Q&A for How to Have Wild Birds Eat Out of Your Hand

It may tickle a bit or feel like a small scratch when they move around your fingers.

If you do this repeatedly, yes, the bird will remember you and return to you for food.

Usually, just food will do the trick. Take a food the type of bird likes, and place it on your hand, as well as in front of you. Let it come to you, and eventually a bird will land on your hand.

Yes. Crows are very intelligent, and will interact with humans once they're comfortable with the person.

Yes, they are red-masked Conures and will come to you if you hold out your hand with parrot food.

This is common. Just be patient. Maybe try a different pose that will make you look smaller and less intimidating to the bird.

Definitely. It might take a while to earn their complete trust but blackbirds are actually very easy to tame.

If you have a tree in your garden, sit near that and wait until the bird comes over.

Get a really soft blanket and put it around it. Next, get a heat lamp and aim the light on the egg.

Seagulls aren't the nicest birds, so you could give it a try, but I wouldn't expect it to work (and personally I wouldn't recommend even trying it).

No. Hummingbirds are wild animals and should not be captured.

You shouldn't approach the nest to feed them, but you can leave food nearby for them (like underneath the tree where their nest is located). They will eat it if they're interested.

It is hard to get the same exact bird to come to you, nut if the bird feels it is safe to come near you, there is a chance that it might come to you again.

The chances are actually fairly high that a wild bird will be carrying bacteria. Once the bird has left your hand, wash your hands with soap and warm water. The bacteria won't affect you as long as you do this and avoid touching your face and too many surfaces.

If the bird is wild, then it's best to let it go when it's ready to fly away. That might be anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.

Feed it sunflower seeds and berries. You can also feed it nuts. Birds always like that kind of stuff. Don't make loud noises, and go to places where a lot of people are already.

You can, but it might be more difficult than taming another type of bird.

Magpies usually don't like to interact with humans, as they are not very used to humans.

If the birds are used to you, there's a higher chance of them eating out of your hand. Birds that are more used to humans, like city birds, may also be more likely to eat from your hand.

Yes. Crows are smart, but you'll need a lot of patience.

You could use mealworms, flaked maize, uncooked oats, fat balls, waxworms, dog food, or even breakfast cereal.

Yes. I have in the past, but it's not wise to feed them mince as it can get stuck in their beaks.

No, this is not likely to hurt the bird unless you feed it food that's unhealthy. You also have to be careful to avoid overfeeding the bird.

It would be very hard to completely befriend a magpie as a pet, but it is possible to have her recognize you. Start out with bits of meat or other treats, and spend time outside. Avoid getting too close until she becomes comfortable around you. Don't rush it. Wildlife is wild.

Of course! Just use a bird feed with seeds, nuts, berries, and/or fruit. I use a feed with sunflower seeds; they really like them.

Don't wait until it's too late. Just stand out there and wait for a bird to come.

It depends on what you feed your rabbit. If it's seeds, that should be fine. Anything else you should research before trying to feed it to a bird.

Robins are the most human-friendly birds on your list. They are easy to get close to and will eat a worm out of your hand.

You could, but your success will depend on the type of birds you have, the food you're offering, etc.

Bald eagles are predators and scavengers. They aren't going to come to you unless they think you're dead.