Baby Bird (Killdeer) Found: Looking for Rehabber

[Abbi's Mama]

My friends found a baby killdeer running around today. It has down feathers and is mobile, but not capable of protecting itself. They looked for the nest/mama and didn't see one and didn't want to abandon it. I think they're going to try to go back to where they found it and try to find the mom again, but does anyone know of a bird rehabber in or near Cookeville, TN?

[grampyngramy]

Those are some funny birds. Their nest are usually in tall grass fields here.

[psychobird]

They die and go downhill fast, need to get him to a rehabber even if it's a couple of hours away

[psychobird]

http://wildlife.rescueshelter.com/Tennessee

[Baxied]

I know of a rehabber in Chattanooga who does birds, but usually raptors. She may know someone closer who could help you. Let me know if you need her number.

[grampyngramy]

I am pretty sure mom and pops raise their young. I doubt if they where both gone. But maybe near by. I just say this from having them in our field. The parents will flee but be nearby. It is a hard life for killdeer young. With nests on the ground snakes find the eggs. I tried to protect a nest one year, it failed. But I did save a field mouse from the jaws of a snake once. Heard a squeaking as I was walking through the field and came upon a snake with a mouse in its mouth, the snake spit it out anfd they took off. Killdeer , it is hard to raise birds if they are too young. I really hate chewing up worms.

[Abbi's Mama]

Apparently baby killdeer are actually pretty self sufficient when it comes to feeding themselves (no need to chew up worms haha).
They said there wasn't any tall grass around were they found it they looked around and couldn't find any other place that it would have came from.
I told her I would probably try and take it back to where I found it and see if I saw any other kill deer running around and maybe try letting it go, she still has it tonight though.
It would definitely be nice to be able to find an experienced rehabber close to here though, just in case.

[psychobird]

What happened with this baby?
The are able to eat on there own, but getting a tiny upset cotton ball on two toothpick legs to actually eat is a another story.