Injured gull 'doing well' after flying into window

The bird is also being treated for a parasite called gapeworm

A gull has been recovering in a Leicestershire animal hospital after flying into a window and injuring its wing.

The Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital said the common gull was "doing well" following the ordeal in Leicester city centre.

The male bird arrived at the centre on Friday 29 November after breaking the tip of its left wing following the collision with a factory window.

Amy Blower, an animal care team leader at the hospital, said his wing had been strapped up and given pain relief.

The bird has also been receiving treatment for an internal parasite called gapeworm.

Ms Blower said: "We've taken the strapping off his wing, and it's set in the right position, which is good.

"He will go into a large flight enclosure over the next few days to let him build the muscles up in his wing.

"We'll make sure he can fly correctly, and then – fingers crossed – there will be a flock of gulls at the location he was found, and we can return him there."

The hospital said, despite the name, common gulls were quite rare and were red-listed in the UK due to their diminishing numbers.

During the winter months, there are more common gulls in the UK, as they migrate over from mainland Europe, the hospital added.