Flightless crow

Re: Flightless crow

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:33:44 GMT

[quote user="Lorna McHardy"]I do think the OP raises some interesting questions about treating wildlife in general, though, and have started a separate thread on the subject.[/quote]

I think this is absolutely the right thing to do in any thread when you think the OP's post raises issues which diverge from the central point, and about which you may disagree with them.

This being a case in point: OP asks a question about a case. I'd like to encourage everyone to try and stick to answering the question, and discuss any secondary issue, such as welfare of wild animals in a new thread, exactly as Lorna has done.

That reduces the chance of something being read as (perhaps unfair) criticism, but doesn't stifle what may nevertheless be a good discussion point.

Re: Flightless crow

Hannah Wynne Richards — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:00:18 GMT

If a flightless corvid (raven ) was necessarily an euthanasia case-Her Majesty would be in trouble -Tower of London ravens have their wings clippped I would say it depends on how well it's walking If it's only shuffling I would opt for euthanasia If it's walking well and seems happy-then why not keep it? It certainly won't be in a position to peck lambs eyes-which I agree is awful-I've seen plenty of crow damage-not only to lambs eyes-but also to adult ewes who get stuck on their backs Corvids, like pigeons fall between the truly wild and the tame-easily domesticated

Wynne

Re: Flightless crow

Bob Russell — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:35:31 GMT

We have a phantom red-star man/woman (I assume singular!) who seems to have a strange idea of where a red-star is appropriate!

Re: Flightless crow

Lorna McHardy — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:19:18 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]

Whether it is a pet, farm animal or something wild it is very easy to get caught up in a case and sometimes it takes someone else to take you aside and point out that maybe it is time to put the animal to sleep.

[/quote]

True...

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]

No-one was nasty about it.

[/quote]

I s'pose that depends on how you read the tone of a message... I didn't think either of them particularly 'nasty' either; but the OP was obviously upset... without wanting to sound in the least pious about it, it is very easy to be misunderstood in an online forum when it comes to voicing opinions rather than simply giving information... I keep falling foul of this myself, no matter how carefully I try to phrase things. Humans don't appear to have evolved sufficiently to communicate without tone of voice and facial expression; it's hard enough when you do have these things. And then in English, meaning relies so much on intonation! It's a minefield :0)

I do think the OP raises some interesting questions about treating wildlife in general, though, and have started a separate thread on the subject.

Edit to add P.S. But why anyone would want to red star any question asking for help or advice is beyond me. That really is nasty, and completely unnecessary.

Re: Flightless crow

Bob Russell — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 09:57:34 GMT

Many of the corvid family 'tame' very easily so I would make a judgement based on whether a case could be released (minor injuries) or kept as 'pets'. Clearly from the experts opinion this case does not fit into either category.

My 'default' position is that injured wild animals probably suffer through attempted rehabilitation more than benefit so euthanasia is my first consideration. There are a few species that seem to cope well including crows.

Sadly not for this one though!

Re: Flightless crow

Michael Woodhouse — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 09:39:51 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]Quite apart from anything else, perhaps there are things to be learned from wildlife cases that could be applied to birds that are more commonly kept in captivity (perhaps there aren't, that's just what occurs to me as a layman).[/quote]

To me broken legs and unable to fly suggests that it got blown out of a tree too young. I have dispatched loads of crows under similar circumstances as the entrance to our village is via a tree lined avenue plagued by crows.

I'm not sure that it is especially ethical to use wildlife to 'practice on'.

No-one was nasty about it.

Re: Flightless crow

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 09:21:42 GMT

[quote user="Noweia"]I am posting to ask for help - if you have nothing helpful to say then please refrain from posting.[/quote]

Hear hear.

Quite apart from anything else, perhaps there are things to be learned from wildlife cases that could be applied to birds that are more commonly kept in captivity (perhaps there aren't, that's just what occurs to me as a layman).

I've been toying with the idea of setting up a separate area in the forum where you must strictly stick to answering the question (and not questioning the poster's judgement). But I don't think it is necessarily a good idea, because in some cases questioning the OP may benefit the OP. Clearly not, though, when the advice is to kill the animal because it is wild / vermin. What, you honestly think the OP hadn't considered that fact?

Re: Flightless crow

Noweia — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:48:11 GMT

Thank you Marie. For future reference, do you know why has the degeneration happened in a bird so young? It has white primaries - could it be a congenital malabsorption or skeletal issue?

Re: Flightless crow

Marie Kubiak — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:37:46 GMT

Can't make out humeral head - could be exposure but would have big worries about markedly decreased bone density given other deformities and apparently adequate exposure elsewhere. Elbow joint has poor contrast, periosteal new bone formation and loss of joint space. Bilateral tibiotarsal and unilateral femoral angular deviation in addition mean this bird will not be able to walk/fly and will have joint pain and progressive degeneration of cartilage (if any remains). Euthanasia definitely best option.

Marie

Re: Flightless crow

Noweia — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:33:23 GMT

I am posting to ask for help - if you have nothing helpful to say then please refrain from posting.

Re: Flightless crow

Clive Ansell — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:16:04 GMT

It is an injured wild bird, classed as vermin by some. Further investigation and hospitalisation will cause it further distress, so please do the kindest thing and put it to sleep.

Re: Flightless crow

Michael Woodhouse — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:08:05 GMT

I have a suggestion but you might not like it.

Have you seen a baby lamb with its eyes pecked out?