Sparrow Sadness :(

[Rashmika]

Meh.

I was doing the washing up today when I saw a pigeon fly past the window followed by a sparrow; I suspect a cat had disturbed them. There was a thunk and sadly I was greeted with the sight of a Sparrow lying on its side, panting very hard with one wing spread out.

I watched her for five minutes and she seemed to perk up; she folded her wings so I hoped they weren’t broken. She did seem a bit dazed, and I put this down to a concussion. I wasn’t sure what to do but I decided it would be better to pop her in a shoe box so the local cats etc. would not get her.

However as I moved in, she made a beeline directly away from me. This gave me some hope there were no permanent injuries as she was still capable of moving in a straight line away from perceived danger.

I scooped her up into a shoebox, and hoped some peace and quiet would help get over the impact.

After a couple of hours, I checked on her and she hadn’t moved. I noticed that she wasn’t using her legs at all, rather just lying on her belly which struck me as being a bad sign.

I popped out in the back garden with some seed in the hope this might perk her up. Indeed she tried to move straight for the seed, but ended up rolling onto her back. She seemed stuck there, unable to move and panting very hard. I righted her, and moved her next to the seed and she had a good nibble.

I tried to give her some water which was also taken but then, well, she just gave up. I guess she had her last meal. She just flopped onto her back and started panting hard again. Then she arched her head at a very odd angle, and I swear I saw her eyes roll upwards as she died. So strange as seconds earlier she had looked to be quite perky, interested in food… trying to flap her wings (although even with the lid off she was unable to get out of the shoebox without ending up stuck on her back, so meh :sadface: ). In a matter of seconds, she just passed away. Nature is funny like that. I just wish there was something I could’ve done.

I have to admit I had tears rolling down my cheeks as I bore witness to that, but then I am a sentimental ****.

Any ideas as to what was wrong? I am guessing the impact caused internal damage and possibly damaged her legs. Although I don’t understand why she couldn’t fly as she was able to fold up both her wings.

[RKB]

They can do odd things as they die. I've seen birds vibrate wildly, go into contortions etc. The stress of you being near, and the adrenaline of wanting to get away, is probably why it died while you were there, but it sounds like it was inevitable anyway so I wouldn't worry about it.

It might have fractured the spine, or had severe concussion/brain injury. In order to fly a bird has to be able to jump, so legs are vital for flight.

As a rule of thumb, if a bird is stunned after flying into a window, leave it in a warm dark box for several hours. Preferably overnight, if you provide food and water. They mostly tend to either recover fully or die.

[Doggle Avaddit]

Originally Posted by RKB

They can do odd things as they die. I've seen birds vibrate wildly, go into contortions etc. The stress of you being near, and the adrenaline of wanting to get away, is probably why it died while you were there, but it sounds like it was inevitable anyway so I wouldn't worry about it.

It might have fractured the spine, or had severe concussion/brain injury. In order to fly a bird has to be able to jump, so legs are vital for flight.

As a rule of thumb, if a bird is stunned after flying into a window, leave it in a warm dark box for several hours. Preferably overnight, if you provide food and water. They mostly tend to either recover fully or die.

I would like to add that the last thing an injured bird probably needs is the additional stress of being handled by a Big Moon Faced Human that it no doubt considers a predator. It has no concept or you trying to help it, it probably thinks you are going to eat it.


If people are going to intervene, they might consider it best to limit their contact to no contact at all and just put it in a safe place, where it can escape if or when it recovers.

Few wild birds really appreciate the close proximity of a Human being - it is not helping, IMHO, by forcing oneself upon them whilst they are in such a precarious state.

[werdnal]

Originally Posted by Doggle Avaddit

I would like to add that the last thing an injured bird probably needs is the additional stress of being handled by a Big Moon Faced Human that it no doubt considers a predator. It has no concept or you trying to help it, it probably thinks you are going to eat it.

Whilst a agree with what you are trying to say, putting it in a slightly nicer way wouldn't have hurt would it? OP is already upset at witnessing the death of this bird. There was no need to be quite so harsh!

[Rashmika]

Originally Posted by Doggle Avaddit

I would like to add that the last thing an injured bird probably needs is the additional stress of being handled by a Big Moon Faced Human that it no doubt considers a predator. It has no concept or you trying to help it, it probably thinks you are going to eat it.


If people are going to intervene, they might consider it best to limit their contact to no contact at all and just put it in a safe place, where it can escape if or when it recovers.

Few wild birds really appreciate the close proximity of a Human being - it is not helping, IMHO, by forcing oneself upon them whilst they are in such a precarious state.

Okay the facts for you. I popped it in a shoebox to calm it and keep it safe from cats, in the hope it would recover. After a couple of hours, I checked and there was no improvement. I popped some food and drink in there and was going to take her to a wildlife vet but she died.

IMHO, leaving it alone to be toyed with by a cat is a worst fate. At least it had the chance of recovery, which with hindsight, was never going to happen.

Thanks for your input though, however it would have been nicer without the condescending approach you used. I know a wild animal will most likely view me a predator and that is why contact was at a minimum.

[Farplace]

Im sorry for your loss. You did the right thing in trying to help it.

[nightshade]

I find that just putting a ventilated box over the bird to avoid a visit from any cats helped, along with a shallow dish of water. They can then recover in their own time in peace and quiet.
You did well to try, Sparrows are one of my favourites.

[KentYeti]

Originally Posted by werdnal

Whilst a agree with what you are trying to say, putting it in a slightly nicer way wouldn't have hurt would it? OP is already upset at witnessing the death of this bird. There was no need to be quite so harsh!

Well said Werndal. I totally agree with you.

But we are on public forum and have to accept that people with all sorts of communication skills and attitudes towards others have the pefect right to come here and post as they feel fit. Sometimes demonstrating attributes that fall outside of what myself, and perhaps just a few others, consider the bounds of common decency towards others. Especially at times of stress.

That doesn't mean I'm perfect, or post in a mannner that all here are happy with. I know I'm far from perfect and I know my humour does sometimes cause upset: so I try and curb it when I can.

I'm with you Rashmika. I nearly cried when I went to Oare Marshes recently to see the four Avocet Juveniles I had watched right from when their parents were nest building on 22d April. And all those birds had done was to fledge and join the main flock of adults: last estimated at 144 in size!

But if one had got into trouble with a predator during the many days I watched them grow up, I have to say I just do not know what I would have done. Probably have tried to help, but been pulled back gently by others there watching. Especially those connected with the Reserve.

Bryan Benn,

(Sometimes I think showing full names and not avatars helps on forums).

[Doggle Avaddit]

Originally Posted by Rashmika

Okay the facts for you. I popped it in a shoebox to calm it and keep it safe from cats, in the hope it would recover. After a couple of hours, I checked and there was no improvement. I popped some food and drink in there and was going to take her to a wildlife vet but she died.

IMHO, leaving it alone to be toyed with by a cat is a worst fate. At least it had the chance of recovery, which with hindsight, was never going to happen.

Thanks for your input though, however it would have been nicer without the condescending approach you used. I know a wild animal will most likely view me a predator and that is why contact was at a minimum.

But my whole point is that contact was NOT kept to a minimum, and seldom is when Humans find injured animals. Why is that?

The minimum in these situations being to pop it in a box, and then LEAVE IT ALONE. It will either recover and fly off, or it will die or require professional treatment - peeking or checking it is not going to alter that, and will only cause the bird more unnecessary stress.

[Deb London]

What is it, pick on people day? Someone should have told me.