Need help with injured bird (XenaSab Alert)

[denbot]

Last edited Mon Sep 22, 2014, 09:27 PM - Edit history (1)

Last night our mostly indoor cat came in with a baby (I think) bird. We have it in a box, and tried to release it just now, but it did not want to leave my wife's hand as we held it near a tree. We are going to hang on to it for another day hoping that it feels more energetic tomorrow.

I put bread and water in the box, but I think I will get mealworms for it this afternoon.

I noticed it's feet are quite big for a perching type of bird, and now I am wondering if it is a shore bird (we live about 3 miles from the beach).

Here is couple of pictures, the body is about 5-6" from beak to tail, and the long toe is about 2".

[IMG][/IMG]

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[RebelOne]

1. There is probably a wildlife rescue in your area.

Check your phone book. I have the number of the wildlife rescue in my area pasted on my refrigerator since I had to rescue a baby bird that fell from its nest.

[denbot]

3. Called and had to leave a message.

Also sent them the two pictures. They said to not feed or water the bird if I think it is injured, so I removed everything but the blanket.

[shenmue]

2. Awwwww

Sweetie!

[denbot]

4. I got a responce from South Bay Wildlife Rehab, it's a Sora Rail

I am waiting for instructions on where to drop the little guy/gal off. Yay, it will be in good hands!

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/sora/id

[magical thyme]

6. ok, glad you heard from a wildlife rehabber.

It's illegal to keep wildlife without being a licensed rehabber and I was a little surprised to read your initial instructions to withhold food and water. They probably were concerned that you would accidentally cause it it aspirate, which would kill it.

Thank you for going the extra mile. Hope the bird makes it. You want to keep a close watch on your tame bird that brought this one in. It could be carrying a potential pathogen.

[denbot]

8. Opps, I should have typed "indoor cat", which caught it, not indoor bird.

I got the patient to the rehab people and a little later the director said that the rail looked like it was in good shape. My wife thinks it wondered to our yard from a near by park that has a small section cordened off for wild life (http://www.citymb.info/city-officials/parks-and-recreation/parks-and-facilities/polliwog-park), but that seems unlikely to me.

We offered to pick the bird up when they feel it is ready, and release it there, but I'm wondering if it would be better to release it in the Baloona Wetlands instead.

[magical thyme]

11. the wildlife rehabbers I've worked with in the past

did the releases themselves. They did ask where I'd found birds so they could release as close as possible to its home turf.

In the case of a baby, I would release it as close as possible to a flock of its own species. That way it may be able to integrate itself into an existing flock, and at least will be able to watch them and learn how to make it on its own.

[denbot]

13. We live in the Los Angeles suburbs, and are puzzled that a wading bird was in our yard.

The cat that caught it only goes outside for a few minutes at a time, and stays very close to the house. As a matter of fact we have never seen it leave our yard unless it is following us on a stroll. Even then it will follow along as far as 4-5 houses, then turn back for home.

A little more research shows that there are Sora Rails nesting in the much larger Bolsa Chica Wetlands 20 miles to the south.

The South Bay Wildlife Rehab let's volunteers help with releases, so we are going to offer our time to get the little one to a good spot when it's ready.

[Baitball Blogger]

12. I think it was Animal Control who sent an incredibly competent young

lady both times that I called them. One time was to remove a coral snake which I had injured and trapped in an underground water sprinkler box; and another when a squirrel got stuck in my anti-squirrel bird feeder. She was like an animal whisperer.

[TuxedoKat]

5. Some birds

may eat wet cat food or dry (soaked in water to make it soft). That's what a vet's office confirmed me when I brought them an injured baby blue jay this summer. Baby birds eat a lot so it is imperative to feed them often and promptly so they don't get dehydrated. You can google for techniques on feeding wild birds. You might have to put the food or water in their open beak, but not force it down their throats as you don't want food or water to get in their lungs. Sometimes vet offices have people who do wildlife rehab and you can also google "small animal rehabbers _______" (insert name of your state). Hopefully that will bring up a list by county for your state. Good luck to the baby bird, I hope he/she makes it. It does look like some kind of shorebird; some type of sandpiper perhaps?

Just saw your ID of the bird -- what a pretty bird, would be cool to see one in the wild, but sounds like they are quite shy.

[denbot]

9. We put a small water dish in the box early this morning, but no food.

As per instructions. The center got back to us and told us the bird seemed to be in good shape.

Once it recovers my wife wants to pick it up and release it in a near by park that has a small area set aside for wild critters.

I will update the lounge on the little ones progress.

[marzipanni]

7. Awww, did the little rail make it through the night?

Sometimes the shock of being attacked is too much for birds, even if they don't have bite holes or other injuries. I hope you were able to take it to the wildlife rehab place.

[denbot]

10. Got it there and the initial feed back was positive.

We will post news as we get it, and pictures if we release it after rehab.