16 replies to this topic

[gmlj19@aol.com]

After cutting down a large pine in Northeastern PA, two baby birds where found still in tact in their nest and unharmed.  These strong willed survivors were rescued and are doing remarkably well.  They love eating canned cat food and are growing quite rapidly.  Please help in identifying which type of species they are.  They are mainly grey in color with several layers of feathers some having slightly white tips.  Their legs are quite beefy shall we say as well as their talons for their size. What is most distinct is the shape of their beaks.  Their beaks are about the same size as their heads but are a little irregular in shape with a bump on the inner top. Could these baby birds be some type of crow?  Any help in identifying them is greatly appreciated as well as any tips in caring for them such as how long should they be kept before being let free, handling them, feeding them, etc.

 

 

 

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•  Baby bird 1.jpg   197.98K   0 downloads

[roundywaves]

How big are these babies?  I think (I am not an expert) that they could be a turkey vulture.  But they would most likely be quite large.  Otherwise, I don't know, but I don't think they look like a crow.  Of course, I could be wrong.

[gmlj19@aol.com]

I too at first thought they could be turkey vultures but after doing quite a bit of research baby turkey vultures are much larger and are covered in down when born

[gmlj19@aol.com]

In addition the nest they were found in was average in size made from small sticks and debris much too small to accommodate a large female turkey vulture along with the two baby birds

[gmlj19@aol.com]

They are approximately the size of a child's hand at this stage and are unable to fly.

[Curlybird]

Here's a picture of hatchling turkey vultures (not mine; I found it on a website) for comparison.

[gmlj19@aol.com]

Unfortunately like I thought, these baby birds do not have any of the characteristics of a baby turkey vulture

[PoorMatty]

I wonder how crazy a thoery it might be that these could be morning doves.

[Kryptos18]

http://image57.webshots.com/457/8/8/49/2777808490073774635SSzRSx_ph.jpg

 Not that crazy a theory at all! It's the best beak I can find so far. Abnormally dark though.

[gmlj19@aol.com]

One of the first guesses I did receive was some type of dove, but at the time thought that would be highly unlikely due to the location where they were found . . . hmmmm I wonder, time to due some research

[Curlybird]

Baby Mourning Doves are gray.  I'm leaning towards baby crows.  I found this photo on a website of baby crow - looks quite similar in my opinion!

[zoutedrop]

Here is a mourning dove, I don't think it is a match.  Sorry but an alternative doesn't come to mind.

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•  MODO fledg.jpg   540.45K   0 downloads

[Jim Penny]

It looks like they are progressing quite well and it may soon become more apparent what they are.  But, I don't believe the beak looks right for a dove nor the body proportions or the way that the feathers are filling out.  I think a crow may be the better guess.  I could not find any pictures of Crow hatchlings at the stage that your birds are in to provide additional clues.

 

[Shane Mercer]

What about pigeons?  I'm just guessing randomly.

 

Kind of exciting though. Waiting to see what kind of feathers come in so you can tell ;)

[Curlybird]

Actually, pigeons are a possibility as well.  I saw a photo of a young pigeon and it also looked a little like your picture.

Can you take another picture of them and post it?  Maybe at a different angle?  Sometimes a different shot shows something that could be overlooked in first shot.

[Curlybird]

Okay, after looking at your other shots you posted (separately), I'm certain these are Rock Pigeons.  Here are a couple photos I got off the web of some Rock Pigeon hatchlings, and they are almost identical.  The giveaway is the bump at top of bill, which Rock Pigeons have.

[gmlj19@aol.com]

Thank you for your input.  Is it common for rock pigeons to be located in such a remote part of Northeastern PA?