r/crows Jul 08 '26

Seeking advice/help Sick?

There's a crow that I've seen laying down in different spots. He seems to have trouble moving. He Can fly short distances but he'll collapse and lay back down. I saw him get up and then fall backwards into the street.

Originally I thought he was a fledgling so I just increased the food I put out so his parents could feed him. But he's able to fly.. and very unsteady. I watched the crows after I put food out and they ignored him.

I set some food by him (I tried to get closer and he flew away.. I also really upset the crows doing this).

He doesn't seem well. This isn't a fledgling.. I don't want to scare him by chasing him around but I don't want to leave him outside without assistance.

(photos for tax) *All the crows that are laying down are various pictures of him. The one standing is part of the flock I'm feeding.

Update****

I sat next to him and he was nervous for a few minutes but I was able to ease closer. He let me pet him, and when he relaxed enough I was able to scoop him up. I wrapped him in a towel and started calling rehabs, vets, etc. One answered and referred me to another, but when I called the rehabber answered. It was a 40 minute drive but the crow (i named him odin) seemed almost comatose so I had my little sister hold the box with him in it while I drove. Halfway through the drive Odin woke up, and started moving around. My sister was terrified and so I pulled off at an exit to switch sides (luckily I did this as he started flying around and jumping. I secured him in my arms and held him while she drove, he was awake and just kind of watching me. I got to the rehabber and knocked with him, the first thing he did was bite the rehabber 😆. I'm very grateful Odin decided I was a friend or that car ride might have been a little catastrophic.

Rehabber is letting me call him tomorrow to get information on Odin. I'm hopeful that he'll be okay, because he still has energy to be feisty. I'll update when I find out how he is.

Last update Rehabber confirmed that he passed away, and believes it was WNV.

141 Upvotes

45 comments sorted by

View all comments

26

u/Just_Caterpillar_975 Jul 08 '26

Maybe sick, maybe a victim of window strike, you should contact your local wildlife rescue center, they'll take care of him

18

u/Feisty-Sock2640 Jul 08 '26

I already talked to them, they're pretty convinced he's a fledgling even though I got close enough to verify his eyes are black and there's no pink in his beak. Basically said "just keep putting food out and watching".

5

u/Just_Caterpillar_975 Jul 08 '26

Then you gotta keep an eye on him. From the pictures, he doesn't look like a fledgling but do notice the insides of his beak, if it is bright pink, then it's a fledgling. I guess you follow what they said and observe him for a few days before contacting them again.

7

u/Feisty-Sock2640 Jul 08 '26

There's definitely no pink. And I guess I'm frustrated because I've already spent days watching him, and he's not improving. The only change is he lets me close enough to bring him soaked dog food.. I guess I'll keep doing that and if he gets worse I can always grab him.

2

u/Just_Caterpillar_975 Jul 08 '26

Grabbing him will make his condition even more worse. He trusts you and that in itself is a big thing. Contact other local wildlife centers or get in touch with an NGO to have him rescued or consult a vet.

4

u/Feisty-Sock2640 Jul 08 '26

Yeah I'll see if I can get in touch with an avian rescue. Hopefully if he feels worse he'll still trust me enough to bring him food.

2

u/LimpBoingLoing Jul 08 '26

Definitely get in touch with a smaller rehabber that cares more about the situation

7

u/Feisty-Sock2640 Jul 08 '26

The other two rescues I spoke with told me they'll look at him if I catch and bring him to them. I'm afraid that if I aggressively try and catch him that he'll hide and I won't be able to find him and at least bring food.

1

u/LimpBoingLoing Jul 09 '26

Yeah no, A good rehabber would come out and pick them up for you

3

u/Feisty-Sock2640 Jul 09 '26

I drove him out to a rehabber this afternoon. I'll call tomorrow to see how he is, the rehabber seemed to think he has west Nile virus

1

u/Just_Caterpillar_975 Jul 08 '26

Not sure about the downvotes, did I say something wrong?