Injured bird

Any vets amoung us

[mack]

A wild sparrow has flown into a window on my landing. I got it, in an old towel and placed in in a cardboard box. Seamed really stunned. For a while it looked to be getting better then got quickly worse. At first it was able to stand (slightly) but now it is slumped over in it's side. It is still alive because I can see it breathing. I am trying to leave it alone as much as possible so I only have a quick look every 10 mins or so. Trying to keep it as calm as possible...

Any ideas :)

Mack.

[Macguru]

Hi Mack,

I am no vet but my father breeded canaries (still does), when I was younger, all injured birds where brought home for my father to 'fix' them.

If you can't see any external injuries, I am afraid there is not much to do for the bird. It can be anything from brain concussion to internal bleeding.

Try to feed him this way. Take a coffee stirrer (popsicle stick) or anything similar, and carve it so it's profile ressembles a bird bill. Dip it in water and gently tap the sides of his beack with it, trying to get a drop of water inside. If the bird does not try to drink the water, it's serious. If he does, there is still hope. You could feed him with damp bread and water this way untill he gets better.

If you see some blood in his droppings or mucus around his eyes, there is nothing to do.

I hope it will feel better soon so you can release it outside soon. It's a great feeling to set an injured bird free again.

[hannamyluv]

Your best option is most likly to put the bird out of its pain. I know of a painless (bloodless) way to do this if you need to know. Sticky me and I will explain it.

My MIL is a vet assistant and she reccomended that when something similar happened to me. Most small wild birds like that do not respond well to human treatment and the window accident most likely did serious internal damage.

Other than that, I would try calling you local animal control. They may be able to help you but will probably give the same advice I just did.

[mack]

Thanks for the replies, I left it well alone with some food and a little water, I checked in a little while ago but nature had run it's course.

Thanks for the help.

Mack.

[limbo]

Sadly it is not a rare occurance: [news.bbc.co.uk...]

[wonderboy]

Not too long ago I had 8 birds in my lounge (yes, the feathered kind), they got in through the chimney!?
I got home and opened the window immediately, but the poor things insisted on flying full throttle into the double glazing, despite the windows being open.

In the end I had to get a broom and carefully direct stand and swing in the opposite direction I wanted them to go, as they seemed to be messing themselves up.
Eventually one got out and seemed pretty dazed that it hadn't smacked it's head for the umpteenth time.
At least now I know where the expression 'bird brain' comes from. They tried every 10 seconds for about 5 minutes to get out of the same panel.

Shame they were not given a longer memory or maybe its a shame we have built such contraptions on their land.

W.

[John_Caius]

Your best bet if the bird is still alive is probably to phone the nearest wildlife hospital for some telephone advice. Don't know whether any of these [google.com] are nearby?