Magpie with distorted head

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Discussion

threespires

Original Poster:

4,289 posts

210 months

Thursday 25th June 2015
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This poor looking creature has started appearing in my garden. What could be wrong with it?



Here it's looking straight at the camera

Mr GrimNasty

8,172 posts

169 months

Thursday 25th June 2015
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Picture is too poor to tell, shot or impaled with something and infected, birth deformity, infection/disease/cancer?

They are horrid vermin/pests anyway, so the best thing would be to get it killed ASAP to prevent suffering.

Zoon

6,654 posts

120 months

Thursday 25th June 2015
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I'd guess it has been shot in the face but not killed.
It appears to have maggots crawling out of the big hole in it's head.

SHutchinson

2,040 posts

183 months

Thursday 25th June 2015
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I'm an animal lover, but there seems to be only one humane thing to do with that.

threespires

Original Poster:

4,289 posts

210 months

Thursday 25th June 2015
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Thanks guys, not attractive is it.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Thursday 25th June 2015
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Tumour or trauma, either way if he is catchable I would get him to the vets for an injection (to euthanase). Can't be pleasent for him poor thing frown

threespires

Original Poster:

4,289 posts

210 months

Thursday 25th June 2015
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Thanks bex..

Mr GrimNasty

8,172 posts

169 months

Thursday 25th June 2015
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I'm curious, what does that second 'object' look like in real life, there's the beak in the normal place, then something else sticking out of similar size?

airweaz

250 posts

116 months

Thursday 25th June 2015
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Ahem if you cant be bothered with the Vet to euthanize and you can stomach killing it Freeze it or an air tight container will do the job.

And no im not a serial killer in the making. Im a man who has to regularly kill what the cat doesn't finish off. Also the missus is trained up in animal care and advises such actions in bad cases.


Timmy40

12,915 posts

197 months

Thursday 25th June 2015
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Mr GrimNasty said:
I'm curious, what does that second 'object' look like in real life, there's the beak in the normal place, then something else sticking out of similar size?
yes I'm wondering embedded crossbow bolt, except if it that where's the rest of the shaft? I've seen crows flying along before with bolts in them. ( it's is illegal to shoot animals with a crossbow but people still do ).

Mr GrimNasty

8,172 posts

169 months

Thursday 25th June 2015
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Timmy40 said:
yes I'm wondering embedded crossbow bolt, except if it that where's the rest of the shaft? I've seen crows flying along before with bolts in them. ( it's is illegal to shoot animals with a crossbow but people still do ).
A google, and it seems you can get very short bolts, pistol bolts etc.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Thursday 25th June 2015
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airweaz said:
Ahem if you cant be bothered with the Vet to euthanize and you can stomach killing it Freeze it or an air tight container will do the job.

And no im not a serial killer in the making. Im a man who has to regularly kill what the cat doesn't finish off. Also the missus is trained up in animal care and advises such actions in bad cases.
I assume you mean wring its neck first, I am sure nobody would think freezing a bird to death is right (or suffocating it slowly tbh?!) I have worked in animal care for 25yrs and I have never advised or heard of freezing or suffocating a bird. Used to suggest it for tortoises but not really any longer.

Mr GrimNasty

8,172 posts

169 months

Thursday 25th June 2015
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They demonstrated an effective method in that nutters go and live in the wilds program.

As quick as you can, stout stick over it's neck held down by your feet, pull the body up hard, enough to break the neck, but to pull the head off to be sure.

dudleybloke

19,718 posts

185 months

Sunday 28th June 2015
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looks like a tumour on the bottom of the eye.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Sunday 28th June 2015
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Shinobi said:
So the bird can fly and feed itself and the common consensus is catch it and kill it?

Should we start doing that with disabled people also?

Plenty of blind dogs, cats with one eye and people who can't walk who still live to a ripe old age and possibly have fun...

Unless I've missed something? Other than it doesn't look very pretty.
If it hasn't already this growth/wound etc is at the the point of rupture, it will become an infected mess and the bird will die horribly and probably slowly or we could save it all that and put it down humanely. A vet may examine it and say it is treatable but honestly I highly doubt it is, it is on the point of no return with a mass like that. I would imagine it's distorted eye would be quite painful but the bird has no choice but to carry on with that.

Mr GrimNasty

8,172 posts

169 months

Monday 29th June 2015
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The stress of transport is just prolonging the suffering and cruel in itself, and may well be fatal to a healthy bird alone.

We had one down the chimney a few weeks back, it only took 15 seconds to catch it and get it outside, but its heart was going like the clappers and its expression was one of utter fright.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Monday 29th June 2015
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Possible of course, but most make it to us alive, If they can be caught fairly easily a 10 min journey to the vet (where they get quickly assessed) is better than several days of dying slowly or being mangled by a cat!

Mr GrimNasty

8,172 posts

169 months

Monday 29th June 2015
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Common, not just possible, we used to have trouble keeping enough alive to act as decoys.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Monday 29th June 2015
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Mr GrimNasty said:
Common, not just possible, we used to have trouble keeping enough alive to act as decoys.
I don't know what you are talking about re: decoys tbh. Due to the many hundreds of wild birds I have dealt with, alive, at the vets I know they can survive the journey and usually do unless so badly injured they would have died quickly anyway (rta's) but I know they can, I think most people are aware of the risk that it can happen. Think I'd still rather chance it than leave a bird like the one pictured without trying to help it.

Obviously if anyone thinks it is cruel to transport them then just don't do it.

ali_kat

31,988 posts

220 months

Monday 29th June 2015
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airweaz said:
Ahem if you cant be bothered with the Vet to euthanize and you can stomach killing it Freeze it or an air tight container will do the job.

And no im not a serial killer in the making. Im a man who has to regularly kill what the cat doesn't finish off. Also the missus is trained up in animal care and advises such actions in bad cases.
yikes What the fk?

Is your wife Kristen Lindsey?