He Survived 5-Story Fall: Keeping Birds Alive After Window Crashes

In today’s story brought to you by The Great Animal Rescue Chase, we’ll share a little something about the survival mechanisms that come into play when birds strike windows. We’re hopeful that by sharing this information, perhaps another life may be saved.

Written by Paula Lopes of Aveiro, Portugal

A while ago, I was exercising at the local gym, as I did regularly. A lot of birds live in the surrounding building and I used to enjoy looking out the window as I exercised and enjoying the beautiful dances the birds performed while flying close to the mirrored-glasses.

One day, after watching the birds for a while, I started to do some crunches, when I heard a loud THUD on the window. I was startled and a thought immediately crossed my mind: a bird, confused with the mirrored window. If it had happened, it was certain the poor animal had died, the impact was too strong, it must have broken its neck.

But I couldn’t shake the thought: what if it didn’t? I ran towards the window. We were on the 5th floor — quite a fall for such a little creature. And sure enough, I saw him, lying on the road, between two parked cars. He wouldn’t have survived the fall.

But what if it had? I ran out on my exercise, afraid a car would park where the bird was lying. I approached him, his head was on the ground, his little back in the air. I picked him up, very carefully, certain that there was nothing to be done.

He Turned His Head and Looked at Me

But then he looked at me. He turned his little head and looked at me. I was in shock that he could have survived such an impact (both the window and the fall) and brought him home with me. He was very still and could barely stay up. I placed him in a little towel, trying to give him some comfort and some balance. I offered him water, but he didn’t want any. I called the vet to ask what I could do for the birdie. She told me that if he didn’t have any internal injuries, I should place him in a dark box with holes, and leave him there for a couple of hours. I did just that and researched more about cases like this online, while the bird rested.

That day I learned that, when the birds don’t break their necks at impact and don’t get internal injuries, what happens is that the blood rushes to their heads and they are unable to move or react for a good while and many times, people think they are dead. But if you place them in a dark place (with holes, always) they stay in a sleep-like mode, allowing the blood to slowly go back to the rest of the body. It’s usually better not to offer water or food.

The happy ending: I live in an apartment building, and when it came time to set him free, I didn’t want to do it from my floor, because if he was not able to fly properly he would fall to his death. So I took him to an open field, with a lot of nice trees and opened the box. And he flew happily into a tree. It was a brief encounter, but I am forever grateful for having been able to help that little bird.

For more great rescue stories from everyday heroes, please visit The Great Animal Rescue Chase.

Orphaned Blue Jay in Road: I’ll Try to Save Him”

Hit & Run on Flock of Starlings: Rescuer Stops to Help Survivor

Photo credit: © Socrates | Dreamstime.com

m S.

5:50PM PDT on Mar 25, 2012

thank you for helping the startled bird and for releasing him to hopefully ,a safer place

send a green star

debby r.

7:41AM PST on Mar 1, 2012

thanks for sharing.This is valuable information to know .
Bless you or saving that small bird's life.

Teresa W.

10:51AM PST on Feb 29, 2012

great story

Debbie C.

9:06AM PST on Feb 28, 2012

Thanks Paula for saving the little bird, and for the information.
I did not know about the blood rushing to their heads and they can't move. I will remember this, if it ever happens to me. Thanks.

Sandi B.

10:24AM PST on Feb 19, 2012

Several years ago, while working for a veteranarian, one of my clients came in with a pigeon which had flown into his fourth story window at work. The poor thing was bleeding from around his eyes, his beak was broken at the tip. I did not think he would live. But, after a few hours in the dark, he was standing up. I offered food and water, made sure he was warm and comfortable, then left for the night. The next morning, unsure if the poor little fellow had survived the night, I returned to the clinic. Much to my surprise, the pigeon, was doing very well. After careful examination, the vet determined the bird could no longer fly. So, that meant I could take him to live with me, since release to the wild was now out of the question. "Pidge" lived with me for two years before he left this world. He brought lots of joy to our household. He would follow me around, beg for food, and loved to be held. I beleive he was very happy with his life with me and my family.

Sheila S.

6:07PM PST on Feb 18, 2012

Heartwarming. I once tried to save a pigeon by stopping traffic, wrapping it in a blanket and taking to a wild animal rescue. I was grateful they were there. I left a small donation for its care - but when I called back the next day, it hadn't survived. At least I knew I tried.