tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245225178580170753.post2389368739145955986..comments2024-03-28T00:19:18.074-05:00Comments on The Opulent Opossum: Common GracklesJulianna Schroederhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277727700915648607noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245225178580170753.post-39801479202468058042010-06-21T15:54:47.819-05:002010-06-21T15:54:47.819-05:00. . . And to Anonymous #1 (June 20), I can see you.... . . And to Anonymous #1 (June 20), I can see your point of view--if the little thing was *clearly* out of its nest *quite prematurely,* and the parents clearly weren't able or willing to help it, then it left you the choice of trying to help it, or letting it alone.<br /><br />Feeding baby birds is tricky, busy work. I used to work at a pet store a long time ago, and sometimes we'd get in a young parrot that would still need bottle-feeding. Yikes! The food mixture and temp had to be just right, they needed to be fed off and on practically all their waking yours--and yet you mustn't overfeed them, too!<br /><br />I'm really glad you were able to hand over the baby grackle to a wildlife rehabilitation group--those folks have a lot more experience in feeding and caring for critters. If it can be returned to the wild, that's it's best chance.<br /><br />I'm glad both of you commenters are concerned for the welfare of the baby grackles in your yards. They are wonderful, native North American birds, and their populations have been declining.<br /><br />We loved watching the parents feeding and caring for their young. So purposeful!<br /><br />Thanks again for the comment,<br />JulieJulianna Schroederhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11277727700915648607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245225178580170753.post-68781398520449504442010-06-21T15:45:14.025-05:002010-06-21T15:45:14.025-05:00Wow, thank you to both Anonymouses for your commen...Wow, thank you to both Anonymouses for your comments. To Anonymous #2 (June 21), I have no idea what to tell you, as I'm not a veterinarian or a bird rehabilitation specialist. Generally speaking, you shouldn't have a baby grackle in your "possession."<br /><br />Conservation and wildlife specialists will almost always tell you that when you see a baby animal (including a bird) that seems alone and helpless, you should let it be. There's a good chance its parents are nearby and taking care of it. Or . . . sadly enough, maybe that birdie just isn't gonna make it, and some other creature gets to eat it for dinner.<br /><br />If you've only had the grackle for a short while, I suggest returning baby to where you found it. If there's no chance of the parents returning, then contact your state conservation agency, a wildlife rescue organization, or a veterinarian.<br /><br />Sorry I can't help you. Good luck with the baby.<br /><br />JulieJulianna Schroederhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11277727700915648607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245225178580170753.post-69742301252916469452010-06-21T15:34:11.673-05:002010-06-21T15:34:11.673-05:00My baby Grackle keeps putting his head back and lo...My baby Grackle keeps putting his head back and looks sick. What is wrong?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245225178580170753.post-8197917625271331142010-06-20T09:32:51.715-05:002010-06-20T09:32:51.715-05:00I enjoyed reading about the grackles, and I share ...I enjoyed reading about the grackles, and I share your view of them : they are not "nuisance birds" ! We have several large pine trees in the yard and a colony of grackles nesting there. They do eat our elderberries, but there is enough to share !<br />This spring we became temporary foster parents of a nestling that somehow (predator?) had gotten out of the nest way too soon. Only partially feathered and totally unable to care for himself, we took him in. Putting him back in the nest was impossible: we couldn't see it from the ground, and from the sound of his siblings, it must have been at least 30 feet up in the tree !<br />The baby thrived under our care and became fully feathered in about 3 weeks. We finally managed to locate a wild life rescue person willing to take him, and it was with mixed feelings we handed him over. He was very tame, so we don't know if he can ever be released, but if not, the wild life rehab. person will make sure, he is taken care of.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245225178580170753.post-7794065608337725802010-05-29T16:33:52.629-05:002010-05-29T16:33:52.629-05:00How about "A gleam of grackles" instead ...How about "A gleam of grackles" instead of a "plague" ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com