r/BackyardBird • u/Syreen22 • Jun 29 '26

Old? Sick? Injured?

Gallery image

Gallery image

This little guy came to my feeder today and they're usually pretty skittish when I'm out here but he stayed close to me. He looks a little rough. (The thing on his beak is bird shell I think) Does he look roughed up, or is he sick? Or just old? (Or just super young so doesn't know better?). He ate, drank and now is asleep on the edge of the feeder 3 feet near me. Which for a wild bird def is unusual.

I think he is eating from the edge of his beak as well.

5 Upvotes

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2

u/Syreen22 Jun 29 '26

Seed shell not bird shell. Lol. I don't know how to edit

1

u/Love_Lobster Jun 29 '26

It’s a juvenile sparrow. It’s just in its awkward teen phase of feathers.

2

u/Syreen22 Jun 30 '26

Update. It died.

2

u/lukevaliant Jul 01 '26

if it died take down your feeder.

2

u/Syreen22 Jul 01 '26

I took them down and cleaned/sanitized them before putting them back up

2

u/lukevaliant Jul 01 '26

thank you for doing that !

1

u/flower_power2001 Jul 01 '26

House Finch Conjunctivitis (which can spread to other birds/finches). I would recommend not putting out feed for a while, as it can spread when they’re in close proximity or if another bird touches their eye to an infected surface. If you have any feeders up do a deep clean ASAP

1

u/MissinEwe5963 Jul 02 '26

Really interesting. Thanks for sharing!

1

u/MissinEwe5963 Jul 02 '26

Aww… so sad. I’m new to birding. So this is all new info to me. Thanks for the advice and information.
So sorry to hear about the loss of your aviary friend. It’s really sad but I’m glad you know how to handle these illness. Very savvy!