So many sparrows!

[Bobbie Ireland]

I am always fascinated by the many Sparrow spp. you can see in the States! So many sparrows - so bad at IDing them.

http://php.democratandchronicle.com/blog/birds/?p=3595

[Donna]

They fight every day at my feeders, so aggressive with each other. Sheesh, there's plenty for all!

[Carol P.]

So many people don't like the House Sparrows aka HOSP's.  This past weekend, a female HOSP flew into my back window, hard.  I ran to the window to see what happened and looked down to see her lying on the ground, eyes closed, wings spreading and slowly bending backwards.  That's the only way I can explain it.  She looked like a little fallen angel with her wings spread wide.  My first thought was she had died on impact.  But as I watched, she blinked her eyes and closed them again.  I could see that she was breathing.  Oh, boy.

I stood at the window thinking I would see her take her last breath at any moment, but she continued to breath.

After about 15 mins, a Chipmunk appeared, too close to the fallen bird.  I walked out and knelt beside to her.  She was still breathing and every now and then her eyes would open.  I couldn't see any obvious damage, so I gently smoothed her wings into her body and picked her up in my gloved hand.  I sat with her for what seemed forever, stroking her head, which was down, eyes closed, still breathing.

I called my mom and told her to get a small box with some shreaded paper towel on the bottom.  I put her into the box and carried it into the garage.  Every 1/2 hour, I would check on her.  Every time I stroked her, she would raise her head, open her eyes and then close them.  This went on for a couple hours.

The next time I checked, she was up on her feet, eyes open, head up and very aware!  Again, I could see no obvious injuries.  I quickly took the box outside and she flew out and up onto my roof!  I could not believe it!  I honestly thought there was no hope for her.

She remained on the roof for about two hours soaking in the sun, hopping around a bit, until finally she flew away.  I wished her well.

I know, I know, she was just a House Sparrow, hated by so many, but I could never harm a living creature.  It felt really good to have helped her.

[Bobbie Ireland]

Thanks for your Sparrow story, Carol P. Lucky fellow!

We have had a few crashes ourselves, esp when the youngsters are testing their wings in Spring/Summer. And I am sure you have heard about putting the silhouette of a raptor on the window... which we did. No strikes since then, but perhaps this has more to do with the fact that there are now few juvs around than the efficacy of our supposed deterrent.

[Donna]

I would have done the same thing Carol! Thanks, a touching story!

[MAK]

I had a female Cardinal smash into my window once. Dazed itself pretty good so I got my old finch bird cage out of storage and put it in with some sunflower seed and water, put a blankie around the cage and brought it in the house. The next morning it was good as gold and off it flew when I opened the door to the cage. My favorite backyard bird!

[Donna]

I had a female Cardinal smash into my window once. Dazed itself pretty good so I got my old finch bird cage out of storage and put it in with some sunflower seed and water, put a blankie around the cage and brought it in the house. The next morning it was good as gold and off it flew when I opened the door to the cage. My favorite backyard bird!

  OK some snow!