Fledgling blackbird appears unable to fly

[Insomniak]

I found a little blackbird in the garden day before yesterday, apparently without it's tail feathers. It hopped around a bit, eventually ending up at the side of a tree trunk. It hopped up to a safer place, partly hidden by the fence at the back of the tree and protected by a bit of wood leaning up against the fence.
Mother is paying attention, feeding it regularly and it seems pretty healthy apart from the lack of tail feathers.
Today it "flew" to the ground, awkwardly, when I wasn't watching, but my husband saw this happen. He lost sight of it in the bushes.
It was missing for an hour or more then I found it IN the greenhouse.
Mother bird was everywhere looking for it with food in her beak, but it has never answered her calls.
After another hour I replaced it in the tree trunk and she came to feed it literally 5 mins later.

So... any idea how long before the tail feathers regrow and it can safely fly?

[Jenny W]

The tail feathers generally are not too far out of pin when they leave the nest. It will only be a matter of days before the youngster starts to show obvious tail feathers and before it's flying more strongly.

[Insomniak]

Thanks, Jenny. I worried that the tail feathers had been *removed* by a cat, tbh.
I'll keep an eye over the next day or so and hope for the best.
At the moment I can't see it anywhere in the garden but I'll check again in the morning.

[Insomniak]

Sadly, it didn't make it.
I found it headless on the grass just now.