Outside my work this morning (06:30) was a coot (or moorhen) that couldn't walk very well so I picked it up and asked our receptionist to get me a cardboard box and to call the animal ambulance. Whilst waiting for the box the beast bit me several times and drew blood on 4 ocassions. After the ambulance had arrived they said it was suffering from botulism !! I've now got to go on a course of antibiotics - "just in case" D'oh!
			
			
			
				Oh BB, I laughed out loud at that!  Sorry, but I couldn't resist!  ;D  Wildlife gettings its own back!  Hope your hand heals.
			
			
			
				sorry, but fraid I laughed too. hope all is well tho' cheers, suzy
			
			
			
				Oh BB 
sorry I too laughed but next time you help a bird take off your sock or wolly hat and cover the head and beak.  ;)This has a calming afect on them and you dont get injured yourself.
I can hear you saying now she B... tells :-[ me but their might be a next time. :-/
hope your hand is better soon 
Teresa
			
			
			
				Oh BB
The poor little moorhen!! Hope it gets better soon!!  ;)  ;D
			
			
			
				btw...an easy way to remember.......coot or moorhen??
........moorhen has an " R " in word = red...on forehead!!
Mind you........after your encounter...........white forehead of coot could've had splashes of red!!   ::)   ;D
Get well soon!!  ;)
			
			
			
				Thanks for all your sympathy (not)  :) and MagpieDi thanks for the identification tip - it was a coot. I really should have known better because I always have gloves in the car for when I'm rescueing squirrels.