URGENT caring for fledgling sparrow - cat wants it dead!

Izbizzle

Last night we caught our cat attacking a fledgling sparrow, it must have fallen from it's nest somehow. We kept it in overnight and tried feeding it, but it wasn't interested (it must have been in shock). Today we've put it in the garden, and its parents (I assume?) have been encouraging it to fly, and feeding it. It seems to be doing well, but hasn't yet developed all of its feathers, so it can't fly.

The problem is the cat knows where it is now, and she tried to catch it again. We've locked her in the house, but she's desperate to get out and get hold of it! All the wildlife rescue places are closed for the night, and we have to let the cat out at some point. There's nowhere else really to put the bird, we thought of taking it further away (a ten minute walk or so), but obviously we can't guarentee it'd be fed that way. Anywhere we could put it, the cat can reach.

I think we're just going to bring the bird in overnight and keep the cat out until the morning, does that sound wise? And then what happens in the morning? Any advice?

vax2002

Can you get it to a tree or bush ?

googler

Whatever you do, you won't win. If it can't fly, and isn't in the nest, an overnight predator will snap it up.

Failing that, any passing Magpie, Hawk, Crow or other large bird will probably have it for lunch.

If you take it in, or relocate it, the parent will likely be disorientated and figure it's been taken, and probably abandon it.

All of which is IMHO

Try posting on wildaboutbritain.co.uk for more responses.

Izbizzle

There is a horse chestnut tree on the other side of the garden wall, but the cat can climb it and I'm pretty sure she'd find it if we were able to get it up there, that's the trouble! There doesn't seem to be anywhere else we could put it...

Ms_Chocaholic

Do you know where the nest is?
Do you know anyone with a long ladder?

Izbizzle

The nest is in the guttering I think, and I don't think anyone on our street had a ladder big enough! It will be worth enquiring. We had it indoors all of last night and the parents came back to it this morning, this may be the only option I think if we can't get it back up in the nest!

Kyrae

From what I gather, baby birds rarely survive when reared by humans Ring a local wildlife place and ask their advice, some have volunteers ready 24 hours a day to help animals in distress. Where do you live?

tanith

Do you have something you could put over the bird, like an upside down cat basket for instance, so the parents can see/hear it but the cat can't get it.. might keep it going lone enough for it to fly...

asharon

If the cat has bitten the bird, even in a minor way it is dead.

I found a baby pigeon last year, that had a small wound from a cat and I took it to the vets who said their bites are poison and it can be a slow death.

cootambear

sorry, you tried your best

Izbizzle

Thanks guys Took your advice tanith, right now it's under a big plastic planter with a brick and a heavy ceramic pot on top - it can easily get in and out underneath it though, to come and sit in the flower bed as it's been doing. The cat did sniff around it for a bit, but she's lost interest for now as she can't get to it!

The bird has no injuries - it appears healthy in every way, has been very noisy and hopping around the garden. I will check on it tomorrow!