How long does it take baby birds to learn to fly?

[Flaxbee]

I'm talking little robins, baby sparrows - just 'everyday' wonderful birds you'd find in Virginia / the Mid-Atlantic region.

I ask, because one of our cats, who has heretofore brought us nothing but mice and rats since we moved here a year ago, brought us a baby bird today - and proceeded to chomp on the little lovely baby in front of me. I know it's only the cat's instinct and I am not mad at him, but I am also very aware that cats are *greatly* harming songbird populations. Ivan (the cat) is a monster sh*thead when he's kept inside all day.

But, for the next several days, he is going to be kept inside. Some reading I've done suggests once the babies are 'flight-ready', it only takes about 2-3 days for them to get the hang of it and not be so vulnerable flopping around on the ground.

Any bird-knowledgeable people here who can tell me what would be a good safety time for these baby birds?

It can't be "don't ever let Ivan out" because then he terrorizes the ladycats who stay inside, tears up stuff, is horrid. And this is only the second time in the 5 years we've had him he's brought us a bird. He's usually only out during the day, always in at night, and we live somewhere very rural ...

RIP sweet baby birdie. I'm sorry.

[tigereye]

1. might want to repost in the bird forum - pretty knowledgeable folks there

I really think it varies from bird to bird- you might want to look here, lots of good info and just a great site if you love birds


http://www.birds.cornell.edu/netcommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1478


I periodically find little robins that have either fallen out of the nest or have just started hopping around and really don't have the hang of it yet/ can't fly. Some of em do fine, and parents eventually find em. They do seem really vulnerable, though.

Hence the feeling that cats should stay indoors, or have a bell. :hi:

[Flaxbee]

4. he has a bell -- but it's no use if the little birdies aren't

able to maneuver very well yet ... :(

[JitterbugPerfume]

2. that is why I quit feeding birds

I found a dead goldfinch not far from the feeder. I know one of my two year olds did it because Tansy at 16 just don't give a damn any more.

I miss the birds but I love my cats and I just can't have both.

[Flaxbee]

5. yeah, I stopped putting out food, too -- but we're in a very

rural area, so there is plenty of food ... except in the winter, when I do put food out b/c Ivan won't go out in the snow.

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. if they're out of the nest, they can fly. But it can be a couple weeks

before they can fly well.

I have lots of baby birds in my yard, and I watch them and their parents at the bird feeder, and it seems to take a few weeks for the babies from the time they first show up on the ground under the bird feeder and sort of flop around until they are able to fly smoothly and at will like a professional.

My baby birds get killed by the chipmunks that also live in my yard.

All part of the cycle of life.

[Flaxbee]

6. And Ivan will then get the chipmunks (which he did last month)

I have no problem with the cycle of life -- nature red in tooth and claw and all -- but Ivan does *not* need the food. And because so many damn idiots don't spay and neuter, there is an overabundance of cats, and hence a bigger strain on the birds.

I'd just like to give the babies a reprieve from Ivan for a while ... but not sure how long to keep my cat in time-out.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

8. Chipmunks are not endangered

There are plenty of chipmunks around. A very cute scourge. One of our cats used to leave "offerings" by the car door. The half-chipmunks were my favorites.

:hi:

[XemaSab]

7. Nesting season is just getting started

I would say that 2 months you'd be safe again.