I have a few problems with this article. First of all, it should be noted that the only wild birds that it is legal for you to have in your possession are European Starlings, House Sparrows, and Pigeons. I realize that this article is only dealing with starlings and sparrows, but that needs to be said....and it is hard to know what kind of baby bird you have in your possession if you are not well trained in baby identification.
Second, it is always best to find a rehabber to take care of the babies if they are orphaned or injured. They will be prepared for release back into the wild, which is where they should be. Wild birds should not be pets. Also, a rehabber will probably feed insects to the babies, since we always had mealworm farms and access to other farmed insects. The birds will also not be imprinted.
I also find that even if passerine birds are used to human contact, they are still easily released and will become wild quickly. There is no need to keep them in cages for the rest of their lives. Not that I would expect them to survive if they were released in the weather we are having now, but they would do fine being released in summer.
The cat food diet does work, and we often did use a McDonald's stir for feeding. I am opposed to giving any baby birds water at all, even if it is just put on the beak. They should first be warmed up before anything at all is done, even if they are dehydrated. Then they should be willing to eat, and get all the liquid they need from the food. It is easy for a baby bird to get pneumonia from aspirating liquids.
I do hope that anyone thinking of raising baby birds would instead contact a rehabber.....and if they are still interested, they should work with the rehabber while being trained.
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