Bird Days

I had hoped that Blue would find me (and the dogs) sufficient company to keep him entertained; but it was not to be. Budgies should be active, busy, noisy -- and he was not. He didn't seem unhappy, exactly; just not joyful.

So he has a new companion, whom I am calling Cloud for the moment -- but suggestions are welcome. I did careful introductions, separate cages, Blue out for visiting through bars each day. Today I left them together in the big cage while I went out to meet Patia (more about that later) and when I came home, they were kissing.

When I bought Blue, the pet store clipped one of his wings, but this never slowed him down for a minute. When I bought Cloud, they clipped both wings, and s/he (too young to tell) could only hop and glide -- this left Blue with a distinct advantage, and showed me why he may have been so difficult to train. So, after reading the books I have about parakeets, I took him back to have his wings clipped, too.

And now I wish I hadn't. He seems impaired to me. He loved flying -- and I know it's risky, and I know he should be trained first -- but I'll not do it again. My other parakeets never had their wings clipped after the first time, and neither will these. It means I have to be vigilant about potential dangers, so I will be.

Yesterday, when I went out to check the feeders, feed the squirrels and scatter seed on the ground for the siskins and juncos, this little woodpecker was at the feeder -- and allowed me to take photo after photo. Such a beautiful bird.

And this morning, dozens of robins, skittering about on the park lawn. They look like little formal people, in their gray-brown suits, with that one, tasteful rebellion of their muted orange vests. And ducks on the river.

      

[click photos for larger images]

25 March: look here!