I found a bird the other day that was freezing to death or something. I brought her in the house to thaw out and ended up putting her in my plant room. She was pretty well behaved, so I've kept her in the house for a week or so. She eats cashews that I rub over a cheese grater, and seems to be picking at something on the plants too. One day she decided to be naughty and rooted around in my gerbera pot, making a mess like a chicken in the garden. She also wrecked a hibiscus bud that day and I considered letting the cat in to take care of the problem, but decided against it. The bird's health seems to be improving, so I'm probably going to let it go pretty soon. I'm just waiting for a day that isn't so bloody cold to release her! I'm afraid that she's gotten acclimated to being inside and will freeze solid the instant I release her into subzero temperatures. I might go on vacation in a couple days, so she'll have to go back to the wild then.

What kind of bird is this?

I think it's a Pine Siskin and it should do fine in the cold. Unless it is hurt I would let it go. Please don't let your cat get it

I think it's still recovering from being hurt or frozen. The first week or so, it didn't fly at all. She only hopped around like a tiny chicken. Now, after a couple weeks, she'll fly, but only down. If a bird can't fly up, how is it going to get up into the trees, or up to the birdfeeder? Birdie seems to be happy perching in my Chinese hibiscus. The other day it was even singing! Must think it's spring. She's in for a rude awakening when she goes back outside.

I would let her go right away. The longer you keep her the harder it will be for her to readjust. And I just don't think having a live wild bird flying around any room in your house is a good idea.