Injured Starling

[RoadCar]

Hi all

I have an injured Starling that keeps coming into my garden, it looks like its leg has not formed properly from birth I think it is a youngish one. I have been giving it bread for the last couple of days and making sure the cat stays away, but I think her bird catching days are over hopefully. I wanted to know what I should do with the Bird?

Thanks

Daniel

PS
Is anyone else having trouble at logging in to the Grapevine?

[Jeanied]

Find something a bit better than bread, which is bad for birds, Daniel. It sounds like you have a potential new pet. Tame starlings can be very entertaining creatures - saw one on springwatch / autumnwatch - one or the other.
No, I'm not having bother logging in - but now I've said that, I'm expecting bother any second now!

[TEB]

I would leave it alone and let nature take it course, apart from the feeding that is, I also see a starling that can only use one leg, it seems to get about okay.

PS I wouldn't give it bread as this has very little nutrional benefits for any birds, seed or suet is a lot better for most birds.

[Nicos]

Starlings are mainly 'meat eaters'-

have a look at this....

Diet of The Wild European Starling

Can't see any harm in humanising it if you're happy to keep suplimenting it's diet!
just keep kitty well away!

[TEB]

Starlings are mainly 'meat eaters'-

have a look at this....

Diet of The Wild European Starling

Can't see any harm in humanising it if you're happy to keep suplimenting it's diet!
just keep kitty well away!

Mine obviously cannot read as they are getting through 4 fat balls and tray of suet pellets roughly every 5 hours

[Nicos]

Ha!...they've obviously heard from somewhere that 'veg' are good for you!!!

[RoadCar]

Thanks everyone, I was going to ring the RSPB to see if they could do something for his leg, but I'll see how it goes I would not want to humanize the him.

[Jeanied]

RoadCar that is going to be very unlikely - you may just tame him a bit. To fully imprint a human association on a wild bird you need to be there from the time the egg hatches.
I'm not sure what humanizing is.

[TEB]

Thanks everyone, I was going to ring the RSPB to see if they could do something for his leg, but I'll see how it goes I would not want to humanize the him.

The RSPB do not look after or treat sick/injured birds they would just advise you to contact your vet or the RSPCA

[weekendwellies]

My local starling troup eat anything and everything that I toss out for them. I used to put proper birdseeds out and they loved them.
Nuts, cheese, fats, bread, old fruit bits, all got gobbled up.

[Patchninja]

I have a thing that sticks to the kitchen window with a sucker and has a hook for a bird fat ball. I love watching the little piglets - they get through about 1 a day.

[SueA]

The RSPB advise that if a bird has an injured/deformed leg you just leave it alone as they can get by that way but if it has an injured wing you should get advice from a vet most of who will treat wild birds for free.
I'd just keep putting food out for it well away from the cat, the starlings in our garden love mealworms, fat balls & suet treats.

[flighty1]

most birds will get by with an injured leg. They might hobble a bit but they are usually able to get about. Might I with respect, suggest that you don't advise the RSPCA as last year I hatched out some Khaki Campbells for our school form. One of the chicks unfortunately had a slightly deformed foot & unbeknown to me one of the pupils parents called in the RSPCA. I was advised in no uncertain terms that keeping a bird with a damaged foot was cruel & I had to destroy an otherwise healthy duck. It was able to hold it's own with the other ducks. Never missed out when fed etc. It did nothing to improve my views of the RSPCA. So all I can say is good luck with your starling & hope all goes well.