In early December a parakeet visited our bird feeder. She was flying with a flock of house sparrows. It was a cold day and she looked really hungry; her feathers were all fluffed up. I felt sorry for her. My husband said, "I think I can catch her." He got a shoe box, a stick, and some string and soon assembled an Elmer Fudd style trap. It took him all of five minutes to get her. My other two birds quickly accepted her into their little family. She is happy with her new friends, warm house, and nutritious food supply (that's her on the left).
Oh, my goodness!! If she's happy in the cage, perhaps she is an escaped pet. But, my cousins live in a town - in CT - where there are some "wild" parakeets.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it's lovely that she came to your place and you were able to take her.
Lisa, those "wild" parakeets in CT are actually monk parakeets (originally from South America), which are different from the Australian budgerigars that we typically think of as parakeets (and which my husband caught). For more info about the CT wild parakeets, see my comment to Kim Baker below.
DeleteIt is so nice to hear that she is doing well. I've always hated the thought of birds in cages but then I actually had some (long story), and I remember the day our beloved budgie got out ... we saw him flying through the garden outside ... we were so anguished ... but he came back again! He voluntarily returned to his cage. I'm sure he wouldn't have done so if he hated it and yearned for freedom. I still don't like the thought of caged birds, but on the other hand this is a cruel world for creatures of all kinds, and its nice when we can offer a warm and safe home for some. This bird was lucky to have found you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story, Sarah! And, yes, it's true, birds are very happy living in a cage, specially if they have companions. We tend to think of them as freedom loving because they fly around, but really, there is no higher freedom to an animal than plentiful food, water, and safety. I'm so glad that your budgie came back.
DeleteDoes she have a band on her leg, Susan?
ReplyDeleteNo, she doesn't. But, I do think she is probably an escaped pet. One of my pet bird's had its band come off in the cage a few weeks after we got it.
DeleteI had no idea these flew wild in the US, you learn something every day. She's beautiful! I am a newcomer to your blog Susan and enjoying reading your posts immensely :)
ReplyDeleteHello, Kim, and welcome! I am happy to know that you are enjoying my posts, and it will be my pleasure to visit your blog and get to know you.
DeleteThere is a well-documented large flock of wild monk parakeets in Brooklyn, New York. These birds are not the Australian budgerigars that I keep as pets (and are typically for sale in pet stores here). Monk parakeets come from South America. It is believed that a shipment of these birds, destined for American pet shops, was accidentally released at Kennedy Airport in the late 1960s. They now have established colonies in Long Island, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
However, from what I understand, escaped pet parakeets (budgerigars) do not survive very long in the wild. Either the environment is too harsh, or they are too colorful for their own good.
What a kind and gentle heart you have, kindred spirits my dear!
ReplyDeleteAs I scrolled down through the photos, I thought, Oh no, a parakeet! I'm so glad your husband caught her. She looks perfectly content now. :-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend! ♥
I am happy that your husband caught the bird (amazing!) and that your birds love her. My sister has two finches in two separate cages because one is mean to the other (pecking mean) and then she has a third cage with two parakeets. May you have many happy bird years together :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story! Perhaps this little bird will bring you all better, lighter days.
ReplyDeleteBrandy
How wonderful of you and your husband, such kindness and caring.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful. She has her own little family now. So glad you were able to rescue her.
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