Young Blackbird can't fly

[BethK]

Hi,
I would be greatful for any advice on a young Blackbird in my gardan that isn't flying yet.
It's been out of the nest for three weeks, is finding its own food and looks healthy except for droopy left wing. Could the wing have grown that way or is it injured? When it runs it flaps both wings. Is any intrevention needed?

If the bird will never fly what can I do to help it survive? There are cats about and despite an ultrasonic cat thingy its had a few close calls! Should I give it food and water?
Any advice much apreciated!

[bluetit]

Hi BethK and Welcome to BirdForum.

If the Blackbird chick has been out of the nest for that long it's apparently not doing too badly - food wise, shelterwise etc. I would leave it be ( I KNOW how hard that can be! ) but keep an eye as you're already doing. Water dish is always good, especially in warm weather somewhere where it can see the surroundings, close to your house perhaps; food is always welcome, mealworms if you can, otherwise they love sultanas and sunflowerhearts. Chances are that it'll be fine as some of the chicks just appear to be a bit slow for a while, or dad and mum have left it to it's own devices a bit too soon to attend to other chicks or one parent has fallen prey to something and the chick is a little short of parental asisstance, a multitude of possibilities I'm afraid. As to the hangy wing, it could be just a bit weak on that side and time/practice with food and building-up will do the trick. I would not think that it's injured by your decription of it's fluttering BOTH wings when it runs. Are you sure it's never getting off the ground? It might still hop up on shrubs with a flutter of the wings, especially at night to be safe, it's surprising how resourceful the survival instinct makes them.

Please DO let us know how things turn out if you can.

Best of luck, Bluetit

[Fritz73]

Hola Beth and welcome.

[The Raptor]

Hi,
I would be greatful for any advice on a young Blackbird in my gardan that isn't flying yet.
It's been out of the nest for three weeks, is finding its own food and looks healthy except for droopy left wing. Could the wing have grown that way or is it injured? When it runs it flaps both wings. Is any intrevention needed?

If the bird will never fly what can I do to help it survive? There are cats about and despite an ultrasonic cat thingy its had a few close calls! Should I give it food and water?
Any advice much apreciated!

Beth, I know how you feel, for I also had a young Blackbird in my garden recently, it was very healthy but what happend soon after I took some delightful close-up photo's, it was sadly killed by a bloody cat. I could show the photo's of the lovely young bird, but seeing it was dead only a few hours later I thought it not appropiate. Hope you get better luck with yours, all the best Rod.

[Mark Bruce]

Hi Beth,a warm welcome and good to have you with us.

[BethK]

Thanks for replys.
Watched the blackbird in the late afternoon searching for and finding plenty of food, I put out a couple of rasins which he pounced on(do they need soaking?) Ive been putting fresh water out in a tub every day not sure if thats been noticed. Later on he hopped up some trellising and into a bush about four foot of the ground, where I guess he spent the night.
I am hopeful that it is just a weak wing that will get stronger with time.

[lark o'dell]

hi and welcome to the forum

[The Raptor]

Thanks for replys.
Watched the blackbird in the late afternoon searching for and finding plenty of food, I put out a couple of rasins which he pounced on(do they need soaking?) Ive been putting fresh water out in a tub every day not sure if thats been noticed. Later on he hopped up some trellising and into a bush about four foot of the ground, where I guess he spent the night.
I am hopeful that it is just a weak wing that will get stronger with time.

Hello Beth.

Things appear to be going well with your young Blackbird. I tend to put out sultanas after a short soaking, especially in this hot dry spell we are having.

I have a great affection with Blackbirds, mainly born out by the very friendly one that visits. He has come into our kitchen when the side door is open, knowing that is where we keep the sultanas. Here are a couple of photos, one in our kitchen & the other outside on fence near kitchen door.

Rod.

[salty]

hello, welcome to bird forum!

[bluetit]

Hi BethK,
great to hear that 'your' chick is doing fine and responding to your TLC, he'll be up and away out of harms way so much quicker for that I would think.
Bluetit

[bluetit]

Raptor ( The ), love your pics especially the one in the kitchen - helping himself.....
Bluetit