OMG- what a terrible thing to be in. I don't believe keeping him indoors for that length of time would be any good for him, with a release in spring. But, I wonder if a wildlife expert can do anything for him in your area- that's if you can catch him. It's very sad to witness, I know because all of May & June I had a one-legged robin eating berries on the ground. Before I knew it, it disappeared and I wonder what became of it. I hope an expert comes forward with some advice. Good luck.

Update. My little titmouse seems to be in better standing with a group of titmice that come to the feeder with the injured one in the picture, if this stays true it may make a major difference in managing the winter. He does a lot better at the feeder than I first gave him credit, today for instance he would make several trips to the feeder with three other titmice in tow, If they are staying close, then they are part of his alarm of danger if needed. The feeder that is in the picture gets more food out, but I going to put the older one out because he could feed better from it. I can't image how he sleeps.

It also looks like the loss of a leg may have been a little longer ago than I first thought, it is healed up, at least it looks that way from my window. Right now I'm not going to do anything except make sure he has food when he needs it, especially this winter.

Hopefully I can get some better pictures. I tried to get some outside but the birds won't come close to the feeders while I'm out there, strange though the hummers don't slow down, but this is the first year.

I am certain he will do just fine! Birds have an amazing way of adapting to the things life throws at them. Their legs are pretty fragile, and from my time rehabilitating hundreds of birds, they can life a full healthy life with just one leg when something happens to the other one.

I would guess that he's got a system worked out - one that it seems you've seen some of, coming with his buddies. There will always be bullies that pick on the weak, but no doubt he will hang around and take advantage of the feeder when the bullies are not there. Perhaps you could put out a second feeder that the birds could go between, to give more room for sharing (you mentioned putting the second feeder out, great idea! put it a few yards from the first one).

If the leg is healed up he has had the injury for a while and has adapted. A bird the size of a titmouse can go very little time without eating and drinking or they will die, so if he was having problems he'd long since have gone. He must be getting food at least a few times per day :)

As for sleeping, a lot of birds actually choose to sleep one legged and tuck the other one up into their feathers. I've got a little bird of my own who does it. Definitely make sure the feeder has a good stock of seeds through the winter, but if the little guy has made it this long no doubt he'll keep on trucking. Having a steady food source is probably immensely helpful to him!

Thanks friend, I am glad that you reassured my late thinking, after you said what you did about the sleep, I remember seeing a grey heron sleeping for hours on one leg outside our rental at the beach, and he's a huge bird.

I do hope you get bluejays to come to your feeders.

Bob