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Help Identifying- please help me determine what’s wrong with this bird


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My neighbor found this bird a few weeks ago (Super Bowl day) and was very concerned. It was curled up in the corner of her patio. She saw it again today and freaked out because she feels bad for it. She’s desperate to find out what’s wrong and help it. She insists that it leaves and comes back sometimes. There is poop from the bird on the patio floor, but I’m pretty sure it’s dead. However, I’m not sure how it would stay balanced. She wants to know what to do. She’s willing to set out a box or house for it but I’m not sure that will work. I’m in the tri-state area so it’s pretty cold. I’ll try to get a clearer picture soon. I have no bird experience- this is my last resort. Please help identify what’s wrong with this bird. Thanks, Em.

409092F8-3089-4292-8660-04BA844273BA.jpeg

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I can't tell to much from the photo, but some birds have regular perches or roost sites that they return to habitually. Perhaps it just likes having a roof? 

If its leaving and coming back, its probably okay, probably going out to forage for food then coming back to roost. If there's poop beneath it, then it must be eating... 

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1 minute ago, AlexHenry said:

I can't tell to much from the photo, but some birds have regular perches or roost sites that they return to habitually. Perhaps it just likes having a roof? 

If its leaving and coming back, its probably okay, probably going out to forage for food then coming back to roost. If there's poop beneath it, then it must be eating... 

Ok good. I’ll try to get a good photo tomorrow :) it just doesn’t seem to be breathing, and it’s really cold out. Should we put a nest box out for it or something? 

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1 minute ago, birdbrain22 said:

It is a Carolina Wren.... they are known to roost like that. Nothing is wrong with it.

Lol that accidental triple click...

@birdbrain22 I am amazed that you are able to ID that bird.

If you still want to put out a nest box do some research on the size of the hole, Carolina Wrens are pretty small so you could get a nest box with a hole too small for House Sparrows.

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1 minute ago, AlexHenry said:

Lol that accidental triple click...

@birdbrain22 I am amazed that you are able to ID that bird.

If you still want to put out a nest box do some research on the size of the hole, Carolina Wrens are pretty small so you could get a nest box with a hole too small for House Sparrows.

Where should I put it? On the ground? 

 

Thanks for the amazing help ?

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3 minutes ago, AlexHenry said:

 

@birdbrain22 I am amazed that you are able to ID that bird.

If you still want to put out a nest box do some research on the size of the hole, Carolina Wrens are pretty small so you could get a nest box with a hole too small for House Sparrows.

One sees a lot of things over 35 years of birding and 10 years banding.

Carolina Wrens will nest in anything... doesn't even need to be a nest box. old pots and even old boots have been used. However, it is perfectly fine there... they are very hardy birds.

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38 minutes ago, birdbrain22 said:

It is a Carolina Wren.... they are known to roost like that. Nothing is wrong with it.

yeah... I've seen several pictures of wrens online from people asking what kind of bird it was... often confused because it seemed spotty... In this puffed up, hunkering down position is really the only time that pattern is visible I believe.

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1 hour ago, emmysjj said:

Where should I put it? On the ground? 

 

Thanks for the amazing help ?

Speaking of amazing, here's detailed information about boxes for Carolina Wrens from our friends at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. They note, "Near homes, Carolina Wrens are versatile nesters, making use of flowerpots, mailboxes, propane-tank covers, and a variety of other items. Their nests have even been found in old coat pockets and boots. Nesting boxes offer wrens a more convenient (for you) place to put their nest, and can be placed so that they are safer from predators."

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8 hours ago, birdbrain22 said:

One sees a lot of things over 35 years of birding and 10 years banding.

Carolina Wrens will nest in anything... doesn't even need to be a nest box. old pots and even old boots have been used. However, it is perfectly fine there... they are very hardy birds.

Could have ID'ed that one off the description alone, couldn't ya?  :classic_cool:  

Edited by Charlie Spencer
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