Need help with baby blackbird

[Siskin]

Hi there,

My sister's cat caught a baby blackbird today, thankfully it's still alive. I'm no expert, but it doesn't look old enough to have left the nest yet, so I am against leaving it in the hedge for it's mother to find, esp. if someone lets the cat out again. It's in a box in my room at the moment, seems quite frisky and has eaten a bit of food. What do you think I should do? I've looked on the internet and can't find many wildlife sanctuaries/hospitals in my area, plus I don't have a car. Would leaving it in the hedge be the best bet? Or should I try to find somewhere that will take it in.

Thanks

[RKB]

You need to get it back out there as soon as possible. Take it to the nearest thicket to where it was caught, within 30 yards (50 at most), put it deep in a thorny bush off the ground, and then leave it well alone.

This is its only realistic chance - its parents will still be around, and it will call to be located. Taking it into captivity is never a good idea if it can be avoided at all, as the birds' chances are small. In this case, you know where it was from, it hasn't been away long, so it still as a chance of a normal life. They leave the nest well before being able to fly.

To give it a head start, force-feed it a couple of pea-sized pieces of food if you have it available (dog or catfood, or cooked egg, poked deep down the throat), but don't waste much time on this - it's more important to get it back.

You sister should keep her cat in, as there will be more fledglings out there too.

[Siskin]

The thing is, I don't know where the bird was caught. My sister says she saw her cat bringing it from the graveyard that our garden backs onto. It's a huge graveyard with lots of trees and I don't want to risk leaving it in the wrong place. I kept it overnight and it is still alive this morning. Is it too late to put it back now, as I have said I am really unsure about leaving it in the wrong place, as the bird can barely walk. There is also the issue of the cat getting out; if I lock him away someone else is bound to let him out, as we have two children living here always wanting to play out

I don't by any means want to keep the bird, I would only end up doing it harm plus I have a full-time job so can't look after it, do you know if voluntary rescue centres tend to come and collect wildlife, if I had no transport? Thanks

[RKB]

It is not too late to put it back, if it is still alive. But it sounds like it might be dying (probably starving/dehydrating to death). To be honest, it hasn't got much chance no matter what you do. If I were you I'd put it in a thicket in the graveyard as close as you can to where you think it cam from. They can be relcoated by their parents quite a distance, so it doesn't have to be the exact spot. At least then it has a chance of a normal life, or to die naturally, rather than stringing it out in captivity.

And perhaps tell your sister to keep her cat on her own property and under control, instead of letting it roam around killing our wildlife like a mobile shotgun? It's not hard to do, we manage it with our cat.

[animartco]

Dear Siskin,
Ring the RSPCA or ANIMAL RESCUE. They will tell you where the nearest shelter is, or might even put you in touch with someone local who can take it.