Blind blue tit chick unable to fledge (1 Viewer)

[Val Garrett]

I have a nestbox camera. Yesterday 8 out of 9 blue tit chicks fledged. The 9th one sadly is blind and unable to find its way out of the box. The parents are still feeding it today and trying to encourage it out but it can’t find the hole. I was advised by my local wildlife rescue centre that I cannot intervene and remove the front of the nestbox to set it free and that if the parents stop feeding it, it will just have to stay in there until it dies. Is this correct? It’s heartbreaking to see. I just want to help it even though its chance of survival out of the nest is slim.

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum.

Unfortunately there is little you can do. If it gets out of the nest box it won’t be able to find food or spot predators. How sad.

 

[Val Garrett]

Welcome to Birdforum.

Unfortunately there is little you can do. If it gets out of the nest box it won’t be able to find food or spot predators. How sad.

It is a very sad situation. I guess better for its life to end in the safety of the nesting box than to be attacked by a predator. 💔😢

 

[delia todd]

This sort of thing is so hard to witness. I really feel for you.

We always want to try and help, don't we.

 

[Val Garrett]

This sort of thing is so hard to witness. I really feel for you.

We always want to try and help, don't we.

Very hard, just knowing the poor little thing is still in there and that it’s parents are still feeding it and calling to it constantly. Quite distressing for them (and me!). Nature can be wonderful but also cruel.