The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a brown bird that shows various shades, which vary between red and black. If you have found a sparrow that needs care, whether it is injured or has fallen from the nest, then you must know everything you need to take care of it.
One of the most important things for your he alth is the sparrow's diet, as this will directly influence its he alth and recovery. Do you want to know what a sparrow eats? Then you can't miss this article, we will explain everything you need to know about sparrow feeding: newborn, chick and adult.
Sparrow species
The sparrow is a bird native to Africa and some regions of Europe and Asia, where it abounds in fields and gardens. It is distinguished from other species by its small size and shades of brown. In addition, it is a bird that does not walk, but moves by giving small jumps.
According to the Spanish Ornithological Society there are 26 species of sparrows in the world [1], but we will show you the three most popular and acquaintances:
Garden Sparrow
The tree sparrow (Passer montanu) is a difficult species to observe, as it rarely approaches populated areas. However, it is possible to find it in areas dedicated to cultivation. It is characterized by having a small black spot on the face.
White-crowned Sparrow
The White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) is native to the United States and Canada, where it lives in areas with abundant bushes. Its plumage is greyish, its head has black and white stripes, and its wings are chestnut. It organizes itself in groups of several individuals to find food.
Savannah Sparrow
The Savannah Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) inhabits the United States, the Antilles, and Canada, where it prefers temperate zones, swamps, and the tundras. Its plumage is brown or gray with stripes on the back and chest, it also has a kind of light-colored eyebrow above its eyes. It is a migratory bird, so it is common to see it traveling in groups at certain times of the year.
What to do if I find a sparrow?
If you have found a sparrow that has fallen from the nest, you will most likely think about picking it up and taking care of it. However, it may have fallen due to the wind or it may be making its first flights. So, the first thing we advise you to do is stay at a safe distance for a while and wait for his parents to come pick him upIf not, you can help him by taking care of him.
On the other hand, if you don't see any nest nearby and you think the sparrow is injured or in danger, we recommend you act quickly and take it to a veterinary clinic, since some he alth problems, such as a parasitic infestation or a fracture, require specialized treatment.
How to take care of a sparrow?
Before delving into feeding the sparrow you should know some basic care. It is very important that you prepare a place where you can rest. If we are talking about a pigeon or an adult bird, it is advisable to use a conditioned cage with a nest. Find a fully enclosed nest in any pet supply store and place materials inside to make it more comfortable, such as goat hair or coconut fiber
Place a water container, although those with a drip system are not recommended, as you could accidentally drown. The proper way is to use a bottle for parakeets with a spout, which will allow the bird to bend down to drink without any problem. You should also have a trough
Finally, it is recommended to keep the cage open in a ventilated place where sunlight reaches, but not directly, since prolonged exposure can be harmful to the animal. Sunlight, however, is useful for the development of the wing pigments of the young of this species.
In the event that you have found a newborn bird, the ideal is to place it in a closed cardboard box, with holes, in which you must place a properly fixed open nest, so that it can take refuge and maintain body temperature.
How to feed a newborn sparrow?
To feed a newborn sparrow it is recommended not to give them solid food, since they are unable to digest it properly. It is preferable to feed it with papilla homemade or commercial breeding paste for insectivores, and supplied with a needleless syringethat will go directly to the animal's mouth. The porridge should never be prepared with dairy products, as it would mean death for the sparrow, since the species does not tolerate them.
While feeding, you must make sure not to stain the animal, as this becomes a problem if the mush dries on its plumage. Also, do not forget to check that his nasal passages are free of obstructions so that he can breathe properly. Consultation with a veterinarian is highly recommended. This diet should be offered until the second or third week of life, until their plumage begins to develop.
In this video you can learn how to feed a newborn sparrow:
The feeding of the sparrow
When the sparrow has a suitable place to rest, it is necessary that you feed it so that it obtains the necessary nutrients for its growth and development. The feeding of the sparrow varies depending on its age, since it is not the same when it is newborn than when it is an adult.
In this sense, follow the following recommendations:
What does a baby sparrow eat?
From the second or third week of life and until the sparrow is about two months old, we must begin to modify its diet. The most advisable thing is to buy breeding paste for insectivores, which we can find at any veterinary clinic for exotic animals or in animal product stores.
The Insectivore breeding paste usually contains small insects, such as mealworms, flies, crustaceans or snails, all it dehydrated and ground. We will follow the instructions for use of the product, which generally recommend adding water to make it more palatable.
In an emergency, we can use cat food to feed a baby sparrow. We advise you to choose a good quality product. We will moisten it until it is very soft and we will crush it so that the sparrow is able to digest it easily.
What does an adult sparrow eat?
When they reach adulthood, sparrows are very useful to humans, as they feed on a large number of insects and eliminate completely the pests present in the areas or fields they inhabit. However, when there are no insects to eat, sparrows feed on seeds, especially wheat from plantations, causing problems for farmers.
That is why, if you have rescued an adult sparrow, it is best to buy a combination of seeds and cereals for birds wild, which usually includes wheat, corn, oats or soybeans. It may also contain mixtures of herbs and fruits. You can find it at any pet supply store.
In any case, it is highly advisable to combine the prepared food with fresh fruit and vegetables, while providingbreeding paste for insectivores.
