Any advice? Injured bird awaiting SSPCA response

[thatorchidmoment]

This morning while I was hanging out the washing, I heard some funny noises nearby. They were coming from a young crow (adult sized but with fluffy down on its back), who held its wings out from its body and didn't move when I came near. It crept closer and closer to me. An adult was flying overhead but wouldn't come near it.
I did a quick Google and decided to feed it a bit and give it some water as it was in direct sun for some time. It accepted a few titbits from me and drank water from a bowl. It seemed distressed if I went inside, and I thought it might be injured, so I called the SSPCA (I'm in Scotland). They told me to try to put it in a box, or put a ventilated box on top of it, and would call me back.
When I lifted it gently into the box, it hopped out and I could see for the first time that its wing feathers were damaged. It won't move more than a couple of feet at a time.
I have 2 mobile kids at home (4 and 10 months) so I can't really take it inside. It's under a big box outside with an extra hole I cut for ventilation. It's almost 2 and a half hours since I was told to do this and wait for a call back. WIBU to phone them back and chase it up, or do I hang on?

(My FIL is coming at some point this afternoon, so I could really do without nurturing another dependant being! I don't really mind though).

[Lonecatwithkitten]

If you take it to your local vet in regular surgery hours they will look at it for free.

[thatorchidmoment]

lonecat thanks for that: it's not an easy option at all though. I have two small children at home and one in school, plus a visitor coming this afternoon. Not sure how long a trip to the vet would take, plus I'm not confident handling a full-sized crow. I might give the sspca another call if I haven't heard back by 2.

[thatorchidmoment]

Thirsty fluffy crow earlier!

[OverUnder]

Sounds like you've done all you can fit now. Make sure it has food and water. Keep the box over it. Darkness will keep it calm for now. Hopefully someone will get back to you soon.

[OverUnder]

Oh and I would probably chase them up. Another option is to look online and see if there are any wildlife refuge near you. Often they'll come out to collect and get it treated if need be. Hth

[Laiste]

Is the box in the shade?

You could google animal sanctuaries in your area. I was surprised to discover there was a couple near me run by normal folk who were happy to have their garden and lives taken over with aviaries and pens for injured birds/hedge hogs and the like. They might be able to come quicker than RSPCA.

[Laiste]

x post over

[mrsfuzzy]

hope everything works out well, we rescued as collar dove in similar circumstances, but it had hit the window and knocked itself silly, we tried to encourage it to fly after it recovered but as it wouldn't we kept it in an old play pen over night [open] but it stayed with us for several days before it decided to fly, felt happy but a bit sad too, empty nest moment.
we called it dorothy and thought that was the end of the matter, but dorothy moved into our garden and actually raised three clutches of chicks. she became very tame and would sit on the fence near the clothes line when i was hanging out washing, have not seem her for a couple of years now but it felt special she grew to trust us and encouraged her babies to let us feed them at close quarters.

[Laiste]

I have form for rescuing all sorts and then wishing i hadn't, tbh finding myself juggling kids and injured animals and trying to find someone who knows more than me to take them off my hands.

Last time was a magpie. Injured wing, couldn't fly, took up residence in our back garden (big, no proper boundary, fields and woods around) and we were feeding it and keeping it alive basically until we could catch it and take it to the vet at the end of the lane.

Caught it eventually after about 10 days, took it - and they carried it out the back and rung it's neck I understand that they thought there was nothing to be done for it, and they were the best people to know, but it was a bit soul destroying after all our efforts.

[GerundTheBehemoth]

I think chase them up. You could also see if there's a local rescue - search here.

[thatorchidmoment]

Thanks for ideas. Yes, the box is in the shade. I just went to check on McCrow, and it is ok. Popped more water under the box and it is drinking plenty. I've googled for animal sanctuaries near here, and they are pretty far away. Sspca say their local person knows and will get in touch to let me know how long they will be.
Parents are flying around as usual. We have a small forest surrounding our house on 3 sides, so plenty of birds nest here. In fact, last year we had two sets of swallows hatch directly above our front door! This year, they have nested in the garage, and we have house martins in the eaves.

[thatorchidmoment]

Thanks Gerund, that's really useful. Seems like there is a rescue about 10 miles away, so that's plan B.

[thatorchidmoment]

Last year's baby swallows! Taken about a week apart. Just for light relief.

[thatorchidmoment]

Update: sspca lady came and wasn't sure if the wing was broken or not. She has taken it away to be assessed and will return it if it's not broken. Otherwise, it will be put down.

I hope it comes back: I'm quite attached to it now!

[thatorchidmoment]

#teammccrow

[GlitteryPenguin]

Any update? well done you for giving it the best chance you could!

[thatorchidmoment]

Just saw this penguin: I haven't heard back from sspca, so not sure if I should call again. I'm sure they are busy this time of year with so many baby birds about, that I don't want to jam up the phone lines, but I'd like to know either way really.

The parent crows have been marching around where young one was last seen and looking a bit bereft!