Unwell starling

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Butterfly
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Unwell starling

Post by Butterfly » Mon Aug 27, 2018 3:45 pm

Image
This bird doesn't look well at all, its fluffed up like this most of the time, and moves slowly, very unlike starlings. It eats a little, and drinks water, and it flies, but all with heaviness :( . It also stays alone quite a lot. Its clearly vulnerable and predators will notice it if it continues like this.
I don't know what to do, I'd wanna help it but I don't know if I can and how :confused:
Has anyone had experience similar to this? Is there anything I should/can do? What should I do if it dies? :(
Its very distressing seeing a sick bird :(

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Kev
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Re: Unwell starling

Post by Kev » Mon Aug 27, 2018 6:52 pm

That's a bit like a blue tit I had on my windowsill earlier in the year.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=547

Unfortunately it's the circle of life. There isn't much you can do to help.

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Re: Unwell starling

Post by Jacksparrow » Mon Aug 27, 2018 8:03 pm

Birds fall ill occasionally as do most living things. The most likely visible sign that all is not well is like the young Starling in the photo. If it can be caught perhaps a cause could be identified but the sad reality is that it's days are numbered :(

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Butterfly
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Re: Unwell starling

Post by Butterfly » Tue Aug 28, 2018 9:01 pm

Kev wrote:That's a bit like a blue tit I had on my windowsill earlier in the year.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=547

Unfortunately it's the circle of life. There isn't much you can do to help.
I saw that Kev, that poor bird :( , I was hoping that maybe the weather conditions will be of some help to this poorly starling though.
Jacksparrow wrote:Birds fall ill occasionally as do most living things. The most likely visible sign that all is not well is like the young Starling in the photo. If it can be caught perhaps a cause could be identified but the sad reality is that it's days are numbered :(
I was thinking abot trying to catch it, but than I realised that would be impossible! Those birds are real fast :D , that's why my pictures of them are always bad, I take them from inside from afar, not daring to move or they are gone in a blink of an eye :laugh:
I haven't seen that sick bird today, and they've been around as usual. It either recovered or died. I thought I saw it, a bit slower and fluffier than the others, but that might be wishful thinking ....

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Biker
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Re: Unwell starling

Post by Biker » Wed Aug 29, 2018 1:05 am

If you can't catch the bird, don't keep trying - as this will add stress to an already poorly bird. It might turn up again in the next couple of days - they do sometimes. Just make sure the Starling has plenty of water and food when the rest of the gang aren't around. The best you can do is to make the last few days/weeks kinda nice.

In the event of the bird returning, do not try to capture unless you can walk up to the bird without it making any attempt to escape. This is usually 'crouched' on the ground. Another sign is an increased activity by the cat community.

Grab an old towel and throw this over the bird. The darkness will calm it.

Two options : Take to a wildlife hospital, where the bird will get amazing care and be regularly assessed in a safe enivonment or :

Put the bird in a cardboard box (or cage if you're posh) with the same towel and add water and food every day. Make sure the box is placed in a very secure place (garage or shed or similar) that is well ventilated.

Note !!!! If after a day or two the bird is still alive - take to a wildlife hospital as this bird is a survivor and not about to give up and needs a bit of specialist care !!!!!

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Butterfly
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Re: Unwell starling

Post by Butterfly » Wed Aug 29, 2018 10:38 am

That is a very good advice Biker, thank you so much :)
I didn't try and catch it, I could see that it perks up and flies away even when I was taking that picture, so I didn't want to scare it and make it not come back, since there is at least food and fresh water here. And yes, I always keep food and water around, and I try to place it in few places, strategically :laugh: , to reduce squabbling (which doesn't work all the time as they just love it) and give all of them a chance to have some.
I have not seen that bird again, unless it recovered and is flying and eating with the flock. You never know, it might have, maybe it was just equivalent of human cold? In any case, I googled now and found the few wildlife hospitals accessible to me in case I need it :)
Meanwhile, I'll just hope for the best for that little one :hug2:

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Butterfly
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Re: Unwell starling

Post by Butterfly » Fri Aug 31, 2018 8:39 pm

No sign of a sick bird. The whole bunch looks healthy and chatty :nod: . I can only hope it recovered, but we will never know it seems :)

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