My mother and her broken rook

[bunn]

Phonecall from my mother to say that she has had a rook with a damaged wing stuck in her back garden for several days, and will I come over and help her catch it so she can take it to the vet as despite being fed and watered and given a perch to sit on, it does not seem to be improving

Comments

[hedgebird]

The only thing I've been told about crow-like things is: don't hold them around their chests, as they will stab your hands with their beaks? Apparently that's safe with birds that rip (like eagles) but not ones that peck.

[bunn]

Argh! OK, I will consider myself warned.

(Also, should I ever need to catch an eagle, i'll know what to do!)

[bunn]

I can now add, with the combined weight of experience and a helpful rook expert behind me, that rooks appear to be not aggressive birds!

I wore gloves and sleeves lest I should be slashed at, but he didn't try. He should be off to a wildlife centre shortly for rehabilitation, if the vet thinks the wing can be saved.

[wellinghall]

Oddly enough, we saw a crow with a damaged wing in Gloucester yesterday.

[bunn]

High winds and young birds?

[wellinghall]

Mm, very possibly.

Rookwrangling

[ladyofastolat]

They move in straight lines, don't they, both forward and sideways across the board? Make sure you don't get taken by a rampaging knight. They're sneaky, and can go places you don't expect.

Oh, and if you see a rook on its own, it's a crow.

Oh... um... you wanted useful tips? ;-)

Re: Rookwrangling

[bunn]

Oh, and Pif to you! :-ppp

[mcmurphy79]

Oh no. So sad. I LOVE birds in the crow family. Actually crows do hang out together though rooks and jackdaws tend to be more sociable. You can tell it's a rook by the way the feathers are. Is there some sanctuary she can call for advice.

[mcmurphy79]

I can't access this on my phone but maybe these people have some advice? Http://www.leicestershirerookrescue.co.uk/

[bunn]

Aha, you star! They have a facebook page, I've asked for advice there.

[mcmurphy79]

I googled some bat people last year when I had one in my house and they were so helpful. I just hope the rook is ok. Gorgeous birds.

[bunn]

I have captured the rook and delivered him to the vet. If they think he can be fixed, they will pass him to a wildlife rescue. He was very sweet and much less stabby than I had feared!