>Saw a Dark-eyed Junco on the sidewalk a few days ago. It was still warm,
>but lifeless. When I moved it the neck appeared broken. My question is
>how is one to determine if a bird is stunned after running into a window,
>for example, or has expired (when it still is warm). It was so beautiful up
>close. Advice would be welcomed. Thanks, Patty
>
>

The DEJU's neck was most likely not broken. Birds can have anywhere from
13 to 25 cervical vertebrae, which makes their necks extremely flexible.
Most mammals (including us!) only have 7 cervical vertebrae!
In all the birds I have prepped for Conner Museum, all window-kills have
had some noticable trauma to the head/skull. In most cases, the skull
would be broken or there would be hemorrhaging inside. I have never
seen a broken neck associated with a window-kill. I have, however, seen
a broken beak < CAHU :( >.

I have always adopted a 'wait and see' philosophy. I put recent window victims
aside in a warm, quiet place until I'm sure it's not alive. I never put them
into the freezer until I'm sure! I have seen a RCKI recover from
a run-in with the window!

Cindy McCormack
Spokane, WA
tmcgirk at mt.arias.net