mother killed we have raised two babby
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Guest
the pm female was killed by a car we the babbys were about two weeks old we have feed and raised two pm the birds are about 30 days old they want to fly but they just want try here is a photo of one of them they look like they are old enough to fly we still have babbys that have not made it out yet does anyone have in ideal what we can do to get them a loft the older pm call to them . help doe lz ky
Doe,
You may have already tried this, but in the morning, possibly placing them up on the martin house may be the trick, since it's elevated. That might help in getting them to fly. It seems like getting them high up off the ground might help.
You may have already tried this, but in the morning, possibly placing them up on the martin house may be the trick, since it's elevated. That might help in getting them to fly. It seems like getting them high up off the ground might help.
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CUL Lou~Mich
Doe. You say you have other babies that haven't flown yet?? Are they all around the same age?? (The two you hand raised, plus the ones not flown yet) If so, you could put the two into the house with the others. I'd definately try to get them into the house, and up in the air as soon as possible. I took care of one last year that had fallen into a lake. I put it into a bird cage (Like canary,or parakeet) and every day I'd put it onto the rack where my PM housing is. I don't have PMs, but when I took it back to where it had came from, it took off nice as you please, and mingled right in. If they are around 30 days old, they should take off very soon. Best of luck. CUL Lou
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
Hello Doe.
What a little cutie - it does look like its wings are long enough for it to fly. Purple Martin parents have to do a lot of convincing to get their young to take to the air the first time. Matt probably has the best idea I've heard.
I have never hand raised an orphan Purple Martin. Attempting to return them to the wild is a dangerous time in these babies lives. They have to learn how to fly very well before they can even catch an insect. Then, they have to learn the techniques used by other PMs to feed themselves. They have to be alert to the dangers of aerial predators who are looking for them at this vulnerable time. It would be a real shame for you to have hand raised them to this stage just to watch them snatched up by a hawk.
I believe I would have to seek professional advice on this one. I would call my local rehabber and get some information from them. Perhaps the best thing for these babies would be to put them in the hands of a good PM rehabber.
What a little cutie - it does look like its wings are long enough for it to fly. Purple Martin parents have to do a lot of convincing to get their young to take to the air the first time. Matt probably has the best idea I've heard.
I have never hand raised an orphan Purple Martin. Attempting to return them to the wild is a dangerous time in these babies lives. They have to learn how to fly very well before they can even catch an insect. Then, they have to learn the techniques used by other PMs to feed themselves. They have to be alert to the dangers of aerial predators who are looking for them at this vulnerable time. It would be a real shame for you to have hand raised them to this stage just to watch them snatched up by a hawk.
I believe I would have to seek professional advice on this one. I would call my local rehabber and get some information from them. Perhaps the best thing for these babies would be to put them in the hands of a good PM rehabber.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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CUL Lou~Mich
Laverne. I must agree with you when you say "Perhaps the best thing for these babies would be to put them in the hands of a good PM rehabber." However. I've read many times where someone is looking for a rehabber, and can not make contact with anyone who will return calls. And it seems those who do return the calls for assistance are normally several hours drive away from the person needing help. Possibly this was the reason for the call for help here on the forum. It would certainly be nice if everyone who needed help lived six houses from a rehabber, but it don't seem to work that way. ;-( However, often there are folks here who have went through the same problems. This may have been what Doe was hoping for. CUL Lou
Doe,
You can always try this link to see if there's a rehabber near you. Often times, if there's not one really close, the closest one to you that is listed may in fact know of one that is closer.
Here are the Kentucky listings:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactA.htm#ky
You can always try this link to see if there's a rehabber near you. Often times, if there's not one really close, the closest one to you that is listed may in fact know of one that is closer.
Here are the Kentucky listings:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactA.htm#ky
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
Doe,
Perhaps you could get some "real" help just by speaking to a rehabber on the telephone.
If you just want to get the babies in the air - you could launch them - they'll fly.
My problem with that is they will have no backup. They don't have parents to look out for them or care for them. This family support is critical in the life of a fledgling.
I just think there is more to their survival than getting them to fly...
Perhaps you could get some "real" help just by speaking to a rehabber on the telephone.
If you just want to get the babies in the air - you could launch them - they'll fly.
My problem with that is they will have no backup. They don't have parents to look out for them or care for them. This family support is critical in the life of a fledgling.
I just think there is more to their survival than getting them to fly...
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne