Not For The Squeemish - Injured Oriole

[canonloader]

I admit to having too much empathy for these kinds of things, but was hoping a Vet might see it and share his thoughts. This poor girl arrived in my yard with this injury and has been coming every day for the grape jelly I put out. i think she even has a nest and she has a male in close attendance every time she comes to the yard. Nobody can tell me birds don't think and worry about their own kind, I can see he does.

I know there is nothing that can be done, and I am just hoping it drops off soon so she can start to heal the stub before infection gets to it. She's suffered enough to make any human go mad.

http://www.picturelacrosse.com/birds09/orioles09/baltimore-oriolef-1d2n2503-052609.jpg

http://www.picturelacrosse.com/birds09/orioles09/baltimore-oriolef-1d2n2510-052609.jpg

http://www.picturelacrosse.com/birds09/orioles09/baltimore-oriolef-1d2n2523-052609.jpg

http://www.picturelacrosse.com/birds09/orioles09/baltimore-oriolef-1d2n2525-052609.jpg

http://www.picturelacrosse.com/birds09/orioles09/baltimore-oriolef-1d2n2536-052609.jpg

http://www.picturelacrosse.com/birds09/orioles09/baltimore-oriolef-1d2n2799-052609.jpg

http://www.picturelacrosse.com/birds09/orioles09/baltimore-oriolef-brokenleg-1d2n7315-052609.jpg

http://www.picturelacrosse.com/birds09/orioles09/baltimore-oriolef-1d2n7679-052609.jpg

[BigStig]

I share your sadness and hopes.
Great shots at least we know she is keeping well fed thanks to you.
Cheers mate.
Thanks for sharing

[canonloader]

Thanks Steve. She just keeps going. I guess she has no choice though. I bought some meal worms in the hopes she would get more protein, but so far all the birds have ignored them.

[Redrib]

That is a heart-breaker Mitch...makes you just want to cry! I hope the injury heals and she does ok without it. Glad she is at least getting some nourishment at your place.

[canonloader]

Thanks Rose, yes, I do cry when I see things like this. I hope my brother doesn't see me. I feel so helpless. I have so much respect for this bird though, she is suffering this injury and raising a family. I don't know of anything that desrves more respect.

[jgrussell]

Poor thing... hope she makes it through, Mitch.

[canonloader]

Thanks JG. I have hopes she will make it. Yesterday when I got that last shot, I thought the foot had already fallen off. I didn't see it still there until I got the images onto the computer. It is turning black though, and I think that means it's close to going. I hope so. She was actually singing yesterday though.

[kenn3d]

Hey Mitch... really sorry man.

We've seen several birds of various species survive a disabled leg or foot, and I suspect this poor one will also altho it's hard to witness what likely is a painful injury. It appears this one's leg is shattered and withering... hopefully it will fall away and leave her able to adapt to her handicap.

best luck to you and her,

Kenn

[canonloader]

Thanks Kenny. I saw her yesterday, but nothing today. The hard part is you just never know what happens. I have seen some one legged birds before though, so there is hope for her.

[DaveMcBride]

Not quite as bad as your case Mitch but still very sad to see. This Chaffinch appeared one day with some sort of 'scaly leg' I imagine, never saw her since.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x26/DaveMcBride/BIrds%201/DPP07D90606142815.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x26/DaveMcBride/BIrds%201/DPP07D90606142718.jpg

[canonloader]

Ah, yes. I have heard of this disease. I did see the oriole one more time after these shots. But not since, and have seen one female yesterday and today, one of the males showed up singing, so I have some hopes they are still around.

[DaveMcBride]

Hope so Mitch, I know you will be keeping an eye out for her.

[canonloader]

They always sing, and quite loud, so even if I miss seeing them, I will hear them. :)