You are here:

Birding/wild black bird or crow

Advertisement

Expert: - 9/28/2008


Question
I found a very large black bird or crow (not sure which) sitting on the ground.  It is unable to fly.  It's wings do not look damaged. It can stand on its legs.  I don't know if I should try to feed it, or what to try and feed it. I live in the northeast region and I am not aware of any bird diseases or how to tell if its ill.  Is this something you can help me with?

Answer
Best thing to do is contact your local wildlife rehab center or wildlife official for advice. The bird may be ill or poisoned or injured.
You might try offering it some moist dog food to see if it eats in the meantime.
See www.ornithology.com/rehab.html for more advice
Crows are twice the size of any blackbird.

Birding

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.