This is a picture of the bird as I first saw it.
This has never happened in my yard before. I was a little panicked. I called the bird store and spoke to Ruth. She gave me tips on what to do. First I picked up the bird and sat in the sun for awhile. Then I made a shoebox and placed the bird in, also in the sun, to keep it warm. Ruth suggested offering a bush after an hour. The bird did make it slowly to a branch of my shrubby magnolia.
This is the bird in the shoebox
After an hour the bird was still in the same spot and I was worried. I called Ruth again to ask more questions. She suggested offering water or mealworm if I had it. I tried those things. The bird didn't seem interested but did seem a little more peppy than before. I held it again and it was definately more active then. It actually seemed to prefer being held by me than being in the bush. After about 10 minutes in my hands, the bird jumped and flew. It looked fine as it left.
After an hour the bird was still in the same spot and I was worried. I called Ruth again to ask more questions. She suggested offering water or mealworm if I had it. I tried those things. The bird didn't seem interested but did seem a little more peppy than before. I held it again and it was definately more active then. It actually seemed to prefer being held by me than being in the bush. After about 10 minutes in my hands, the bird jumped and flew. It looked fine as it left.
Me holding the bird.