Gazehound’s Animal Communication

Outdoor Aviary
Completed Aviary

Although the door no longer sports the historical “Chicken Little Lanai” sign, said sign is actually mounted on the side of the aviary, and the restoration work is done. Note the inventive sliding glass door … an old window my husband found in the shed and recycled. The entire inside of the aviary is secured with 1/4″ hardware cloth, bungee cords and branches are strung and scattered about for perches, a neat table/shelf is set up for food and water dishes, and the starlings and grackle have taken up residence.

“Like Weeds”, as the saying goes. I’ve added some photos, taken today, May 25th, to the baby bird gallery for your enjoyment. Compare today’s pictures to those taken a mere two weeks or less ago. It’s astounding how fast young birds grow and change.

Of the three species here, some interesting facts:

I think this is a good opening to simply remind everyone that baby animals are always better off with their mothers. Though it’s natural for humans to want to shelter and protect what they perceive as orphans or abandoned babies, most of the time those babies are not abandoned at all.

I did mention, in my other baby bird post about the Finch/Phoebes, that it was only May, and baby bird season was just starting, didn’t I? Last evening Wes called again, and a short time later showed up on my front deck with two more containers. One had six baby (Oh, God, Not) Starlings in it, and the other contained a nest/fledgling Grackle.

There’s nothing cuter than a baby bird.

Okay, maybe that’s a matter of opinion. At this age, though, you can really see why many scientists today believe that birds evolved from dinosaurs, can’t you?

What everyone can agree on, I’m sure, is that they do look tiny and helpless, especially when the wind blows an entire nest of them out of the overhang of your house onto the ground. One didn’t survive the fall, but the other three appear to be uninjured.

With the temperatures across the nation dipping into the negative digits, and wind chills making things even worse, we humans are not the only ones having a hard time dealing. In the past week, I’ve received several emails and other notes about people finding wild birds in trouble. The most recent came this morning, with a note about a friend of a friend, who rescued a little bird from the side of the road.