Found Bird - Need Help

[Jessika]

Driving home from the store tonight I thought I saw a baby animal of some sort on the side of the road, just sitting there and not moving. HJ stopped the car and got out to inspect. The size suggested baby duckling from what I could see from the car, but upon closer inspection it was a full grown... something. It was not moving at ALL, and we first thought it was injured. I went home to get a box so we could take it inside and look at it in light.

We got it home, HJ carried it home in his hat (he didn't want to wait for me to get back with a box.. lol). The bird appeared fine, but would NOT move. He's been here for maybe thirty minutes now, and we have him nestled in a box away from the animals, but he hasn't moved, hasn't made a sound. We checked his feet, legs, wings, everything seems fine. He just won't move!

I couldn't just leave him on the side of the road, either. There are cats that run wild and would have had their way with him really quick. Especially if something is wrong and he isn't moving!

Is he just scared? Should I feed it anything?

I have the number for the conservation department, but they are closed now and I will have to call tomorrow. But for overnight, what do you think I should do?

Oh, and what do you think he even is? I've lived here my whole life, and have never seen anything quite like him!!

http://dontstay.zoto.com/img/24/8fa2ec886a555244fcaa6ca84b861401-.jpg (http://dontstay.zoto.com/user/image_detail/IMG.0.8fa2ec886a555244fcaa6ca84b861401-_CAT.0/date_uploaded-desc/0-30) http://dontstay.zoto.com/img/24/f986d6e6400abe404014f96b84bfd2b0-.jpg (http://dontstay.zoto.com/user/image_detail/IMG.0.f986d6e6400abe404014f96b84bfd2b0-_CAT.0/date_uploaded-desc/0-30) http://dontstay.zoto.com/img/24/33198d22391a392ba5a0348e40630e5b-.jpg (http://dontstay.zoto.com/user/image_detail/IMG.0.33198d22391a392ba5a0348e40630e5b-_CAT.0/date_uploaded-desc/0-30)

Look at those claws! :eep:

[Karen]

He may be bruised in some way that you cannot see. If you have an Audubon Society near you, I'd take him there tomorrow. Put some water in with him in a wee dish, if you can, that's more important than food.

[Jessika]

We were planning on closing the bathroom off tonight and putting him in the tub with a small dish of water and the towel so he isn't crammed in a box (and so the animals won't try bothering him) but I'm just trying to figure out what he is now more than anything!

[Karen]

Try http://whatbird.com - you can choose various criteria, and it help you find your bird!

[Jessika]

Aw poo, it won't load for me. Oh well, whatever he is, he's still just sitting there in the box not moving an inch. :(

[Kater]

It looks like some kind of rail to me (Rallidae family). The feet/legs definitely look like those of a 'water bird'......
Maybe a Sora? Link: http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/508/_/Sora.aspx

I'll keep looking...

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I don't know what he is. He's not a duck, doesn't have webbed feet. He does look like a water bird though. If he can move this morning I'd take him back to where you found him and release him back. If he's still not moving I'd call the conservation department.

If you didn't feed him anything last night or if you did and he didn't eat don't worry, it was late and birds don't eat at night (unless they're nocturnal, which he's not). This morning you could soak a little dog food in water until it's spongy. Just lay it the tub with him and leave the room. He may or may not eat it.

[Miss Z]

It looks like some kind of rail to me (Rallidae family). The feet/legs definitely look like those of a 'water bird'......
Maybe a Sora? Link: http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/508/_/Sora.aspx

I'll keep looking...

I think Kater has identified the bird correctly:) . He/she is definitely some sort of rail at least, and rails are very shy and secretive creatures, so what he/she was doing near a road I don't know. Maybe he/she's sick or just wandered off and became scared and cold. It's probably no surprise that the bird's not moving as they are very wary of people. A vet would give him/her a check over and if the bird is OK might be able to tell you a good place to re-release it:)

[Jessika]

Oh yes, definitely looks like the little guy!!

I never said he WAS a duck, I definitely know now he is not, but at 11:00 at night in the dark when all you see is a black fluffy ball on the side of the road, first thought was duck hehe

Wow what a gorgeous bird! He's drank a little water.. is moving more!! He responds when we come into the bathroom now, he'll turn and look at us. He has been sleeping A LOT, though.

So, according to the map, he's in migration now and is not native to my area. Do you think he could have been left behind?

EDIT: nevermind it says he's native to southern Missouri, which is exactly where I am.

[Jessika]

Well I got ahold of the convservation department and they just referred me to another place or some zoo I've never heard of, lol

[carole]

Good on you for taking the time to care for the feathered friend,it sounds like something is not right for sure, getting the bird to the zoo or conservation place is your best bet, so hurry if you can,i have tried unsuccessfully to help baby bird and they always end up dying, so let the experts do their stuff, but sounds like you made the bird nice and comfortable in the mean time. Good luck, let us know the outcome if you can. :)

I mean't to add here in NZ you can take any wildlife to a vet and it won't cost you anything, i hope it is the same over in the big ole US of A, check it out, a lot of people don't even know this, i myself didn't till recently.

[Jessika]

Good on you for taking the time to care for the feathered friend,it sounds like something is not right for sure, getting the bird to the zoo or conservation place is your best bet, so hurry if you can,i have tried unsuccessfully to help baby bird and they always end up dying, so let the experts do their stuff, but sounds like you made the bird nice and comfortable in the mean time. Good luck, let us know the outcome if you can. :)

I mean't to add here in NZ you can take any wildlife to a vet and it won't cost you anything, i hope it is the same over in the big ole US of A, check it out, a lot of people don't even know this, i myself didn't till recently.

Huh really? I will have to look into that, it would make things a lot easier. I do know there is an animal control office down the highway from me, you just reminded me! Maybe they can help!

[carole]

Good Luck, check whether they will charge you or not, as that is the policy down under, so hopefully it will be the same over there, but could easily not be, keep us posted. :)

[Jessika]

To be honest, though, I would rather pay to have them take it in than risk it being malnourished and possibly face death because I couldn't care for it appropriately!

[carole]

That is one lucky lil birdie, that you came across it, of course i understand that, but if you don't have to pay then that would be all the better, just check out what the situation is, and then well if you end up having to pay, well thats the way it is eh? good luck.

[flip195]

Aw poo, it won't load for me. Oh well, whatever he is, he's still just sitting there in the box not moving an inch. :(

I think it's a sora
Sora: Small rail with dark gray-brown upperparts with black-and-white streaks. Breast is gray and flanks and belly are dark gray with white bars. Gray head has a darker crown and nape, and black face, chin and throat. Bill is yellow with dark tip. Sexes are similar. Winter adult and juvenile are browner and have pale throats.

Sora: Breeds from southeastern Alaska, east to Newfoundland, and south locally to northwestern Baja California, southern New Mexico, eastern Colorado, southern Missouri, central Ohio, and Maryland. Spends winters regularly from central California, east to southern Texas and the Gulf coast, and south through Central America to portions of South America. Preferred habitats include freshwater marshes, flooded fields, swamps, and slough borders.
Length: 6.75 inches Wingspan: 12.5 inches

Fairly small, chunky, short-tailed, round-winged, ground-dwelling marsh bird
Short, thick bill
Most often seen walking, rarely flies
Often flicks and cocks short tail while walking, exposing white undertail coverts
Sexes similar
Adult bird:

Yellow bill
Black lores and throat (paler in basic plumage)
Blue-gray face, sides of neck, and breast
Brownish cap, nape, hindneck, back and upperwings
Whitish belly
Dark brown and white barring on flanks
Juvernille:




Pale yellowish bill
Buff-brown face, foreneck and breast; whitish throat
Brownish cap, nape, hindneck, back and upperwings
White spotting on back and upperwing coverts
Flanks less distinctly barred with white and dark brown


I may have recieved a glancing blow from a car and have a concussion, just put it in a boxcover it with a towel and leave it in a warm area with a small water bowl and see how it does.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I mean't to add here in NZ you can take any wildlife to a vet and it won't cost you anything, i hope it is the same over in the big ole US of A, check it out, a lot of people don't even know this, i myself didn't till recently.

It's the same here. Most vets won't charge anything. The vets I use don't, but I know of one around here who does charge a small fee :rolleyes: (I don't use him anyway though, I just don't like him).

[Jessika]

Well HJ called the conservation department, and took down some numbers, I don't know what he did with them though and he left for work :rolleyes: I'll have to search for them and call them to see what we can do!

[Jessika]

Well, this is it. Nobody will take him. They say there is nothing they can do. He won't even stand up anymore. I don't want to come home one day and find him dead, I wouldn't be able to handle it. I just can not believe a wildlife place won't even take him... nobody can do anything for him. This is so sad. :(

[carole]

Oh my word that is terrible not to mention insane, how cruel is that, i wish there was something i could say to help, but i just dont understand how they can all turn their backs on this poor wee soul, thank goodness you have not, i hope someone can come up with an idea for you to help this little bird out, this is really unfair on you and the poor wee bird.

[Jessika]

I am desperate. Does anyone have ANY ideas? Hes a marshland bird... do you think if I tried getting some mealworms he might take to them?? Something?? I'll do it, if I have to go dig up worms I will lol it should be easy its raining now!

[BC_MoM]

I can't believe no one will help you! Contact your local newspaper and maybe try and get it publicized that no animal association will assist you. People here who find wildlife always do that around here and then people help out.

I was searching the net and it said that hatchling Sora's eat canned dog food.. but when I clicked the link, it told me I needed to subscribe (for $40 :rolleyes: ) so I'm not sure if older ones can eat it or not..

Also, try out this Wildbirds forum.. http://www.wildbirds.com/forums/

[Jessika]

Well I think it may be too late... it is laying there with its wings spread, and its body is raising and falling with every breath.. I can't bare to even look at it, I feel like I failed it, I am going to put a cover over it and have HJ deal with it when he gets home, alive or not. I just.. I can't believe it. I feel like I should have done something else, more research, called them sooner, done SOMETHING else!!

[buttercup132]

Aww:(
I would have deff gotten some meal worms or something

[carole]

I am really sorry, it does not sound very hopeful now does it? don't blame yourself, you did the best you could,you are only human, it is the wildlife People who refused any offer of help that should be ashamed of themselves, not you.

Hugs i know you feel sad, and despondent and all that, but really at least you stepped in and tryed to do something for the little bird, BLESS YOU for that.

[Jessika]

He's gone. :( HJ came home nad took care of him for me. Thanks for your help though guys. I just feel like I should have done something more.

[critter crazy]

hang in there!! dont blame your self!! everyone is right, the wildlife people should have tried to help!! It is very discouraging to hear that they wanted nothing to do with it!! I am very sorry!!:(

[carole]

I am sad to hear that, it is better to make sure he was humanely taken care of , than to continue to suffer, shame on those wildlife people,and hold your head up high, you did all you could.

[BC_MoM]

Sadly, that's the way it is with mother nature.

It's always tricky when trying to care for wild life.. especially when the trained professionals won't offer you any help at ALL.

RIP, little Sora..