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I Hate Wildlife! A Blackbird In Distress
This morning a female blackbird was outside in the courtyard on its back. It was alive, kicking its legs and moving its head. By the look, it had flown into a window, although I assumed the incident had only just happened.
The male blackbird was giving alarm ticks looking on anxiously. I gently righted the injured bird, but with great protestation from the patient giving me a peck and screaming - good news I thought, at least it's not too badly injured. It scurried away hiding behind a couple of planters where I left it to recover from what looked like concussion and shock. My concern was that one of the many patroling cats would come along and amuse itself with another feathered toy, so I descretely watched to see what might happen next...
Over the next 30 minutes or so, I saw the male blackbird come along with titbits to feed the injured female, which by this time, had its head peaking out from behind one of the plant pots. In an effort to follow the male, the female came out from behind the pot and attempted to fly - without success. It looked like it had a damaged or broken a wing. As a result it ended on its back again, helpless and unable to right itself. So it's possible that the incident was not recent and that the bird had spent some time attempting to get back on to its feet but without success. Evidence to support this came from a number of bird droppings around the immediate area.
Worried about the cats, I went out and gently righted it, again with loud complaints from the bird. All I could do was to guide it into a deep and high ivy hedge where the two birds had been nesting. The male quickly followed. At least the female had a more secure location where the male blackbird could also be in attendance without risk to both.
The irony of this story is that this female is the second pairing of this male. His first female was found dead at the bottom of the garden about a week ago.
Under these circumstance it's often difficult to know what to do. My instinct is to bring the injured bird inside in an effort to restore it to health - but that can be only wishful thinking. I do not have the experience, the skill, nor do I believe it to be the right thing to do for wild garden birds as the stress and high levels of anxiety inflicted on the bird just exacerbates the problem.
I can only hope that the female is able to recover quickly to continue to nest - but somehow, I doubt it. If that is the case, then I hope it eventually passes peaceably and without any further distress.
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