I agree with Shane. Last year, here in Dublin, we experienced an influx of
Waxwings, beautiful starling-sized birds from northern Europe. In the city
centre a flock of 170 birds had gathered and were eating berries on trees
within a complex of office buildings. During the week up to 7 birds were
killed by hitting windows but I found one bird which appeared well on the
way out of this life. I placed the bird in a cardboard box, and kept it
there undisturbed and warm for two hours. I then examined it and it was
still very weak. I then decided to give it a glucose-based liquid using an
eye-dropper and the effect was incredible. Within a few minutes it seemed
fully recovered. I brought it back to the area and, while Waxwings are
known for being tame, I had the privilege of having this bird sit on my
hand preening and calling away. As the main flock came back into the area
it simply flew from my hand and went with them. Besides being a great
experience to see such a gem so close it was very satisfying to know that I
managed to bring this bird back from the brink. It was cold and snowing at
the time and if I had not found it it would certainly have died. So do as
Shane advises...always check!
Eric Dempsey
Ireland
>Seems to me that the most likely explanation is that the birds were flying
>together, and both birds hit the window. Both were stunned, but one not
>terminally. Otherwise, the tameness seems unusual! It is not uncommon for
>birds that have hit windows to survive, at least in the short term, and be
>apparently tame, but still able to fly off later.
>
>Cheers
>
>Ian
I agree with Ian. Stunned birds can be so confused, disoriented and
exhausted that they either cannot physically fly away or their brain
cannot tell up from down. On this note it is worth mentioning that many
birds which are presumed dead, dying or hopeless after being stunned by
flying into closed windows or motor vehicles can make a good recovery with
limited medical intervention providing major skeletal fractures have not
occurred. The best thing to do is keep the bird warm in a dark, QUIET
place for 12-24 hours with water and some food. Too often motorists
presume that the burst of feathers that splattered forth from their
windscreen is an indication of death.
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Dr Shane Raidal BVSc PhD MACVSc (Avian Health)
Lecturer in Veterinary Pathology
Department of Veterinary Biology and Biomedical Science
Murdoch University phone: +61 8 9360 2418
Perth,WA, 6150 fax: +61 8 9310 4144
Australia
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