How to Help Birds with Broken Wings

This is a difficult and emotive subject and often the topic of much debate. There is a feeling, amongst the public and some wildlife rescuers, that a broken wing is automatically reason for a bird to be euthanased. Some believe a broken wing can never be fixed and that a bird which cannot fly will automatically be miserable. We feel that such generalisations are extremely dangerous and have ended many lives prematurely and unnecessarily.

First of all it is often possible to fix a broken wing. Depending on the type of break, the actual bone involved, the type of bird and the quality of treatment the bird receives, it is sometimes possible to fix a broken wing well enough for the bird to be released into the wild. I have personally returned birds to the wild successfully following such an injury.

Secondly, if the wing cannot be repaired to a standard which will allow good flight it is sometimes possible to make the bird happy in captivity. This depends very much on the species of bird, the age of the bird and even the individual birds personality. For example, feral pigeons are generally quite laid back birds and I have kept many very happily in captivity. On the other hand Kingfishers are renowned for not feeding in captivity and there would be no realistic hope of making one happy in an enclosure.

There is a tendency to romanticise flight and assume that birds enjoy soaring through the air when in fact it is simply a means to take them to food and away from predators. If the bird is one which can feel safe in an enclosure and come to be reasonably relaxed around humans then it may be able to live happily in captivity. We feel that each bird is an individual who only has that one chance at life - if in doubt it should be given every chance to be happy before the decision to end it's life is taken. Waterfowl do relatively little flying and do not rely on their wings to carry them away from predators. Birds with damaged wings can therefore be relocated to a safe pond or lake and live very happily without the ability to fly. If it is a baby bird then it obviously has the chance to be handreared and get very used to people, thus increasing it's chances of being comfortable in captivity.

If you find a bird with a broken wing it is very important to discuss with any rescues you ring the details of their policy on birds with broken wings. I would be vary wary of any organisation which has a blanket policy that all birds with this injury should be euthanased. Try to find an organisation which is willing to assess each bird on a individual basis.