Birdie is 7 months old now! No big developmental changes to report, she's all "grown up" (or well into "adolescence") and is happy, healthy and living a great life with us. Birdie still enjoys being hand fed her "baby food" from the original tweezers. She makes a little chirping fuss, if we don't prepare moistened dog kibble and hand feed her, not long after we all stir in the morning! And she sure knows all our routines, family members, and even pecks and chirps loudly in the evening when she wants her cage covered, to be "put to bed" for the night.
During the holidays, we kept Birdie in her cage, as we didn't want little poop presents in the Christmas tree, or on all the decorations! Her condo-cage is right in middle of all our family activities, so she's never isolated or missing out on activity.
Here's Birdie's first venture out of her cage for 2014
We noticed that her feathers curled a bit from perching on her favorite spot in the cage. Not to worry, her cage is large and multi-level, with many different perching options, with plenty of toys, perches, feeding options, etc. But we did notice that from not getting out and free-flying for a month, a few of her feathers bent up a bit. Birdie never seemed bothered with staying in the cage all the time, as she shows no nervous or frustrated behaviors. And actually, when we opened the door for her first free-flight of the year, she didn't even seem anxious or desperate to get out.
Note her bent feathers, which now have completely straightened out!
This makes me laugh!
As who knew when I put this wall flag up,
many months before Birdie became a part of our lives,
that it would become so symbolic!
As who knew when I put this wall flag up,
many months before Birdie became a part of our lives,
that it would become so symbolic!
Here's Birdie contemplating where she's going to fly next!
And here's one of her new favorite perching spots!
On top of our microwave!
Next time, I will for sure cover the vents!
Another new adventure for Birdie in the last several months has been enjoying going outside on warm sunny days. We bring her entire cage outside on the front porch (ironically, just inches away from her original sparrow-parent nest, and just inches away from where she landed from her fateful (almost death) fall!)
Periodically, a small gathering of wild sparrows forage around in the bushes near her...
Could they be her "real" family?
Do they communicate with her, and she with them?
If only we knew what was going on in that brilliant, tiny brain of hers...
Ah Birdie, the joy you bring us!
