Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here's the blue jay that showed up while I was sunning my bearded dragon this evening.

It appears to be in good health, good feathers, good color, but not quite well developed enough to take care of itself in the wild.

I know these things can be raised the last few weeks, so we're going to try. If we don't, it's just cat bait and we may as well feed it to a Tegu.

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ETChipotle

I need to find out what to feed it and how much. Perhaps also how to get it to eat. I'm not worried about it for tonight, just hoping it will stay calm and get used to a cage.
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ETChipotle

water is most important, then food. Ay type of insect will work, movement should stimulate it to eat. Worst case, just pry it's mouth open and give it a few soft bodied insects.
I used to raise a few jays and crows as a kid! They are a blast when they are about 75% tame as adults and hang around the yard!

Good luck!

D

a few weeks ago. She was already turned loose. Did great !

Good luck hes a beauty! Let me know how you guys make out!
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Eve

congrats on your find and hurray for taking care of him. we found one not to long ago and took it to the "noah program" at our local vet and she is doing fine.
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vonnie
***One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries. - A. A. Milne***

At this stage the little guy has only about a week before it will fly. At what temperature are you keeping it? If it is too cool (like inside where it may be significantly cooler that out) I would offer a heat lamp or heating pad. He probably has enough feathers to keep himself warm though. As far as feeding, insects should be sufficient, but offer lots. Anything you have to feed the lizzies, he will love. Try earthworms too. Offer a dish of water but you may need to offer on a dropper or somehow get the water in dish to move so that he recognizes it.

Enjoy the time you have with the little guy. There is nothing more satisfying than to release a wild animal that you have rehabbed.

Oh, keep the cage very clean and away from other animals including birds. I have lost significantly more baby blue jays than any other bird to eye infections. I believe it is something that can be transmitted bird to bird, but I can't remember. The ones that I have lost were much younger though, your guy is probably beyond the age of worry.

Keep us posted.

Laura

To protect Q, our Quaker Parrot, my wife didn't want the Blue Jay in the house. Problem is, I can't feed the darned thing with the parents divebombing me. It makes me nervous, and upsets the baby too.

So I decided to send the little bird out to its proper demise, and when I opened up the cage, the little thing flew out, made it about 40 or 50 feet into the middle of the street in front of my house.

So I went out and tried to shepard the thing out of the street and onto the sidewalk.

The parents will have to take care of it from here, but my guess is that if it can fly 50 feet, then in an hour it will be able to fly 100 feet.
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ETChipotle

have taken it Jim ! LOL Glad ya let him out they will feed him on the ground, they do it all the time.

He will do just fine! He will call to them.
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Eve

They showed up later, but I was also unaware they look after the little ones after they are out of the nest.
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ETChipotle