My newest rescue

[perfectly_flawed]

I had to run an errand with my father to the next town over. On the way back, just a mile or so from home, we had a little bird hop across the road in front of the car. Dad had to stop to keep from hitting him. Poor guy was holding his right wing up and out, like it had been hurt, and he couldn't fly. I jumped out and scooped him up - no way was I leaving him out on a busy road when he can't fly! He's a young downy woodpecker, and his wing is definitely injured. My brother, 2 of my boys, and I are going to take care of him until he's able to fly again, then he'll be released back to the trees.

Meet "Woody"


Other than limiting human contact, and giving him a diet of bugs and berries, does anyone know how to care for these little guys? I'm not finding a lot of info on them.

[sinsa]

My mother and I rescued a few birds when I was a kid.  Everything you mentioned is what we did.

With a woodpecker though I would think that maybe a fresh piece of pine or some other sappy wood for him to drill on.

Good luck!

[perfectly_flawed]

I stuck a fresh cut log from a rhododendrum that we just removed in there for now. I'll try to get him some pine, too. Poor guy's terrified right now, pecking at the wires of the cage We covered him with towels for now, until he gets more used to the sounds and smells of our home.

[perfectly_flawed]

It seems I have no choice but to turn the little guy over to a rescue group - if I can find one. It's illegal to keep a wild animal, even just to get them back to health, in my state. Only problem is, the only people in this area that will take him is the local humane society - who brags about killing 80% of the animals in their care I'll face the fine before I turn him over to them. I'm trying to find someone else, even a county or two away, that can take him.

[TheVirus]

 Hope everything works out.

[perfectly_flawed]

I just got back from dropping him off at what seems to be a wonderful wildlife rehab center. They said he's definitely a fledgling, and his wing is definitely broken. They're going to keep me updated on how he does, but they're not very hopeful that he'll be able to go back to the wild. If not, he'll have a permanent home at the Woodland Park zoo in Seattle.

[cinlyn]

Bless your heart for rescuing the poor thing. We are big time bird lovers and keep a variety of them in our bird room. Our place has lot's of Woodpeckers who love our big Oaks and they are truly lovely birds.

Cindy Lynn

[Alara]

I'm glad you found a place that would take him.

I once rescued a dove that was an 'escaped' pet when I was in highschool.  I told my mom that I had gotten really close to a bird but I was on the way to the bus stop at the time.  She told me to catch him and fortunately we also had an unused birdcage.  I managed to catch him and put him in the cage.  I called my mom and she came home with bird food.

We lived on the outskirts of Sudbury at the time and he wouldn't have survived the winter.  My mom did find the owner who didn't want him back and so we had a new pet.  I think he was happy with us.

[julesfamily]

What a wonderful ending to a potentially tragic story.  Bless you indeed!