Thud! Oh, no, not again!

The rattling of the front window told me a potential tragedy had just occurred. The last time I heard this sound a beautiful female Varied Thrush had flown to her death by hitting her head hard on the back sliding doors.

She bounced off the glass and died instantly. Mussed up feathers on her head showed where she made contact, but the rest of her beautiful body was intact and splendid. I placed her on a clean white cloth and laid her “in state” on the piano for the day.

Has it happened all over again today? I rushed to the window to see the outcome of this newest collision. Again, it was a Varied Thrush. This time it was alive! He was upright and breathing. His beak was wide open, his breath labored, and his dazed eyes unfocused. I knew going outside would only frighten the bird and aggravate the injuries. I stayed inside and kept watch.

How does one pray for an injured bird? Are there bird angels that keep watch and offer aid? I called upon all of Mother Nature and the Heavenly Host, imploring aid for my little bird friend. After many minutes he closed his mouth and began breathing what I hoped were normal breaths.  He stayed still and seemed calm. After about fifteen minutes, a large Stellar’s jay came over and checked him out. This made the thrush move and I feared the jay might peck at him. Fortunately, the jay flew away, uninterested. The thrush hopped and soon his mate joined him. She made a couple of swooping passes at him. Was this encouragement or concern that he was dying?  I soon realized it was encouragement. My bird friend continued to revive and began eating birdseed on the ground. He hopped around and then flew up onto the fence. He had made it! He was going to be all right!

Were there bird angels who heard my prayers? After all, even the New Testament Scriptures remind us not even one sparrow falls to the ground without God’s awareness (Mt. 10:29-31). Was Mother Nature just a bit more benevolent today? Or did this bird not hit the window as hard, making contact on his side—not his head—and the laws of nature prevailed so he could survive the impact? I do not know what forces were at work, but I do know how close I feel to the creatures that share this amazing world, and I am thankful I was able to offer the support of presence and prayer. Does my bird friend know someone prayed for him? How many people hold us up in prayer and good intentions though we are unaware, oblivious to the light and love that surround us?

Thrush video captured by Kizzie Jones.