(no subject)

[oakenguy]

Follow-up to last, frantic post:

Argh.

The homeowner wouldn't let me put the bird back because "if there's an accident I'm the one who'll get sued". And he won't go up the ladder himself because according to him there are three nests up there, and the bird will just die anyhow if he goes in the wrong one. He gave me a tight little smile and told me to let nature take its course.

Asshole. AssholeassholeASSHOLE.

But wait, it gets better. Its a baby starling. So even if we could keep it alive overnight, the chances of a wilderness rehab center taking it are almost nil because its an invasive species.

Those were options A and C in most of the bird FAQs we looked at. Option B was 'make a little shelter for it out of a box or margarine bowl, put the shelter as close to the nest as possible, and hope the parents notice'. So that's what we did.

I feel like crap.

Comments

[jesshartley.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, honey. I know what you mean. we were told by no less than three different officials to put the raccoons back on the side of the road, despite the fact that there was /no/ cover within 200 yards of where they were found.

*hug*

[sistahraven.livejournal.com]

You did the right thing, hun.

Bird parents, contrary to popular belief can't smell nor count - and will care for any babies that are nearby. So in all likelihood, the baby will be cared for.

If you see that the baby's not doing well, let me know, I can get the mad hook-up with rehabbers who'll rehab *anything* that needs help

[flopart.livejournal.com]

that's so sad. that guy was an asshole, did he think the bird was going to sue him or something? what the crap?

:/

i save crickets and frogs and things all the time, and i know it can be sad and frustrating to know that some people just don't have the same instant-compassion-for-all-living-creatures that you have.

[futileissue.livejournal.com]

Birds fall out of nests a lot, please don't feel bad. Sometimes there's a very good reason for it, such as their siblings wanting a larger share of food so that they can grow up to be as strong as possible.

[wanderingrogue.livejournal.com]

Aww. Darn. Now I know better than to scroll up from the bottom of my friends page. Well, you did what you could. This happens to baby birds all the time but it doesn't ultimately make us feel any better to know that. :/

[khep.livejournal.com]

Where's the container now?

...I think it mush up some worms with a mortar and pestel time!

Oh- maybe there's a birdie community on LJ that would know? I'm sure there've been people who breed parakeets that have had to take care of babies...

[malterre.livejournal.com]

It might be "fledgling" as well, where the parents are still caring for it but it's not flying yet.
http://www.la-spca.org/education/others/wild_birds.htm
http://www.vinsweb.org/raptor-center/baby-birds.html

[akycha.livejournal.com]

What an asshole that guy was.

If there are three nests, there's a good chance some parents will take care of it. Take heart.

[piratetaranee.livejournal.com]

Asshole with a capital ASS! Why do I want to think that he's someone who hates animals and would prefer that those nests weren't even there? I'm sorry but I'm also sure that it will get taken care of.

[morgan-lafaye.livejournal.com]

Don't feel too bad. You did more than most, and truly cared. Thats what more people should do. I hope "the homeowner" trips coming out of his house and no one helps.

[heavenscalyx.livejournal.com]

*boots the homeowner in the head*

He probably kicks small animals, too.

*hugs*

[palusbuteo.livejournal.com]

whoops - as stated in previous comment - try to get the temp next as high and as near original nest as possible....If the bird is indeed feldgling, parents if they are still looking for it, will feed it wherever it is, ground or nest (so even if the lil bugger "drops" out of the nest again, let it stay on the ground...Most birds end up feldging on the ground before they get back up into a tree anyway)

hoeowner is an Ass. And yes, European Starlings are an invasive/pest introduced species, so they are not protected. Yeah it sucks because you don't want to harm an animal nor leave an injured one to die...If this all goes to shit and the little dude does not make it, as much as it sucks ass, there will be *more* babies coming...Starlings are prolific, as well as the other introduced species - Pigeons....

And who knows, the parents may have known something we'd never know - it might have been sick or injured beyond hope anyway. You think that's bad - Squirrels are more "cruel" with genetic diseases and deformities getting kicked out of the nest.

You should feel awesome for taking the time to care and trying to help as best you could without being too invasive/introsive in "the natural order", even if it is a Starling, you show you have heart by trying *something* - you get brownie points, homeowner gets Ass points.

Hey, after 3+ years working in Wildife Rehab, you see way too many crisis situations like this, and you learn how to evaluate and do the best you can.