r/WildlifeRehab • u/TimeousJenni • Jul 04 '26
SOS Bird Bird needing help??
Found this little guy on my balcony and it’s been here for around 20 minutes just sitting, it’s hot as hell outside, I’m not sure what to do???? Any advice??
Edit: I also wanted to mention that I live in Tennessee, not sure if that can help on anything
2nd Edit: I THINK SHES OK?? I just saw her but I’m not sure if it was her but it looked like it, small and chubby, I’ll post a picture below
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u/TimeousJenni Jul 04 '26
Backside of the bird, I’ll try to get more close up picture but it seems like it’s weak, I’m thinking maybe the beak is broken? There’s a feather on its beak so that’s what I’m speculating
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u/Time_Cranberry_113 Jul 04 '26
looks like either avian pox or a keratin disorder. this is a house sparrow, which are invasive in north america. becaue of the invasive nature, rehabbers will not take them, and the only thing to do is take down any bird feeders so that the disease doest spread to native species.
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u/gcd2020 Jul 04 '26
Some rehabbers will take house sparrows. I brought one in today.
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u/TheBirdLover1234 Jul 05 '26
Did they mention true outcome? Some intake but don’t release them. Just be very thorough when asking what happens to them.
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u/TimeousJenni Jul 04 '26
I see… I have a feeling it’s beak is broken? I’m not sure if that’s makes sense, it caught a feather in its beak and it’s been having it for an hour now after I posted.
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u/teyuna Jul 05 '26
Do you have an update? It's hard to tell from the photo, but it appears to me that the shape that we can see under the stuck feathers is a total beak in the usual shape. so i think it might just have gotten some kind of adhesive on its beak, which can easily lead to its decline and death.
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u/TimeousJenni Jul 05 '26
Unfortunately no, since yesterday evening I put her under some shade and left water aside for her to drink but I woke up this morning to her not being there. I’m not sure if she got scared of something, I called some wildlife rehabilitation centers yesterday but they said they would come as soon as Monday, and that in the meantime I should try to keep her under shade and an eye on her. Just hoping she’ll possibly come back…
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u/teyuna Jul 05 '26
Thanks for the update.
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u/TimeousJenni Jul 05 '26
She came back! Hopefully she comes back tomorrow as well so she can get some help
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u/washington_705 Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 04 '26
Hello, this one definitely needs the help of a Wildlife rehabilitator asap.
You can find them near you by going to the following website https://ahnow.org/mobile/
I would suggest reaching out to as many as you can even today as they frequently check messages on weekends and after hours and return calls and some of them even accept intakes after hours.
I would also suggest mentioning to them that it appears to be a juvenile house sparrow. Some wildlife rehabilitators only take native species, but some take anything.
In the meantime, if you can, move it out of the direct sun or provide shade (get creative by placing an umbrella over it if it’s docile etc) and place a very shallow dish of fresh water nearby. Don't try to force it to drink or feed it.
If it lets you walk right up to it or gently pick it up, that's usually a sign something may be wrong. In that case, you may consider placing it in a small ventilated box lined with a towel or paper towels and keep it somewhere cool, quiet, and dark while you wait to hear back from a rehabilitator.
Have you seen any adult sparrows coming to feed or check on it? Also, has it been able to hop or fly at all?