Photo credit: Dorothy Schwarz
Flo didn’t look as healthy as the other chicks. Photo credit: Dorothy Schwarz
Next morning, the veterinarian confirmed my fears.
I was surprised when my inexperienced young rock pebblers pro- duced five fertile eggs. Photo credit: Dorothy Schwarz
DISASTER Then disaster! My four pet birds, two Congo African
grey parrots and two lesser sulphur crested cockatoo hens are brought indoors at night. Casper my grey, who’s been known for bullying, landed on the side of the cage. Little Flo was perched on the central bar. The doorbell rang. I answered. Returning two minutes later, I found Little Flo dripping with blood. She must have sidled sideways to greet this great grey bird who rewarded her friendliness by biting her foot andwing. I disinfected the wounds; the wing drooped badly. She seemed less shocked than I’d feared, ate her egg food supper and put herself to bed.
We could strap the broken wing up for ten days – hop- ing it would heal – or euthanize. Strapped up, Little Flo waddled round the sitting room floor and stepped up when requested onto my finger. She grew much tamer, unafraid of new sights or sounds. When anyone held her she relaxed; she didn’t struggle or bite. As soon as she saw me, Little Flo would raise her wings and chirp. I let her wean herself, offering a spoon which she began to reject. She flapped and tried to fly with the strapped up wing drooping.
Ten days later the veterinarian removed the bandages.
A callous had formed under the wing which still drooped. Back home Little Flo flapped vigorously and managed a few mini-flights with heavy landings not to be compared with the graceful swoops of her newly- fledged siblings in the aviary. The vet’s prognosis was “never say never” but he doubted her ability to fly prop- erly. I took her into the garden for some sunshine and bites of grass; she loved that.
Good Bird Magazine 41
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