Please help with a damaged sparrow

[Lemars]

I have a male sparrow I found outside the conservatory this morning. It was clearly hurt - as they are sometimes, when they hit the glass.
It was flapping, but couldn't fly.

Often, after a bit of hand-heat and quiet-time, they'll fly off. I don't think this one will.
In fact, although he's bright-eyed and appears fine, I think he's broken both his legs. He's just lying there - on the `nest' I've made for him, away from danger - with both legs sticking out behind him. He seems unable to move them.

I've tried to encourage him to drink and have put food nearby, but he's simply not moving.
Am I prolonging an agony for him ? I certainly couldn't kill him, but I can't bear to think that he may be suffering.

Is there any chance those legs will return - or is he more likely to die slowly, of thirst, hunger or pain (although he's not showing any discomfort).

Please, if anyone can suggest anything, I'd be most grateful - where I live, there's nowhere I could take him.
LN

[RKB]

It sounds very bad, as you suspect. I'd give it a couple of hours in a dark, warm box, and then see if it has recovered. If not, as I expect, then you'll have to end its suffering. The easiest way to do this (for it and you) is to put it in a dark bag or wrap it in a cloth, and then whack the bag/cloth with something heavy (stick, pipe, brick), several times in very quick succession with a lot of force. The aim is to make sure it's very dead, but with neither it nor you knowing much about it. You then put the bundle in the dustbin, without looking. If you can't do it, ask a neighbour or relative. But don't do it by halves - bang bang bang bang is what's needed to do the job. It will be dead after the first blow - the rest are to make sure.

[Lemars]

Dear RKB

Thank you for replying - I was beginning to think no-one would say anything in time.

The poor little thing is responding to me a little and has actually swallowed a few drops of water placed on its beak.

Other than that - nothing. Oddly, I now know he can move his legs, but he doesn't have full control over them, as though the muscles are going into spasm and stretching them out. Then they stay there.

He's tucked his head under the towel in his `nest' and gone to sleep now. I'll see how he is in the morning. I think I knew what would have to be done - maybe I just didn't want to pass sentence alone.

Thank you for your reply - and, if he's no different tomorrow - I'll pass that task to my husband. I don't want to, though...........
LM

[Cowgirl]

Hi Lemars,

Poor thing, it doesn't sound right does it. I would have to agree with RKB, if no improvement, not a nice task, but necessary. How is he today?

[Lemars]

Hi Cowgirl

He is no more. Much as I hated to make that decision, he was no better this morning and I thought his eyes were just a tiny bit less bright.
I'm sure he wouldn't have survived for long. How on earth do you tell if a bird is in pain ?

He kept trying to stretch out his legs and they were just stuck backwards. I wondered if his hips were dislocated or something - though any movement must have hurt SO much, if that were the case.

I couldn't stand it any more. He took a few sips of water this morning and then I asked my husband to do as was suggested. I really don't know what I would have done, had he not been here.

End of that story - and not a happy ending.
Thank you for taking an interest - I hope I never find another one like that.
LM

[rossy]

sorry to hear , but the little fellas at peace, possible that it had a back problem, but we will never know, and you gave it a chance , rossy.