One Legged Juvenile Grackle

[4rum]

He's still here. I'm still feeding him. He seems to be ok. Can get airborne from the ground. Hops a bit, but appears to be staying well groomed, so he can still preen. Don't have a name yet. Open for suggestions.

 

[Jeff15]

Legless but OK, nice shot ...

 

[jeffashman]

Nice shot! Hero.

 

[4rum]

Thanks Jeff, went with Pogo.

 

[jeffashman]

Thanks Jeff, went with Pogo.

One of my favorite cartoon characters!

 

[4rum]

I was thinking of the stick Pogo - stick. One leg. On the ground he has to hop.

 

[davholla]

Very interesting - I have seen one legged black headed gulls which seemed healthy

 

[4rum]

davholla, I also had a one legged Mocking bird for one full winter.

 

[davholla]

davholla, I also had a one legged Mocking bird for one full winter.

I wonder how they survived losing their leg? Or were they born that way?

 

[Digger...]

He'll be fine with just one leg, it'll make hunting a bit harder though. Just make sure he's hunting for food and not just coming to you for a feed.

 

[4rum]

I wonder how they survived losing their leg? Or were they born that way?

The missing leg(s) are from injury. The mocking bird's leg was missing from below the joint 'knee'? I haven't seen a stub on the baby Grackle, but he is very awkward. Has to put a wing down for balance when hoping on the ground.

 

[4rum]

He'll be fine with just one leg, it'll make hunting a bit harder though. Just make sure he's hunting for food and not just coming to you for a feed.

Good point. He is not totally dependent on my feeders. He is gone for long periods through the day and I'm sure able to do ok on his own. If he sticks around and needs more help this winter, I'll step up, of course.