Can birds' broken wings actually mend?

Question

I saw this pigeon today that looked like it injured its wing. I immediately thought that it's going to die. Someone will run over it. If someone goes to the trouble of helping it and putting it in a park or something, could it actually find a place to be quiet and let its wing mend?

Answer 1

A very slight break could possibly mend (by slight I mean doesn't really affect it) However in most cases if the wing is broken it needs to be treated to heal, if the bird is constantly try to move the wing it just aggravates the injury further. Then there are various types of break some more severe than others, open fracture and joint fractures being the most severe. But there are other injuries which may manifest themselves as an injured wing, wing strain as mentioned above, but also broken ribs or a broken furcula (wishbone) might make the bird hold it's wing as if it's injured. That pigeon probably won't survive for to long, either some predator will get it, get hit by a car, starve etc. Best thing would have been to grab him and take him to a local animal shelter or wildlife rehab center, where it can have at the very least a more humane fate.

Answer 2

It may not even be a broken wing. It could be a sprain or some lost flight feathers. If there is no obvious deformity of the wing, it will likely make a full recovery. Or a really good meal for a stray cat.

Take it to a rescue center?

Answer 3

Generally not. The wing can heal but in nature, the bird will be disturbed enough to cause the wing to re-break. they cannot rest long enough to allow the wing to fully heal. Further, without some type of splinting a bird's wing will often heal in a position not condusive to flight.

Answer 4

Not without being set and bound by a vet. Then it will need at least 6 weeks to heal and recover.

Call an animal rescue, they will get the vet care it needs and set it free when it is able to go.