help! have injured egret in my garden

[fishinabucket]

i think someone has shot it and its wing is clearly injured.

i live in syria so no vets and no one i can think of to call for advice.

it has been here for about a week according to the staff (i have only just got back) and they have been leaving water out for it but thats it.

i am thinking of buying some goldfish and putting them in a bucket of water so the egret can have something. but have no idea if this is a good idea or not.

can anyone help me at all?

thanks in advance!

(ps, i have no idea where its come from as its the freakin desert out here. im not by the sea but up in the mountains)

I just looked at the advice on the RSPB website and they don't say a lot but do say

'Being handled and treated is a very stressful experience for an injured bird, and before you attempt to catch it, you should consider the benefits of treatment weighed against this.

For instance, a bird with an injured leg is probably best left, but a wing injury is serious enough to merit capture and treatment.'

from here

But I really don't know what to suggest as you won't be able to treat the poor thing. I think the idea of fish is OK, but tbh without medical help I don't think it has much of a chance.

thanks claire, yep i have no intention of trying to catch it unless i find someone to treat it.

besides, the staff did catch it to put it in the front garden so the dogs wouldnt get it, and the bird literally nearly took one of their eyes out. i was pretty amazed how much damage that beak can do!

i guess you are right about it not having much chance, i was sort of taking heart from the fact that its lasted a week already, but obviously without food its a lost cause.

DH just got home and we both went to look at him/her and i put some tuna out (i know i know! but its worth a try) and he agrees we should try the goldfish experiment tomorrow.

its just there is so little wildlife out here i feel terrible it might not make it

just in case anyone cares, the fish in a bucket thing seems to have worked! egret looking much happier and has even been roosting up in my trellis so wing is clearly getting better.

although some family members not so enamoured with the 'sacrificing' of goldfish.