There was nothing I could do except seek help, so I rushed to the office and did a quick search online. Found a local number to call: Robert Spragg, a volunteer who stands by to capture wild birds in trouble and brings them to licensed rehabilitators.
He arrived shortly after I returned to the location, deftly scooped it up and examined it, and took it away in a cardboard pet carrier. He said it is a female kestrel, probably migrating... a bit malnourished and had almost certainly suffered a blow to the head, probably by flying into a building, mistaking a reflected patch of sky for the real thing.
She certainly did not enjoy being picked up, and laid into his bare hands pretty good with that nasty little beak. Definitely a sign that she's not too far gone!
Robert's only comment was "Ow." He'd brought gloves, but only in case it was something a little more dangerous, like a peregrine.She'll spend a day or two at his place, enjoying safety, quiet, warmth, and some nice yummy mice (which he keeps in his freezer). Then he'll take her to a rehab center, and if she fares well, she'll probably be released in the wild in Pennsylvania.
It was nice to be able to do something for this beautiful animal... if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, rest assured that somewhere near you, even in big cities, there is probably a kind and knowledgeable person who can help.
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