We found a bird...

[HardHatOptional]

We found this little on our path earlier, make no attempt to fly or move when approached.

I think it's a house sparrow, we've put him in a ventilated box with padding. Given some water in a bottle lid and left it for a couple of hours in a quiet room.

Just been to check and it's alert, so took it outside and tried to set it free. Little bugger was sat on my hand, tucked his head in and went to sleep. No attempt to leave.

What do I do? I admit I'm useless and know nothing about birds.

I agree with the others. Phone a wildlife rescue place. My local one is ace and if you can't manage to them they often ask around to pick the bird up to take to the,. A local girl took a baby bird to them a few nights ago after her cat brought it home alive.

@LifeIsHardButSoAmI

Why is it illegal to have a pet sparrow?

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected.

[quote anguauberwaldironfoundersson]@Deelish75 I'm afraid to tell you this but my friend is a vet and as pigeons are considered pests/vermin they're quite often taken out the back and put down [/quote]
The vet mentioned about a local wildlife place, but like I said I don't know what happened after I left the vets.

TBH whilst putting it down isn't ideal it's got to be better than a cat or other wildlife getting it.

@LifeIsHardButSoAmI

Why is it illegal to have a pet sparrow?

It’s illegal to own any British wildlife species without licence for exempted cases such as wild foxes who are too tame to be released.

It also stops people from going and raiding nests and dens so they can have a pet sparrow/fox/badger/squirrel etc

Try and d up some worms for it and see if there's a fishing tackle place tomorrow for maggots and mealworms, op.

I agree you can't put the poor little soul outside to be pounced on by cats.

I could be wrong but it looks like it's blind.

I reared a baby pigeon that a crow knocked out of a tree. It had a wound in its side, so wouldn’t have survived. I fed it on chick crumb soaked in water. It took it from my hand at first, then quickly learnt to feed itself. I kept it in my shower cubicle in my en suite- easier to clean and safe from the cat. It had a hot water bottle next to it for the first couple of weeks and a teddy to snuggle up against. It used to sit on my shoulder and practise flying to the floor. As soon as I felt it could survive alone, I took it back to where I’d found it and released it.

I didn't know not to bring it inside, now I do, I won't do it again. But I have and I feel awful!

I tried phoning local wildlife centre and there's no answer. Just ringing with no voicemail option.

I'll leave him be tonight and put him back tomorrow morning.

TBH whilst putting it down isn't ideal it's got to be better than a cat or other wildlife getting it.

You're not wrong!

He'll die overnight without food OP. Can you try a worm?

Don't feel bad - the survival rate for these little guys is pretty low even in a best case scenario and you meant well.

Honestly he's yours now (for the time being) ! No chance his parents will come back for him in the morning. If he survives the night you can try a local vet in the morning and get him taken somewhere.

I was talking about this with a colleague only yesterday. She said she found a baby swallow on the ground in her garden and fed it insects using tweezers and water with a pipette. She said after much searching she was able to give it to a local sanctuary. RSPCA wouldn't have accepted it. I'm based in SE London, pm if that's near you and you're looking to rehome it

Fledgling, pop him on tree branch and keep an eye on him, mum and dad will care for him, bring him food etc. he will take a few days to learn to fly and he will be fine

If you're near Hampshire, Hart Wildlife Hospital would take it.

Do you have a dog? You can soak dog kibble in water and feed with a pipette.

Is there a wildlife Aid or sanctuary nearby? I'd call them tbh.

We get loads of Sparrow fledglings every year as they nest in boxes in the garden. Yours looks lovely and healthy, you could try and put it back tomorrow, birds have rubbish sense of smell so won't smell you on him. You can feed cat food from the tip of a spoon but be careful of too much liquid or they'll aspirate.

We brought our first one in not knowing to leave it, it was much younger than yours though and had fallen or been pushed. All the fallen ones this year haven't survived for long.

Put him out tonight, only chance that his parents will come back to him.

Have tried to feed a worm and cat food with no luck. He's not chirping but is alert.

My neighbour saved similar over night and fed it cat food with tweezers little one chirped away loving it went to a sanctuary near by next day

Its parents won’t care for it now it has your smell on it and it’s been gone for a long time, yes your should of left it alone but it’s too late now, leave it a bit of water and soggy bread and tomorrow go and get some maggots or whatever you can find. He won’t learn how to be a bird from you so it’s probably for the best if he doesn’t make it.

OP whereabouts are you (roughly) as in county?

He is precious! Maybe a dunnock? Hope he eats something soon.

I suspect that if he’s not cheeping for food and not taking food offered, I suspect he’s unwell and you’ll probably find he’s passed on in the morning..

RSPCA will come and get him, I had an injured blackbird in the garden this week and they sent someone out to collect her, all very well organised with social distancing etc