Robin in fight

[jetgirl]

I noticed my favourite robin has injured his leg today, so much that he cannot stand on it and is keeping it retracted from sight. I suspect he was caught in a fight chasing off another robin.

Will he survive? He's been singing allday, managed to eat his favourite cheese off the bird table and drinking water from the ground. Although he still looks poorly with his feathers puffed up, it made me very worried as he perched on the fences alot today for more stability i cud just imagine a sparrowhawk or something swooping down to eat him.

When a male robin dies/killed, what happens to the female robin? Does she stay in the territory, and does another male robin come and take over?

[bugly's]

One legged birds don't last long, with the competition and challenges especially in winter, but the food supply might make all the difference. Male birds are singing at the moment, it will be interesting to see how quickly one moves in as this may be a local clue to how your bird populations have managed. Have you got a robin nest box up? not only might this make the teritory more attractive but it might help your one legged friend on the cold nights. If you don't know, robins like open fronted boxes and tea pots in dense bushes. Note though if your bird disappears it may be because she has moved to another male.

[jetgirl]

Thanks bugly

I have an open-front nest box, hidden well where they hang out most of the time (since autumn) I am never sure whether they use it to sleep/roost i always imagined they flew to another garden to sleep, but that would be great if he is using it to rest. Teapots, thats a great idea!

I only saw him once today, didn't see him eat off the bird table, didn't hear him sing for territory like he usually does or chase of the intruder. The female robin has been around and defending the area but I guess you are right, she might not stick around.

I just hope he pulls through, its so sad. I put a lot of time and patience into gaining his trust and made sure he made it through the snowy weather with plenty of food and water Nature can be heartwrenching!

[jetgirl]

Just an update.

My robin is still alive, along with his partner whose fit healthy and guarding the territory. I thought he might have been getting better, hoping that his broken leg would mend, however today I was shocked to see the state of him! I am not sure whether he is wet from a bath or blood, but his poor leg seems to be hanging on by a strand and he keeps pecking at it trying to remove it. I couldn't imagine what kind of pain he is going through, to have to peck his own leg off. I just hope that he'll survive it and live as a one-legged robin...

He is still managing to eat the cheese I left for him so hes still got an apetite.