Aussie Finch Forum

just rescued a shrieking magpie lark from the jaws of the cat
I have it in a dark room in a birdcage - what do I do?????? HELP!
what do they eat? what do I do with it????
PLEASE!

first step is to keep it warm so it doesnt go into shock.

second is the settle it down, put a towel over the top of the cage so it doesnt flap around.

i'll research diet for you just now...

thanks mate
how do I keep it warm here?

hmm apparently meat-insects... may be able to get him some worms from the worm farm tomorrow, and I don't know if we've got mince meat...
Damn have to go to bed soon. hope he'll be ok

easiest/quickest way is to put a lamp in front of it, at one corner. not too close that it gets cooked though... should just be a little warmer than the surrounds, but leave on end cool (without the lamp) so it can move away if it gets too warm (ie temperature gradient along the cage)

looks like they're insectivorous jay, so any mealworms you have (if you have any at the moment) would go down well, or some crickets hopping around the place... maybe send an SOS to crazy cuban for some livefood? also might be worth sending a PM to redwing, i think she has had some dealings with sick/injured wild birds before... hope she doesnt mind

would it be able to sleep with a lamp?
Crazy Cuban's away in darwin and I haven't a melaworm in the box!! what a time for this to happen
Thanks Spanna. I have to go now, but I will give it fresh water now and mince meat/any insects I can find first thing in the morning (if it makes it). I will keep it warm with a towel tonight... I'll also put it in a quiet spot (laundry) right next to my room

it'll sleep fine with a light on.

just do the best you can mate, you've already given it more of a chance than it had outside! best of luck to the both of you

Hi Jaybird. Spanna has given you excellent advice re warmth, quiet and food. Unfortunately the biggest killer is infection if there is any break in the skin....often too small to detect under feathers. At Kanyana any animal with a history of cat involvement is treated with antibiotics. Have you got a native bird/ animal rescue service in ACT? I know that WIRES is the NSW one but it depends very much on the individual carers' knowledge/ experience if there is no centre to take animals to. You've done everything you can for tonight, so fingers crossed.

remembering jay , that all vets cannot turn away sick and injured native wildlife ,they will take the young bird and contact somebody local that can care for it until its better, its in the vet code....pete

thanks everyone
it looked OK this morning, very active & wounds healing nicely, so we put the cage on the front lawn... in seconds the area was covered in magpie larks greeting their old mate, must have been waiting there all night.
We let it out of the cage and it flew off onto the roof, immediately socialising.
Next time we see the cat it gets photographed, and then put on a piece of paper next to the photos of the bird's injuries and put in several people's letterboxes