A wild bird in the hand is a very sad thing. It means the bird is sick or injured.
This little male American Goldfinch is just starting to get his spring colours.
I heard him fluttering around in the garden, and caught him.
I grew up with pet budgies, and had a cockatiel.
I am used to handling and examining birds, and know how to hold them properly to prevent injury to them.
I looked him over, his wings didn't seem broken, he may have flown into a window and been stunned.
I tried to put him into a hanging basket a little higher up, so that a cat couldn't get him, but he wouldn't have it.
I set him down on the ground, near a fence, out of sight.
This morning he was gone - I hope he recovered and flew away.
