06 November 2008

The chick of Scaly-breasted Munia

I found this Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata) chick fell down from the nest, at high gutter at my clinic on monday morning. There was heavy rain the night before.
Two of the chicks died of the impact and one chick survived, stood motionless in the small drain. Since I can't locate the nest and the bird might drown in the drain, I took the chick home. I thought that my son can feed the chick. That was a mistake. The chick didn't want to eat any thing. We tried feeding it with small grasshopper, rice and bread, but it didn't open its mouth. It keep crying chip-chip, calling its mother.
Dr. YC Wee from Bird Ecoloyy Study Group said, "If the chick is fully feathered and can run away and flap its wings, the best thing to do is leave it alone".
Here some FAQ about 'little bird has fallen from a nest' - from Ulster Wildlife Trust.

chick of Scaly-breasted Munia and grasshopperFirdaus put the chick in the big box and tried feeding it with grasshopper.

Firdaus feeding the chick of Scaly-breasted MuniaThan tried with rice, but it did not open its mouth.

Chick of Scaly-breasted Munia on the palmThis is the chick size relative to my palm.

chick of Scaly-breasted MuniaI took the chick to the rambutan branch to dried it wet feather, but it fell down. A neighbor cat wait outside my front gate, in attacking position. Quickly I put it back inside the box.

chick of Scaly-breasted Munia
After unsuccessful feeding for 24 hours, the chick die.
Dead  chick of Scaly-breasted MuniaFinally it rest in peace...