The curious case of the wounded sparrow

Soccer practice this evening was delayed because this little bird was wandering around in front of goal. It seemed wounded and unable to get off the ground to get out of the way of players or ball. Obsessed with pecking at the ground it would scurry a few inches to the left or right as it was approached, but its efforts seemed half hearted and the girls were able to stroke it gently. After a lot of effort, coach Vanessa was able to catch it in her hands and transfer it to another part of the playing fields, at which it promptly opened its wings and flew off into a nearby tree.