I don't know there is anything wrong with it but it does look quite young and maybe fallen out of a nest?
I would be keeping an eye on it.Someone should be along soon who may be able to give more advice.
It's not always easy to hug a hedgehog.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't.
It looks like a fledgling that has fledged a bit too early. The tail feathers will grow. I assume you have more Sparrows in the garden each day? If that is the case, it managed to get to your garden, so it should be able to go with its siblings and the adults when they move. Give it access to water and seed and keep an eye on it. If it's still left alone come dusk and the other Sparrows have gone, I would put it in a small box with something like a small towel or maybe cotton wool to keep it warm (and some seed and water) and then let it back into the garden in the morning when the Sparrows return. It needs to be kept warm. Aiki might have additional advice.
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)
I don't think it's newly fledged. It looks like it's had a narrow escape from a predator, it's lost all but one of its tail feathers. I would agree with keeping it safe overnight if it seems poorly or unable to fly properly, and see how it is in the morning.
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Aiki has a point there. On closer inspection there seems to be one tail feather on the left and no sign of yellow flanges around the beak, although it is slightly obscured. Please keep us updated. I assume the wings are both functional?
Thank you, we have tried to catch it tonight (I forgot to say its been here for about 3 days) but it has hidden itself away under some of our bushes for the night. He does fly but not well and its not a fledgling there are definitely no yellow flanges. Will keep this post upto date on how the little fellah does.
I guess the lack of tail is hampering her attempts at flight! If you can't just pick her up then leave her alone, the stress won't do her any good and will only use up important energy. As long as she can feed herself and has somewhere safe to hide, hopefully things will be ok. Do you have regular visits by other Sparrows?
we have a garden full of sparrows and others and its brilliant i actually worry if they disappear at anytime but they always come back their too well fed to go anywhere else!!
That's good, Sparrows are gregarious, so it's good to know that there is regular company.