Hello - I came out the garden about three hours ago to find what my Dad tells me is a young starling just standing on the stones, looking like it was having a rest. Unusually, it had made no effort to fly away when I opened the door. It hasn't made any calls since, made one aborted attempt to fly, before finding the tiniest space between a plant tub and the fence to sit.
Starlings have set up home in our the eaves of our roof as normal this year, I'm wondering if this juvenile has fallen, is too young to know what to do? Is three/four hours too long for it to be not injured and without food?
Reading a little seems to suggest that leaving it alone and checking frequently is the best course, is this right?
Thanks for any advice!
I've just caught a cat having a go at it, and the poor little thing is now out from its hiding place - is there anything I can do do protect it?
Latest instalment: Dad went to pour a little water next to it and it flew onto a branch at the end of the garden! How that was more life-threatening than a cat attack, I don't know...
It can obviously "scream" when necessary but it just seems to sit in silence the rest of the time: