Advice for poorly(ish) sparrow please!!

disco · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 08:03 PM

Hi,just joined so that I might get some advice from any experts out there!!
On Monday I found a fully grown sparrow in the road which I believe had flown into a large window of nearby house (found a few others over the years in the same place which have either had broken necks or recovered quickly).She (for it is a female spadge!!) was a bit lop sided & very stunned.I have kept her quiet,watered & fed & she has gained alot of strength but seems to only sit back on her "elbows" rather than standing upright on her feet,although she does hop around when we do our daily exercise! Her legs are not broken & she can grip my fingers with her toes so I don't think there is too much wrong there either.I am desperately hoping that she is just a bit exhausted & this will sort itself out given a bit of time but does anyone have any advice? I've looked after very tired racing pigeons before now which take about a week to fully recover & I'm wondering if this might be similar? Any help or advice gratefully received,thanks.

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 08:05 PM

Can it fly?

disco · #3 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 08:08 PM

She can flutter around but nothing major.
I've checked her wings too & they seem fine,no obvious breaks etc

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 08:15 PM

If it carnt fly then its a problem. If its feeding and drinking thats a good sign. There are a few wildlife rehabilitators on this site hopefully they will be along soon.

disco · #5 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 08:29 PM

She's definitely eating & drinking OK & it's all coming out OK the other end too!! Can i just ask what the WAB part is for your entomologist society? All sounds interesting.

disco · #6 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 08:56 PM

OK,so i'm new around here - i get it now,WAB is Wild About Britain of course!! What a numpty!!

disco · #7 (**permalink**) 09-09-2010, 09:09 PM

I haven't exactly been inundated with replies but I was hoping someone might just read this & offer advice still. Sparrow has continued to gain strength,eating well & interested in what is going on around her but reluctant to fly it seems.

Picidae · #8 (**permalink**) 09-09-2010, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disco

does anyone have any advice?

The bird isn't 'tired' it's obviously injured. The balance/lopsidedness sounds like a head injury and it could have been hit by a car if it was in the road. If it were concussion, it should have recovered by now. I'd take it to your nearest wildlife rescue centre - or at least get on the phone to them for some professional advice.

disco · #9 (**permalink**) 09-09-2010, 09:33 PM

Thanks picidae. The lop-sidedness had corrected itself by the following day. Have been in touch with local wildlife centre today & paying a visit tomorrow, Fingers crossed she will continue to improve.

Picidae · #10 (**permalink**) 09-09-2010, 09:55 PM

Well done disco. Let us know what they say/do. Glad to hear the balance is back anyway which means hopefully there's no permanent damage to the internal ear. Try not to handle her or it will be difficult to rehabilitate her back into the wild. She should be kept in a large cage if possible with partial cover and in a quiet moderate temperature room.