A bird’s wing can become injured or broken in a variety of ways. This can happen from trauma such as being attacked by a predator, hitting a window or car, or even just landing awkwardly. A broken wing is a serious issue for a bird, as it impacts their ability to fly and can even be life-threatening if not treated properly. Knowing the signs of a broken wing and what it looks like can help you identify an injured bird and get it the help it needs.
Signs of a Broken Wing
There are several clear signs that a bird has a broken wing that you may observe:
- Drooping or hanging wing: The injured wing will hang down limply and the bird will be unable to lift it up. This is one of the most obvious signs of a break.
- Swelling: There may be swelling present around the area of the break as fluids rush to the injured site. This can appear as a bump or lump on the wing.
- Bruising: Bruises may also develop around the broken area as blood vessels rupture under the skin. You may see black, blue or purple discoloration.
- Bleeding: Breaks can tear blood vessels causing external or internal bleeding. You may see blood on the feathers or dripping from the wing.
- Protruding bone: With serious breaks, the fractured bone may puncture through the skin and be visible. The wing will appear bent at an odd angle.
- Unable to fly: The bird will not be able to fly at all or will fly only weakly and for short distances before landing.
If you observe any of these signs, it indicates the wing is likely broken and the bird needs veterinary care. Birds are very vulnerable when unable to fly properly, so it is important to intervene.
Areas Where Breaks Occur
Breaks can occur anywhere along the wing, but there are some common areas:
- Shoulder: Fractures near the shoulder joint prevent the bird from lifting the wing up.
- Humerus: The long upper bone of the wing is prone to fractures.
- Ulna/Radius: These two thinner parallel bones in the lower wing also fracture frequently.
- Wrist: The wrist joint connecting the bones is complex and vulnerable.
- Digits: The bony finger-like digits at the end of the wing can fracture.
Breaks are most common in the middle of the wing, including the humerus, ulna, radius and wrist. However, any part of the wing can potentially break in an accident.
Types of Wing Fractures
There are several types of wing bone fractures in birds:
Transverse Fractures
These occur when the bone breaks cleanly across its width, perpendicular to the length. This results in the wing bending at an odd angle at the fracture site. It usually requires surgery to implant pins and plates to stabilize it.
Oblique Fractures
An oblique fracture is diagonal across the bone instead of transverse. It is also prone to displacement of the bone fragments, complicating healing.
Comminuted Fractures
In this type, the bone breaks into more than two pieces. The wing will have several fractures across it instead of one clean break. These are more difficult to repair.
Impacted Fractures
Here the ends of the broken bones are wedged tightly into each other instead of being displaced. This can help stabilize the fracture site somewhat.
The type of fracture influences the repair method, so identifying it is helpful for treatment.
Alignment and Displacement
Another important factor is whether the broken wing bones remain aligned or are displaced:
- Aligned fractures – The bone ends remain lined up, which promotes easier healing. The wing maintains its normal shape, just with a crack through the bone. These have a better prognosis.
- Displaced fractures – The bone fragments shift so the ends no longer align. This causes the wing to bend at an abnormal angle and requires manipulation to realign the bones. If displacement is severe, surgery is needed.
Minimizing displacement helps recovery, so it’s beneficial to splint a broken wing in the proper position as soon as possible.
Complications from a Broken Wing
Some potential complications can arise from a fractured wing bone:
Nonunion Fractures
If bone fragments shift significantly, they may not heal and fuse back together properly even once set. This results in a painful nonunion fracture that may require further surgery.
Malunion Fractures
Here the bones heal in a deformed or malaligned position, such as at an odd angle. This can impair flight ability. Another surgery may be needed to re-break and set the wing.
Avascular Necrosis
Certain breaks may damage the blood vessels feeding that part of the bone. This causes death of the bone tissue, known as avascular necrosis. This section of bone then requires removal.
Osteomyelitis
An open fracture with a bone protruding through the skin increases infection risk. Bacteria can enter the exposed bone marrow cavity, causing dangerous osteomyelitis infection of the bone.
Arthritis
Fractures through the joints can lead to post-traumatic arthritis later on. This causes chronic pain and stiffness in the joint.
Seeking prompt treatment helps minimize the chances of complications like these developing.
Treatment for a Broken Wing
A broken wing requires veterinary treatment as soon as possible. Here are the typical steps:
- Immediate stabilization – The wing needs to be splinted to limit further damage and aligned as close as possible to its normal position. A folded towel or cardboard taped to the wing can work as a temporary splint.
- Veterinary assessment – X-rays will be taken to evaluate the type and location of fracture, degree of displacement and best repair method.
- Reduction and fixation – The fracture may need to be set back in proper alignment then stabilized, often with pins, wires, external fixators or internal plates.
- Recovery period – Strict cage rest is required for several weeks to allow the bones to fuse. Pain medication and physical therapy may be prescribed.
- Follow-up – Repeat x-rays will check healing progress. Once the fracture has stabilized fully, the bird can gradually return to normal activity.
With prompt vet treatment and adequate immobilization time, many birds recover well and regain flight from a broken wing. However, the prognosis depends on fracture type, location, complications and overall health of the bird.
What Does a Healed Broken Wing Look and Feel Like?
Once a broken bird wing has fully healed after several weeks, here are the signs:
- Normal wing position – The wing is held against the body properly without drooping or odd angles.
- Symmetrical wings – Both wings appear equal in size, shape and positioning.
- Smooth wing surface – Any lumps, swelling and bruising has resolved.
- Full range of motion – The bird can fully extend and flap the wing through a normal range.
- Ability to fly – The bird is able to take off, fly and land smoothly without difficulty.
- No signs of pain – The bird shows no evidence of discomfort using the wing.
X-rays should show solid bridging across the fracture site indicating the bones have fused. With adequate time and proper treatment, most broken bird wings heal back to normal function and strength.
Emergency First Aid for an Injured Wing
If you find a bird with an injured wing, here are important first steps while transporting it to a wildlife rehabilitator or vet:
- Gently capture the bird if possible and secure in a ventilated box or carrier.
- Limit movement of the wing by loosely wrapping the injury with a soft cloth or paper towel.
- Provide a warm, calm, quiet environment to reduce stress.
- Don’t try to force the wing into position or splint it yourself.
- Offer hydration by dripping water on the beak but don’t force feed.
- Keep the bird in a dark, quiet space for transport to a facility for proper treatment.
With quick, careful response, you can give an injured bird its best chance of healing.
Preventing Wing Injuries
Here are some tips for bird owners to reduce the risk of wing trauma:
- Regularly inspect your bird’s environment and remove hazards.
- Use bird-safe materials for perches, toys and cage furnishings.
- Ensure your bird’s wings are trimmed properly to prevent escape and collisions.
- Train your bird to fly between designated areas under supervision only.
- Enclose outdoor aviaries with safety netting to prevent predators.
- Make windows visible with decals or screens to avoid collisions.
- Transport your bird in a secure carrier and harness in vehicles.
Being proactive helps keep your bird’s wings healthy and strong!
Conclusion
A broken wing is a serious injury that requires prompt veterinary care. Key signs include drooping, swelling, bruising, bleeding, protruding bones and inability to fly. Breaks often occur along the humerus, ulna or radius bones. Treatment involves stabilizing the fracture then strict rest while bones heal. With proper care, most birds recover flight after several weeks. Being aware of a broken wing’s symptoms and taking quick action gives the bird the best chance of survival and recovery. With preventative measures, bird owners can also reduce injury risks and keep their pet’s wings safe and strong.