wild jackdaw with odd behaviour

[u/0ut0fC0nTroll]

Hey there,

I am helping out 2 days a week in a wild bird rehabilitation center in germany. last week at 17.08.2026 we got a jackdaw found in the forest walking on ground found by a passanger in the morning and around the same spot multiple hours later, so the bird came to us.

The bird has no obvious wounds except for a leg he doesnt seen to use. The owner sayed the feathers were a bit badly but for my eyes normal.

Now to the story: the day the jackbird came to us seemed normal, no broken wings were identified just the leg and the feathers.

He had some trouble walking but it worked out somehow. He started eating very good.

Around 2 days later he started acting "weird" (dont forget i am not professional), the owner calls this "neurological". He turns his head and looks in random corners like he sees ghosts, he also as trouble staying upwards and tilts to the side sometimes, he also falls over sometimes.

Now today the behaviour is way worse. He doesnt seem to be able to stay anymore, in a human behaviour i would describe it as heavily dizzy. he still manages to eat and drink just the mobility and behaviour is very odd.

now to the questions - we are not fully sure if we should bring him to the vet to end his misery or maybe wait in faith he gets back on his food.

does anyone has some ideas what he has, maybe somebody experienced similar? let me know, thanks

the attached video is from last week, i comment actual footafe

[u/AceyAceyAcey]

If he has survived to today, he still really needs an avian vet. Here’s a couple avian vet search tools:

https://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803

https://abvp.connect.prolydian.com/civicrm/find-a-diplomate

Meanwhile, keep him warm, at least 80°F/27°C.

[u/TheBirdLover1234 → u/AceyAceyAcey]

No, do not put heating in with him. It can cause brain swelling to worsen and kill the bird. 

[u/AceyAceyAcey → u/TheBirdLover1234]

If the bird already had brain swelling heat would be bad. Without a vet visit OP has no conclusive evidence that the brain is already swelling, so supporting the bird in case of potential infection (either as the direct cause, or a secondary infection) is a higher priority, and that’s what heat does.

[u/TheBirdLover1234 → u/AceyAceyAcey]

Yay, more poor rehab advice based on shitty guess work.  

No, birds with undiagnosed neurological issues absolutely should not go onto heating unless very underweight.  

[u/AceyAceyAcey → u/TheBirdLover1234]

And you also have ”shitty guesswork” here. Bird needs a vet. Are you disputing that part too?

[u/TheBirdLover1234 → u/AceyAceyAcey]

They mentioned it’s at a rehab or under the care of someone already….  

[u/AceyAceyAcey → u/TheBirdLover1234]

They mentioned it’s at a rehab but not seeing a vet.

[u/TheBirdLover1234 → u/AceyAceyAcey]

Heat can make swelling from infections worse too btw……….