|
Post by brandon on Sept 29, 2008 23:03:48 GMT
OK, a little back story. My girlfriend and I were on our way back to our apartment, when we spot a tiny finch squatting down with its eyes closed, and one foot pulled to its chest. We go over to investigate and we see it is still alive, but looked extremely exhausted...when we get closer to it, it doesn't move, but it looks at us. We squat down beside it, thinking it is hurt, and were able to pick it up, but then it flew a short distance (rather clumsily) and crashes. So we rush to it, get it, and bring it in. It seems to have calmed down a bit, but we weren't able to get it to drink any water...and when it tries to hop, it goes in a circle because of it's leg. But when he flies and lands on something sideways, like the blinds, he can use his leg to hold on. It's very odd, sometimes it seems broken, other times it doesn't. Either way, we don't have any place around here that looks at birds unless they are big, so we are very lost. We tried to give it a little bread because we don't have seeds, and it's beak doesn't look like it would be able to eat them if we did, it being long and thin...and we don't want it to starve...My girlfriend did some looking around the net and thinks it may be a woodpecker Finch, but we don't know for sure. But it would make since because the beak. He also seems to be very lethargic and only opens both his eyes rarely, one of the eyes my be hurt. We don't know what to feed it or do with it, it won't drink water either. Also, we think that because of the way that it is flying, that it may be someones pet that escaped, because it's wings may be clipped, but we cant tell because it wont let us look at them well...Any help from anyone is greatly appreciated! We are at a loss!
Edit: I forgot to post a description of the bird, as we don't have a camera...
Very small, kinda like finches you see in the supermarket parking lots dashing under cars. Olive-Drab feathers on top, with white underbelly and a little yellow near the beak. Beak is about two centimeters and thin on top and side.
|
|
|
Post by battybirdie on Sept 30, 2008 12:59:48 GMT
Hi Brandon
Well done for helping this finch ;D
Where are you? Are you in the UK? If you are anywhere on the south coast I know a very good wild bird hospital, otherwise a quick google should find one local to you.
Sick birds like this really do need specialist care, so the best thing that I could suggest for the moment is to keep him someone warm quiet and preferably dark so that he can relax. Stress is one of the worst things for birds. Leave a small dish of water (a saucer would be fine) in the cage/box with him. I find that a lot of smaller birds will eat greens such as grass, so if you have any to hand just pull a bit of that and pop it on the floor with him.
I'll PM you my phone number so that if you have any questions you can give me a buzz.
Best of luck, let us know how you get on.
|
|
|
Post by brandon on Sept 30, 2008 14:58:32 GMT
Thanks a lot for replying, and your offer of help BattyBirdy! Unfortunately, I'm not anywhere near the UK, I'm over in the US in the state of Georgia. The Bird seems to be really active today, flying all around his box, and opening both eyes...although...I seem to think that it's not his leg that is broken...I believe it has some serious nerve damage. From a fall or something smilier. He is still going in circles, but we noticed his head "ticks" and keeps rotating really jerkily. I'm going to my collage today, so I will try to rent out a camera and record it, to show you or anyone else who is interested. I'm going to look for more shelters or hospitals today just to make sure. Alright, I'm off! Thanks again!
|
|
|
Post by george on Sept 30, 2008 19:10:31 GMT
Aww, the poor little guy! Well done for helping him brandon! I've had birds that do as your describing in the past. Mine were kakarikis which are small parrots but I guess the same thing can happen to finchs. I suspect my birds had had a stroke but I'm not really sure. It could be something entirely different of course. I would keep him calm and quiet like has been suggested already. Give him some water and if you can, get to a pet shop and get some "egg food". This needs to be mixed with a little water to make it crumbly. It will be easy for the bird to eat and it will get some moisture into him too. It's very important to keep the bird warm as if they get too cold they'll pretty much just keel over and die! Keep persevering with him and hopfully he'll improve soon! Good luck!
|
|
|
Post by kiwi on Sept 30, 2008 19:16:31 GMT
Welcome to the forum Brandon The eggfood and grass are great advice, if he is a species of finch then some finch and canary seed will be gratefully received by him. He's very lucky you kind hearted people came along and helped him He may have had a bit of a bang on the head and in an ideal world his symptoms may go away in time, but alas with birds you can't always successfully diagnose whats wrong with them, poor little babies. Let us know how you get on with the bird though
|
|
|
Post by brandon on Oct 1, 2008 15:11:19 GMT
The Birdie is doing great now! We got him out of the box and put him in a small carrier, going to pick up a cage today. We went out and bought some finch feed and egg-food, and some multivitamins for his water. He is actually eating awesomely now, drinking his water (what he isn't getting everywhere hehehe) A ton more active, not ticking his head anymore, nothing is apparently wrong with his foot, opening both eyes...He is like a whole new bird actually. We aren't sure what to do now though...he has gotten very attached to us now. As in, when the top part of the carrier is opened, he immediately flies out and lands on our shirt, then makes his way to our shoulder and just sits there until we move him, he also lets us stroke his feathers for as long as we want, he also snuggles against us...thats whats wrong...we were going to nurse him back to health then release..but..he seems like he would make a great pet bird, and we have been wanting a pet for quite some time..what would be best?
EDIT: oh, and thanks to everyone who welcomed me to the forums!
|
|
|
Post by kiwi on Oct 1, 2008 15:18:44 GMT
Phew - must have just been that bump on the head then! They quite often are 'dazed' for a few days but I didn't dare write that on my post as I would have jinxed it for you lol
You've already imprinted on him so without proper rehabilitation he won't survive long if you release him. If I were you I would keep him, especially as he is enjoying your contact. I would start looking for a little finch friend for him when he settles in, they do so much better with company and are VERY sociable.
I'm so so so curious to see what kind of finch he is - any chance of a few pics? ;D
|
|
|
Post by kiwi on Oct 1, 2008 15:22:20 GMT
Forgot to add - about the yellow round his beak, that suggests he's just a baby and he may have got that bump falling out of the nest
|
|
|
Post by brandon on Oct 1, 2008 15:43:55 GMT
Heya again, Kiwi! Pictures are coming soon, but I have to wait till next Monday when the camera rental at school starts back. Guess it was just a bump on the head. Oh and do you really think it could be a baby? He does have yellow, but he is fully feathered and can fly...I dunno. And we really want, and are willing, to keep him, but as for getting him a friend, would it have to be the same species?
|
|
|
Post by brandon on Oct 1, 2008 16:08:41 GMT
This is odd...but all of a sudden he started acting...well, lazy agian. Just like that. He just kinda sits there, eyes closed. Only moving enough to keep his balanced if turned upside down or whatever...he isn't trying to fly out of the cage anymore. And my girlfriend just noticed that he keeps leaning backward in her hand while closing his eyes...what should we do?
|
|
|
Post by george on Oct 1, 2008 16:17:08 GMT
I'm glad he's been doing ok, as for the lazyness, hopefully it will pass but he could be having a repeat of what happened before, especially if he has had a bump on the head, it takes a while for them to get back to normal after something like that. The only thing you can really do is keep on doing what you've been doing and keep your fingers crossed! Is he still eating and drinking ok? If he doesn't eat for a while, it might be a good idea to gentley force feed a bit of egg food into him (gently restrain him and open his beak and pop a little bit in at a time, then hold the beak shut until he swallows it. I found a sick pigeon that wouldn't eat and force fed it one seed at a time until it decided to start eating by itself again. If I hadn't of done it, I'm sure it would of died). Of course, he could just be doing it because he's a baby and they need to sleep a lot!
I sure hope he gets through all his problems and you get to keep him! He sounds like quite a character! ;D
|
|
|
Post by kiwi on Oct 1, 2008 16:18:10 GMT
What time of the day is it at your end of the world? He may just be pooped out with all that eating and socializing Reference the yellow beak - he may have just fledged so will still have a bit of his baby yellow round his beak. It will disappear altogether eventually. His beak is still forming and hardening even though he's fully feathered, a bit like this pic.... I'm not sure about what species of finch could go in with him, will know better when we've identified his breed. Finches on the whole are very sociable though
|
|
|
Post by brandon on Oct 1, 2008 16:25:55 GMT
Right now it's around Noon, he woke us up from hopping around and jumping in his cage around 10:30...so he hasnt been up long. I'm really getting worried about him...I'm looking for more vets that will actually look at him, most that take birds say he is too small and he doesn't matter. We think that he is just not used to the attention and we wore him out though...but I really dont know...I'm really worried about him...
|
|
|
Post by george on Oct 1, 2008 16:39:40 GMT
I can totally sympathise with your worrying. It's awful to see something you've cared for so much go downhill again. Try not to get disheartened though, you may well be right, he might just be tired out from all the fuss!
As for the vets, when you ring up, if they say no, make a point of saying you are willing to pay to have him seen. A lot of vets won't accept wildlife as they aren't supposed to charge for any treatments and therefore, a lot of them believe it's a waste of time. Make sure you tell them that you intend to keep him as a pet and they'll be more likely to give you an appointment. Or, just don't tell them it's a wild bird! They can't refuse to check him over once you're there! Sneaky! LOL!
|
|
|
Post by brandon on Oct 1, 2008 17:21:39 GMT
Well...its me agian...now I have some bad news though..While I was looking up vets just now, I heard a small thump..both me and my girlfriend instantly look at our bird to see that he had fallen over..when we pulled him out he was still breathing..but he just died in my hands..we are so heartbroken..but we keep thinking that we helped extend his life just a little bit longer, and he died happy...right now, we are off to bury him in a little secluded place we found a while back...god this is horrible....I do want to thank everyone who posted in this thread to help him out...we really appreciate your kindness..
|
|