Here we are at the tail end of baby songbird season. The other day, we admitted an injured young robin with a broken ulna/radius and a wound with maggot eggs. The rehabbers cleaned the would of the eggs and treated the bird with an anti-parasitic. Next, the wing was immobilized so that bones could heal.

Birds mature in 19 days (as opposed to 19 years for humans). Healing broken bones in the midst of this level of accelerated development requires close attention to every detail. The bones must set in just the right way so the bird can live an autonomous, free life on the wing.

A week on, and the bird’s wound is healing well. With some more supportive care, this robin should be flying in no time.