Pictures Baby Speckled Mousebird

[Amy Pierce]

I foster birds, and got a phonecall today regarding a baby mousebird that someone had found. I don't have much experience with mousebirds in particular, as this is only my 2nd rescue, and my first (which I got about 2 weeks ago) is already grown, but I'm quickly learning with some help from others. So far, this little thing is doing well, but the first night is always the toughest, so I'm holding thumbs!

 

[waterfaller1]

The most important thing is heat, no matter how warm your present temps are. Next thing is what to feed him, give me a few and I will gather a list. Lastly, he must be stimulated after he eats to poop. A Q-tip works well. He looks like he is splaying a bit, I would fashion a "nest shape" to hold him or a small piece of soft plastic covered with safe material, to pull him into a proper position.

 

[waterfaller1]

Here is the best site to read about care
                   Welcome to the wonderful world of Mousebirds - HOME

 

[waterfaller1]

It looks like you have him in a basket? He needs something that will contain the heat. Get a hot water bottle or small animal heating pad. He needs the floor temp to be about 85 degrees F surrounding him, but he also needs to be able to get away from it. He should be weighed daily using a gram scale. NO WATER IS TO BE ADMINISTERED. They get enough from the fruit they eat.

 

[Amy Pierce]

Here is the best site to read about care
Welcome to the wonderful world of Mousebirds - HOME

Thank you very much, I actually found this website the other day and it has definitely been a HUGE help!

 

[Naomi]

He's a cutie if you need any extra help or advise just ask! I normally like to feed Avi-Plus Lorikeet Nectar , if they to little to eat mashed fruit you can mix with a fruit purity.

 

[waterfaller1]

Good fruits to start
banana
berries like blueberry, blackberry
papaya
grapes
Naomi is very helpful because the foods like the Purity are not what we use here in the states, and what we would use is not available there.
Wishing you the best with him

 

[sunnysmom]

He is adorable. Good luck with the little cutie.

 

[Amy Pierce]

The little chap is still holding on this morning, and looking a bit stronger! He was climbing around his cage a bit earlier. One night down on the road to recovery! Thanks all for your advice and help on food, warmth etc! Much appreciated!

(the little guy is chirping away, probably trying to copy my 'big' mousebird who's very talkative this morning)

 

[Anne & Gang]

 

[CrystalLeo]

Awww that is sooo cool! Do you have pics of the little guy?

 

[Amy Pierce]

Awww that is sooo cool! Do you have pics of the little guy?

Here are a few pics! Sorry they aren't very clear, I took them with my cellphone. Will be sure to post some better ones of him soon!

 

[Naomi]

Aah he's so cute, I've never seen a baby speckled, I've only had Red faced babies and I have a young adult Speckle but I didn't raise him

 

[CrystalLeo]

AGGGGGGGGG MY MOEDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TE OULIK!!!!!!!
WAAAY TOOOOOOOO CUTE!
We also have speckeled mousebirds close to my church every now and then, I find that they are very cute birds.

 

[Birdbabe]

Too cute!

 

[waterfaller1]

I am glad he is doing well.

 

[Amy Pierce]

Update on the little guy: still doing well, goes just about everywhere with mom Unfortunately, I noticed when I got him that he has a 'twitch'. If hes disturbed, such as woken up for a meal etc, his little body twitches, sometimes he'll chirp along with the noises, sometimes not (not in the "expecting food" kind of way, shaking wings, mouth open etc). I was hoping when I got him that I could put it down to being hungry or dehydrated, but its been 3 days now and no improvement. If he sits quietly and falls asleep it'll gradually stop. I'm hoping someone who has raised mousebirds before will be able to help me figure out what it is?

 

[waterfaller1]

Let's see if we can perhaps get @srtiels to reply. She has raised many mousebird babies. Maybe there is a lack of something in what you are feeding? Can you post everything you are using in his formula? I hope he will be ok.

 

[Amy Pierce]

I'm using Kaytee Exact formula, which is the best available here for birds. I also add in a small amount of recovery food which is high in protein and helps them to gain strength. I have been offering bits of fruit, but the little chap isn't responding. At first I thought the people who found him (they had him a whole night before they could get him to the vet) had tried to give him water and caused aspiration, because he was making slight sneezing/coughing sounds. He also had a bit of fluid coming out his nostrils, but that has cleared up. He's strong otherwise, but just spends a lot of the time sleeping. I've taken a short clip of him 'twitching', but I'm not too sure how to post it!

 

[waterfaller1]

Upload the video to youtube, then copy and past the URL here.