Expert: Roger Lederer - 5/16/2010

Question
I found a robin (not a baby) that at first look I thought had a broken wing. I managed to catch him with the help of a cousin and a nieghbor.I have him now in an old parakeet cage with some wild bird seed and water for him in bowls and torn up toilet paper on the bottom as bedding (he's not using the perches much). Anyway after taking a closer look at his wing I realized there are only a few flight feathers left on it and they (along with the bones of the wing) are hanging onto the bird just by a few strands. The remaining part of the wing literally is just hanging there, it twirls and bends and circles on him as if its not even part of his body. I took a little peroxide and put it in a spray bottle and carefully sprayed the areas of flesh and bone sticking out in hopes it would maybe clean it out a bit and prevent infection (I was careful not to spray his eyes/face)He doesn't seem to be in pain and the wound doesn't look too new but obviously when what's left of his wing falls off he will b flightless forever. I was wondering if there is anying I can do about the wing and/or how to care for these types of birds. I've called all the animal resources in my area and they all either told me that he would just be put to sleep, or that they specialize in an area other than birds.
So I guess my question here is what do you think would be best for me to do in this situation? Should I keep him as a captive bird? (my mother has a friend who found a blue jay as a baby and she raised him and now has him in a cage just like any other pet bird) I understand this isn't the best way for him to live since he's a wild bird and has lived life as one but given the fact that he will never fly again maybe this would be best. If this is what you recommend could you please guide me a little in how to care for a wild bird other than seed and water?? Because other than that (and maybe picking up some meal worms from the pet shop for him I'm pretty much clueless)
Or do you think life in a cage for him isn't worth it and I should take him to the shelter or somewhere to have him put to sleep? I'd really hate that but if you think he'll be miserable in a cage maybe this is what's best.
Thanks you for your time, hope to hear from you soon.
-Melisa

Answer
Melisa - I understand your quandry. You have done the right thing so far by trying to contact a bird rehab center. If they don't want to deal with it and the bird won't make it in the wild, then I see no harm in you trying to raise it. Robins don't eat seeds; they probably will eat meal worms, but that's not enough. Earthworms, fruits, berries, and the like are also needed. Your local petshop might have some mixture that would work for a Robin. Go to www.ornithology.com/rehab.html for more information on raising an injured bird. Good luck and thank you for your concern.