Yesterday afternoon, a sparrow flew into my closed window. I went out to get him. He was obviously stunned. I borrowed a small cage and immediately made the little guy warm and comforatable. I could not tell if his flying was affected but he had no visisble injuries. Within a few hours, he started to drink water and then some seed. This morning, he is fluttering around the cage. Should I let him out in the room to see how he flies. If he flies normally within the room, is he ready for release. All help is appreciated. Thanks,
Kate

Gladys Chardon wrote:Hi Kate, you may wish to look up my thread "Baby black martin stops to rest" under the Nature and Wild Life forum. I had the same experience you are having. The bird was stunned but recovered completely after a six hour rest and flew away. He had flown a little inside the apartment 4 hours after he opened his eyes but landed back on the floor. I put him back in his basket close to the open balcony door and he continued to rest for a couple of more hours and finally flew away fully recovered exactly 6 hours after I found him. I hope this helps. Please keep us updated. Best luck

Gladys

Thanks Gladys. I'll let him out in his room (I have a cat, that's why a separate room and see if he can fly).
Kate

It's a hard question because you don't want the sparrow to get hurt again and being in the cage with it fluttering he might get hurt that way.. Do you have a large aquarian or something with a lid that you can see through that would not hurt him to watch him for a few moments rather than leave him in the room. Can't you judge by his body movements when he is active or still (kind of) and then if everything is okay then release him..He is probley just stunned and if he's eating and drinking and fluttering I bet he will be just fine--just stunned. Sometimes for a sparrow it is more dangerous to leave them fly in a room then what they needed help for in the first place. But then again if there are perching spots that he can't fall down behind and no mirrors and block off windows and no fans going--you could free him and watch him and just open up the window for him to go on his way--if the sparrow is healthy in flying. It's a hard decision to know what the right way is..Best wishes to you and the sparrow..

Hi Kate,

We have to deal with this kind of problem a lot and it is always best to release them again as soon as possible. Most recover within a few hours or less and they just need a safe darkened box to rest and recover. We have never had one that hasn't been able to fly once released. Small wild birds can get really stressed in captivity and more often they succumb to the effects of stress than the original injury. I also agree with c. hert that they are likely to sustain injuries from thrashing about in a cage. A simple small cardboard box or other container is best to contain the bird for a short duration. Best of luck with the release.

Thanks to all for your advice. I should have realized that a small box would be better. I transferred him to one this morning and let him rest. Then I watched (it was a transparent box)and I could see him fluttering around again.I opened the top but the little bird fell to the floor. I put him back. He ate and drank more. Then I thought it best to put the box near an open window. Ashort while ago, I opened the cover and he flew very high and then out of the window. I watched him go into a closeby tree and he is fine. Apparently, he needed a longer rest before returning outsside. Thanks for letting me know that the box is better than the cage. I am an idiot
Kate

Gladys Chardon wrote:Kate lol, we live and learn. The important thing is that he was able to rest in security until he had fully recovered. He musn't have been too upset or he would not have drank and eaten. You gave him the main things he needed, shelter and security. Now he is free and happy thanks to you. That's what counts.
Gladys

Thanks Gladys. I have definitely learned. Do you have any idea why the little sparrow would have flown into my window. That's never happened before
Kate

Around here where I live, a bird flying into your window or door glass is considered an omen of someone's imminent passing.

I dont believe in such things but there are some very superstitious people among my friends and relatives,

maniac wrote:Around here where I live, a bird flying into your window or door glass is considered an omen of someone's imminent passing.

I dont believe in such things but there are some very superstitious people among my friends and relatives,

I'm doomed then as I have birds hitting my bedroom window just about every day!

coolpige wrote:

Gladys Chardon wrote:Kate lol, we live and learn. The important thing is that he was able to rest in security until he had fully recovered. He musn't have been too upset or he would not have drank and eaten. You gave him the main things he needed, shelter and security. Now he is free and happy thanks to you. That's what counts.
Gladys

Thanks Gladys. I have definitely learned. Do you have any idea why the little sparrow would have flown into my window. That's never happened before
Kate

I'm glad you were able to release your little sparrow and all was well. It is very common for small birds to hit windows. As I said in my previous post, I hear them all the time whacking into my bedroom window. Here is a link which might help explain the problem and how to resolve it. http://www.birdfeederz.com/articles/Prevent-Birds-From-Flying-Into-Windows.html

Jax&Paddy wrote:

maniac wrote:Around here where I live, a bird flying into your window or door glass is considered an omen of someone's imminent passing.

I dont believe in such things but there are some very superstitious people among my friends and relatives,

I'm doomed then as I have birds hitting my bedroom window just about every day!

Oh sorry, I didn't mean to imply the "passing" would be the person who's window gets hit. It's meaning is that the bird is a messenger to that person.... of the imminent death of someone they know.

As I said, I live in a small community. Even the belief in witchcraft is alive and well

Jax&Paddy wrote:

maniac wrote:Around here where I live, a bird flying into your window or door glass is considered an omen of someone's imminent passing.

I dont believe in such things but there are some very superstitious people among my friends and relatives,

I'm doomed then as I have birds hitting my bedroom window just about every day!

Why do you think they hit your window. Is there anything I can do to prevent it?

Gladys Chardon wrote:

coolpige wrote:[quote=". Do you have any idea why the little sparrow would have flown into my window. That's never happened before
Kate

Kate, the window panes being transparent the birds don't see them, they think the way is free in front of them. The faster they are flying the harder the blow, of course. If they fall a short distance they usually recover but if they fall on to the street after heating a window in a high building they don't have a chance. I don't know why some set ups attract them more than others. It only happened to me once in my lifetime.As I told you before it took the bird 6 hours to recover but he made it.

Gladys

Thanks Gladys. I hope it doesn't happen again. I'm so glad the tiny sparrow is out and free