I posted this on a parrot community (thus the references) and thought I'd post it here.
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How totally coincidencial!
Today, after discussing my parrot plans with you all last night, I came across a beautiful little baby magpie with it's wing broken. It also had a broken foot and was covered in large bite-y ants. It's mum was barely feeding it and it was crying hopping around trying to get food from mum.
I called the rspca and asked if I was allowed to pick up the bird. I was. I could either take it home and have the RSPCA pick it up or take it to the nearest vet. Since I had class (and, incidentally, I was an hour early on my trip there!) I walked to the vet. On the way, a few people told me I should just leave the magpie to die (it's the Australian equivilent of a pidgeon, really) and I was horrified. I spent the entire kilometer walk picking ants off the magpie. Half-way I saw the Brisbane City Council sitting by their van. Knowing they were government workers I asked if they could take me to save the magpie at the vet. One told me to kill it and the other got REALLY defensive and said, "I voulenteer at the RSPCA every weekend and I'm OFFENDED you'd say that!"
They couldn't leave their post so I had to huff it to the vet.
The magpie fell asleep in my coat where I had it wrapped up. I started scritching her and she started 'purring'. I'm sure your birds purr so you know what I mean. Cooing, I suppose. Every once in awhile she'd look up at me and go 'chirp?' almost questioningly. Then close her eyes, fluff up and nuzzle her beak into my chest.
When I got to the vet, I sadly turned Maggie in. I have called a few times since then to ask on the progress of the bird.
They are giving her 8-12 weeks to fix her wing and learn how to fly again. If she doesn't - she's going to need a caretaker!
I want Maggie to fly again but I also feel TERRIBLE for taking her from her family. If I had her, I'd put her in a birdyharness and take her to visit them (if they still like her). I wonder how her mum is feeling.
So in two months I might have my own baby magpie.
The vet was really shocked at how well it seemed to attach to me so quickly.
I know it's not a parrot and it's not ever going to talk, but I really bonded with Maggie. I also know this a parrot community and this is not a parrot but I thought that after my post yesterday that this would be QUITE an interesting followup.
Ahhh, what a weird bird to get.




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