P.O. Box 1897, Kailua, HI 96734
Finches
Finches have a thick and wide triangular beak and the crop on the right side of the bird's neck.
Java Sparrow and House Finch (Papaya Bird)
Add about 10-15% papaya to dried formula for several feedings a day and offer pieces to fledglings and adults, they love it!
House Sparrow and Northern Cardinal
Hatchling (naked and may be blind)
Feed straight formula mixed with water to a little runnier consistency than applesauce. Go in right to left as you're facing the chick and time the release of formula to the bobbing of the bird's head. Give only small amounts (2 cc) at a time until the crop is noticeably full, but not bulging. At this age, bobbing will be slight. The chick will need to be fed every half hour or so. Be very careful and get a more experienced rehabber's help if necessary.
Nestling (pinfeathers or feathers, but not flying yet)
Feed formula mixed with water to the consistency of applesauce. Feed the same way as directed above, but give a little more formula (3 to 5 cc depending on age and species) at a time until the crop is nearly bulging, but NOT stretched tight. Bobbing will be more noticeable at this age. Feed every hour to hour and a half, as the bird gets older. Add 3 to 4 mealworms and chopped, boiled egg.
Fledgling (limited and strong flight)
Feed a formula mixed with water to the consistency of pudding. Feed the same way and give just a LITTLE more formula per shot depending on the species. Offer millet spray, 3 to 4 mealworms, and some boiled egg along with water. When you see that the millet is starting to look pecked at, offer a cup of seed. Feed formula every hour and a half to two hours. You can go to every three to four hours when the bird shows an active interest in its food and eventually the bird will not accept food from you any longer. They seem to enjoy tofu now and then and also papaya offered occasionally.
Adult
The diet for the above birds is very similar with some variations noted above. In general, use finch food for the smaller birds and wild birdseed for the larger birds, millet sprays, 4-5 mealworms, and 2-3 de-legged crickets.
Warbling Silverbill (Estreldid) Finch
Hatchling (naked and may be blind)
Silverbill babies in this stage will have the bull and arrow markings in their mouths that look exactly like the mouths of baby Java Sparrows except that Silverbill babies are considerably larger. Once pinfeathers start to come out, there are other physiological differences that make it easy to tell which is (Javas have paler legs). It is important to get the advice of a rehabber who has actually seen babies at this stage because silverbills MUST get a certain enzyme that Javas don't need and if they don't get it, they die. The hand feeding process is the same for the above birds except mealworms aren't necessary, but either chicken broth (from chicken noodle soup or regular broth) or strained turkey or chicken baby food must be added to the dry formula at about 20% before mixing in the water. These have the enzyme necessary for the baby birds to live.
Nestling (pinfeathers or feathers, but not yet flying)
Same for the other finch type birds, but that extra special ingredient must be added. Mealworms aren't necessary.
Fledgling (limited and strong flight)
Same for the other finch type birds. It appears the enzyme may not be necessary at this age, but better to be safe than sorry at least while hand feeding.
Adult
Same diet as the above finch type birds although they are more strictly seed-eaters.
(Adapted from material provided by Merri Keeton)
Common medical issues:
SPARROWS: Eye worms.
HOUSE FINCH: Pox on face and feet.
JAVA FINCH: Pox on face and feet, Trichomoniasis in babies.