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I think this bird flew into my window.  It's sitting stunned on my porch right now.  I'm just going to leave it go and hope it recovers, but I sure would like to know what kind of bird this is because it's not the kind of bird we normally see around here (Pittsburgh):

http://qs1865.pair.com/dbhost/hawk/injured_bird.jpg

Thanks,

ctm

Cedar Waxwing

 

Not uncommon in your area.

Would be best If you can get it to a wildlife rehab center.

If you can get it there, put it in a box or bag.  Also do not feed it or give it water.

 

On noting the heading of your posting, without yet having seen the picture, I thought to myself "cedar waxwing."  Why?  Because it sure seems like 90% of the birds people posting on the forum have reported hitting windows have been cedar waxwings. Any theories about why this species seems so particularly prone to such maloccurrences?

Because they're drunk! Seriously, I understand that they often overindulge in eating the berries they like and the contents will ferment in their stomachs and cause erratic behavior. Perhaps that explains it.

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"I put it down. you gotta pick it up." —Thelonious Monk

I have myself seen this. An entire flock of Cedar Waxwings intoxicated at Duke Hospital... they wouldn't even move until you almost stepped on them, and even then it was a couple sluggish steps to the side. Some had even passed out! I'm sure they were fine once they slept it off, but man... talk about a party!

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Total birds seen: 217
Latest lifers:
Wilson's Snipe, Barred Owl, Eastern Meadowlark
Favorite lifers:
Black-billed Cuckoo, Reddish Egret, Wood Stork
Go Birds Go! Blog

Well, first, let me thank you all for the quick replies.

Second ... the bird has flown!  I watched him for a while ... seriously, I thought he was going to lay an egg right there on my porch.  His gyrations indicated he was clearly uncomfortable.  Then ... he pooped ... big time ... and then flew off.

Enchilada reported that these birds often overindulge.  There is a tree outside my porch which is simply over-loaded with berries right now.  I'm guessing ... he ate too much ... he flew off and hit the window ... stunned himself .... dropped a load ... felt better ... and flew off.

Actually, somewhat entertaining!  Thanks.

ctm

 

Please................Send some Cedar Waxwings my way!!!!  I'll take 'em drunk or sober!!  Still #1 on my wishlist!!  They're in my area now but I'm still trying to find them.......

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Life List: 164
New this year-to-date: 13
Latest: Red-crowned Parrot

I now have an answer for the question: "What bird would you choose to be?"

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Bird Count (18 months): 222
Best Sightings: Ivory Gull, Brown-Chested Martin, Snowy Owl, Townsend's Warbler, Marbled Godwit
Most Recent New Sighting: Canvasback

I honestly believe there is something to the thought that the birds might be intoxicated. There is a bull moose in Anchorage that eats off a certain crab apple late in the season each year and has been observed to be intoxicated from the over-ripe apples.

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Ken Stenek
Shishmaref, Alaska

Check out Birds of Shishmaref site at:
http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/

Perhaps the Cedar waxwings need DUIs?

Kryptos18:

I have myself seen this. An entire flock of Cedar Waxwings intoxicated at Duke Hospital... 

Kryptos,

Do you mean they were so bad off they checked themselves in? 

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- Steve

Latest lifers: Whooping Crane, Prairie Falcon, White-throated Sparrow, Merlin

haha, no, they were merely stumbling along a breezeway lined by nice fermenting berry bushes. But, in all seriousness, they should really seek help for that...

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Total birds seen: 217
Latest lifers:
Wilson's Snipe, Barred Owl, Eastern Meadowlark
Favorite lifers:
Black-billed Cuckoo, Reddish Egret, Wood Stork
Go Birds Go! Blog

mousebird:

Perhaps the Cedar waxwings need DUIs?

Or in their case, FUIs (Flying Under the Influence)!!

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We did not inherit Mother Earth from our ancestors...... we have borrowed Her from our descendants.
Chief Seattle (paraphrased)

Send 'em down my way - I'll fix 'em up (and get plenty o' pics at the same time   )

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Life List: 164
New this year-to-date: 13
Latest: Red-crowned Parrot