rescued goldfinch

sarah Brown · Post by **sarah Brown** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 8:20 am

Hi

My cat had caught a goldfinch and brought it into the house to show me, i managed to eventually get the finch of the cat. The finch was in shock but still breathing so i kept it warm over night to see if it would survice the night as i couldn't see any injuries on the bird. Morning came and the bird was walking and eating in the cat basket and look ok, i decided to let the bird go in the garden as it seemed ok, but the bird flew straight into a wall, the wings were working but notice the tail didn't look right. I have now put the bird in the cage and it seems quite settled it is eating most of the time,drinking ok and has just manage to fly onto the pegs in the cage ok but does occasionally fall off. The bird will allow you to stroke and hold and is very tame but worried that it doesnt make any noise, i have advised to get another finch for company, so i went and got a zebra finch.

The zebra finch is very chirpy and settled with the goldfinch but have noticed that the goldfinch doesn't make any noise.

If anyone can help me out,or give me some advice on finches i would be very gratefull.

Post by **Hilary** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 4:24 pm

Sarah -

If it is an American Goldfinch, it's actually (unfortunately) illegal to keep it - they're protected. If it's an escaped European Goldfinch, what a lucky guy to be rescued! It's not really natural for either to be easy to catch or hold, so I have to wonder if it's recovered from the excitement of the cat and now a cage with a bit of an intimidating new friend. Have you had him for very long?

Hilary

sarah Brown · Post by **sarah Brown** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:17 am

Hi

I live in the UK and i assume that it is a European Goldfinch, i have had the finch for 4 days now, its still eating well and doesn't really show any signs of being stressed, the Zebra finch which i put in with it doesn't seem to bother the Goldfinch.

Today when changing the water in the cage i noticed that the Goldfinch appeared to be able to fly on and off the sticks without falling. I am very aware that this bird has been used to the wild and that its seems cruel to cage him, so with him looking stronger i decided to see if he could fly in my lounge without falling or hitting into something. He seem to fly ok but was drifting to the left and not making much height, i then took him into my garden and released him but him didn't seem to be able to fly up and away and ended up on the floor walking.

I have brought him back in and not sure what i should do, he is letting me hold him and doesnt attempt to fly off from your hands.

I have not yet heard him speak. if their is any advise you can give me i would be gratefull thankyou.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:38 pm

hi sarah
has it got a metal ring on,if not you could be fined for keeping it in a cage.i suggest you get in touch with the rspb to give you some advice as to what to do.they may take it off your hands...the problem is the threat of bird flu about and wild birds beeing kept indoors is not wise.i know you are worried about the bird as i would be also it sounds to me as if it has already flown into something if you kept it for another few weeks it would probably come round to beeing fit enough to release but i would in all honesty contact the rspb and see what they advise at least they will know that you havent taken it from the wild if you report it

ken

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:44 pm

hi sarah
here is a link for you to decide what to do.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbi ... /index.asp

ken

sarah Brown · Post by **sarah Brown** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:10 am

Thank you,

i will contact the rspb today and let them decided what to do with the bird, thanks for the advice.