Our New Flock Member

[cf737]

This is kind of a long story but has a happy ending so here goes

As most of you know I work at a breeders/bird store (to my great happiness). I mostly look after the breeder birds, who are separated into 3 different rooms depending on size and species. There is one room that is completely filled with floor-ceiling flight cages - mostly containing finches and doves. However, there is one cage with about 20 lovebirds, who have been paired for a number of years and breed often. In the beginning of July, a little baby was born with a bad leg. Basically, her right leg stuck almost entirely out to the side and allowed her little to no movement as a newborn. My boss and I decided to put elastics around the joint to try and pull the leg in. We let her be parent reared for 5 weeks in the hope that she would learn from them and be able to move around better as a result.

The elastics pulled her leg in a little and she was moving around the nestbox as time went on. But her parents seemed irritated by her age and her still being in the nestbox, and one day I went in for feeding and cleaning and discovered her curled up in a corner on the bottom of the cage. I caught her, checked her crop and noticed she had been eating on her own. We gave her 2 weeks to see if she would perch or adventure to the top of the cage.

 

She didn't. I watched her struggle, and although she tried, she never quite made it, and as time went on the other birds began picking on her. It was at this point that my boss had a decision to make - he asked me if I would take her.

 

Of course I said yes

She has been here since Saturday and stopped eating Sunday. I handfed her 3 times/day until yesterday, when she finally adventured out of her snuggle hut to the food sprinkled on the bottom. I skipped her lunch yesterday and she's eating well now. She is an absolute doll and will cuddle all day and all night. We are working on hand taming her and she is doing remarkably. Today she sat in my hand and didn't fly away :laugh:

She is climbing around today and playing with little wicker balls on the bottom of her cage. She seems to be happy and doing very well. My mum and I love her so much, and I think she has a bright future ahead of her

 

Here are some pictures, her name is Luna and she is a Cinnamon Violet lovebird (very beautiful), hatchdate July 1/09.

 

[cf737]

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My mum just said she's sitting there with a smile on her face munching away

I think she's stunning, in the sun she seems to glow with a pinky colour. Her head will lighten up, and fade from white to cinnamon to pink to violet on her wings and back. I hope you enjoyed her story, and I'll keep you updated as I continue handfeeding her.

[judygram]

Cassandra, that is a beautiful little bird you have added to your flock, you are an angel for taking in this little one for if you hadn't I shiver to think what would have happened to it, we both know don't we.

 

Luna is so lucky to have you and your mom looking after her, thanks for sharing Luna and her story with us and please keep us updated on her progress.

 

Karma for taking in this sweet little thing.

[JillyBeanz]

Ah, she's beautiful - and very lucky to have you - well done for giving this absolute peach a loving home. I would have done the same!!

[she]

Luna is gorgeous.Thanks for taking in this little special needs bird.I hope with your love and care Luna continues to do well.

[Tycos_mom]

What a gorgeous little bird you have there I love lovies they are so cute. She/he is still very young with the black still on the beak how old is she. Karma to you for helping this sweet little bird get a wonderful home where she can thrive.

[Luvparrots]

Luna is beautiful. How very lucky she is to have found you and your mom.