Rupert released himself this morning. Yesterday I left the door to the aviary open all day (but closed it for the night) in case he wanted to fly. He chose to lurk around the shelter, the one place that isn't exposed to the predatory gaze of overhead predators. Even standing at the door rather than flying away he flew in.
This morning was different. He had 8ml at 7am. At 8:30 I went out to give him a top up. The door was open. As yesterday, I brought him out to feed him. After 4ml he didn't want anymore. He became a little agitated, climbing around my jacket and around my neck. I was standing at the door but when he took off he went around the aviary and disappeared over the dam paddock. I've seen him take a victory lap and have heard him since but he hasn't come for any food.
I am hopeful that he will join up with the two semi-regular adult lorikeet visitors who can show him the ropes and also help to protect him while he adapts to life in the wild.
He is such a dear little fellow, quite talkative and affectionate and if I believed in birds for pets I would not hesitate in turning him into one. Fortunately I believe birds, the ultimate symbol of freedom, deserve just that.
Go Rupert!
Monday, May 25, 2015
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Rupert, the Sick Lorikeet
Yesterday while taking the bird seed out to fling on the driveway for the pigeons and doves who can't compete at the feeder with the galahs, I heard a 'plop' from off to the left in the paddock. Was going to ignore it but realized it didn't sound like a branch falling and the huge silky oak tree growing there doesn't bear fruit. So what could make that ripe-fruit-falling sound? Upon investigation I found a juvenile rainbow lorikeet. He'd fallen from the tree and although screeching and trying to 'run away' by flopping his wings, it was obvious something was seriously wrong.
I don't know what's wrong. Nothing is broken. He's in fair condition, not emaciated but not plump either. His eyes are liquid, not overflowing and they're clear, but they look too wet, if that makes any sense. As lorikeets have liquid droppings anyway and I no longer have microscope to look at poo samples, I can only guess what's wrong with him. I've put him on coccivet which if he has coccidiosis, a distinct possibility, will help, and if he doesn't, won't hurt him.
Yesterday looked for food and probably had about 10 mls during the day although I noticed a tendency to head shake, as if taking in the food bothered him. This morning, with much work, managed to get 1ml down. Had to wrap him in a towel to make him concentrate.
When I returned from riding, I glanced at him while leading Balthazar to the yards. He looked dead; all stretched out on the bottom of the cage. Well, I thought, we tried. But when I came up later, he had moved. I'd made up my mind that if he didn't willingly eat I'd crop feed him, as, if he's going to overcome what ails him he has to keep his strength up and he's noticeably weakened since yesterday. But lo and behold, he took 3ml, albeit slowly. Perhaps all it is is coccidiosis. I pray that it is for it's very curable. Possible too because we had all that wet weather, conditions which seem to bring it on.
He's in the sun during the day and at night I've got the terracotta pot over an incandescent, ie warm, light bulb. We'll do the best we can.
I've called him Rupert.
I don't know what's wrong. Nothing is broken. He's in fair condition, not emaciated but not plump either. His eyes are liquid, not overflowing and they're clear, but they look too wet, if that makes any sense. As lorikeets have liquid droppings anyway and I no longer have microscope to look at poo samples, I can only guess what's wrong with him. I've put him on coccivet which if he has coccidiosis, a distinct possibility, will help, and if he doesn't, won't hurt him.
Yesterday looked for food and probably had about 10 mls during the day although I noticed a tendency to head shake, as if taking in the food bothered him. This morning, with much work, managed to get 1ml down. Had to wrap him in a towel to make him concentrate.
When I returned from riding, I glanced at him while leading Balthazar to the yards. He looked dead; all stretched out on the bottom of the cage. Well, I thought, we tried. But when I came up later, he had moved. I'd made up my mind that if he didn't willingly eat I'd crop feed him, as, if he's going to overcome what ails him he has to keep his strength up and he's noticeably weakened since yesterday. But lo and behold, he took 3ml, albeit slowly. Perhaps all it is is coccidiosis. I pray that it is for it's very curable. Possible too because we had all that wet weather, conditions which seem to bring it on.
He's in the sun during the day and at night I've got the terracotta pot over an incandescent, ie warm, light bulb. We'll do the best we can.
I've called him Rupert.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Rain rain rain. Twelve mm yesterday, just a warm up. Today is the real deal. Water is starting to pool, soggy galahs sit disconsolately on the wire, lacklustre and quite odoriferous whippets lay in damp beds. But no complaints. Tomorrow it will clear and this rain will keep things green, if we're lucky with a bit of follow up, all through winter. I do need to take the whippets for their poop walk in a few minutes. No 6km walk today. Just to the end of the bitumen and back. Long enough for them to hopefully do their business. If not there will be soggy Mr. Whippy poos to spoon on to a shovel tomorrow morning.
Today is the anniversary of our marriage 25 years ago. Time is a funny thing. In some ways it seems like yesterday, in other ways much longer. I've been lucky to have him. We've managed to stay loving and on course for all this time. What course? The partnership course. We've remained best friends and companions. I'm always in his corner and he's always in mine. Can't ask for much more than that.
He's away at a funeral. A doleful day for it. His aunt. She's been non compos mentis for years. Finally freedom from a failing body. It's a chance for him to catch up with The Clan.
Today is the anniversary of our marriage 25 years ago. Time is a funny thing. In some ways it seems like yesterday, in other ways much longer. I've been lucky to have him. We've managed to stay loving and on course for all this time. What course? The partnership course. We've remained best friends and companions. I'm always in his corner and he's always in mine. Can't ask for much more than that.
He's away at a funeral. A doleful day for it. His aunt. She's been non compos mentis for years. Finally freedom from a failing body. It's a chance for him to catch up with The Clan.
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