may seem minimal, but its small size means the crop must never be overloaded.
A 10-day-old pigeon will already consume 6 to 10 ml per meal, spread across 5 to 6 feedings. Birds of prey, on the other hand, receive whole prey pieces weighing several grams.
The quantity must be adapted to the chick’s size and crop fullness, never to the feeder’s intuition. A graduated syringe allows for precise control.
How to gradually reduce feeding frequency
Around 12 to 14 days, many chicks begin to peck on their own. Hand-feeding is still necessary, but it can be reduced to 3 to 5 times per day, supplemented with a dish of ground seeds, worms, or mash depending on the species.
At this stage, it becomes possible to let the chick fast between feedings to encourage pecking. This transition must be gradual. Abruptly stopping hand-feeding can lead to rapid weight loss.
When the chick starts feeding independently, a mix rich in seeds, insects, and fruits helps develop a balanced, autonomous diet while providing the energy needed for growth.
Seed, Insect, and Fruit Mix for Birds
Perfect for supporting the gradual independence of a young chick.
Feeding frequency: mistakes to avoid
The first common mistake is feeding a baby bird too infrequently due to lack of availability. The second is overfeeding, in an attempt to do the right thing. The best approach is based on:
- Observing the crop
- Respecting feeding intervals
- Adapting to the species
- Monitoring weight (daily weighing with a precision scale)
Stagnant growth or a crop that remains constantly full should be considered warning signs.
Practical examples of feeding frequency by species
A European robin found in early June, aged 4 days, will require 25 feedings per day. If feeding starts at 6 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m., this means one feeding approximately every 35 minutes. A 0.5 ml syringe is sufficient per meal.
A 10-day-old wood pigeon rescued from a hedge will need 5 meals spaced every 3 hours, with 7 to 10 ml per feeding. A special mash based on corn flour and ground split peas will be suitable.
A great tit close to fledging can manage with 4 meals spaced 4 hours apart, with a gradual transition to solid mash and live insects.
