Found Bird - Need Help

[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!

[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 (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 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.