URGENT - how to help a sick Pine Siskin ?

[J.A. Bishop]

For the past 2 days, an ailing Pine Siskin has been sitting at any one
of my slightly open windows, near the feeders, so as to catch the heat
coming out of the house. He sits in classic ailing position: puffed
up, head buried under wing, sluggish responses to noises or movement
nearby. Yet he flies off if disturbed, is eating, and his eyes seem
clear.

This AM, I found him sitting inside the window ledge. Fearing he would
come inside and hurt himself flying around, I lined a shoe box with air
holes with paper towels, a small water cup and some seed. Then I
ever-so-gently captured the bird from behind and placed him in the box,
which I had put over a radiator. He settled in well, and is warm and
cozy in there.

Now what should I do with him? What is the best "next step"? If he's
dying I want him to go comfortably. If he simply needs a little warmth
to recover, that's what I'll provide. I have no intention of keeping
the little guy inside. We have sharp-shinned hawks patrolling
regularly, so I'm a bit worried about that.

Ideas? Opinions? Similar experiences? I await your answers ....

Judy Bishop
Vancouver BC Canada

[Andrew McGleish]

I'm not a vet, or even a vet nurse so my information is gleaned only
from what I read on this newsgroup and... Well do you believe in
cryogenics since freezers do seem pop up as in some way a workable
solution, or maybe I wasn't quite paying attention ;-)
--
Andrew McGleish, Lecturer in Forensic Mental Health Nursing
Caswell Clinic, Bridgend & District NHS Trust, Glanrhyd Hospital,
Bridgend, Wales CF31 4LN
Tel: 01656 662179 Fax: 01656 662157
E-mail: AM...@netcomuk.co.uk

[The Carrs]

Get him to a rehabber, your local Adoudon chapter should be able to help
you.
Gloria Carr

J.A. Bishop wrote in message <350966...@aol.com>...

>For the past 2 days, an ailing Pine Siskin has been sitting at any one

<snip>

[James Cracknell]

>Ideas? Opinions? Similar experiences? I await your answers ....
>
>Judy Bishop

Personally. Even though I love birds....I wouldn't bother. There are
plenty of Pine Siskins about and plenty die each year from the migration
stress etc.

Very pointed and worn tail or somewhat neatly rounded? A guess is the
former - a first-year bird....you have to think how many 1st years don't
actually make it to breed the first time around...if they all survived
we would be full of bird do do's.

Anyway it's the Darwinism....if it is not going to survive it's not a
fit individual. I know it is wonderful to care and all of that, but I'd
also advise people never to stress a bird out with temperature changes.
Their bodies work different to ours - ok their body temp maybe 40+
degress C but hey they have methods for keeping warm better than we do
at lower temps and many species find it hard to get rid of excess heat.

cheers,

J.

James Cracknell - Dedham Vale, (Stour Valley) Suffolk England UK
Pager: 04325 378866
Verbose e-mail: **<james at iceni dot prestel dot co dot uk>**
Don't use the reply to header - it doesn't work!

[DanKyburz]

> I lined a shoe box with air holes with paper towels,
> a small water cup and some seed. Then I
> ever-so-gently captured the bird from behind
> and placed him in the box,

Good start. Now you need to look in the phone book for a local bird sancutary,
rehab facility, rescue agency, etc. They could be listed almost anyway. Even if
the group has nothing to do with birds, they probably know who to call for
birds!

If you can't find one listed, try calling the local animal shelter, or even the
police or fire department and ask them if they can point you in the right
direction. I'd also check with some of the local vets.

I'm not familiar with that species, we live in Florida, but the bird maynot be
sick or injured at lll, it may be immature, and not know how to take care of
itself.

Good Luck, Dan

[J.A. Bishop]

Thanks to everyone who send personal and posted responses. The Pine
Siskin eventually died, but he did so in a a warm place with food +
water so he could live his last 2 days in comfort instead of feeding a
neighborhood cat. I realize many Pine Siskins are destined to die after
migration, but I felt good offering this ailing fellow a little
comfort.

[J.A. Bishop]

Thanks Dan, your advice was sound. The Pine Siskin's immune system was
eventually overtaken by the salmonella infection he was likely
suffering. There is also the strain of migration, which takes its toll
on first-year Siskins. However, I am pleased that his last 2 days were
spent in warmth with food + water handy, the little guy actually rallied
a bit before expiring. While it's a small thing, we have to give a
little back to the creatures that entertain us.