How Long Can a Baby Bird Go without Food?

A baby bird can go without food for a short period of time, but it will need to be fed by its parents eventually. If a baby bird is not fed by its parents, it will likely die.

A baby bird needs warmth and contact with its parents to survive. It can go without food for a period of time, but it will not survive long without being touched by its parents. A less than two-week old bird will need to be touched by its parents every few hours to survive. If a parent bird is not available to provide this warmth, the baby bird will not survive.

Assuming you are talking about a wild bird, the answer is not long at all. Birds are naturally tidy creatures and spend a good portion of their day preening. This not only keeps their feathers clean and in good condition, but also helps to remove any unwanted parasites.

A baby bird will need to preen almost as soon as it hatches from its egg. Its mother will help to get it started, but it won't be long before the youngster is doing it for itself. If a baby bird is prevented from preening, it will become increasingly dirty and bedraggled and its health will soon suffer.

A baby bird will typically open its eyes for the first time 10-12 days after hatching. After that, it will keep them open most of the time, only closing them to sleep or when it’s cloudy outside. However, there are some newborn birds that may not open their eyes for 14 days or longer. If you’re concerned about your baby bird and its eyesight, you should take it to an avian veterinarian for a checkup.

A baby bird cannot survive for more than a few minutes without moving. By moving, the bird circulates its blood and maintains a constant body temperature. If a baby bird is not moving, it will quickly become hypothermic and die.

Assuming you are asking about a wild bird, the answer is that it depends on the species. Some birds, like canaries, are bred in captivity and can go their whole lives without chirping, although they typically chirp much more when they are healthy and happy. However, most birds cannot go more than a few days without chirping, as it is necessary for them to communicate with their flock mates and warn of predators. If a baby bird is separated from its flock, it will chirp loudly to try to attract their attention so it can be reunited.