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The Garden Party

Bird with a broken wing

rob333 (zone 7b)

15 years ago

Turning into the drive last night, Ed commented to a bird in the street, "Get out of the street! You're going to get hit!" I jumped out and went over to him. He was very much alive, but had a broken wing. I hearded him out of the street, but I soon realized, getting eaten right in front of my house didn't appeal to me any more than I could stomach him getting plowed by a car; only a few feet more would put him in the shady backyard, behind the gate. He actually followed me into my drive! I had to sort of get him to quit following me and let me lead him, but he was soon in and picked Ed's truck to lie under. LF went and got him bread. I went in and got him a shallow plate to stand and drink water. He drank and drank. He looked totally exhausted and soon tucked his head for the night. We tiptoed out and left him. Ed and I kept telling LF not to have any notions of that bird living, that it was likely he'd be attacked, or just not survive his injury. He's very much alive this morning, and I am now struck by, we may have a pigeon in our yard for awhile. Heck, I've taken to calling him Teddy. I know I can't take him to a bird rescue, the trip would be too taxing right now. So do I just keep giving him water? What else do I do with him?

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Comments (6)

mwoods
15 years ago
Is there any kind of wild animal rescue place near you? They will either fix it or put him down in a kind way. If you want to feed him what he likes..run out to a place that sells bird food and get a small bag of the "wild" bird food. Pigeons love that..especially the cracked corn that's in there.
sheila
15 years ago
Is he under Ed's truck in the driveway? You might want to put him somewhere that a wandering cat or predator can't come upon him. Does he still appear to have a broken wing? He sounds amazingly lively for a bird with a broken wing. Can you find or borrow a large dog crate or cat carrier? Thrift shops often have them.

I agree with Marda, look for a wild bird sanctuary.

Good for you for rescuing this guy.
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wendy_cat
15 years ago
is it a baby bird or a full grown one?
dont they eat worms and such?
boy, i dont envy you. i have never cared for a bird and wouldnt know what to do, but you could call any vet and tell them the situation and i bet they could give you some advise. or google it and see what you can find.
i found this site for you, hurriedly, but i am sure there are tons of them out there.
http://www.wildbirds.com/Default.aspx?TabId=679
g
rob333 (zone 7b)
Original Author
15 years ago
He looked lethargic last night, but that rest and water must've done him a world of good. When I went to move him from under the truck, he was wide-eyed, perky, and looked good and fat. He's full grown. A wandering cat or whatever is still likely to find him as he's only behind the fence. I haven't gone to extreme measure for him yet. I think I'll get birdseed if he's still alive and there when I get home. In the meantime, I'll make some calls.
rob333 (zone 7b)
Original Author
15 years ago
Teddy died. I figure he was too far gone to survive. Shock, very likely. He didn't get hit with a car, or taken away by a big frightening animal and died in a shady spot (under the VW bug) in his own natural place, outside. I assumed he would rather die that way than in my foriegn car as I rushed some place which might help him. Last, I assumed that it would run its course soon enough, with or without my intervention.

At least I'll be armed for the next time it happens; thanks for the answers.
wendy_cat
15 years ago
aw, i'm sorry . you did a lot tho, just getting him into a place he felt safe enough to die in.
(((rob)))
g

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