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Birding/splayed vs. broken bluebird leg

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Expert: - 10/1/2007


Question
hello,
My mother found a young adult male bluebird that could not fly, after one week of feeding him mealy worms and water, he now can fly yards. Today, I noticed that his right leg keeps getting caught in his wing. I think that it is a splayed leg. Is there anything that we can do for this beautiful male bird's leg? It is eating and drinking. Also, how much do blue birds eat and drink? Thank You so much

Answer
The best thing to do is contact your local bird rehab center or wildlife official or vet. I can't diagnose the problem without seeing the bird. In the meantime, feed it as much water and meal worms as it will take. For more information on injured birds, go to www.ornithology.com/rehab.html

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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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