11 replies to this topic

[ktymama]

Dear friends,

Over the weekend we drove from the Daytona Beach area to the west coast of Florida to visit a seriously ill family member.  On the evening of Monday 4/27/09 we began our trip home from Hudson and were traveling the back roads to access highway 52.  I was riding along, looking out the passenger window allowing the conversation between my mother and my sister to flow around me when I noticed a little bird along the side of the road that appeared to be injured. 

 I immediately asked my mother to stop and I ran back to approach the little bird who was flopping around on the ground.  As it was near dusk, I couldn't just leave it to it's own defenses.  I was able to pick the bird up and I noticed that she was bleeding under her left wing.  (Being a woman, I am naturally assuming it is a female)  I returned to the car and we continued our trip home. 

 I put my finger over the top of of the straw of my glass of Arizona Rx Stress herbal tea and offered a drink to this poor little bird and she readily began to drink as though she was without liquid for a long period of time.  We also had bread in the car and began tearing off tiny pieces and offering them to our little patient.  She hungrily devoured them.  She was also urinating and deficating, so it appeared that everything was in good working order, except for her little wing.  We stopped at a Wal-mart and purchased a bag of wild bird seed, but she seems very disinterested in it as she seems to prefer the bread.

This morning I went online determined to identify what species of bird she was and learned from your site that she's a cedar waxwing.  I even played the birdsong on this site and Microsoft Encarta for her.  Boy, did she perk up at that.  She really responded to the cedar waxwing song on the Microsoft Encarta, answering back.  It was precious.

I offered her water which she took, but didn't seem to like, so I went back to the tea that she prefers.  I offered her the seed, but she prefers the hamburger buns with sesame seeds.  Could someone please tell me what else we can feed her that will help her to survive her recovery from her injury and provide her the nutritional vitamins and minerals she would require to mend and stay healthy.  She is a smart little thing and seems to acknowledge that we are here to help her and protect her.

I live in Ormond Beach, Florida, so what can I forage for, or purchase that will give her the nutrition that she needs.  She seems strong, and I speculated that her injury may have been caused by her flying across the road too low and possibly hitting a vehicle antenna.  Her injury is under the left wing, so I don't imagine that she was attacked by a dog or cat. 

 Any information offered will be gratefully and sincerely appreciated.  I want so badly to help this baby and keep her healthy and strong.  We have already fallen in love with her and look forward to the day that she can be rereleased here in our yard.  Incidentally, our lot is surrounded on three sides by conservation.  We love and care for the wildlife that make their homes here.  We hand feed various litters of raccoon babies that mothers who were fed by us bring by for their daily ration of dog food.  We have 3 does, two who have recently fawned and a young buck who drop by twice a day for a meal of corn mixed with sunflower seeds.  We have a cardinal couple, Byron and Bridget, who nest around here and LOVE the sunflower seeds in the corn, we also have squirrels who eat pecans from our hands on a daily basis.  We love nature and live in harmony with all who visit us.

 I'm sorry to make this so long and drawn out.  I am very anxious for some advice on caring for this little bird who needs our help. 

Oh, also...should we attempt to treat her wing?  Should we try to apply neosporin to the underside where there is a visible injury?  How can we treat her if she is in pain?  etc...?

Thank you in advance for your timely consideration and prompt input in this matter.

Deborah White (wkwj@bellsouth.net)

[Obnates]

First, I applaud your efforts to keep this bird alive -- aren't cedar waxwings gorgeous?

Second, I would get it to a wildlife rehab center as soon as you can.  They're trained and equipped to handle situations like this, while most "normal" people like you and me are not.  Also, I believe it's technically illegal to keep one in your home (cedar waxwings, like most birds in the country, are native and covered under the Migratory Bird Act, I think).

As far as food goes, though, cedar waxwings typically eat berries like nobody's business.  They love the mulberry bushes around here, but I'll bet blueberries would be good too.

Other people will likely respond soon as well, but thought I might get you thinking about things.

Good luck!  And if you have a digital camera, take some photos and post them!  We all love seeing the waxwings. 

[ktymama]

I have taken pictures, especially under the wing to show her injury, but don't know how to post them on this site.  Any suggestions are welcome.

[ktymama]

  Okay, I think I've finally figured it out.  I went to  "Content Selector" at the top of my "Quick Reply" page.  That took me to another screen that had two catagories--+Files and +Pictures.  I clicked on the plus sign next to pictures and finally a box popped up "Stop Running This Script," so I selected "NO" then clicked on the plus sign again.  This brought up "Bird Photography" so I clicked on that plus sign and several other catagories appeared, so I selected "My Bird Pictures" and once more I received the little box "Stop Running This Script?"  Again I clicked "NO."  I added 6 pictures to the gallery (they are at the end)  I have also tried to paste them in this message.  I hope they come out so you are able to see she/he is at ease and in no apparent distress.  Subsequent to your advice, we purchased blueberries, blackberries and strawberries.  We are happy to report that this was valuable information because she devoured the blueberries, likes the blackberries and strawberries and still prefers Arizona Rx Stress Herbal tea over tap water!!! LOL

I hope you are able to see her left wing in the photos I posted, most especially the injury beneath the wing.  Any suggestions as to how best to treat this???

Are we correct in assuming this is a female???

Please let us know as soon as you can manage.

Thanks!

[Jim Penny]

Call a local vet and ask if they know of the nearest licensed Rehab facility.  That is the best solution.  Also, due to various International Treaties, etc, it is often illegal to posses certain wild birds.

[luv2bird]

I'm surprised you haven't contacted a wildlife rehab yet w/the animals you've mentioned. It's a responsibility what you've undertaken, and I admire you (I'm not here to pass judgement). Someone mentioned a few points you make think about like it being dangerous handling wild animals or leading to legal problems. The reality is that animals die even after rehabilitation and being released back into the wild. Predators have keen senses to spot prey. Your Cedar Waxwing is a wild bird, and not meant to be a pet, that's why I suggest as others do to contact a rehab and get her into the hands of a pro. Just my $0.02 worth which ain't much.

Click here to locate the nearest rehabilitator in your area. Cedar Waxwings like to eat berries, sap, flowers, and some insects. You can check out this website to see which plants are bird friendly. I'd feed it a parrot's diet except smaller portions because of its bill, like you said grapes, or any kind of berries you can gather. Good luck and let us know what happens with "her."

[ktymama]

Dear luv2bird,

Although we have fallen in love with "Pauline" we think it would be unkind to keep her as a pet after her rehabilitation.  She deserves to mate and make babies, as well as to migrate.  We have purchased seeds, but she is TOTALLY disinterested in them.  She LOVES the blueberries and blackberries.  She picks at the strawberries a little bit.  We are in the process of trying to catch bugs, gnats and other small flying insects to see how she likes them.  We have located a bird rehabilitator and forwarded the pix to her.  We are awaiting her response.  Other than her wing, "Pauline" seems to be thriving.  We are going to follow up on which flowers she might like using the links you have provided.

We went on Microsoft Encarta as well as Bird Watchers Digest and Learn Bird Songs.com and we play the Cedar Waxwing bird calls.  Boy, does she really pay attention and softly answers back.  Most of the time she searches around the room to catch sight of the "other birdies" making all the sound.  We also have a nest of baby cardinals right outside the dining room window, so we open the window and Pauline watches the mama and papa flying back and forth to feed the babies.  She can hear the babies when they start to peep in answer to mom and dad feeding the brood.

As for the other "wild animals" we have lived here for nearly 15 years and we not only love the wildlife here, but we also respect them.  We don't do anything to put them, nor ourselves in danger.  Also, I was one of the founding four members of United Humanitarians-No More Homeless Pets of Volusia County.  So I am not a complete novice at working with animals.  I have worked hands on with area animal control, vets, city and county government employees, as well as other rescue organizations.  However, Pauline is my first wild bird rescue.  I hope this information will help to alleviate the fears of everyone visiting this discussion.

Thank you all so much for your concerns and advice.

Sincerely and respectfully,

Ktymama

[chupacerveza]

Your observation of her diet preferences fits in well with this (found on the 'net):

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Diet consists mainly of fleshy fruits, but also includes insects caught in air or gleaned from vegetation. Forages in branches of fruiting trees, typically plucks fruit while grasping a branch. Fleshy, berry-like cones of cedar (Juniperus spp.) historically dominated winter diet. In spring, this bird will hang from maple (Acer spp.) branches to feed on suspended drops of sap. Instances have been recorded of cedar waxwings becoming drunk from alcohol in overripe fruits. This often results in them falling to the ground, hitting windows, being hit by vehicles, and dying from injuries.

====

When they come through Austin, TX they eat tons of Chinese tallow tree seeds (not the same as Chinaberries) as well as any other berry they can get their beaks on.

While I too would commend your act of kindness, I would mention in a gently chastising manner that I doubt you are in compliance with the Migratory Bird Act. You haven't stated whether you possess a Wildlife Permit, so the assumption would be that you don't. Did you know that it is illegal to be found in possession of even one feather of the bird you rescued? You might wish to take a look at this page for some guidance: Free Rescue Manual.

Best wishes and good luck with the bird,

Robert

[luv2bird]

Ktymama,

Like I said, I admire you and it was w/ respect that I chose to suggest anything at all. I didn't want to offend you or imply you weren't smart enough to make a sound decision about contacting a rehabber or vet in your area. Some people who are new to Whatbird have never heard of rehab facilities for birds. My only other suggestion or hint was going to be to call a pet store and see if it carries mealy worms. You could try feeding Pauline mealy worms. My concern for your welfare was more from a safety standpoint. Seriously, I report dead birds and squirrels to the CA West Nile Virus Dept and Vector Control. I make a choice to handle sick, or injured birds, squirrels or other wildlife that find their way into my yard, just as you do. I'm not a rehabber, vet, or save-all. I work closely w/ officials and the University to monitor West Nile Virus and its affects in my neighborhood. I wouldn't worry about all that licensing mumbo jumbo, for the amount of time you nurse Pauline it isn't important. That's all - over and out.

[teresemom]

Dear Deb,

 This is the coolest story I've read yet. Yep, I know we're not supposed to try to care for wounded wild animals by law, but you know it would be less stressful to the bird to stop the car transit and settle down.  Birds have historically been one of the animals that can understand and bond with a human.  If she seems to be accepting of your care, I don't see the immediate need to send her somewhere else.  But that's not politically correct.since the DNR people had to go to school and get degrees in wildlife rehabilitation and should get first dibbs on wounded birds.

I would never consider nursing a larger bird, but this little Waxwing  is a visiting angel.

My adopted wild cat took out quite a few of my innocent little redpolls this spring.  At first there were just feathers, but soon there were hurt birds around.  I caught one little puffy female and she couldn't swallow . She had chewd up seeds on the sides of her beak but seemed to choak when she tried to swallow.  I brought her inside to see if she could sit in a box of hay, but she flew to the window right away to try to get outside.  I scooped her off the windowsill and brought her back outside to the top off a little stack of haybales and ruffled up the hay so she could hide in it from the cat..  I saw her for a couple more days hopping around the feeders, but I could see she couldn't fly very far at a time. Then she was gone.  But there were lots of the flock still there fattening up for the journey north to the NWTerritory breeding grounds. I wonder if I should have tried harder to save her... 

 My geologist boyfriend tried to console me by saying this is just the way nature has worked forever, but when you see those teeny little eyes looking right into your own, you feel a teeny little connection with one of Gods most selfless creatures. 

 I'm glad you helped that little bird, I bet you will never forget her...

Terese

[ktymama]

Dear Friends,

 This is the first opportunity I have had to log on and report that we did reach a "bird rehabilitator" in our area and surrendered Pauline over into her care.  Unfortunately, we were informed that Pauline passed away.  No one is able to give me any definite answers only theories.  Perhaps it was an infection caused by her injury, perhaps it could have been some undetected internal injury, or perhaps it was because wild birds don't do well in captivity.

 All I know is that we thank God for the wonderful opportunity to love this little bird for a short while.  I feel truly honored that He chose me to see this little angel and run to her rescue.  Whatever the case, we were truly touched by the trust bestowed upon us and we will always keep our eyes open in order to identify Cedar Waxwings from here on out.

 Thank you all for your wonderful advice, care and concern throughout this adventure.  It is nice to know there is a website available to identify birds and provide answers and information concerning their care and wellbeing.

Sincerely and respectfully,

Deb

[chupacerveza]

Hi Deb,

Thanks for giving that update and sincere condolences for your loss. Your efforts are to be commended and we're all sorry that Pauline didn't make it.