We were having our breakfast when a bird flew into my garden. I wanted to see what kind it was. It was a small bird, and definitely not a Chickadee. I got up and started to move towards the patio door to investigate further, but then suddenly – BANG.
The same bird flew out from the tree and banged into the glass in the patio door. I jumped at the bang. Okay, I screamed too.
The bird landed just in front of the door and looked dead. I was sure he did not survive the collision. But then the spread-out wings started to fold under. He was moving. Oh thank God, he was alive. Definitely, he was shocked.
I observed for a while. He was sitting on his little feet, but he was very motionless, eyes closed. I started to have doubts. Later, I identified him as the Yellow-rumped warbler, definitely a juvenile. I couldn’t tell if he was injured or not.
I waited a few more minutes.
I really don’t like to bring wildlife into the house and have them as pets. The reality is, wildlife has its own way of survival, and we have our own issues. I like to keep them separated.
I prepared a small warm container with some tissue just in case. I was going to place him there and put him somewhere in the backyard, invisible from other predators. I gently poked him before placing him in the box just to ensure he was not injured.
To my disbelief, he flew to the tree. I was relieved. The warbler was all good.
Later, as I continued with my breakfast, I heard him singing. I was even more relieved.
I also heard crows. This made me investigate further. I went outside and walked to the tree to see what the warbler saw in my patio door. He was still there, sitting quietly on the branch hiding.
Collecting all my information, I came up with this.
The crows are known to eat birds. The Yellow-rumped warbler was definitely a juvenile seeking shelter from the crows. The fact that I heard them proves this theory.
When I looked at my patio door, I saw a reflection of the trees. I also saw my fridge handle that strongly resembled a hole in the tree. So when the warbler landed on the real tree, he thought he saw a tree hole in my patio door and dove to hide. Unfortunately, it wasn’t, so he banged and got shaken up.
It was his lucky day though, he escaped from the crows and survived the collision.
COMMENTS
kaslkaos said: October 20, 2011 at 15:26
“If a bird is stunned by a window collision, it’s perfectly okay to give them some TLC. It can help them pull through. In mild weather, just leaving them in a sheltered spot will help. In winter, they might need some warmth. I once brought a goldfinch in, I thought it would die, but it was my window he hit, so I wrapped him and kept in my sweater. It took more than half an hour to feel some movement, then I but him in a towel lined box until he was steady, and released him to fly away and hour later. Since we are the ones putting window’s in their way, we probably owe them that much. Gorgeous photo of the warbler, BTW.”
Anna Lozyk Romeo said: October 20, 2011 at 17:39
“Kaslkaos thanks for the tip, just hope not to have anymore collisions. TLC is good for everyone.”
