Our Winged Friends
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Baby grosbeak:
Click to go to bottom of page What
follows is our journal of caring for an orphaned black headed baby grosbeak.
7-8-03
We began searching on line for more information about them. We have a shelter in Lynnwood PAWS that takes wildlife as well as orphaned domestic animals. The best option of course is to give it to the experts to raise. We are for the time being taking care of it at home. We found that black-headed Grosbeaks are omnivores eating a variety of insects and invertebrates as well as plants & seeds. Examples : beetles, bugs, grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, bees, wasps, spiders, snails, fig, sunflower seeds, dogwood, sumac tree buds, fruit, elderberry, cultured cherries, oats, raspberries, filaree, wheat, prune, milk thistle, and red maids. Captive birds are fed mealworms, suet, sunflower seeds, cherries, fruit, commercial wild bird seed mix, and natural food items as available. 7-9-03
930 am Remade food half high quality "Wellness" low grain kitten food and half chicken baby food with tiny bits of cherry. More successful feeding consumed tsp. or so. Must get food past beak and allow time to swallow. Trying to mimic parent bird feeding. - L 11 am Fed a bit more less consumed. Think more liquidy stuff gets down and if past tongue either down in throat or roof of mouth.. - L 12 pm Went to Mud Bay Granary purchased mite spray, DE powder, mealworms and stuff for other pets. Fed two crushed mealworms and a bit more food. Sprayed bird and cage & changed bottom papers. Cleaning all supplies related to bird and careful hand washing afterwards. Mealworms being fed and then put into frig. Going to plan to take two photos a day of growth & progress. - L 2 pm Microwaved 1/4-1/2 tsp food 15 sec. then mixed in some non-heated for warm not hot temperature with a very small amt. warm water. Crushed two meal worms. And managed to get most of it in the bird! Concerned about lack of elimination decided to thoroughly inspect bird. Cleaned vent area of bird, caked with eliminated material, gloves, warm water, moistened cotton balls, and a lot of patience & gentleness. Afterwards bird eliminated with ease. Little on the liquid side. Figure it's from the liquid added to food - L. 4 pm Definitely more successful. Three big poops since last feeding still on the liquidy side. More active and hungry. Microwaved 1/4-1/2 tsp food 10 sec. blended and added very very small amt. cold water perfect temperature. Consistency of baby food or pudding. Crushed and halved two mealworms. All food was consumed and swallowed! Small amts. of food [smaller than a pea] with patient gentle feedings aimed towards roof of mouth and past tongue with time in between to swallow. - L 545 pm Exactly same as 4 pm and all food was eaten. Witnessed a more solid healthier looking poop. Baby much much more agile at hopping and jumping and grasping. - L 8 pm About the same amt. eaten. Made sure 2 worms [halved] were consumed. Much brighter bird this evening. Good poop during feeding; it has an audible quality to it. - H 7-10-03 10 am Similar feeding. He flew from cage to floor. Much more alert and active. Dusted with Flea Gone, clipped millet spray to cage bars, and changed papers. 2 pm Similar feeding. Very hungry easy to feed. Active alert. Changed papers. Noticed he'd pecked at the millet spray I clipped in there this am. Took two photos. 3:15 pm Excellent feeding. Very hungry easy to feed. Flew short distance again. Offered half eaten cherry clipped to change. Millet may have been just knocked off in his movements. Will be looking at large cages tonight after work and thinking that we may possibly put him in larger cage outside during day and inside in small cage. All poops appear mostly solid and good. Vent looks fairly clean. New feathers coming in everywhere. 6 pm Excellent feeding. Very hungry easy to feed. Flew short distance again. - L 720 pm Didn't eat much will try again in a little bit. He flew around the room some. - H 7-11-03 A bit later I tried to feed him again - no interest. He hopped up the cage wall, the same one as before. Only this time he made it to the top of the mesh & his head out of the cage. I quickly moved him to his little cage. - H 935 am Excellent half feeding. Very hungry easy to feed. Kept hand over him to prevent flying about. Will feed again shortly.- L 955 am Same excellent feeding small portion one worm. - L 1140 am Same excellent feeding small portion one worm. He did hop out and climbed wall. Swiftly put back in small cage. - L 1225 pm Excellent full portion feeding. Two worms each cut into thirds. Didn't water down. Very hungry easy to feed. Kept hand over him to prevent flying about. Sprayed with mite spray carefully to not get into eyes. - L 140 pm Excellent full portion feeding. Two worms each cut into thirds. Didn't water down. Very hungry easy to feed. Kept hand over him to prevent flying about. 215 pm Fed small portion two worms. Shook a little bit out of mouth when I didn't get it past his beak area. Mixed a little berry baby food in with it. So, when I make a new batch of food -- it will be a bit more familiar. - L 330 pm Fed bit of mixture of previous batch of food and new batch. Too thick only ate a few bites. New batch is a bit of yogurt, kitten food, organic chicken baby food, beef baby food, and bit of organic pear/berry baby food. Changed papers. - L 410 pm Excellent half feeding. Mixed 1/3 previous food, 2/3 new batch, microwaved 9 sec,, added two worms [crushed & thirds] and then mixed a small bit of water. Very hungry easy to feed. Kept hand over him to prevent flying about. - L 615 pm Excellent half feeding. Mixed 1/3 previous food, 2/3 new batch, microwaved 10 sec, added two worms [crushed & thirds] and then mixed a small bit of water. Very hungry easy to feed. Kept hand over him to prevent flying about. - L 730 pm Small feeding. Not very hungry. Three mealworms crushed and thirds. New batch food only. Fuller livelier and rounder looking bird. - L 820 pm Fed rest of the food from 730 pm feeding. - H 7-12-03
9 am Small feeding used same food as 720 am feeding - L 1130 am Excellent feeding 2 worms 1/3's & hulled & chopped sunflower seeds & kitten chow & baby food moisture. - L 130 pm good out of the gate - his crop filled up quickly which was reflected in his disinterest in eating further - H 5 pm Very hungry. - H 630 pm Small feeding - H 735 pm Small feeding. Used warm moistened paper towel to dust bird off a bit. Flew in my hair & had to shower myself to feel ok about the mites & flea potential - L. 7-13-03
10 am again Eager eats. Ate small portion I prepped. Though I didn't leave him wanting. Working on big cage to prep for Benny to be able to have more room and not just be in the little cage - H. 1125 am Small feeding. No worms. A few small bits of hulled blk.. sunflower seed(s). Cage is prepped with small branch/twig of maple with leaves for Benny to perch on & practice flying. He has yet to explore his domain. - H 150 pm We had a good feeding. Two worms - halved. - H 455 pm Eager feeding. Seems a bit more comfortable in his surroundings. No worms. - H 755 pm Good feeding. Got it all in him. 2 worms halved. - H
7-14-03 910 am Small feeding. Easy to feed. 1 worm halved. - H 950 am Same as 910 am - L 140 pm Excellent feeding. Very eager! Two worms in thirds. Gobbled and swallowed. Moved from branch to branch in cage with ease. - L 245 pm Same as 140 pm - L 7 pm Due to work schedules - long break between feeding. He was calling shortly after seeing me. Very hungry eating. Two worms halved. Getting food down well. Even biting onto the stick. - H 810 pm Finished rest of food from 7 pm feeding. Seems sated. - L 7-15-03
930 am Excellent feeding. Two worms in thirds. Jumped/flew twice to be closer to food. - L 315 pm Due to schedules - long break between feeding probably too long actually. I could hear him as soon as I got out of my car. He actually called not just his quiet hungry peeps. Poor thing was very hungry. Two worms in thirds. Gobbled food down. He's still peeping for food, I'll feed him again several more times today. I really want him to be abundantly fed. - L 425 pm Excellent feeding. Two worms in thirds. Jumped/flew twice to be closer to food. - L 540 pm Easy to feed. 1 worm halved. - L 650 pm Easy to feed. 1 worm halved. Made new batch of food same ingredients. - L 740 pm Easy to feed - two worms - very full. - H 830 pm Small feeding. Same food from 740 pm feeding. Crop's full visibly still. - L 7-16-03
815 am Two whole worms and a little food til crop popped. He has new feather growth around eyes/beak - probably indicative of mite absence. - H 930 am Prepped larger meal including two whole live worms. Got live worms in him and fed him about 1/2 of the food. Easy feeding. - L 10:35 am Rest of food from 930 am feeding plus few small bits of hulled blk.. sunflower seed(s). - L 1235 pm Small feeding two whole live worms all in him. Kept plate under him in case I missed. Eager eater. - L 120 pm Regular sized meal one live whole worm all in him. Crop full. Eager eater. - L 220 pm Regular sized meal two live whole worm all in him. Crop full. Eager eater. - L 4 pm Regular sized meal one live whole worm all in him. Crop full. Eager eater. - L 515 pm Regular sized meal one live worm. Eager. Didn't put in throat just inside mouth letting him regulate swallowing & working it into crop. - L 615 pm Small feeding with addition of few small bits of hulled blk.. sunflower seed(s). - L 815 pm Regular meal w/two whole live worms. Crop is full. Changed papers. - H 7-17-03
840 am Small feeding of feed mixture but two whole live worms. - L 1030 am Rest of food from 840 feeding. - L 120 pm One whole live large mealworm and regular meal. The store was out of small mealworms. - L 2:05 pm One whole live large mealworm and regular meal. - L 3 pm Two large whole live worms & regular meal til he indicated he was full. - L 635 pm Two large whole live worms & regular sized meal. - L 710 pm One large worm & reg. sized meal. - L 930 pm Two large worms & larger meal. - L 7-18-03
850 am Two large worms & a larger meal til he lost interest/indicated he was full. - L 955 am He looked like he was trying to blend into leaves & shrubbery when I approached the cage. Small meal and one large worm. Put & showed him a meal worm crawling along a branch then fed it to him. He only ate a bit didn't seem very hungry. Left plate with one mealworm & a bit of food in cage. - L 1130 am He was out on a limb asking for food. Fed two whole large worms & regular sized meal. He seemed sated. - L 155 pm same as last feeding. - L 4 pm same as last feeding.- L 455 pm Small feeding.- L 625 pm Regular sized meal with two whole large meal worms. - L 715 pm Small meal one whole large meal worm. Seems sated. - L 7-19-03 720 am Two worms. New batch of food is a bit runny. Benny is not too interested in it. I left a container with hulled sunflower meats & two worms in the cage. He has a feather that appears to have broken. He is hopping around the cage quite a lot. - H 935 am Fed him the two worms that I had left in the cage. He ate well til he showed disinterest. - H 1245 pm Two whole large meal worms and a bit of food w/sunflower. - H 210 pm Two whole large meal worms and a small amt. of mush w/sunflower seeds/meat. - H 350 pm Same as above. - H 525 pm Same as above. - H 7-20-03 6 am Two worms small amt. of mush w/sunflower parts. He did something new. When I gave him a worm head first per usual, he backed it out til only the head of the worm was at the tip of his beak, then "felt" it and then ate it. - H 9 am Two whole large meal worms and a small amt. of mush w/sunflower seeds/meat. - H 1040 am Same as above. - H 1240 pm Cleaned out cage: hosed down, new branches & misted Benny. Three worms, sm. mush w/sunflower seeds. - H 140 pm Three worms very little mush w/sunflower seeds. - H 7 pm Three whole large meal worms and a good amt. of mush w/sunflower seeds/meat. - H 7-21-03 805 am Added more kitten chow to mush mixture to thicken it. Three whole large meal worms and a good amt. of mush w/sunflower seeds/meat. - H 950 am Small meal two whole large meal worms. - L 1035 am Normal sized meal two whole large meal worms w/sunflower meats. - L 1120 am Something very different this feeding: Benny was soaked. Benny had taken a bath since the last feeding! Normal sized meal one large & two small whole large meal worms w/sunflower meats. - L 130 pm A much cleaner better looking bird. Normal sized meal two whole large meal worms w/sunflower meats. - L 215 pm Tried feeding Benny not interested in mush or worms. Crop still a bit full from last feeding. Left food outside on plate by water dish. - L 655 pm Normal sized meal three whole large meal worms. Something new Benny pecked at food on limb after having wiped his beak off there. Think we should maybe put a seed mixture out in dishes on sides of cage. Very low on worms again. Benny is substantially bigger than when found. Tail feathers are long and Benny's looking more and more like an adult. - L 905 pm Six to seven littler whole meal worms and a bit of mush. - H 7-22-03 7 am Four whole large meal worms and a good amt. of mush. - H 845 am Three whole large meal worms and a medium amt. of mush. Video taping. - H 945 am Two whole large meal worms and a bit of mush. Trying to show Benny where food dishes are and trying to incorporate seeds. He just sort of works them around in his mouth and spits out seeds. Then eagerly eats worms. - L 1050 am One whole large meal worm and a bit of mush. - L 1255 pm Two whole large worms & a bit of mush. Ate a seed after chewing it a bit. Rejected another. Dropped another. - L 320 pm Three whole large worms & a bit of mush w/a few seeds mixed in. Rejected a corn like-seed after chewing it a bit. Dropped another. - L 634 pm Two whole large worms & a bit of mush. Offered Benny seeds. Rejected a seed after chewing it a while. Chewed third worm then dropped it. - L 845 pm Three whole large worms & a bit of mush w/a few seeds mixed in. - H 7-23-03 730 am Three wiggly whole large meal worms and a bit of mush. Interesting with the third worm he took it & hopped away & took his time eating it. I think I'm going to leave some live meal worms in the cage.- H 850 am Two whole large meal worms and some mush. Left four worms on a plate in cage. - H 1030 am Two worms left in the bottom of the cage, a bit of mush, and sunflower meats. - L 1205 pm Two worms left in the bottom of the cage, a bit of mush, and sunflower meats. A good sign he ate an additional worm off plate ALL ON HIS OWN ! - L 1255 pm Truly remarkable. I brought plate out with four worms, bits of cherry, and sunflower meats. He begged a bit then I just kept pushing food around rather than feeding him. Benny fed himself all the worms, a bit of sunflower, and even tried some cherry. I left the plate on a feeding crock rack that it fits nicely into with three worms and the rest of the cherry & sunflower meats. - L 155 pm Benny was damp when I came out. He must have just taken a bath. I pulled out of rack and offered worms, bits of cherry, and sunflower meats. He begged a bit then I just kept pushing food around rather than feeding him. Benny fed himself two worms, a bit of sunflower, and even tried some cherry. I again left the plate on a feeding crock rack that it fits nicely into with three worms and the rest of the cherry & sunflower meats. - L 250 pm Benny was freshly redampened and signs that he'd used the water crock when I came out. I tried to coax him over to the dish, but gave up and eventually pulled out of rack and offered worms, bits of cherry, and sunflower meats. He begged a bit then I just kept pushing food around rather than feeding him. Benny again fed himself two worms and a bit of sunflower. I again left the plate on a feeding crock rack that it fits nicely into with two worms and the rest of the cherry & sunflower meats. - L 435 pm Signs that he'd eaten a worm and dropped the other. I tried to coax him over to the dish and eventually fed him a single worm. Refreshed plate with four worms, bits of cherry, and sunflower meats. He begged a bit then I just kept pushing food around rather than feeding him. - L 615 pm Only two worms left on plate when I returned none on cage floor -- I assume they were eaten. Very noticeably as Benny watched I showed interest in plate and then pulled it out of rack and offered Benny the two remaining worms, bits of cherry, and sunflower meats. He begged a bit less intently but still peeping and lifting/fluttering wings, I just kept pushing food around rather than feeding him. Benny again fed himself two worms and worked a few seeds in his beak. I added four new worms to the plate that already had bits of cherry, mixed seeds and sunflower meats. - L 815 pm Two worms were missing from plate - presumably eaten and Benny was over the plate. Fed him the remaining two worms and very small bit of mush. New plate left with six worms, cherry, mush, and sunflower seeds. H- Videotaped session. - L 7-24-03 815 am Two worms were missing from plate - presumably eaten and Benny was over near the plate. Fed him a worm and got him to eat one off the plate of the remaining two worms from the previous nights plate, fed him one of the two that were on the cage floor, and a small meal of mush. New plate left with five worms, cherry, mush, and sunflower seeds. He seemed sated.- L 925 am Fed him two worms of previous five, a bite of mush, and a bite of cherry. Left rest for him. - L 1245 pm Benny was damp when I came out. He must have just taken a bath. One worm was missing from plate - presumably eaten and Benny was over near the plate. Fed him two worms that had somehow fallen on the cage floor. Presented new plate with four small and six medium worms, cherry, mush, and sunflower seeds. Got him to eat five worms off the plate, and fed him some mush, sunflower seeds, and cherry. Left the remains for him. - L 210 pm He was over plate eating some cherry. He hopped over to be very close to me not sure if he was looking for an escape or just looking at me. Got him to eat five worms off the previous plate, and fed him some mush, sunflower seeds, and cherry. Left new plate with fourteen small worms, cherry, sunflower seeds, mixed seeds, and mush for him. As I left he went over to his water and helped himself to a drink. - L 7 pm As he heard/saw me, he started to fly about in anticipation. Somewhat fed him somewhat fed himself four worms that I put on the previous plate that had somehow fallen on the cage floor. Presented new plate with six new small worms, cherry, mush, and sunflower seeds. He helped himself some cherry off the plate. Left the remaining seven [one on cage floor that didn't get eaten] worms, cherry, sunflower seeds, mixed seeds, and mush for him. As I left he went over to his plate.- L 805 pm Before feeding, I tried to catch him to put him in the small cage to clean his cage. No deal; he flew from place to place. Gave up after I saw that he was panting. So I pulled the bottom tray out & cleaned it [hosed it down.] He didn't move. Then I fed him the worms from his plate 6-7. He dropped one of the worms. He flung the mush off one of the worms before eating it. - H 915 pm Took out a lid rim, full of worms [14] and some cherry. - H 7-25-03 730 am Straight out got 6 little worms & some mush into him. 2nd plate was empty when I removed it, saw that 9 of 14 worms had moved to the 1st plate. Fed him two of those. There are a few on the floor of the cage. - H 830 am Observed him eating seed from the crock ! ! ! - H 1120 am Fed him three worms off cage floor & few bites of mush. Left new plate of 10 sm. worms, most of a cherry, seeds & sunflower seeds. Saw him perched on edge of seed crock. - L 2 pm Fed him several bites of mush & two worms off cage floor. Left new plate with one worm from previous plate & six new sm. worms & mixture of seeds. - L 630 pm Fed him a bit of mush & a few worms. Refreshed plate. - L 8 pm Fed him the 5-6 remaining worms. Took out 9 worms, fed him two. Left the 7 with cherry and sunflower seed meats. 7-26-03 820 am Checked plate/cage no worms. Loaded plate with a lot of worms, peach & hulled sunflower seeds. He ate from the held plate 5 1/2 worms - 1/2 being he ate part of one before it was dropped. Left the rest of the worms, peach & sunflower seeds for him. - L 12 pm Previous plate completely empty. Fed him several bites of mush & a bit of cherry & some sunflower seeds. - L 12:50 pm With a fresh supply of meal worms, gather a bunch and presented to Benny. He ate at least 5, maybe 6. Put the rest of the worms onto remaining other items. - H 140ish pm Fed 3 worms, 1 bit of cherry while cleaning cage & refreshing water & seed. - H 520ish Went out there was cherry on Benny's beak. Benny ate a few worms & switched out the plate. Gave him an abundant amount of worms so he can feed himself in the evening/morning 20+. - H 7-27-03 am Brought out fresh plate of peach, sunflower meats, mush & worms. He gobbled down at least 5, maybe six of the little worms, some peach & mush. The previous plate had about 5 worms on it. It is evident that he is eating the mush from the plate unless it's the bees or bugs. Regardless he is successful at eating worms & fruit and seed from the crock. - H late morning feed a bit of mush & offered new plate with worms & some peach. - L 145 pm L making cards for neighbors to identify Benny and not feed human food. Human food even bird can kill birds! At same time H feeding trying a new dish that might work in yard for worms unfortunately they could get traction and crawl out on second thought. Anyways, Benny used the opportunity to liberate himself and is out and about in the yard. H has gone to store to get mealworms as our delivery from wormman.com has not arrived. H will also pass out Benny cards to neighbors. Cage is left open with food nearby. - L 630 pm We'd heard Benny calling and tried to coax him to the maple tree in the backyard with a plate of food. He flew close by several times but still too skittish. We left a plate on a stand in the backyard within a few feet of the maple. We don't know if the wasps & ants made off with most of the food or not. - L 7-28-03 645 am L awoke hearing Benny's call. H got up and found one hungry bird. He ate 8 1/2 small worms & some cherry in that order. I only sliced the cherry skin so he could learn to use his beak to pierce the fruits flesh. Initially, t took him a few minutes to get to the feeding station in the maple. - H 705 am He still seemed interested in some food. He hopped to the "feeding station", I slowly approached. He ate some more of the cherry. - H 850 am He approached easily, he ate all of the worms I had on the plate, 11 of them & then started in on the cherry. - H 930 am Ate quite a bit of cherry & six worms off the plate. Got on plate briefly to eat a few worms then hopped away when seemed sated. - L 7 pm called just a few times & he approached via neighbor to the north's backyard. When he perched it was obvious he has been eating something. His beak was caked/covered in purple residue. He ate every worm on the plate, probably about a dozen & some cherry. Then there didn't seem to be any interest in the remaining items [mush & sunflower meats.] I gathered some more worms, but he wasn't going to perch at the feeding station. He is wary of the cage, but not too worried about Bella, the dog, who usually had her head in his cage when we fed him before. - H 745 pm He swooped in low, seeming to take out my knees. He quickly perched & hopped the rest of the way to his station, ate about 6-7 worms. - H 825 pm He "flew" by & perched on top of the parrot cage on the back patio. I gathered some worms & eat about 5-6 of them. -H 7-29-03 605 am Loaded the plate with 27 small worms, ranging in size from very small [less than a tooth pick in diameter & barely 1/2" in length to larger than a tooth pick & almost 3/4" long.] He ate 17 of them, mostly the large ones & some nectarine. I began fiddling with he plate with other hand and he hopped away. - H 710 am Drive by to let me know he is hungry. Loaded up 26 worms on the plate. He all but 8 of them. He hopped off with the last one hanging out of his beak. - H 820 am He was on the branch of the feeding station while I was filling the bird feeders. L took out a plate of 24 worms. He ate all but 4 of them, a bite or two of nectarine & some sunflower meats. - H 11 am Had heard him calling while I was working earlier. Took out remaining four worms & more nectarine. He ate all the worms & quite a bit of nectarine. Can still hear him peeping in maple tree. Received following email from neighbor outlining yesterday's activity - L
7-28-03 Nearby neighbor's account: "Benny
dropped by around 11:30 this morning (July 28) in our neighbor's peach tree,
which grows From
there, it was just a short "goldfinch dip" to "Bird Feeder Central" in All the
while, Benny was "cheeping" and was very approachable (as close as within
3"). Continued 7-29-03 12 pm Tried to feed Benny some suet thinking s/he needs to know where some reliable food sources are. Benny followed me alright and ate a bit. But was frantically begging at the feeding spot in the maple tree I came back over to that spot feed more suet and then Benny started to fly away so I watched and had Bella sit. Benny flew almost into my head. Just as I was *feeling pains of guilt that Benny's too tame.* Then Benny flew to my waist and clung to my clothes asking for food. Just then Benny landed on the ground at my feet asking for more food. I approached and Benny let me pick her up and put her in the cage and continued begging for food. I put a plate with a whole nectarine and sunflower seeds/meats in with her - Benny then hopped over and started eating. The worm man emailed me to let me know my order shipped Monday. I just don't think keeping her is the right decision but she's so tame. I'm worried something bad might happen to her. *sigh* I suppose that's the fate of wild birds. The worm order isn't here yet. - L 1 pm On second thought I realized we can't keep her it's not for us or her. I went out to check on Benny and left cage door open. Benny let herself out of the cage. Going to buy worms at store.- L 145 pm Bought another 100 sm. mealworms. Fed Benny about 20 or so at the maple tree. Hopped on plate to eat most of them. Pecked at my fingers when plate was empty. Left apricot on plate on top of cage as Benny watched. - L 3 pm Heard Benny calling. Went to parrot cage top to prep plates. And Benny was there. So, fed him from there when plate was empty 20+ worms. He hopped to edge and starting looking at my fingers. I dumped maybe 10+ worms in plate. Left another plate there with the sunflower meats & apricot and went back in house. He was still there last I looked. - L 510 pm Heard Benny. Fed 15 worms or so at maple tree. Few tail feathers looked thin like he'd run into something. - L 640pm Saw Benny almost fly in house. So, I got some worms and he waited for me on top the parrot cage. Fed a dozen or more worms. Sprinkled with water. - L 815 pm Benny tapped window. Added a bit of apricot & seeds to plate on top of parrot cage. - L 7-30-03 630 am He showed up perching on top the parrot cage. He called. I grabbed the worms & went out. Added worms to the plate while he ate the apricot. He a few worms. I moved something that disturbed him & he flew off. - H 815 am Out to fill bird feeders, Benny is around. I added some worms to his plate. He slowly approached and ate a few while chirping w/wing flutter. I entered the house, he left shortly thereafter. He ate all the worms I had put out about 6. I figure he should get a protein rich start to his day. - H 930 am Woke up groggy from hot day, came into kitchen Benny started frantically calling and flew by sliding glass door then waited for me on top of the parrot cage. I grabbed worms and went out added about 10 to the plate. He ate all of them & I left to go back inside. He followed me briefly into the kitchen and flew back outside. - L 955 am Heard him calling from the parrot cage. He saw me as I came into kitchen and flew over my head landing on top the cabinets I grabbed a plum and knife and went outside, he followed. I cut up some of the plum added to his plate. Then he waited on top the cage and after he approached & started eating. I went back inside house and closed all the blinds. - L 1055 am Heard him peeping but knew there was fruit & seeds outside. Then I sneezed and heard me talking on the phone and started frantically calling. I put 20+ worms on plate but just barely faster than he could eat them. Then I headed inside the house leaving him eating. - L 110 pm Heard him peeping I put 12+ worms on plate but just barely faster than he could eat them. Then I headed inside the house leaving him eating. - L 405 pm Heard Benny calling after I had started watering indoor plants. Sliced up half an apricot and put on fresh plate with sunflower meats. Gave him a few slices and left plate and him outside on top parrot cage. Peaked out saw him try to follow me and then think better of it since blinds were closed. He went back to plate ate some more. I can still hear him peeping for me I really want him to be more independent but not sure how to encourage that. - L 635 pm Have been hearing Benny call but knew we'd be leaving soon I went to check his plate. It was practically empty not knowing whether he or the wasps ate the fruit. I went out he brushed me a few times flying by as I picked up his plate, but a few clumps of suet on it and a few slices of plum. He flew near the windows and I sternly said "window." He veered away as I waited for him at the parrot cage. Gave him a bite of suet and left him to eat off his plate. Peaking through window I can see he's eating. - L 7-31-03 710 am prepped a plate 1/2 apricot, hulled sunflower & some suet. Went out, placed it on top the parrot cage. I went to fill the suet feeders & he hung out in the plum tree while I filled one. I went to his plate to show hm. He followed me back to the plum while I filled the second feeder. I went back to the parrot cage & tried to feed him some suet, but he didn't seem pleased. I went inside peeking periodically I can see that he is eating apricot etc. His beak before was covered in what looked like plum. He is eating on his own, he just wants our company or approval? - H 905 am Added seed to feeders. Checked his plate, no apricots, plum from previous plate was further eaten. Suet looked as if it was untouched. I added 6 worms to the plate, he gobbled them as quickly as I added them. - H 920 am Insistent peeping. I checked dish and added another apricot and more seed and then walked back inside. - L 1 pm No sign of Benny. Added apricot to plate and left for work. - L 730 pm Returned from work no Benny. But an email and picture from neighbor. - L
LWA 8-1-03 It's been cooler outside and there's been minimal bird activity this morning. We did receive our worm order from wormman.com but have not seen Benny. Hopefully, s/he is ok and somewhere with the other birds or in some nice person's yard. 5 pm Neither I nor our neighbor hasn't seen or heard from Benny either as of yet today.- L 8-2-03 430 pm S/he took a quick water sip & then headed straight for the strawberries & blueberries in the feeder. As I'm writing this, Bennyis chowing down and whistling. And NOW, he's having an after dinner bath! Cheers, LWA 8-9-03 Sunny late afternoon we saw Benny eat some from feeders and fly off as we approached. - L 8-13-03
8-13-03 Replied to LWA about last sighting. - L
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Photo
of Benny to the left graciously donated by neighbor 7-28-03
