Chiffchaff with damaged or deformed leg

[brian1208]

We have a family of over-wintering Chiffchaff that nest nearby and one of them has recently taken to visiting our garden

Yesterday I got some quite nice pics of it feeding on aphid just in front of our conservatory and I noticed it didn't seem to move in a quite normal way (not so much hopping as crouched down, then fluttering about to move) and today I noticed it trying to perch on the fence, with one leg looking either damaged or deformed as it was unable to bend it

Have a look at the pics (some are pretty poor as they were shot through the window from a distance so as not to disturb the bird) and see what you think?



don't know if it will be visible but it has an aphid hanging from the side of its beak in the shot



hunting for an aphid whilst sat down



Today, trying to perch

[The Technician]

Re: Chiffchaff with damaged or deformed leg

The poor thing

Nice pictures though

[RogerRamjet]

Re: Chiffchaff with damaged or deformed leg

Touch of the Long John Silver about the little fellow. Aphid doesn't look best pleased either!

[Mrs T]

Re: Chiffchaff with damaged or deformed leg

Poor thing. He does seem to be struggling. I hope he survives.

[brian1208]

Re: Chiffchaff with damaged or deformed leg

Touch of the Long John Silver about the little fellow

Good name, we were debating what to call it and "Peg Leg" seemed a little unkind

[brian1208]

Re: Chiffchaff with damaged or deformed leg

Here's another one from the sequence, I get the impression this is not a new injury as it seems to have developed some neat coping moves to compensate for the stiff leg.

Here its combining a bit of left wing flapping with the use of the beak to lever itself onto the fence

[OM USer]

Re: Chiffchaff with damaged or deformed leg

Stunning pictures, well done. He does seem to be in a spot of trouble with that leg though.

[wellyboot]

Re: Chiffchaff with damaged or deformed leg

A lovely set Brian. He is certainly a little fighter, and has survived most of the winter. Thank you for sharing!

[StephenL]

Re: Chiffchaff with damaged or deformed leg

A great set through that clean window of yours!

[brian1208]

Re: Chiffchaff with damaged or deformed leg

Thanks Stephen, it does show how important it is to get the hood right on the window though, the fence shots lack quality (but I would not have got the shot if I had got any closer so its the usual compromise )