Hi
A young blackbird had stunned itself flying into my window. I kept my eye on it for a long time, it was managing to stand up but wasn't even trying to fly.
I went to get my tea, and by the time I got back, next door's cat had had a go at it, of course :-(
It's been punctured in the neck and is still unable to fly.
I've put it out of harms way in shredded paper in a cardboard box, but now what do i do? It's still alive so I'm hoping it will just fall asleep tonight and perhaps nature will take its' course - but if it's still alive in the morning, what do i do?
Thank you
Joanna
Hi and welcome to the fourms.
This is all to common at this time of year a lot of young fall prey to cats dogs cars and raptors.
The thing with cats is they have real bad bactriea in on there teeth so any wound will start to get infected .
If you have a PDSA or a Wildlife center close by take the wee fella there and maybe they can help it.
Hope thats a help
Cheers
AL
If its no fun Yer no doin it right!
Hi Joanna
Sorry to read about the poor Blackbird! If you go back onto the RSPB homepage,drop down the box for advice,click helping Birds,then look down to sick,Injured and baby Birds.Have a read ,I have just had a read through myself,It says If the cat got It It should go to the vet because of Septicaemia.You could also ring the RSPCA for advice.Hope this might be of some help to you.
Best of luck
Littleowl
Hi Joanna,
Welcome to the forum.
You perhaps could try and feed him somehow. I don't know what you have handy but blackbirds like soft fruit cut up in small pieces, and are especially partial to raisins and sultanas.
Good luck with him, and let us kow how you get on.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Wow - three replies so quickly, thank you so much.
I've brought him inside and put bird seed and water down in the box. Amazingly he can stand up now!
No soft fruit unfortunately Sparrow, but I'm going to see if I can locate a wildlife centre or something nearby and take him there.
Really, thank you so much for the response, i'd have had no idea about the septicaemia.
I'll let you know what happens.
Hi,
get the bird to a local RSPCA or wild bird rescue centre :) It's the birds best chance :)
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
Hello again
The good news is that, amazingly, the bird is still alive! Feeling quite perky too because when I tried to put more water down it 'flew' (sort of!) and perched on the side of the box.
The bad news is that I cant find any wildlife centres that i can take it to :-(
I've got an appointment with a vert at 1800 tonight who are saying that if it cant fly then it's kindest to put it down :-(
I'm hoping that another day's peace and quiet will give it back the strength it needs to fly...
Fingers crossed!!
Hi Joannna,
That is good news.
However, is he eating? I would suggest you have a quick dash to the shop and get him some raisins or sultanas. Faiing that, a visit to a pet shop or garden centre and get some dried mealworms. Soak these in hot water for about 10 minutes and then try him with them. If he doesn't eat he won't gather strength. Blackbirds normally only eat seed as a last resort.
Young blackbirds usually leave the nest before they can fly properly - so if it can't fly, it isn't necessarily because it's injured.
The RSPCA will come and pick it up from you if it's safely inside a box. Give them a call on 0300 1234 999
Katie
Hi Sparrow
I dont think he is eating no, I'll try the mealworms.
I've called Scottish equivalent of RSPCA and they're on their way to get him!! I cant believe that they would do that, but they were so nice on the phone and said that it was a sick animal, so of course they would collect it! Thank goodness, I'm sure the vey would have put him to sleep.
I've been in this house a year and it's the first time I've had a garden for almost 14 years - I've really enjoyed the variety of birds that i get, but who'd have thought it would be so traumatic too?! :-)
Thank you for your replies.
I'm very grateful to you for your answer. I've called the number who were extremely helpful, and the Scottish equivalent are on their way to collect him. I'm bowled over by how important people think this is, and how many people have replied to me.
Many thanks Katie