Urgent Found a baby peewee/magpie lark - what do I feed him?

[bumblebee]

Hi,

I found a young peewee/magpie lark in a local car park, no sign of mum anywhere and looks like he’d been there a while. I picked him up and took him home and gave him some water but not sure what’s safe to feed him? He keeps opening his mouth like it’s hungry.

Will attach pic in second post.

Thanks

 

[bumblebee]

 

[Sarahmoluccan]

Thankyou for helping him I'm not sure what to feed him I'll try searching around the Forum. I see from your info you're in Australia I'll tag some Australians maybe they can help you

 

[BertAllen]

Copied from a Google search.

The magpie-lark is primarily a carnivorous species , feeding mostly on invertebrates such as insects, spiders, worms and crustaceans . However, small vertebrates, including reptiles and frogs, are also sometimes taken , and seeds are occasionally eaten.

 

[Sarahmoluccan]

@Sulphy Too @Lodah @derek
I know we have more Australian members, Unfortunately I'm having trouble finding more.

I wish you all the best with that little guy. He sure is handsome. You know of wildlife rescues that could possibly help?

 

[Birdbabe]

Mealworms, wax worms, safe crickets all drowned of course... ewww, I know .. , chopped hard boiled or scrambled eggs, even a bit of soaked cat or dog kibble, cooked cooled oatmeal, feed from hemostats, or tweezers..till you find a rescue. Sure is cute!!

 

[iamwhoiam]

He is so cute! Thanks for rescuing him. Hope he will be OK.

 

[Deleted member 29421]

Soak cat kibble in water til its soft and swollen. You can speed it up by using hot water. Do not use canned cat food. When its ready, pick up a piece and give it a little squeeze to make sure excess water isnt dripping from it. Hold a piece above its head and if it doesnt want to open its mouth, lightly tap the tip of its beak with the food and then move your hand up over its head. That will usually make it open its mouth. Also, sometimes if you make a noise kind of like the noise you hear when someone is sucking a piece of food out of their teeth, it encourages them to open their mouth. Keep feeding pieces til he looses interest. They know when to stop. Do NOT give water, theres plenty in the soaked kibble.

 

[Tiel Feathers]

How’s he doing? Thank you for helping this little bird!

 

[Shezbug]

Anything a magpie will eat he will eat. Cat food will be easy for a start if you have some, they always pig out on cat food if they have the chance.

 

[bumblebee]

Thanks heaps for all the advice - he has been happily eating drowned mealworms like mad, doesn’t seem to ever want to stop eating so I have been trying not to over feed him. He seems very active and chirpy - I think he’ll be ok. I’ve found a carer to take him in a few days.

 

[camelotshadow]

So cute...He's a lucky fellow!

 

[CrazyBirdChick]

Thanks heaps for all the advice - he has been happily eating drowned mealworms like mad, doesn’t seem to ever want to stop eating so I have been trying not to over feed him. He seems very active and chirpy - I think he’ll be ok. I’ve found a carer to take him in a few days.

View attachment 289896

What a face!

Thank you so much for helping!

 

[Birdlover42]

Amazing! He's adorable and thank you for taking care of him. You are a hero

 

[Birdbabe]

Glad hes doing well...that grumpy little face is adorable!

 

[Nikomania]

I've heard that they are voracious feeders. He already looks so much better! More alert

 

[iamwhoiam]

Great that he is doing well and that you found someone to care for him, although you are doing a good job with him.

 

[bumblebee]

He is honestly adorable, I’m already smitten with him. Will be very sad to see him go but I know it’s for the best...!