Legless Blue Tit

shenk1 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 07:55 PM

No it (nor me) hasn't been drinking but it has been visiting the garden for a few weeks now.

As you can see it really is down to just one leg but you have to admire its pluck and toughness when it chases other tits away and it manages to feed even in the awful conditions we've had recently.

shenk1

faz · #2 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 07:57 PM

fair play to him dont suppose you know how the leg was lost

shenk1 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 08:00 PM

No idea Faz but it looks like its the whole leg - can't see a stump.

We never use net bags as I know they are are big culprit of damaged legs and trapped birds

shenk1

RoyW · #4 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faz

fair play to him dont suppose you know how the leg was lost

Could be all sorts of reasons, but it seems like a very good opportunity to point out to people that fat balls and nuts should not be put out in the plastic mesh bags they often come in from supermarkets etc.
The net can get tangled around birds legs and feet - if they are lucky they survive minus part of the leg/foot, if they are unlucky they end up dead and dangling from the feeder.

(apologies if this isn't painting a nice picture).

No idea if this has happened - and I'm certainly not suggesting that shrenk1 is in any way to blame if it has (birds move around), but it may help a few birds if the message does get around (birds have enough hazards in their lives already without well meaning people adding another).

Kayleigh · #5 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 08:29 PM

Well it is nearly Christmas..

Joking apart it is very lucky to have survived like this it could have been born like it..I suppose..
We had a stumpy sparrow once it lasted a few weeks but you could see it was in pain and could not put the leg down or when it did it hurt..
I think it had an infection too as the end of the stump was swollen and red I couldn't catch it..
I use feeders for the fat and buts never use netting but its gardeners who use netting too not just bird lovers/feeders.

Stephen Raff · #6 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 08:56 PM

Sorry for the slight OT but as I'm just starting out in the world of bird feeders etc could someone confirm that the cage feeders for peanuts are safe for the birds, they seem fairly alike to the plastic netting apart from being rigid of course?

Thanks
Stephen

RoyW · #7 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Raff

Sorry for the slight OT but as I'm just starting out in the world of bird feeders etc could someone confirm that the cage feeders for peanuts are safe for the birds, they seem fairly alike to the plastic netting apart from being rigid of course?

Thanks
Stephen

The problem with netting is that it can get twisted around birds feet and toes and cuts into them (you see similar injuries on Turnstones that get discarding fishing line caught around them on the tide line), and gulls that have been scavenging on refuse tips. This either cuts through the legs/toes or cuts off circulation.
Rigid feeders aren't a problem because they can't get tangled around the feet.

SheffieldLass · #8 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 09:52 PM

But those wooden ground feeders with fine wire meshed base are harmful to blackbirds. If you get some snow on it the blackbirds are will do their typical scratching with their legs to search for the food. They readily catch their claws in them and injure their legs. I've seen it happen on mine. So whilst I think they are ok in normal weather, I do not use them if there is snow.

As for the blue tit, he looks in good condition, so seems to be coping. But as tits tend to hold much of their food between their feet to peck, I wonder how this blue tit manages to wedge his food. And he can't scratch his head ...