Magpie Fledgling found - Advice please??

natasha38 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 05:23 AM

I've just found a magpie fledgling by the side of the road whilst walking my dog this morning. He didn't appear to be injured so I tried putting him back in a nearby tree as I know they are supposed to be left where found. On our return walk I found him again on the floor & this time being stalked by 2 cats so I picked him up & bought him home.
Am just wondering if it might be that he is very wet so can't use his wings very well at the moment. Shall I wait for him to dry out here then return him to the same spot if the cats have no gone? or should I contact a rescue centre? if so can anyone reccommend anything nearvy to Letchworth, Herts - thanks
(He is a good size, almost fully feathered with the distintive markings so not a very young bird)

natasha38 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 05:43 AM

As he has dried out a bit I can see that his right wing is hanging down a bit when he hops along. He apears alert but I'm worried that I can't put him back where I found him now if his wing is damaged.
Do i take him to a vet or does anyone know of a rescue centre.
I read the sticky regarding 'abandoned' birds & realise that not all birds will make it but I couldn't just leave him there for 2 cats to play with.

valleyforge · #3 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 09:01 AM

Hi Natasha,

Probably best to get that wing checked out. Unless you have a sympathetic local vet, your best bet is to contact one of the wildlife rehabilitation organizations in your general area.

Here are a selection that handle birds specifically, and who might be worth contacting ... they might even know of someone a little closer to you:

Safewings, Isham, Northamptonshire - tel. 01536 726113
Bedfordshire Wildlife Rescue - tel. 07890 973050
Peterborough Wildlife Hospital, Peterborough - tel. 01733 896099
Colchester Wildlife Rescue, Colchester - tel. 01206 579207
Bird & Owl Care, Sandy - tel. 01767 261730

If you are able to travel a bit farther afield, then I can if necessary provide further contact details if you need them. Best of luck.

natasha38 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 09:10 AM

Thanks for the reply & info (will keep for any future occurences!). Luckliy my vets are brilliant & have taken him in. The receptionist rehabilitates wild birds & currently has a another young magpie.
She had a quick look at my bird & thinks that he will be fine; the vet will help with the damaged wing then he will be looked after until he is ready to be released.
Am so pleased, I really didn't know what to do for the best as I realise that in most cases young birds should be left but in retrospect it's turned out ok!

valleyforge · #5 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 09:15 AM

Sounds like a good result in this instance ... well done.

Picidae · #6 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 09:15 AM

That's good news Natasha that you found a friendly vet so quickly. Young fledglings can often get mild sprains in their wings from branching/taking their first flight and slight wing drooping is often symptomatic of that but they recover fairly quickly as their muscles strengthen. You were right to get it checked out just in case it was something more serious. Any apparent wing injury is always a cause for concern.

natasha38 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Picidae

That's good news Natasha that you found a friendly vet so quickly. Young fledglings can often get mild sprains in their wings from branching/taking their first flight and slight wing drooping is often symptomatic of that but they recover fairly quickly as their muscles strengthen. You were right to get it checked out just in case it was something more serious. Any apparent wing injury is always a cause for concern.

I will bear that in mind in case I see any other young birds who look as if they have a damaged wing, I wouldn't want to interfere if not necessary. The problem was this poor bird was near a busy main road which was bad enough but then with 2 cats appearing looking very interested he didn't really stand a chance.

Picidae · #8 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natasha38

I will bear that in mind in case I see any other young birds who look as if they have a damaged wing, I wouldn't want to interfere if not necessary. The problem was this poor bird was near a busy main road which was bad enough but then with 2 cats appearing looking very interested he didn't really stand a chance.

I wasn't disagreeing with your actions Nat, on the contrary! I was simply reassuring you that the bird should make a full recovery, if indeed that was the cause of the wing droop, and be rehabilitated successfully! To be clear, any apparent wing injury is potentially very serious and should be checked out by a vet.

natasha38 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Picidae

I wasn't disagreeing with your actions Nat, on the contrary! I was simply reassuring you that the bird should make a full recovery, if indeed that was the cause of the wing droop, and be rehabilitated successfully! To be clear, any apparent wing injury is potentially very serious and should be checked out by a vet.

LOL, I did realise that ... I was just saying that I will bear in mind what you had said in case of other instances where I see this