Broken bill

[Dogghound]

I caught this knot the other night, and thought it was worth posting on here as it appears to have at some point in its short life (only a 1st winter bird) snapped its bill in half/or severely snapped it. There was an evident fracture to the bill which had healed over. Quite hard to imagine feeding like this then gaining the weight to migrate from Canada/Greenland, but shows how robust they are and how it has recovered. This bird was perfectly healthy (it is just blinking with the flash) and was a good weight.



Might need to zoom as I dont think ive cropped it enough.

[faz]

We as humans think that a bird /mammal etc with a broken leg/ beak as in your picture Dan are in a lot of pain. Most wild creatures have a higher tolerance to pain not like us humans. How many times have you seen birds with a gammy leg but still feeds and gets on with life? Broken wings can be different if it sets wrong as they won’t be able to fly find food etc.

[htcdude]

Good on the bird for making it through Some animals are just amazing what they endure in their life, like you say this little fella also had to build up it's weight and migrate, couldn't have been easy with half a bill!

Nige

[Farplace]

Looks like it's had quite a significant injury. However, from your photo, the bird looks to be a good weight and healthy. Thanks for posting!
jan

[The Woodman]

From what I can see, it's the upper mandible with the former injury. Perhaps gravity assisted the mend with natural pressure keeping the fracture together enabling the "knit".

I caught up with a weak Curlew last winter out on the sands with a broken lower mandible which would never had mended.

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Perhaps gravity assisted the mend with natural pressure keeping the fracture together enabling the "knit".

So it's a Knit Knot?

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

From what I can see, it's the upper mandible with the former injury. Perhaps gravity assisted the mend with natural pressure keeping the fracture together enabling the "knit".

Yes it seems to be that way, as you say the lower mandible will have supported the top one during healing. These birds are incredibily quick to heal.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by htcdude

So it's a Knit Knot?

It looks like its had quite a Ruff time considering its a Knot.


.....I'll get my coat.

[Shrike]

Originally Posted by htcdude

So it's a Knit Knot?

Another classic one liner brought to you by the Dude lol keep them coming.

[actionfinch]

Me and nige spotted a pheasant with a bad leg the other week, but was getting around just fine.
Like Faz said, they seem to cope better than we do at times..