Injured bird!!!!

[poppett]

hi guys. we found a little female black bird earlier this evening - but thought she was dead when i went to move her. turned out she wasnt!!. she was very limp not moving etc so i put her in a box in a darkened room keeping her warm with some straw etc.. ! theres no broken skin or bones that i can see of, missing a wing feather.. im hoping and thinking she was just in bad shock and will recover
we've had her about 3 hours now and she's been sitting up and looking about but now sleeping - just wondered if anyone could advise what to do as there Ain't any vets around here that i know of that take in small wild animals.
can anyone help please?

[paulinemiller10]

Hi Poppett
If your cat brought the bird in around 7pm, he would have been fed by his parents who would feed him live food, worms and grubs.

Your cat might have put his teeth in the bird, the holes would be tiny and very hard to see, it may cause an infection and your bird would need antibiotics.

Baby blackbirds often leave the nest unable to fly, I have found them in my garden, and I know they will not last the night with the cats around here, so I put the bird in a box with just enough room for his head to come through, a platform for parents to feed him, put him up high in a safe place, and the parents will feed him, and when he is able to fly, I let him out. Pauline

[poppett]

ok.. have now figured that in the dark of the evening the bird is infact not a blackbird but a young thrush. external examination shows nothing - obviously internal injuries i dont know about - no cuts etc. baby bird is eating and pooing and hopping about tweeting and survived the night so feeling somewhat relieved - although i know its still not good odds of survival. have phoned three vets who are basically not interested and mother in law being a veterinary nurse has advised that not many vets will be and as i dont know where it was found unless i find a willing professional bird nurse im in for a lot of long evenings.. although im a big softie when it comes to rescuing and releasing injured animals ( have fixed up mice, a stoat and numerous birds before) ive never actually had to deal with a baby one before....
bird seems very happy on mushed apple raisins and mealworms - but does anyone have any more advice????

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by poppett

hi guys. we found a little female black bird earlier this evening - but thought she was dead when i went to move her. turned out she wasnt!!. she was very limp not moving etc so i put her in a box in a darkened room keeping her warm with some straw etc.. ! theres no broken skin or bones that i can see of, missing a wing feather.. im hoping and thinking she was just in bad shock and will recover

Can you say more about how and where you found it. Fledgling birds will often play possum to confuse predators (that could include you!). If you did not witness any cat attacks or can see any injuries, it simply could have been in shock at sensing your presence. They will do this instinctively.

The fact that it is chirping, tweeting, it's obviously hungry and could be calling for it's mum. I would suggest you place it back where you found it, making sure there are no cats watching you! and keep a very safe distance to see if parent comes to feed it. That could take a few hours.

You should not be thinking of 'rescuing' and 'releasing' birds, especially if you are not sure of the species and had no experience, and especially if they appear to be healthy!

If you witnessed a cat mawling/biting it then take it to the nearest vets for an antibiotic shot ASAP, then release as above - if you can do this quickly, the parent will still find it today.

[poppett]

Originally Posted by Picidae

Can you say more about how and where you found it. Fledgling birds will often play possum to confuse predators (that could include you!). If you did not witness any cat attacks or can see any injuries, it simply could have been in shock at sensing your presence. They will do this instinctively.

The fact that it is chirping, tweeting, it's obviously hungry and could be calling for it's mum. I would suggest you place it back where you found it, making sure there are no cats watching you! and keep a very safe distance to see if parent comes to feed it. That could take a few hours.

You should not be thinking of 'rescuing' and 'releasing' birds, especially if you are not sure of the species and had no experience, and especially if they appear to be healthy!

If you witnessed a cat mawling/biting it then take it to the nearest vets for an antibiotic shot ASAP, then release as above - if you can do this quickly, the parent will still find it today.

hi piciade -yes i got the bird off a cat thinking it was dead - but it turned out to be breathing...i very nearly thought to put the poor thing out of its missery seeing the state of it - but when i opened the box and saw him sitting up i was extatic... i havent got a clue where the cat got it from being the main issue... i have rang round vets this morning to no avail and none of them seem interested in the slightest and awaiting call back from 2 animal rehabilitation centres with regards to vaccinations/care etc... my intention this evening is to take the box outside and see if any birds hear him/her calling- (im at work at present- but keeping a close eye on bird) - if so then i know i can leave it in a nearby shrub. problem is that there are alot of cats in the area

The bird is most definatly a fledgeling thrush... it was dark last night and i couldnt see the colours without her sitting up and i didnt want to touch her more than i needed.
i have checked the bird and she seems to be in physically good condition.. no broken bones or cuts which im amazed at considering the state it was in

[RKB]

If you think you know where it came from, e.g. the garden or hedgerow (even within 50 yards), then take it back there immediately, put it in thick cover off the ground, and leave it alone. Its parents will locate it by call, and they will continue to feed it. Time is off the essence here - it needs to get back asap. If it's not injured then it needs to get back where it belongs.

I would back off completely, as Thrushes can be quite wary so you may still keep them away. Just leave them to it.

[poppett]

Originally Posted by RKB

If you think you know where it came from, e.g. the garden or hedgerow (even within 50 yards), then take it back there immediately, put it in thick cover off the ground, and leave it alone. Its parents will locate it by call, and they will continue to feed it. Time is off the essence here - it needs to get back asap. If it's not injured then it needs to get back where it belongs.

I would back off completely, as Thrushes can be quite wary so you may still keep them away. Just leave them to it.

Hi RKB -- i have previously said i have no idea where the cat got the bird which is the issue. im going to try putting him in the garden and keep an eye from the conservatory to make sure no other cats get him etc.

[ElwoodsGirl]

I doubt the mother would come back now as it was yesterday .... If you have the time I would try and raise it (we have done this sucessfully with 2 birds) although be warned, once they are to tame you will not be able to release her / him

[poppett]

Originally Posted by ElwoodsGirl

I doubt the mother would come back now as it was yesterday .... If you have the time I would try and raise it (we have done this sucessfully with 2 birds) although be warned, once they are to tame you will not be able to release her / him

Hi Elswood - thanks for your comment. im going to try the garden technique tonight and will report how i get on.. but not knowing where the cat got him/her and the fact that there are cats galore where i live its going to be a risky game... im trying to get him to fly around the house to at least feel he can fly into a tree but even that aint going well at the moment.
could you offer any advice on rearing them?

[ElwoodsGirl]

Originally Posted by poppett

Hi Elswood - thanks for your comment. im going to try the garden technique tonight and will report how i get on.. but not knowing where the cat got him/her and the fact that there are cats galore where i live its going to be a risky game... im trying to get him to fly around the house to at least feel he can fly into a tree but even that aint going well at the moment.
could you offer any advice on rearing them?

We got our information from websites mostly and the ones we raised were a Dove and a Pigeon so they would be different.... We to found that vets etc were not overly interested, I would get researching ... He / She probably wont be interested in flying to much but once you know what she / he eats and feed her some (you may have to use a little force, persuasion) she will eventually come to know when she see's you there will be food .......I hope it all works out well but remember baby birds are very frail so you can only do your best x