Injured sparrow (can't fly) - how shall I care for it before hearing back from wildlife rescue people?

[Rekka]

Pick up from roadside. It can't fly, but doesn't look in too bad condition. Vet had a look and said one wing was swollen.

Called wildlife rescue, but they just got in touch via WhatsApp. Didn't answer questions, just told me to wait for being contacted.

It's late. Not going to get any help till tomorrow. Any idea what I should do to care for it through night?

Online it says not to offer water or food unless being told so. Would they be okay without anything for over 12 hours?

Rekka · Today 14:42

She was literally on the road driving around to pick up birds like the little thing I had this entire morning - an hour and a half from her last pickup point to mine... Sadly, just 15 minutes too late.

Are you in Northeast England? There's a lady close to us who rehabilitates wild birds, via a particular vet. I've had quite a few since I was young, the most recent being a baby wood pigeon, with all of its tail feathers ripped out.

You tried your best. Very sad, but you tried.

Tried what? Prolonging the inevitable and potentially putting a living animal through unnecessary suffering.

That's your view, and it's way too absolute. If wildlife can't be saved and rehabbed, there wouldn't need to be wildlife rescue.

It's not for me to judge if it would die for certain and that's why I brought it to the vet and tried to get someone who has the knowledge to decide. Time constraints is not in our control but I don't regret.

Please don't tell me human shouldn't intervene what the nature intends to do - we human have done far too much. Leaving it on the roadside might be quicker, but it's not more gentle. You may not agree, but you don't have to.

I've rescued a few birds over the years who have clearly been unable to fly. Sadly they all died or were pts by vet as apparently the trauma is too much for them. I put them in a cardboard box (with holes in) with something warm to sit on and a small bowl of water and bird seed. They were safe but in shock, doesn't mean your little sparrow won't so please just try to keep it safe, warm and access to water. Xx

Really sorry but I disagree with your actions and your viewpoint. I think you are unintentionally cruel.
As you say, we can disagree. However, you describe my stated opinion as ‘absolute’. And I never said humans shouldn’t intervene. My point was that the best intervention you could have taken was to provide a swift death.
As it is, the bird died and I am sorry that you experienced that.

Rekka

You don't know if they will survive, but you've done a good thing, trying to help. They may survive with intervention, they may die.

If you leave them, they will die. If one in ten survive, is it worth it? I think so.