Expert: Roger Lederer - 8/29/2011

Question
The cardinal hit the window and knocked itself out.  I found her and put her in a box in our screened in porch.  She swallows water through an eye dropper, and seems to try to eat a little.  This is day two.  She is still alive, but not moving.  Her feet move slowly, and she can move her tail feathers, but that is all.  Is there something special I can feed her besides bird seed?  Her head moves freely, so I can't tell what is broken.  There does not appear to be any injuries. I think she is young because her beak is not orange yet.  Thanks for any help you can give.

Answer
Best thing to do is contact your local wildlife/bird rehab center for help. If it is an immature bird it could be male or female. Birds' necks are very flexible and look like they are broken but they are probably not. Best thing to do is feed her cooked moist egg yolk and white. Do not feed water as it could go into her/his lungs. See www.ornithology.com/rehab.html for more information on caring for injured birds. And thanks for your concern.