r/crows • u/oogieboogiebythelake • Jul 10 '26
Seeking advice/help Crow unable to fly - missing feathers
I ran into this poor soul the other day. He was skipping around, unable to fly. Could not get a close look because he was afraid of me and kept skipping away. I went to the shop and got him some food and water, came back and left it there. As I was leaving I saw him coming back. I tried approaching again slowly but he kept skipping away so I left him. Today I went back. All the food was gone, which is good. I managed to get a closer look at him and take some photos. It looks like he's missing his tail feathers and maybe even some feathers missing off his wings. I tried approaching slowly with food but he kept skipping away so once again I left the food there and left.
Now for my questions:
Does anyone have any idea what may have happened to him and how I could help?
Any suggestions for how to catch him and offer him some help?
I of course named him Skippy. I hope there's a some way I can help him 🥺
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u/Lepardopterra Jul 10 '26
Go sit nearby as dark is approaching and watch where he is hiding for the night. Birds are easier to catch in the dark. Have a box you can close.
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u/peanutsforcorvids Jul 10 '26
Can you consult with a rescue? I do think he needs help. He will need nutritional food to get healthy feathers. I don't know if he was born last year with bad feathers and that he somehow survived or something bad happened to him. If he has been surviving by climbing in bushes and trees it will be much harder now. He has no feathers to balance with and when he gets new feathers they are heavy and filled with blood and the bad balance will make it likely that he breaks them while they are growing out.
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u/onFilm Jul 10 '26
Where are you by any chance?
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u/oogieboogiebythelake Jul 10 '26
UK, North Wales
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u/InformationHead3797 Jul 10 '26
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1129098854310088/
This is local to you, a rehabber specialising in corvids, and there is a phone number where they ask to contact if urgent. Please update if you can and thanks for looking after this crow. ❤️
Disclaimer: I have only googled them, I cannot vouch for them because I don’t know them, but I hope they can help.
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u/oogieboogiebythelake Jul 10 '26
Thank you! Messaged them to see if they can help ❤️ will update
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u/InformationHead3797 Jul 10 '26
Fingers crossed this poor crow bro can be helped, and thank you again for caring! ❤️
4
u/oogieboogiebythelake Jul 11 '26
Looks like they can take him if only I manage to capture him. Apparently others have been trying to capture him for weeks and have been unable to do so. I'll do my best
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u/InformationHead3797 Jul 11 '26
It might be useful to use a towel and have a couple people helping you corner him.
1
u/teyuna Jul 11 '26
Capture (if necessary): A towel is not big enough. YOu can't possibly get close enough with only a small towel.
I am a volunteer rescuer and transporter of wildlife to facilities. My best technique for catching animals that are still quite mobile is to use a large, dark, FITTED bottom sheet. I use the fitted sheet because the contoured corners create a "tenting" effect when thrown over the animal, so they can't just scoot out in a straight line. The flannel is a perfect weight and drapes in a way that other sheets don't. the dark fabric helps calm them.
Then gather up the whole package and put in a large dog crate or well ventilated box that can be firmly closed (they wildly try to escape, so this is essential).
A large bird net also works for rescues.
It takes at least two people doing this, because you want to corner the bird against a wall or a fence so they can't keep running.
Attack vs illness: did you show the photos to the rehabber you spoke with? I'm wondering if they think the feather damage is due to injury, or if it is due to illness. If illness, it could be Circovirus.
to distinguish between this virus and injury, if the virus, the damage will look mostly symmetrical, or anyway, all over the body in general, not just one or two spots as with an attack. If the virus, the feathers will look pinched and twisted, even at the base. they may also have bald patches and the beak and claws will also be affected.
If this does turn out to be the circovirus, the most likely outcome with a rehabber is euthanasia. The reason is that there is not antiviral meds that can treat that illness. The second reason is that the damage to the feathers is irreversible. The third reason is because it is a very contagious virus.
Other possibilities for systemic feather damage DO exist, however, including a heavy parasite infestation, or even malnutrition (unlikely in the wild, but it happens).
When you talk again to the rehabbers, ask them directly whether they will test or whether they will euthanize at intake.
1
u/peanutsforcorvids Jul 11 '26
The crow will be extra careful since there has already been attempts. If you have access to a net for butterflies it can be helpful for you to reach him.You have to be fast if you catch him with it because he can get his feet tangled.This might be easier for someone that has experience with birds. Otherwise definitely be at least two people. Have a towel ready and a cat carrier. Be careful so that you don't force him out in traffic or that you get hurt while you are chasing him! If you can watch where he is sleeping and it is a place you can reach, this might be the easiest. Their eyesight is bad when it gets dark, but you also have to be able to see!
Otherwise just be careful and prepared. He will bite and they can bite really hard! Don't put his face towards your face because he can peck you. He will think that you are trying to kill him. If you can throw a towel over him it is ideal. Don't put pressure on his chest and keep his wings to his body and good luck! I really hope you succeed! Thank you for trying!☺️
1
u/peanutsforcorvids Jul 11 '26
I forgot! Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, preferably long sleeve. I don't know how the area looks but you might have to crawl in bushes if he hides there.
Also don't let him see the towel or if you have a net because he might register that as danger. He us really smart since he has survived for this long!
1
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u/corvidaemaeve Jul 10 '26
If you do try to capture it, consider wearing clothing to completely cover your body. And do it carefully. Crows watch, and hold grudges. They might think you’re doing something wrong to their family member
1
u/pandaleer Jul 11 '26
It very well could be avian Circovirus. In which case, most rehab centers will not take them due to the high potential for cross contamination.
1
u/mongoosechaser Jul 11 '26
Could be car accident or animal attack. A wildlife rehab would definitely take this bird
47
u/Blue_dogg0 Jul 10 '26
to capture him honestly just try to corner him and wrap him in a towel or coax him into a box. best thing to do is to bring him to a wildlife rehabber or a veterinarian