My horrible cats have brought in two baby wrens (fully feathered).  One is dead and I have no idea how long the other has been inside (found it this morning under my cupboard).  Have given it tiny amount of water but it will not open its beak for any food.  I am reluctant to hold it to feed it - might scare/hurt it and also it is covered in mites.

Any suggestions on how to get it to feed??  anybody??

Thanks, Fiona

I probably wouldnt even try to feed it, just keep it quiet and warm, etc.... until it has recovered a bit more, the shock might kill it!
Do you have a wildlife rescue centre anywhere near you??

I notice from your details you are in Essex?  Perhaps try calling these people

(ESSEX) Wildlives rescue & rehabilitation centre ~ Thorrington, Colchester. Tel: 01206 251174

If you are concerned about feeding, buy meal worms (I am not sure on the spelling of that, but I think they are used for fishing etc.) they are fat rich and a very good food source for baby birds. I think though a mixture of shock, isolation and lack of food and water might mean that this little guy won't pull through, but keep it warm, keep it quiet and away from any disturbances, and if you are concerned about water, try and syringe water into him, but most of all, get in touch with a wildlife centre (the RSCPA won;t get involved in the case of a wild bird like this - well, in my experience they won't - but a wildlife or bird conservation centre may well do.

Depending on where you are in Essex, Fiona, if you are in Basildon/Thurrock Area, contact Sue Schwarz of Thurrock Wildlife Concern on 01375 893893 - she may be able to help.

Margot

my cats bought in a baby wren yesterday, I kept hearing a shrill cheeping coming from the living room but couldnt find the source, then when I came back with the dogs there he was sat on the radiator chirrping away :) I put it in a box in the shed with some water but sadly it died.  If I had time I might have tried feeding maggots / meal worms with tweezers but unfortunately small birds usually die of shock which I think is what mine did, trying to feed them just adds to the shock :(

I did successfully rear two baby black birds last year which my hooligan cats bought in for me

Hi, thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.  He/she is chirping away now and has escaped from one box.  I have now put him into a big box but he is still not accepting food.  I have chopped up worms - how gross and tried soaked cat food.  He doesn't seem to scared of me - keeps jumping into my hand.  I will try the numbers you have given me.  thanks again

Fiona

Have a look here wrens are insect eaters, they do however like the odd bit of finely grated cheese in winter when the insects are in short supply