Both of the robins learned to fly while under my care, but I couldn't teach them to eat on their own. They kept expecting the hand feeding and eventually both died. Raising wild birds is tough.
As for the rabbit, he/she (hermaphrodite) was injured and without fear. The mother tried to kill it. Our vet shaved the area and we cared for it until it was healed. He lived six years and just passed away a few weeks ago. What a cuddle. He wouldn't have made it through the night if I'd left him outside and he was MOST happy inside - lots of cuddles and yogurt drops, not to mention a steady supply of fresh veggies and bunny chow!
Not long ago, my wife found a nest in the front yard. Another nest had been attacked by outdoor cats so we kept an eye on this one. We checked in on it and three shot out in different directions. My wife got the one under the car parked on the street, one daughter got another heading for the car in the driveway, and another daughter got the one that ran behind the bush by the front door. THAT one screamed - and I mean SCREAMED! Out of nowhere, both parents showed up. They just watched. We returned the kits to the nest and left them alone. The mother has distinctive markings (as do the kits) and she hangs out around the house. We talk to her and she's not afraid of us. She's not real fond of the dogs, but she's not afraid of us.
I'm amazed that he was able to get the bird to that stage. The video doesn't say if it made a successful transition to the outside, but I certainly hope it did. That's all I wanted for my two robins. I failed somehow and feel bad about it. At least I tried.
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