One-legged Starling (2 Viewers)

[Dizzy]

Hi all,
I put the birds nosh into the garden this afternoon and was standing at the kitchen window watching them when one of the Starlings caught my attention..it was the unusual gait that made me look again. Looking at him closely I noticed that his left leg was missing. He was having some problems keeping his balance..mind you its rather windy here today, that might have added to it...but he seemed to be managing to peck about and get some food. Do you think he'll be okay? and what do you think happened to his leg? I'm all worried about him now! Ridiculous I know! I've been keeping a look out for the past hour but I havent spotted him again. :-C .Today is the first time I've saw him in the garden...I'll have to keep a watch for him

 

[Keith Dickinson]

Dizzy,
One legged birds fair much better than mammals with a limb missing. Their legs are not needed to escape predators so they are not neccessarily easier to catch than two legged birds. Their lightness means that it is relatively easy for them to balance (except in windy conditions) and their main problem is going to be from other birds pushing them off food.I would think that the bird has moved on to find a less crowded area for feeding.
There was a one legged pigeon in Leeds city centre for several years during the 80's, I used to see it regularly feeding with other birds in Dortmund Square. It used to shuffle a bit, pigeons being fat things, but other than the monopodal gait, it was in fine fettle.

 

[Dizzy]

Thanks Keith :t: that re-assured me a bit. I hope he comes back for a visit. I wonder if it was the neighbours cats who got him. They have taken to 'visiting' since I started feeding the birds, although my dog usually escorts them off the premises pdq. Still.... as long as hes going to be okay..and it sounds as if your pigeon was around for a while!

Dizzy

 

[Judo]

Hi all,
I put the birds nosh into the garden this afternoon and was standing at the kitchen window watching them when one of the Starlings caught my attention..it was the unusual gait that made me look again. Looking at him closely I noticed that his left leg was missing. He was having some problems keeping his balance..mind you its rather windy here today, that might have added to it...but he seemed to be managing to peck about and get some food. Do you think he'll be okay? and what do you think happened to his leg? I'm all worried about him now! Ridiculous I know! I've been keeping a look out for the past hour but I havent spotted him again. :-C .Today is the first time I've saw him in the garden...I'll have to keep a watch for him

Hi Dizzy.
There has been a one legged Sparrow coming to my garden since he came as a fledgling with his parents last Spring (christened "Hoppy" by me!how original is that??). He did have two legs as a baby but one was very deformed and just sort of hung uselessly,and then I noticed the leg had gone altogether, fell off? or got caught in something and pulled off? I don't know? but he seems to manage as well as all the others and only really struggles as you say in windy conditions. Strangely it's his left leg too!! See attached photo,this is he, the blurring round him is the constant flapping of his wings to help keep his balance. So I would think your starling should be OK too.
All the best, Judo.

 

[Cathy H]

Isn't nature wonderful,

Here we are talking about one-legged birds, when all too often we see a bird that's 'not quite right' and get all worried about it, not only birds for that matter.

I find it incredible that wildlife can be so adaptable, even though they are in increased danger, they often seem to manag still.

Cheers, :flyaway:

 

[Dizzy]

Hi Judo,
Nice pic once again :clap: Hoppy seems to be managing nicely..and on a feeder too! Hoppy!mmmmmm...I'll have to think of a name for mine...lol. Im hoping he's one of my 'regular' starlings who'll come back if he knows theres easy pickings...lol.
These are really nice pics you're taking. Mine have all been taken through the kitchen window so they havent turned out too good, maybe I'll have better luck in the summer. Mind you, saying that I've absolutely no idea how to upload them...lol

Cathy...I cant help it...lol..it must be our 'mothering instinct' I hate seeing anything like that but, as you say...nature is a wonderful thing..I'm sure he'll be fine.

 

[Judo]

Dizzy, uploading your pics is really easy, when you reply to a message or start a new thread just scroll down the page 'til you see Manage Attachments click on that & it opens another small window, and then follow the instructions to browse your computer to find the folder or file in which you store your photos,choose the pic you want & click upload, close that window when you've finished uploading the photos you want (5 is the maximum I think) & you'll see a list of your attachments appear below the manage attachments button & then click on the lower submit button, sounds complicated but it's not honestly, go on give it a go, as the saying goes "Nothing ventured, nothing gained".
All the best, Judo.

 

[Dizzy]

Thanks very much Judo :t:
I've copied your message and will certainly give it a go. Thats of course once I can 'catch' them outside. So far all the ones I've taken have been through the kitchen window...and the zoom on this Kodak isnt the best. I'd much rather try and get a bit closer to them..lol Tks again...been wondering how to do this for ages...lol