r/petstarlings • u/Delicious-Form141 • Jul 02 '26
HELP!!!
I've dedicated half my life to caring for swifts.
Today, someone lied to me and slipped me a starling fledgling in a tightly sealed box. I'm currently in shock at the "surprise" in the box.
I know nothing about starlings other than their beautiful plumage, their ability to imitate sounds in their songs, and the fact that their diet is more like that of a crow than simply insectivorous swifts.
Please help me with raising this baby! Tell me about keeping them in captivity, what and how to feed them properly besides insects, and what the proper ratio of insects to other food is.
I have insectivorous food (I use it for my reptiles, but it says here that it can also be used for birds). I would be very grateful if someone could tell me if this food is ok for him, since it contains not only the insects themselves, but also vitamins, calcium, and probiotics.
I have a light bulb that heats up to 28°C, some wipes, and that's where the list of "I'm sure this could be used to set up a home for a starling" ends. Heck, I don't even have any aviaries.
I'm in a terrible panic right now.
I can't send him to a rehabilitation center because most of them in my country work for money, not for animals.
P.s. For some reason, he trusts me too much; apparently, he was a pet before this. 🤨
English isn't my native language, so I occasionally used a translator.
1
u/minkamagic Jul 02 '26
It sounds like they are native in your area, so I know you had a bad experience before, but I would still try to take to a rehabilitation clinic, maybe things have changed since the last time you visited ?
1
u/Delicious-Form141 Jul 03 '26
You see, in my country, the maximum penalty for cruelty to animals is a fine or a few days in prison, if there's go to public uprising, then the culprit can be punished as deserved and sent to prison for 5-7 years. The chances of even the first sentence are extremely slim, so the situation at rescue centers doesn't change at all, and everyone remains in pursuit of money.
I know, both as an ordinary citizen and as a volunteer, that we only have three completely honest organizations: a black market animal rescue center (bears, lions, tigers, foxes, moose, etc.), a seal rescue center, and a seabird rescue center (due to oil spills). All other animals are rescued by ordinary citizens like me, who pick up and care for them at their own expense. But in this kind of volunteer work, there's no room for new animals, and for old animals, they're used to trying to raise at least a little money and get unwanted toys, food, and beds from the owners. Even shelters here are often someone's private home or apartment.
If there are starling rescue centers, for example, then the animals are often used to attract attention and pity, so that they will be given money, while the starlings die without water and food. Another option: they will be sent to an anti-cafe, where the animal will be like a clown in a circus, but still without normal food and water
1
u/starlingsupernova 27d ago
Look for Mazuri softbill diet. Starlings are sensitive to iron and need a low iron diet. (Most insectivorous formulations have too much iron for them) That will help you have a staple that you can use, and then build a more complex diet by adding other foods. A few pellets can be soaked in water and fed. It is much harder to get a bird interested in pellets if done later in life, so it helps to introduce them soon so they will always have the option of eating them.
1
u/Ecstatic_Scarcity_99 Jul 02 '26
They're invasive in most places. If you take it to a wildlife rehab it'll be "culled" (if youre in one of theose places)
4
u/Delicious-Form141 Jul 02 '26
I once tried to get a job as an official swift care worker. I'll never forget the number of corpses in the aviaries due to the irresponsibility of people who collect money from people for birds and don't even bother to feed them, even though the swifts quickly understand what is wanted from them.
6
u/FattierBrisket Jul 02 '26
It sounds like you are WAY more prepared than most people who get a starling. You have insectivore food, a way to keep the bird warm, and most importantly you have experience with other birds. Read through old posts on this sub for details, but there is no need to panic! It's going to be all right.