Starlings, Song Thrushes & Blackbirds

Hatchling/Nestling starlings, song thrushes & blackbirds

​

  • Keep hatchlings/nestlings warm at 32-35°C by using a lamp or heat pad.

  • Use a plastic berry container as a nest. Line it with toilet or tissue paper.

  • Weigh regularly

  • Fed 5% of a chick's body weight every 20-30 minutes for 12-14 hours per day.

​

Fledgling starlings, song thrushes & blackbirds

​

  • Feed every 45-60 minutes for 12-14 hours per day.

  • House in a laundry basket with a window screen lining or use a large plastic container. You can cut a window in the container lid and put the window screen lining in.

  • Use natural perches, e.g. wooden sticks and branches.

​

Weaning starlings, song thrushes & blackbirds

​

  • Start weaning when fledglings are starting to self-feed.

  • Their weight will continue to increase overtime. There may be little decreases overnight, but then the weight will increase during the day.

  • Feedings should be slowly decreased over a period of days.

  • Use a larger cage, cockatiel sized.

  • When self-feeding use an aviary (or similar large enclosure) to build-up flight muscles.

​

Food in the wild

​

Starlings

Starlings mainly eat invertebrates, some grains, food scraps from humans, fruit and occasionally nectar.

​

Blackbirds

Blackbirds mainly feed on invertebrates and some berries.

South Island Wildlife Hospital logo
South Island
Wildlife Hospital

022 106 0170

admin@wildlifehospital.co.nz

​

60 Hussey Road, Northwood

Christchurch 8051

New Zealand

  • Facebook - White Circle

© 2018 Wildlife Veterinary Trust