Duckling

Friends had been watching an injured duckling for a few days and reported that it was getting weaker and weaker and couldn't keep up with Mum Duck and siblings... it had a very sore leg and they feared for its survival. Yesterday they brought the wee duckling to me and so far, it is doing well. Eating well, resting, loving tucking into a heatpad and a teddy and I'm rubbing arnica into the leg three times a day. 'Daryl' is its name or perhaps Darleen? Peter and Gill who brought the bird to me had named it and Daryl, for some unknown reason, seems to suit it.

News on birds.....

The hatchling, now a fledgling, 'Poppy', has been moved into my aviary and I am still feeding her but teaching her how to eat worms, insects and fend for herself.....

"Bubbles' is now released into my garden and visiting on and off throughout the day for food. This one is a male and getting his male plumage now. He is doing well.

Sadly, Lillebo, the badly injured blackbird, will never fly. One wing is useless due to injuries. Lillebo misses Bubbles and has not bonded with Poppy at all and it is very difficult having her in the aviary when she is still so fearful of me. She causes my other fledglings to be frightened of me and then it is difficult teaching them how to fare for themselves. So, Lillebo travels to Robert in Whangarei this afternoon...(Whangarei Bird Rescue).... Robert will take Lillebo to his home in the country where he releases other birds that are having difficulties in the wild... they can choose to use his aviary for shelter and food and have excursions outside.... this will be a better life for Lillebo that shut in my small aviary all year round.

Pav the pukeko is in spring mode this last week and keeps going walkabout. He jumps out over the fence on to the road and off I go after him.... sad that he wants a mate but I can't let him go as he wouldn't last long in the big world out there.... however, I have discovered that Rescue Remedy works a treat with him and calms him right down. If I can only get him over the next couple of weeks, hopefully, his urges will disappear. Thank goodness I have the larger aviary to plonk him in if he gets totally unruly!
He is quite content in his 'apartment'... I built him a lovely shelf that he can roost on and he sits up there on his pillow and towel, chuntering away. Such a funny bird and generally, very content..... away spring urges, away! :)

Pav, my Pukeko

News on birds....

I released the mallard duck yesterday at Moojebing Farm - lovely pond and land and a few other Mallards in residence... hopefully he will have a happy life. He certainly looked pleased to be free and out of my aviary. Whilst there I also saw Peanut and Brittle (Peanut's beau). They look absolutely fine and happy. No sign of baby quail yet but perhaps a little bit early.

The hatchling is now a fledgling and will soon go into aviary with other two blackbirds - Bubbles needs to be released very soon from the aviary and Lillebo will be company for new little fledgling 'Poppy'. Lillebo's wing still droops but she is fluttering/flying a bit. Have got my fingers crossed that with time, she may be releasable.

And a few photos from today..... the aviary is Pav's new house for the nighttime and when we are out.... he loves it!

Pavorotti, the Pukeko sunning himself....

Pav met the children from Playcentre and Dozie their puppet pet :)

Tiny hatchling

A week later!


Brought to me yesterday. Perhaps a blackbird but unsure. It has survived the night and is feeding well but is very little and fragile.

It is growing! :)

Kereru - Wood Pigeon & a Duck in yesterday

Wood pigeon found in another town on the ground and brought to me. Can't see any visible wounds and imagine it has crashed into something. Keeping it quiet, warm and will try to get it feeding today.

Also a poor little duck was brought to me that either a dog or a cat had had a go at. The duck was bleeding down its side and looking very shocked and sore. Bathed the area in a saline solution and tucked it into a box for the night. Today it is feeding quite well and is moving about a bit more, so I think not so sore. Hopefully, a few days of rest will fix it and I can let it go back with its family.

So a busy time with 5 birds to look after - well Pav the Puke doesn't need so much looking after now but I have to constantly check where he is in the garden, IF he is still in the garden and what plant he is pulling out! Has a great fascination for our vege garden unfortunately! Dratted bird :)

Sadly, the Kereru (Wood Pigeon) was dead in its box this morning. Not a mark on the bird.... not an old bird either.
Very sad I couldn't help this one :(