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Birding/Injured Fledgling (Crow)

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Expert: - 7/31/2008


Question
There is a fledgling outside of my office.  He has been there for 4 days and has a broken / twisted leg.  The parents have been around feeding him constantly, but am concerned that he is vulnerable to cats etc.  I understand the development process, but am wondering if I should intervene since the leg is broken (otherwise seems alert and healthy). Want to give it the best chance for survival.  Thoughts?

Answer
If it actually has a broken leg, the only thing to do is bring it to a wildlife rehab center or vet. If the leg is deformed, it may grow out of it (sometimes vitamin deficiencies do that in young birds). But if he can fly (or will shortly after its feathers grow longer) he is better off left alone. Nature usually knows best.

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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