Last week I noticed that the tip of Snowbird's left wing was sticking out at a very odd angle:



It didn't seem to hurt her and I could tuck it into the proper position although it usually popped right back out again. I talked to the vet and made an appointment for this week. In the meantime I kept tucking it back in place several times a day and she started holding it more normally. By the time I took her to the vet today the wing looked a little bit droopy but was basically pretty straight.

The vet said it was probably a sprain - maybe a hatch injury or from getting stepped on in the nest. The droopiness might not correct itself which could cause problems in adulthood, so he recommend splinting the wing (basically wrapping a piece of tape around it) for 10-14 days to help the ligaments tighten up. Here she is with her wing splint:

Aw, poor baby. I hope the baby will be okay. It sure is beautiful.

Well, the odd wing angle didn't seem to hurt her any so I don't think she was suffering. She didn't like the tape splint at all though (can't blame her) and it turned out that it didn't work out anyway because it wouldn't stay on. Either somebody in the nestbox was REALLY good at taking it off, or the tiel powder on her feathers overcame the stickiness of the tape. I think it was the second one, because the tape pieces that fell off weren't sticky at all any more.

She tends to tighten up the wing when I touch it, so I've been doing that instead as a physical therapy move. It seems to be working pretty well, and now most of the time she carries both wings at the same angle. The vet approves of this approach.

ugh... wow interesting. she did look pretty funny with it on im sorry but i have to laugh a it.... i hope she gets better thou