Determining if a bird has an injured wing can be tricky, but is important for getting the animal proper treatment. Here are some signs to look for and steps you can take to assess the damage.
Look for Drooping or Dragging
One of the most obvious signs of an injured wing is if one droops or drags on the ground when the bird is standing still or walking. Healthy wings should be folded neatly against the body, so any sagging or downward hanging indicates a problem.
Drooping on just one side suggests an issue with that particular wing, while drooping of both could mean:
- General weakness in the wings/chest muscles
- Injury to both wings
- Pain or strain in the chest area
Dragging a wing as the bird moves means it lacks the strength to fold it properly against the body. This is a clear sign of an injury or strain.
Check for Swelling
Swelling or bruising around the wing joint indicates a sprain or other soft tissue damage. Look for any puffiness, redness, or raised areas on the underside of the wing where it connects to the body.
The swelling may be subtle, so compare both wings. If one joint appears enlarged or irregular compared to the other, that’s a red flag.
Watch How the Bird Flies
Observing how a bird takes off and flies can provide more clues about wing injuries:
- Struggling to get lift off the ground may indicate weakness or pain in the wings
- Favoring one side by flapping unevenly points to an issue with that wing
- Not extending injured wing fully for flapping
- Flapping rapidly or working harder to stay aloft
- Gliding or coasting more than normal
Even if the wings appear normal at rest, flying problems reveal underlying injuries affecting function.
Check Alignment and Structure
Visually inspect the overall shape and symmetry of the wings:
- Do the wings line up evenly on both sides?
- Does one seem distorted or bent at an odd angle?
- Are the feathers ruffled or sticking out in one area?
Misalignments, odd angles, and messy feathers indicate possible fractures, dislocations, or ligament/tendon damage under the skin.
Attempt Gentle Manipulation
If the bird allows you to handle it without distress, gently manipulate the wings and joints. Feel for any unnatural movement, grinding, or popping noises.
Also assess if the wings can fold smoothly against the body. Inability to tuck the wing in securely can signal injury.
Do movements cause the bird to squawk or resist? This shows pain and wing sensitivity.
Check for Broken Bones
Wings contain many small bones that can fracture. Signs include:
- Local swelling or bruising
- Visible misalignment or bending
- Crunching or grinding noise/feel
- Inability to fold wing closed
- Severe resistance to gentle manipulation
Broken bones remove structural support for the wing. Loss of normal shape and mobility are clues.
Look for Feather Damage
Injured feathers can render wings useless for flight. Look for:
- Missing or broken feathers
- Damaged feather shafts
- Symmetry between feather patterns on each wing
Trauma that causes broken bones may also damage the feather structure. Crushed or torn out feathers can affect airflow and flight.
Assess Level of Function
Consider the extent of mobility and function in the wing to gauge severity:
- Mild: Able to fold against body, flap somewhat normally, fly short distances
- Moderate: Trouble folding completely, uneven flapping motion, labored flight
- Severe: Unable to fold at all, very limited flapping, unable to fly
The less the bird can use its wing, the more serious the damage likely is. This helps determine next steps and treatment options.
Look for Signs of Pain
Birds may display subtle signs of wing pain or discomfort. Notice if the animal seems protective or guarded about the wing area. Does it resist handling? Also watch for:
- Holding injured wing oddly
- Grimacing during wing manipulation
- Altered posture to avoid pressure on the wing
- Increased vocalizations
- Changes in behavior or activity levels
Behaviors that indicate the wing hurts can help diagnose the type of injury and need for veterinary care.
Check Both Wings
Always assess both wings, even if the injury seems onesided. Comparing the damaged wing to the normal one makes problems easier to identify.
Also check for bilateral injuries. If both wings are affected, specialized care and rehabilitation will be needed to get the bird flying again.
Consider the Mechanism of Injury
Knowing how an injury occurred provides insight into what type of damage may have happened. Potential mechanisms include:
- Blunt trauma from crashing into objects
- Bites or scratches from predators
- Fractures from flapping against cage bars
- Ligament strains from overstretching
- Dislocations from colliding mid-flight
This helps narrow down which structures could be affected and need evaluation.
Involve an Avian Veterinarian
If an injury is causing significant pain or loss of wing function, seek input from a veterinarian who specializes in birds. They can:
- Take diagnostic images to identify fractures or dislocations
- Further evaluate pain and range of motion
- Splint broken bones
- Provide pain control
- Prescribe physical therapy exercises
- Perform necessary surgeries
Early veterinary care gives the best chance for full healing and return of flight ability.
When to Seek Veterinary Help
Get professional advice if the bird has:
- Obvious deformity or inability to fold wing
- Loss of wing function that affects flying and survival
- Significant swelling, redness, or bruising
- Visible cuts or puncture wounds
- Broken skin with bleeding
- Difficulty breathing or holding head upright
- Weakness causing inability to perch
- Loss of appetite or extreme lethargy
- Persistent signs of pain
These indicate major trauma or possible broken bones/torn ligaments. Prompt veterinary assessment is advised.
Provide At-Home First Aid
For mild to moderate injuries without open wounds, you may be able to start care at home before seeing a vet:
- Give over-the-counter bird pain medication if prescibed by your avian veterinarian
- Limit flying/flapping to prevent further damage
- Gently wrap injured area with soft bandage
- Apply ice packs to reduce swelling
- Keep bird in smaller cage to restrict movement
- Place food, water, and perches low and near the bird
- Monitor for worsening function, pain, or appearance
However, see your vet promptly if the bird does not improve within 1-2 days.
Provide Proper Recovery Conditions
Once any fractures or dislocations have been addressed by a vet, the bird will need good rehabilitation conditions during initial healing (typically 1-2 weeks):
- Keep in small cage to limit flying/flapping
- Add soft bedding to prevent further injury if they fall
- Ensure easy access to food and water
- Keep a close eye for signs of worsening pain or function
- Give medications if prescribed
Strictly limiting activity allows bones, muscles, ligaments to mend properly. Follow all veterinary instructions for care during this period.
Perform Physical Therapy Exercises
As healing progresses, gentle range of motion exercises can help strengthen the wing and prevent stiffness. A vet or rehab therapist may recommend:
- Passively moving the wing through normal flexion/extension
- Light massage around the wing joint
- Stretching wings fully extended and folded against body
- Resistance exercises using light elastic bands
Low stress activities get muscles activated and prevent adhesions. Always keep exercises within pain-free ranges.
Try Alternative Therapies
Some additional modalities that may aid wing injury recovery include:
- Laser therapy to reduce inflammation and pain
- Ultrasound to improve blood flow
- Kinesiology taping to support muscles/joints
- Supplements like glucosamine for connective tissue health
- Acupuncture to relieve muscle tightness
Ask your vet or rehab therapist which alternative treatments may offer extra healing benefits in your bird’s case.
Gradually Resume Flying
Once major swelling and pain has resolved, try short sessions of assisted flying to rebuild strength:
- Use your hand to support the bird’s chest as they flap
- Gently toss them very short distances to follow
- Flap their wings for them in small ranges of motion
- Build from a few wing beats up to longer sequences
A gradual return to flying prevents overexertion while testing function. Progress at the bird’s pace based on their comfort level.
Conclusion
Assessing a bird’s wings takes a careful inspection of many parameters. Watching the bird in motion and at rest while feeling for injuries provides the best sense of damage. With prompt first aid and veterinary care, mild to moderate wing injuries often heal fully. Even severe trauma may be fixable with supportive care, rest, and rehabilitation exercises tailored to the affected structures. Patience and close monitoring are key during the recovery process until the bird regains pain-free flight. With proper treatment, injured wings can be nursed back to robust functioning in most cases.