FINCHforum

Normally I would thoroughly research a topic and not ask for folks to spoon feed me info, but I have a sick bird and I don't want to lose any time. Apologies!

On Saturday, I found a house finch on our porch. She was stationary. I heard her strike the window earlier. As dusk approached, I made the decision to put her in a box. She was still very stunned. She was fortunate - we have a lot of predators around the house. She recovered quite a bit the next day, but was unable to fly out of the box. At the time I did not see any obvious wing damage.

Today, Tuesday, I transferred her to a cage. She wants out, especially when she hears other finches. But she seems unable to fly. I do see one wing is lower than the other, but not severely. She may also have some swelling on one side of her breast. She is climbing around the cage, and falling/jumping to the bottom. I am concerned she is going to injure herself. I am thinking of removing all perches/sticks. We are keeping her inside and away from drafts.

Should I restrict her movements by putting her in a smaller cage/box without perches? Is there anything I should give her other than water and finch seed? She is eating and drinking. I see some mentions of glucose/electrolytes in water. Any advice appreciated.

I have explored my local bird rescue options and don't seem to have any. My hope is that she will recover and can be released. I have some experience with Cockatiels but not song birds.

Thank you!

Her wing may not be broken but have a soft tissue injury from possibly hitting a hard object. She sounds as if she is moble to a point, is she eating and drinking? Have you contacted a vet, sometimes they take in wildlife and tend to them until they can be released.

You did not list your location...there may be someone in your area that can help you.

If you do as PA suggest I would be very careful in regards to the swelling in the chest area, you do not want to restrict that to much.

Another option is to call your state Dept of Fish and Game. The often have a list of wildlife "helpers" that will gladly take the little one and help it get better.

Please tell us your location so we can help you find someone in your area...the little one may need meds to. By the way what kind of little finch is it?

If this is what the little bird is we use to get these in NJ, they built nests near our flood light under the roof line, right near the back door. Sweet little birds.

We had to keep our flood lights on during the winter nights to keep their little nest warm. Anything for our feathered friends!!!

By the way...thank you for saving this little finch from possible danger and trying to help it.

Thanks to everyone for your speedy replies!

Even when our Cockatiels were very bad, I've never had to sock a bird before

The bird sock is a great idea for reducing mobility and improving recovery, but actually doing it makes me very nervous. In searching the archives for information on wing injuries, I saw many posts where those injuries happened during capture for treatment, etc. I am not badly ham-fisted, but it is a concern. So, yes, I am trying not to handle her.

As I try and visualize getting a sock on her, I think of the challenge of getting her feet through the holes (and those sharp toe nails). I did some searches but did not find an image of a finch in a sock. If anyone has any images to share - of the sock on and off a bird - that would be helpful.

Correction on the species - it is a Golden. We are in Northern Lower Michigan.

I've checked the DNR's list of rehab facilities. They mainly list raptor care. I've called a couple of vets looking for suggestions.. There is an unlicensed woman right up the road who took a sick wild House Finch (HF disease) a couple months ago (she recovered and was released!). She was not very interested in taking this bird. She said there was nothing she could do, and that I should just wait and see what happens with her flight ability. Also, I don't think she can take the bird because of the species.

The bird becomes somewhat agitated at dusk. She doesn't like it getting dark, and tends to follow the light (as I start to cover the cage), etc. Should I leave her some light at night? It is getting colder at night, so I intend to setup a heat lamp today.

Thanks again!

I would leave at least a nightlight on for her, if for no other reason than to reassure her.
Koodoos to you for all that you are doing for this poor sweet bird.

I wouldn't cover the cage, unless you think she is in an area where she might be too alarmed by movement/conversation, etc of people. In the wild, she would have moonlight, stars, and streetlights so she should be okay without a cover. As was suggested, a night light might make her feel more comfortable too.

My owl finch injured her wing and it took about two weeks to heal. She is now flying around the cage and perching again, but for about a week and a few days, she sat at the bottom and hardly moved, except to eat and drink. I gave her Feather Fast, to help her feathers/wings and heat, with a dose of Metacam 0.01 cc in the beak for three days to help with pain and swelling. Good Luck. The finch is very fortunate you are so caring.

nelloyello11 wrote:I wouldn't cover the cage, unless you think she is in an area where she might be too alarmed by movement/conversation, etc of people. In the wild, she would have moonlight, stars, and streetlights so she should be okay without a cover. As was suggested, a night light might make her feel more comfortable too.

Those are excellent points. Here's the gotcha... When completely uncovered she crawls along the top of the cage, trying to get out. She puts a lot of energy into this. I am concerned that she is going to antagonize her injuries when dropping back down, by hitting a dish or perch. So I try and discourage this by leaving the cage partially covered. She also gets antsy like that when she sees other birds or hears them.

She is also repeatedly trying to stick her head through the cage bars! It makes me nervous, but I don't think she can get it between the bars. I've bent the bars in just a bit in those corner spots.

So it is *very* encouraging that she is so active. I think her in-cage flight ability is improving, despite not wanting her to do that. But when you look at her, her body still has apparent assymetry around the breast, and she holds her wings differently. The left wing is held higher and tucked in. The right wing is lower and more exposed. I would allow that the impact shifted her feathers and could change their appearance, but I think it goes well beyond that.

You can't see her left wing clearly in this photo, but she really does hold it in compared to the right. You can't really see the breast difference in this shot.

finchmix22 wrote: Good Luck. The finch is very fortunate you are so caring.

Thank you. We adore our birds!

I tried uncovering her cage this morning - I normally keep the top and sides covered.. She immediately climbed to the top and was looking for a way OUT.

This little bird wants to GO!

But I feel that she needs to cool it and continue to recover. So I re-covered the sides and top. I am extremely encouraged, and all signs are pointing to a full recovery. I think her body shape is becoming more symmetic, but I can't be certain yet. Her right wing is actually tucked in right now, for the first time.

I'd like to keep her uncovered, but it seems there is more potential downside than upside. I have threatened to put her in a sock, but she isn't listening ;)

I followed this post and just wanted to say that I think it's so great what you are doing for the little girl! She's very cute. We have many goldfinches in our yard (my husband keeps about 7 bird feeders) and they are just the cutest things. I'm not sure what seed you give her, but ours flock to thistle and shelled sunflower seeds... But I really hope she recovers quickly and you can set her free soon.

Ursula wrote:We have many goldfinches in our yard (my husband keeps about 7 bird feeders) and they are just the cutest things. I'm not sure what seed you give her, but ours flock to thistle and shelled sunflower seeds..

I call the male Goldfinches - with the yellow body and the black head feathers - "Bert birds". Because their long bodies and black head feathers make them look like Bert from Bert and Ernie, and they're bossy just like Bert was! Normally I don't like bossy birds, but when the Bert birds do it, it's just funny.

I'm feeding her Nyger seed, and a combination mix. She seems to be preferring the mix today, so I just gave her a bit more.