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Little 'Jack' Sparrow Has a Chance 
By Bette and Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

Oh No! Honey... the cat has a bird....

Wednesday evening or cat Rudy brought us a present, a baby bird.  With several tissues, I carefully placed him in a shoebox, with holes for air, before he suffered anymore trauma.  I noticed a small red dot of blood on the tissue, which to me indicated a small wound of some kind. 

With an old syringe that was leftover from some dental work of Ed's, we gave the little bird some sugar water.  The little bird drank some and moved around a little.  Thank goodness!  We lined the shoebox with newsprint, added a washcloth, placed the baby bird in the hospital-box, and sequestered the box with the lid slightly ajar on a shelf in the closet.  We closed the closet door.  No cats allowed in here!

We called him Birdie at first, but we were quickly getting attached to him, so we gave him a real name, Jack.  Good night Jack Sparrow!

The Solve!

The the next morning we checked on Jack.  He make it through the night! 

Ed and I knew the bird needed more help than we could give him.  So after calling a few veterinary clinics, it was recommended for us to contact Fallen Feathers.  I called them, and we could bring our bird to them for some help.  We got Jack and we were on our way.  

Jack was getting weaker, he only had a little nourishment from the sugar-water over the last twelve hours, and then... there was that wound.

We met with Jody Kieran, the confident, passionate woman behind Fallen Feathers, a rescue educational and adoption service for birds.

Jody Kieran, the confident, passionate woman  behind the rescue, educational, and adoption  services at 'Fallen Feathers'

Much can be  told about the bird's health by  the color and texture of the feathers.

During our short visit, two other birds were brought to Jody for help.  All three of us had the same feeling; we wanted to do something for them.  The best thing each of us did was to bring our birds to Jody at Fallen Feathers.  She knows what to do.  Hers is the only bird care center on the west side of the valley.  A busy facility,  it is evident the passion and love Jody and her volunteers have  for our feathered friends!

 Jody told us: "This is busy baby bird time in Arizona.  In fact, Arizona has the longest baby bird season than any other state."

 
'Jack' Sparrow was given some antibiotics 
to fend off possible  bacteria from the
 nick the cat had given it.

An added note at this point although we  gave the bird  water and keep it hydrated, this is not always the best plan.  Read the instructions that Jody provides on her website  for care and feeding of  you new  found  friend. Since bird's airway is at the back of the throat behind their tongue, it is easy to down them when administering liquids incorrectly. Again - read http://www.fallenfeathers.org

An 'Equal Opportunity' Care Facility

If you find a lost or injured bird, even a pigeon or a sparrow, Fallen Feathers might be able to help.  They offer help to all birds that are lost orphaned on injured, including helping with the bird's capture when intervention is needed.  Not all shelters will accept pigeons and sparrows and Veterinarians often do not have the specialized training to help injured birds.

Fallen Feathers aim is to return birds back to their parents or back into the wild, which ever is best for the bird.  Sometimes the bird's parents are not available, as was the case with our sparrow.  The young bird has to be cared for until it can survive on its own.  At Fallen Feathers, a licensed bird-rehabilitator or a veterinarian provides medical attention, if needed.  The baby sparrow we brought in was given antibiotics and some food by Jody and responded to both the food and drink.  This just made our day.

Educational presentations are provided upon request and are based on availability.  Some of the exotic birds at Fallen Feathers can be adopted.  Most importantly, there is a strict process to ensure that the bird and its new family are good match.  You cannot just walk in a pick out bird and go home.  That's just how some of the feathered guys came to be at Jody's in the first place.

Finding a new family friend

The adoption starts out with you visiting the Fallen Feathers facility,  do  some volunteer work and play with the  birds.

If a bird takes a liking to you, the next step is you are allowed to take it  home  for a sleepover.  The next day the bird is returned to the facility where things are discussed to  make  sure that  there is a good match.. if  not,  you get to try another bird.

Eventually after a few other extended sleepover sessions, you and Jody will know if  you have the right bird match and you now will have a new family member!

Little Jack is doing better, thanks to Jody at Fallen Feathers.  The cost of all of this for Ed and I was a bunch of worry, some time, and a little gas (and we slipped some $$$ into the donation box!)

A happy ending!

Checking back later that week,  Jack Sparrow was doing well and running around  with 7 other tiny baby sparrows at Fallen Feathers!

 
Jack Sparrow  and three friends! Jack is on the left in front of another bird 
(that is why he looks a little large!)  - Photo By Jody Kieran Fallen Feathers

For more  information

Website:  http://www.fallenfeathers.org
Address: Fallen Feathers, 9532 W. Cielo Grande, Peoria AZ 85383

 NOTE: Be sure to print out the map and directions -  they are  wonderful!

If you would like to donate some of these items, you can help.  There have been 525 species of birds spotted in Arizona.  Money is always welcomed.  The services Jody provided today for us were at no cost, we were very grateful.

The following list of donations is welcomed as well as your time, talent and your dollars.

Temporary Emergency Care of Wild Birds

1.  KEEP THE BIRD WARM

The first and most important thing to do when you find an orphaned or injured bird is to warm the bird to a normal temperature.  The bird must be warmed before it can be fed!

Place paper towels or rags in the bottom of a box, small cage or other container. Place the bird inside.   You may need to use crumpled paper towels to prop up the bird if it is weak so that it is in a safe position.

Place the container on a heating pad set on low.  If your heating pad has auto-shutoff, be sure to check it to make sure it is still on.  If you do not have a heating pad be sure to keep the bird in the warmest place available, but don’t overheat the bird.

2.  NEVER PUT WATER IN A BIRDS MOUTH!

A bird’s airway is located on the bottom of their mouths behind their tongue.  Because of the location of the airway it is not uncommon for the water to go into the bird’s airway then to their lungs; if this happens, they could die from aspiration.

3.  FEEDING THE BIRD -- DO NOT FEED THE BIRD IF IT IS A HUMMINGBIRD OR A RAPTOR, OR IF THE BIRD IS LETHARGIC!

After the bird is warmed, you may want to give a small amount of food.  Prepare as listed.

BABY BIRDS:

Take any dry cat or dog food, place it in lukewarm water and wait for it to turn soft.  Once the food is softened, take small pieces of the food and squeeze the water out of it so that it is moist but not dripping.  You can then place the food in the back center bird’s mouth; this will give the bird moisture and protein at the same time but avoids the chances of aspiration.  The baby bird will need to be fed every 15 to 20 minutes.

ADULT BIRDS:

Because of the various diets that each particular bird eats it is best to offer a small variety of foods.  Seed, fresh fruit and water-moistened dog food can be placed before the bird; allow them to choose which most appeals to them.

4.  CALL US!      (623) 533-2348

Fallen Feathers

Rescue, Rehabilitation & Education

9532 W. Cielo Grande

Peoria, AZ  85383

www.fallenfeathers.org