FINCHforum

My husband's father gave us a couple of java finches out of the blue, and I have never raised a bird before. They already had this little guy when we got them, but he was still in the nest and the birds are at the in-laws' apartment for now since we are in the process of moving to a new place and havent unpacked yet.

Either way, yesterday they found the baby bird alone outside the nest, and they observed him for a long time but the parents weren't feeding him or tending to him at all, and he is not able to eat on his own yet. Because of that, we decided to take him home to tend for him ourselves.

At first he was stressed and scared and wouldn't eat, but this morning he started trusting us more and he crawled into my hand when I was trying to feed him, and now he eats well and is calm around us.

However, I think there is something wrong with his legs! He can't use them at all.. He sort of drags himself forward with his unfinished wings, and his legs sort of drag behind him crossed over.







Is this normal?? He is around 20-25 days old I am told, though he was born before we got him so I am not sure! (Not even sure if he is a he or a she, but he will do for now ><)

The vets here don't treat birds, closest one that might is like two hours away by bus/car...

It looks like the leg I can see is broken/disjointed at the hip. That may be the reason the parents tossed him out of the nest and stopped feeding him. Parents will not care for a baby that they think will not make it. Unfortunately, there may not be much that can be done for this baby. Can you send these photos to the avian vet? He/she may be willing to give you an opinion without bringing the bird in, or at least tell you whether it is possible to try to save this baby.

Welcome to the forum, though it is under sad circumstances.

Sally wrote: It looks like the leg I can see is broken/disjointed at the hip. That may be the reason the parents tossed him out of the nest and stopped feeding him. Parents will not care for a baby that they think will not make it. Unfortunately, there may not be much that can be done for this baby. Can you send these photos to the avian vet? He/she may be willing to give you an opinion without bringing the bird in, or at least tell you whether it is possible to try to save this baby.

Welcome to the forum, though it is under sad circumstances.

I agree Sally,

Yes it definitely does look like its Brocken it's leg, in the past people have rescued birds that have sprained and broke legs and wings but is no guarantee that it will pull through especially as the bird is at such a young age,

The feathers on the bird look quite ragged and badly out of condition,
The feathers of a bird around that age normally would still look a lot better than the bird pictured.

I don't really like to say it but my onest opinion is that it certainly doesn't look good, I think the owner of this poor little bird needs to prepare for the worst

The feathers might look weird because he trends to flap into water a lot and thus get wet though, here he is with dry feathers on my lap:



But yeah I am a bit worried that his whole back seems to be lacking in feathers still compared to his wings etc...

I keep telling my husband how worried I am about his legs but his father keeps saying it's fine while I want to go to the vet... hopefully when I tell my husband about your replies he will agree that it's worth the long drive to the vet......

Rio (the baby bird) seems happier in general than when we got him though and I am trying to feed him protein and calcium since I think he didn't get Any before...

Aand both his legs are like that, not just the one you see most in the picture...
If the legs can't be fixed he won't survive? Can't he survive without using his legs if I help him?

Nevermind... he died in his sleep.. I think we got him too late to be able to reverse the damage...

noacastle wrote: Nevermind... he died in his sleep.. I think we got him too late to be able to reverse the damage...

I'm very sorry you've lost little Rio, as I mentioned I knew it was gonna be a tall order if he survived, I've seen a few birds in conditions like this and they never survive

Very strange that both legs were like that and with both legs damaged like that he never would of made it to adulthood.

Incidentally if you really do like and are rather interested in Java sparrows try having a look at the Java sparrow society and a few specialist breeders who will have their own websites dedicated to Java sparrows, Google a random search should give you a fair bit of info about them and you might be able to purchase some Java sparrows of off some certain breeders,
Have a look through your local bird adds

So sorry you lost him, but it did not look good for his chances of survival. Java sparrows are great pets, if you are interested in having them, you can check in your area for breeders. If you put your general location in your profile, it will help members give you information geared to your area. In the U.S., Javas cannot be shipped from one state to another, and there are a few states that don't allow them at all.

Sally wrote: So sorry you lost him, but it did not look good for his chances of survival. Java sparrows are great pets, if you are interested in having them, you can check in your area for breeders. If you put your general location in your profile, it will help members give you information geared to your area. In the U.S., Javas cannot be shipped from one state to another, and there are a few states that don't allow them at all.

Mmmm......didn't know that Sally, that's very interesting about some states not allowing java's at all

Any ideas why that might be, just curious to know the reasons

There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it, Stuart. The thinking is that if Javas got loose and colonized, they would be a threat to agriculture. California, which has a huge agricultural base, does not allow them in the state at all. Florida also has a huge agricultural base, and that state allows them. Texas has a large rice-growing area near Houston, yet Texas allows Javas. Makes no sense to me and many others. Some groups are working to get the laws against state-to-state shipping changed. California probably will never allow Javas, as it is a state with probably the most laws/regulations to "protect" businesses and consumers.

Sally wrote: There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it, Stuart. The thinking is that if Javas got loose and colonized, they would be a threat to agriculture. California, which has a huge agricultural base, does not allow them in the state at all. Florida also has a huge agricultural base, and that state allows them. Texas has a large rice-growing area near Houston, yet Texas allows Javas. Makes no sense to me and many others. Some groups are working to get the laws against state-to-state shipping changed. California probably will never allow Javas, as it is a state with probably the most laws/regulations to "protect" businesses and consumers.

Arh....now that does make sence, yes of course, the Java known as the rice bird,

Can now see why they have these rules and regulations,

Learn something new everyday

Maybe have to have a word with mr Arnald Schwarzenegger ( president of California )........lols