Three little birds, sat by my doorstep
Discussion
lamboman100 said:
Must be time for a multi-photo and video update? 
Still haven't had the chance! But I will do. Wish i'd had my camera out earlier though...walked into the room where they're staying and turned the light on. They had managed to squeeze out of the cage and were perched on top. On seeing me, they have both TAKEN FLIGHT and flown over, and landed on my head!! It was unbelievable. Epic. But yes...I will work on some kind of montage!
s p a c e m a n said:
Thought about tagging them before they leave so you know if it's them when they come back, pigeon leg ring thing or something?
I was thinking about some form of identification. I'm a bit worried a tag might be a bit big for them or get caught or something. I thought about Tipex on the beaks or something but that will wear off...so I don't know...
ds are chickens Are they getting outside usage? They need acclimatizing ready to leave and so it's not too much of a shock to the system.
It wont be long before they leave for warmer climates and if they're flying indoors, then it's probably time for them to take to the wing and join the big wide world and build some flying strength up before they migrate.
It wont be long before they leave for warmer climates and if they're flying indoors, then it's probably time for them to take to the wing and join the big wide world and build some flying strength up before they migrate.
Granville said:
Are they getting outside usage? They need acclimatizing ready to leave and so it's not too much of a shock to the system.
It wont be long before they leave for warmer climates and if they're flying indoors, then it's probably time for them to take to the wing and join the big wide world and build some flying strength up before they migrate.
This very morning, I took their cage out into the outbuilding where I first found them. I have hung it up out of cat's reach. I went back an hour later...and they were flying around the shed! Got a little video of it too! They are back in the cage now, but they've most definitely been learning to fly outside now. Catching food is my main concern....but its one step closer. It wont be long before they leave for warmer climates and if they're flying indoors, then it's probably time for them to take to the wing and join the big wide world and build some flying strength up before they migrate.
Mk3Spitfire said:
s p a c e m a n said:
Thought about tagging them before they leave so you know if it's them when they come back, pigeon leg ring thing or something?
I was thinking about some form of identification. I'm a bit worried a tag might be a bit big for them or get caught or something. I thought about Tipex on the beaks or something but that will wear off...so I don't know...Best to leave them be, take a few photos and vids of their last few days and departure, and let them head off and take their chances.
Hopefully, they will be human-shy, able to self-feed, and won't wind up on a dinner plate in the Med.
I'm not going to ring or tag. I will just take a few more vids.
They are now living outside...still in the cage but with the door open so they can come and go as they please.
They are amazing. They are now flying with the other birds, but all of a sudden they fly off from the others and fly over and land on my head. Unbelievable. I'm just hoping they can learn to self feed.
They are now living outside...still in the cage but with the door open so they can come and go as they please.
They are amazing. They are now flying with the other birds, but all of a sudden they fly off from the others and fly over and land on my head. Unbelievable. I'm just hoping they can learn to self feed.
Sounds as though they've become / are becoming 'imprinted' on you. You need to nip this in the bud now or they'll never successfully become wild. Google the work of Conrad Lorenz for more information on this subject.
You need to withdraw human contact and cut down their food. Leave doors / windows open to the outside. And hope.
You need to withdraw human contact and cut down their food. Leave doors / windows open to the outside. And hope.
bexVN said:
Tbh whilst there us some imprinting they are also showing signs of independence so reducing food and not being around them as much such trigger their instincts to kick in
Checked with my mate who was breeding birds at Busch Gardens, you're doing the right thing I can't repost the photo, but it's of him with a green parakeet type bird on his head, the caption says
This is Wash. He was one of the very first birds I helped raise when I was in bird breeding. After I got transferred to a different area, I didn't get to see him for about 3 months, but he still recognised me when I had a shift in Lory Landing one day. I'm not ashamed to admit I got a little choked up when, after all that time, he flew to me and wouldn't leave me the whole time I was in there.
lamboman100 said:
Did they fly?
I am pleased to say....they did! A day or two in the shed, and returning to the cage at night which was hung up, and then one morning out they went. A few days later they (I can only assume) came for a nose and started swooping in low circles around me and since then they seem to have joined a local flock and hopefully have been integrated back into their natural habitat!I have short videos and still shots of various stages of their upbringing, and I will try and get some sort of video montage together for you all to see when I get the time!
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