Urgent help with my new bird!

dannahaz

Sorry to say this, but the kindest thing would be to put it out of its misery.

If it's as badly hurt as you say, it isn't going to survive (even if it survives the night, it's unlikely to survive when released).

Our cats catch things all the time. if the mouse/birs is OK then we let it go, if it's injured then my husband puts it out of its misery. It's horrible, but it's honestly much kinder than leaving the poor thing to suffer.

skintchick

alikat wrote:

This is why I don't like cats, they kill garden birds. Your bird seems to be lucky we had similar with a robin which we took to a rescue centre, but it died apparently most will die due to internal injuries caused when the cat bites through the neck. If your bird does make it, I'd phone someone like the rspca for advice rather than collection if you prefer. I'd also suggest to your friend that they get a bell for cat's neck, to give birds a slight chance in getting away.

My cat never killed them - they were always alive and flying round the house!

Bells are cruel IMO, as I'm sure it would drive anyone mad to have a tinkling following then wherever they go! It's just nature for them to catch birds, they follow instinct and that's life.

It's not cats that have decimated bird populations - it's intensive farming and loss of habitats, as well as climate change to a certain extent.

My cats (one now dead) have only killed one bird, and maybe about three mice in the eight years I've had them. So it's hardly a lot.

Anyway, how is our bird this morning, that's what I want to know.

jobbingmusician

A bit of general knowledge gained from a psychology degree (animal behaviour).

If you have to hand feed a bird, swoop in on it with the food as if you were playing 'the train goes into the tunnel' food games with a toddler - this mimics the way adult birds feed their young.

Yes, MBE, I am stalking you - I was looking to see if you'd posted a poll on STC crumble

Caffg_2

You can feed it 'sloppy' (add a bit of water to it) mashed up tinned cat food. Dip a paint brush (the kind you do water colours with not the kind you use to paint walls!) and see if the bird will take the food from the end of it. If it won't I suggest leaving some of the food in a dish in the box with the bird. As you say, very important not to keep disturbing the the bird because that will stress it out. Take it to a vet - they will have details of any local Wildlife Rescue organisations in your area - may even look after it until it can be collected by them. Don't know where you're based, but I know that in Surrey there is a Wildlife Aid Centre, in Leatherhead - I know they definitely look after injured birds because I've taken quite a few there myself. Since it's survived the night I reckon it has a decent chance of survival - but will need food - with some care and attention. There is bound to be a Wildlife centre somewhere in your area and the local vet is a good starting off point. I wouldn't be tempted to just put it back in the garden, because it won't be able to fend for itself by the sound of it. If it's possible to isolate it in a small room in your house it might be an idea to let it out of the box until tomorrow morning - if it's a small room you won't have much difficulty recapturing it. Good luck.

sophiesmum_2

Just wondering if ther was any news about the bird?

sophiesmum

mrbadexample

Well, the good news is that not only is it still alive, it had escaped from the box and was hopping (and the other thing birds do :rolleyes: ) all around my spare room.

It seems fine, but somewhat unimpressed by the fact that I had to catch it again. I'd like to have let it stay loose, but it's a bit....er....messy. I can't tell yet if it has a broken wing or not, I don't think it has - it seems to be holding them quite well.

I still can't release it though, as there's no way it can fly in the state it's in. Far too many missing feathers. Apart from that it seems quite bright and lively. Certainly gave me the run-around trying to catch it.

I think this one has a decent chance. I don't think it's seriously injured, just roughed up (a lot). To release it would be to kill it, so now I need to find an expert to look after it. I'll see if it will let me take a photo, but it probably won't and I don't want to stress it further.

hex2

skintchick wrote:

Bells are cruel IMO, as I'm sure it would drive anyone mad to have a tinkling following then wherever they go! It's just nature for them to catch birds, they follow instinct and that's life.

QUOTE]

I am with you - why sign the poor cat up for tinnitus (sp?)

cattie1

aah well done MBE I read that thread with a horrible feeling in mytummy! but due to your care and attention it HAS survived:j
good luck and I think the rspca are the 1st port of call (they took many a "roughed up" animal in from our cats.:o

miacat

hiya mrb....glad yer liddle bird is ok...i pm'd yer ..;)

southernscouser

mrbadexample wrote:

Well, the good news is that not only is it still alive, it had escaped from the box and was hopping (and the other thing birds do :rolleyes: ) all around my spare room.

It seems fine, but somewhat unimpressed by the fact that I had to catch it again. I'd like to have let it stay loose, but it's a bit....er....messy. I can't tell yet if it has a broken wing or not, I don't think it has - it seems to be holding them quite well.

Typical bird getting us chasing it! :rolleyes: