My cat injured a young downy woodpecker

[massive_bike]

She looks like an adult, but it could be young, I don't think all of its feathers have grown in completely. Anyways, my cat brought it home with its tail feathers ripped out and some of wing feathers as well, there was blood on its beak and it seemed to be in shock. I put her in a box covered with a towel with some branches inside to sit on.
The nearest wildlife rehabilitator is about 80 miles away from me and I'm not able to get there, so I figure the bird is probably stuck with me until its feathers grow back. And I don't know how long that will be.
Today she is doing much better, I bought her some mealworms but she hasn't eaten any, only some apple and bugs she picked off the ground, as well as water from a puddle. She has tried to fly away several times but without avail, so now she is just resting and hopping around in my driveway. I don't think she is too scared of me because she keeps climbing up my arm and sitting on my head, chirping and cleaning herself.

I've had several birds in the past, but this is new to me, of course. I don't want this bird to die and even though I've read into it quite a bit I still want to make sure I'm not doing anything wrong and I hope I can get some advice on here.

[maxollie]

That was totally kind for you to rescue her. I hope she will thrive and be able to get back into the wild. You are going great with her! We will watch for updates.

[Pipers Mom]

Downy woodpeckers do like seed. Especially sunflower seeds. If you can just buy the hearts, the woodpecker fledgling will have a better chance of survival. Downy's are seed or suet eaters. You can pick up suet at a dollar store too. They are hearty birds. Do you have a Wild Birds Unlimited near your home?

[massive_bike]

Downy woodpeckers do like seed. Especially sunflower seeds. If you can just buy the hearts, the woodpecker fledgling will have a better chance of survival. Downy's are seed or suet eaters. You can pick up suet at a dollar store too. They are hearty birds. Do you have a Wild Birds Unlimited near your home?

Yes thank you, this is what I was going to do today. I will buy some suet too then.

[massive_bike]

The bird seemed to be doing well but then I went to go buy it some food and when I came back I saw that it appeared to have fallen and gotten its head stuck between the wall and the box and it died...

[Pipers Mom]

The bird seemed to be doing well but then I went to go buy it some food and when I came back I saw that it appeared to have fallen and gotten its head stuck between the wall and the box and it died...

Oh No!! So sorry to hear the outcome. You did your best. I feed the wild birds at my home and I can't tell you how many casualties we get each year with the fledglings. Only about 50% of the baby birds survive the first year of life.

[maxollie]

Awww! I too am very sorry it died. You tried hard to save it. As Carolyn shared, their are lots of baby birds that do not make it for various reasons. I admire you completely.

[boomer girl]

How sad it didnt make it Thanks for trying to help it.

[Birdmanca]

Try to keep your cat away from birds. It is nature that they hurt and kill birds. Anyhow, lets let birds live. Just keep the cat away from birds.