Monday, July 28, 2008 - [Bird Snapping] A heart ?Wren-ching? incident.

I was stalking a kingfisher and speaking with my wife both at the same time when suddenly I noticed the leaves under a bush fluttering! (and I think I cant multi task!).

I looked closer and although I couldn't notice anything at first, I soon noticed a pair of bird feet sticking out! Can you find it in the picture below?

I moved the leaves apart not knowing weather to expect a live or a dead bird, and saw that it was a juvenile Wren. I had no clue what was wrong with it but there seemed to be bluebottle flies sitting on it. Bluebottle flies are known to smell death from upto 10 miles away. So I expected it to be dead.

However, as soon as I turned it over, the Wren opened its eyes and looked at me pleadingly. I had no clue what to do! I desperately wanted to rescue it but I thought I`d better be cautious. The presence of the flies suggested that the bird was in a terminal stage. Even as it was looking at me, its eyes were drooping and its head falling.

I supposed it could be a virus. What if it was Bird Flu! Yikes. I could do no more for the bird than shoo away the flies and leave nature to take its course. I left it behind with a heavy heart. I hope , by some miracle it survived!

P.S:

Any ideas what could have been wrong with it?