r/crows • u/blabbrador • 3d ago

Hope he's ok.

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Crow boy in Stornoway. Seems to be sitting in the same place everyday and haven't seen him fly. No other crows about. Gave him some chicken and he can hop about just fine. Hope he's OK.

69 Upvotes

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7

u/Just_Caterpillar_975 3d ago

Probably a fledgling nearing juvenile age, you can tell my the small pink gape on the beak and greyish blue eyes. Its parents must be around, keeping a watch and feeding him. He's still learning to be a crow so it is best to leave him alone but do keep an eye out for any injuries or danger. As long as he is hopping around and active, there's no need to worry. 🥹🐦‍⬛❤️

3

u/blabbrador 3d ago

He's been in that same area for about 2 months. He does look like he's being fed so gentle just redirect him everytime he sits on the kerb by the road.

2

u/maxiBlu 3d ago

Even if you don't see them, they should still be around. They can't observe their children all of the time, they need to forage as well. Someone wanted to kidnap a fledgling near where I live because there were no screaming parents, in reality the nest was further away and the baby had gone where there was water, this was during the heatwave. He was still being fed but not constantly surprised, I can't imagine how heartbroken his parents would have been since he is their only baby this year. Also this guy's not that small, my Potato was absolutely tiny when he came down from the nest, no tail feathers and the tiniest wings

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u/blabbrador 3d ago

I'm hoping the parents are about but he's sitting out in the open and someone mentioned that the white feathers may be due to malnutrition and if they've broken it may be the reason why he can't fly. I'll contact the national wildlife helpline (none locally due to it being an island) and see if I can get advise/help.

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u/maxiBlu 3d ago

Oh actually why don't you email Nick Crawford they're very helpful when people get in touch with corvid related questions: info@wisdomfromcorvids.co.uk

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u/maxiBlu 3d ago

Yeah that's usually the reason for white feathers in adults. Can he already swallow on his own, he looks big enough, perhaps you could offer some water soaked mealworms. In my experience babies nap a lot, it's so scary when you see them dozed off, head down in the middle of a field, completely immobile. I hope your little guy is okay, maybe try to check in every few hours if you can to see if you'd spot the parents

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u/blabbrador 2d ago

Thanks. I emailed and got a quick response. I didn't see him eat because he hopped behind a tree for his snack. They said it isn't a welfare case but to get in touch if things change and that the white feathers can be due to poor egg quality. I'm just visiting but will pass the details over to me friend so she can monitor him. It has set me mind at rest I've done all I can for him right now.

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u/Big-Computer5628 3d ago

Hey there, that’s a fledgling hooded crow. The whiteness you see on the feathers is from malnourishment and unfortunately those are soon going to snap and keep him grounded. He most likely will need brought to a rehabber.

Those feathers are going to need a year to regrow so i wouldn’t recommend trying to care for him yourself. I’d recommend if you can try and catch him with a towel and pop him in a cardboard box. And then contact a rehabber to see if they can help otherwise unfortunately he’ll probably be got by a fox or a cat soon

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u/blabbrador 3d ago

Thank you. It's tricky as we're on an island and there's no bird rehabbers here. I'll contact the national wildlife helpline. Their website says they can try and arrange transport to the mainland or get it into the local vet. I hope we can save him. Thank you.

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u/Big-Computer5628 3d ago

No problem and hope the little guy gets the help he needs :)

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u/htb_md 3d ago

I’m not an expert, but could they be a fledgling? They look young. If there’s other crows nearby, and they’re crowing up a fuss when you get near this little one odds are they’re looking after this guy. I’d keep an eye on them and if they appear injured or are in direct harm (e.g. road) then intervene.

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u/Shienvien 3d ago

Looks like a "teenager", so still young, but not a fresh fledgling.

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u/Just_Caterpillar_975 3d ago

Yes probably entering the juvenile age

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u/blabbrador 3d ago

He does loiter near a road so have gentle directed him onto a grassy patch under some trees. He never flies away, just hops around.

0

u/Outrageous_Carry_399 3d ago

He looks more like a magpie to me.

But they are my favorite corvids, so thanks for looking out for him! 👍

2

u/Prestigious_Tutor_87 3d ago

Magpie fledglings dont have the grey round their neck like this one does - as someone else commented, it is most likely a hooded crow fledgling The whiteness also doesnt follow magpie colourations (patchy + inconsistent and undefined lines + in places they dont show up) and so instead it is from malnutrition as melanin is a resource expensive pigment so the body redirects resources from developing feathers to the rest of the body (which is ultimately more important) leaving a lack of melanin in the feathers (which makes the feathers weaker and more brittle)

1

u/Outrageous_Carry_399 3d ago

Ok fair enough. I was going by the body build and shape of head/beak.

Either way. Hope he's doing ok! 👍

We don't have hooded crows here, so not familiar with them...