December update for birds

Just a few photos. About a week ago a wild Pukeko flew in to our section attracted, I think, by Pav. It must have injured its leg at some stage cos it limps and has a strange awkward gait but it hasn't moved on yet. Pav has attacked it a couple of times and doesn't seem interested in it as a mate but time will tell. Not that I want Pukeko babies but if they do get together, perhaps that would be a wonderful opportunity to relocate Pav and 'his' family to a safe wild place. We shall see.

We are drought conditions yet again and the birds are finding it really hard to find food. I am feeding them all and my garden is now full of Weka also. As you can see by the photos, they seem to get on with Pav and 'Malvina' (wild Pook), and now that I have started feeding them, no outbreaks of fighting occur.

The photo of Ruby, my Rainbow Lorikeet is of her first bath. Gosh, they love water! She is doing so well and I now have a lovely huge cage for her with toys. She looks very happy and is turning into a very nice little bird.

Little Silvereye is doing well - growing new flight feathers and the injury to her head has healed. Another very nice little bird and I shall soon move her into an aviary, when I have a free one.

Silvereye hatchling

...was brought to me last week. Must have fallen from the nest and kind folk noticed some myna birds attacking it. Tiny little bird had a puncture wound to head and all the flight feathers on one wing have been ripped out. Head wound was swollen and sore and gave the bird tiny (!) amount of antibiotic plus used colloidal silver on wound and in food. A week later, the little mite is still alive, eating well and very lively and I can see the flight feathers coming through again.


AND... Ruby my Rainbow Lorikeet at almost 7 weeks of age.