In my post about the bird tables in our garden I mentioned that a male blackbird with an injured leg was a regular visitor to one of our bird tables. We first noticed him sitting there looking very sorry for himself. At this time we didn't expect that he would survive and guessed his leg was newly injured.
The bird table is covered by a roof and close to the house in a sheltered spot and there the blackbird stayed all day and most of the time in the following few days. When Martyn went out to put food onto the bird table he would just hop onto the nearby fence and return as soon as Martyn's back was turned. To our delight he improved and seemed to have learned how to manage on one leg.
He could manage to flutter to the nearest bird bath to drink and bathe.
He started to venture away from the bird table but each morning he would be there waiting for his breakfast of buggy nibbles, not even moving when the curtains were drawn back. He would just sit looking back in at us as if to ask, What's keeping you?"
When food was taken out he would just hop off the table and be straight back on as soon as he could. He's still a regular visitor - Martyn took these shots today as he made use of one of our bird baths.
He still can't use his bad leg but seems to manage with just the one good leg. One thing for sure is that he can be confident that we will keep him supplied over winter.
Posts
Although he is not a perfect bird, he still looks so cute.
ReplyDeleteHe is cute Endah and he seems to trust us.
DeleteWhat a lovely story. I'm glad it was your garden he came to when he hurt his leg, you've obviously nursed him back to health with all the delicious treats he gets. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteI hope we helped, Jo
DeleteOh that is so sweet.
ReplyDeleteWe miss him when he doesn't turn up, Jo
DeleteThat's a nice story about the blackbird. Very good photos too! I love seeing various birds in the garden but I rarely manage to get any decent photos.
ReplyDeleteWe try to get them to come close enough to the house so we can take photos from a window, Kelli
DeleteSo, he's almost a pet then! We had a wounded female Blackbird once that lived in a Redcurrant bush for several weeks during the Summer. At least she didn't have to go out foraging for food while she convalesced. I don't know if she eventually recovered enough to fly away, or perhaps a cat got her in the end.
ReplyDeleteHe is, Mark I do hope your female didn't end up inside a cat!
DeleteYou just know he's ever so grateful don't you. I've seen magpies attack injured birds, lucky Hoppy is managing to stay safe and with Martin and yourself playing nursemaid - his odds just increased.
ReplyDeleteWe do have magpies, Angie but they tend not to come too near the house unless the weather is really bad, Other than his leg Hoppy looks like a healthy bird.
DeleteHe's gorgeous Sue. It's such a joy to see birds. We don't see many blackbirds on our plot but do have a robin that is very demanding. I managed to get the best pictures when we turned out a plant pot with and ant nest in the bottom.
ReplyDeleteThe birds on the allotment tend to stay in the trees and just sing to us, SG but we get lots of variety in the garden that come to feed. On the plot we have plenty of blackbirds that grumble at us for netting the redcurrants.
DeleteHe is very attractive. With your help it looks like he might adapt to his disability.
ReplyDeleteI hope so, Alain
DeleteHas he damaged a wing too, or just using it for balance? He still looks quite perky doesn't he.
ReplyDeleteHis wing is fine Jessica - I think it's just a balance issue. He's a clever bird to think of it isn't her?
DeleteWhat a warm and lovely story to share. The photos are great. Now, when I look at the first one, compared to the last one, does it seem to you the leg is improving? So have you named him yet? ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe photos were all taken at the same time, Bren, He's been like this for quite a few months now so I guess it's as good as it's going to get. His name - Hoppy.
DeleteAwww bless. Birds are quite resilient aren't they - I once came across a pigeon whose leg was hanging by a thread. He allowed me to pick him up and cut through the leg sinew. Then he flew up on the telephone wires and balanced perfectly.
ReplyDeleteWow that was really brave of you Elaine.
DeleteWhat a wonderful story. He certainly looks in great condition which isn't surprising given his business class diet and easy access to it. Without a doubt you've saved his life, he wouldn't cope if he had to forage on the ground. Do you think the leg is broken?
ReplyDeleteI loved this, I hope you get to keep him for many years. Awwwwhh!xxx
It's hard to really tell Snowbird. It could well be as there has never seemed to be any infection. He was never slow enough to be caught without stressing him out and tiring him.
DeleteAwww wonderful, he is a stunning looking bird. He is lucky he's in your garden so he can be well looked after.
ReplyDeleteHe is a beauty, Julie
DeleteLets hope he survives the injury. Nice but sad photographs.
ReplyDeleteIn some ways though happy too, Rooko as he seems to be coping well.
DeletePoor thing. He certainly looks in good condition otherwise though. Let's hope he continues to thrive under your care!
ReplyDeleteWe hope so too, CJ
DeleteSo nice to see 'Hoppy' learning to cope with one leg. I think sometimes we underestimate the wildlife and how resourceful they can be!!
ReplyDelete