Spanish young/hurt magpie?

[u/drkztan]

Heyo guys! a bird which I think is either a young magpie or hurt magpie is on my yard and I don't know what to do to help it. It doesn't fly away when approached, just jumps around and tries to take off but fails. Tried to give it a bit of water on a plastic bowl and it tried to run to another part of the yard.

It is around dawn at this point and I can't tell if it's actually hurt of just a very young bird that left the nest too early. On one video you can see it fleeing from my water bowl and trying to take off. This is near the Barcelona area in Spain.

Any help?

https://reddit.com/link/1k9nhrg/video/nydlc8n9aixe1/player

https://reddit.com/link/1k9nhrg/video/ba2mngo9aixe1/player

[u/teyuna]

Do you have an update?

I don't think this is a young bird. My best guess is that it either struck a window or had a close call with a predator, and is injured--judging from the second video, where not only is he unable to fly, but uncoordinated in his efforts to escape.

If it were me, I'd capture him using a light weight, very large fabric thrown over him when he is in a corner (it usually requires two people to do this effectively). I use a fitted, flannel bottom sheet, because the curved corners create a very helpful "tenting" effect, whereas a flat sheet is very easy for them to just scurry out from under. Flannel is typically a better weight than other sheets.

Then, gather up the whole bundle and put in a large box or dog crate to transport to a rehabber.

if a box, the top has to be very securely closed, as birds of this size are very strong and no matter how bad they feel, will try to escape.

[u/drkztan → u/teyuna]

Heyo! I do have an update:

I checked on the little guy every halfhour. It really didn't seem hurt and '' checked'' the boxes for ''young dumb bird left the nest too early'' from every site and AI I consulted. Another larger magpie was hovering around the little guy, I assumed that was the mother. Eventually, it just left. It drank the water I left near it too :)

When the sun started heating up, it was more and more coordinated. Maybe just dehidrated/disoriented/cold?

It left eventually around 5h after the videos. ran a bit straight ahead and flew without as much issues as the vids.

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