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Help.
May 13, 2017 3:17:50 GMT -5
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Post by hdslade on May 13, 2017 3:17:50 GMT -5
So, I live in Austin, TX, lived here my entire life. In the 70's a lot of monk parakeets got loose one way or another, and now they're a staple of the city. Always a joy seeing them, beautiful creatures. Yesterday I went to a restaurant off Lamar, and as I was walking out I saw, what I thought was, a bird fly into some bamboo then start foraging around the ground. After a fee moments of sitting on a table near the Bamboo, occasionally glancing at the sound of the bird, I realized something looked strange about the birds behavior. I went to look at the bird and found that one of the parakeets had, evidently, crashed into the bamboo, causing it's head to get wedged between two if the stocks and its wing to be pinned in a strange position. I supported The bird as I pulled the bamboo stalks spare freeing the bird however when I attempted to release the bird it fell to the ground. I loosely wrapped it in a towel and placed it in a basket to keep it warm and secure while ensuring it wasn't too tight. I called the local wildlife rescue but their I'm take office was closed so it's still in the basket under a table, but I recently read a story about someone else who found a parakeet in Austin with a potentially broken wing and the person took the bird to the wildlife rescue and the vet, or whoever killed the parakeet because of the broken wing and because "monk parakeets carry chlamydia," which, from everything else I've looked into says is bullshit. I really dont know what to do from here, the parakeet doesn't appear to be injured but I really can't tell, I'm planning on taking it to a vet tomorrow morning, but I was also wondering if keeping it would be okay. Everything I've read so far says they easily domesticate, it never seemed panicked when I was handling it before I got it to a basket, it fell asleep as I stroked his head and would nuzzle his beak under my thumb and puss up until I stroked its head again, climbed on to my shoulder and nestled into my hair when I first pulled it from the bamboo....
I really just need any advice I can get and I have no idea where to turn. I am fully prepared to make the commitment required to care for this beautiful bird, I understand they have upwards of 30+year lifespans, just really need some advice for my situation
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Post by easttex on May 13, 2017 5:09:16 GMT -5
Tough way to get a bird! Welcome to the forum.🙂
Quakers are considered an invasive species, so they're not protected under any of the "thou shalt not mess with wildlife" laws that I am aware of. Whether or not you can turn a wild-caught quaker into a pet is another question, but it's at least theoretically possible.
The bird might have been stunned or it might have more serious injuries. It's their nature to mask them. I know a great wildlife rehabber in Palestine, TX. Birds are her specialty. She's like a one-armed paper hanger this time of year, with dozens of baby birds in her care, but she'll be able to give you great advice. I'll PM her contact info.
In the meantime, keep the bird warm and comfortable, and as stress-free as you can. Don't give it the opportunity to fly inside your house. Quakers like seeds and fruit.
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Help.
May 13, 2017 6:07:30 GMT -5
Post by easttex on May 13, 2017 6:07:30 GMT -5
I just read your post more carefully.  It sounds like you might have an escaped pet bird, rather than a wild Quaker. I would check around to see if anyone is looking for him. I would still contact the rehabber. She can tell you what to look for to help determine if there are injuries. |
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Post by beccilouise on May 15, 2017 9:49:20 GMT -5
Hello there! Monk parakeets don't carry chlamydia. All parrots CAN carry a disease called Psittacosis, otherwise known as Chlamydiosis. It's unlikely, but worth knowing about if the bird was found in the wild. If you start getting flu like symptoms, make sure you mention to your doctor that you have a parrot in your house. It's perfectly curable provided you get the right treatment. Easttex's advice about a rehabber is a really, really good one. And she's right, the bird does sound like a pet. If you can feed the birdie fresh fruit and veggies, as well as some seeds and some boiled egg or little bits of boiled chicken for protein, it will be fine. If you plan to keep the bird, I would take it to a specialised avian vet and ask them for advice. They will be able to help you in a more direct way, showing you how to handle it and making sure it def. And Easttex is also right that birds can often hide their injuries. They pretend to be healthy to fool predators and so as not to endanger their flock, so do keep an eye on it and let us know its progress! Good luck.
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Post by aaron on May 15, 2017 22:47:29 GMT -5
Wow! You've done a great thing caring for this little one in need. I agree, this does sound like a pet. The others have given you good advice. Keep us posted on how the vet visit goes!
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Post by julianna on May 17, 2017 13:33:44 GMT -5
You have a very kind soul. Not everyone would help a little creature stuck the way you did. Good for you!! As far as taming the little fella, I think many things depend on this. One big factor would be age. If it is an older bird it might not take to you but a younger one probably would. And how do we tell the age?? I have no idea... sorry. The vet would probably give you a good estimate.
Best of luck and if you keep the bird remember a nice big cage so they can play in it, sleep and eat in it.
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Post by cnyguy on May 17, 2017 20:18:38 GMT -5
Welcome! That's a rather unusual way to become a Quaker parront. It does sound like the QP might have been someone's companion parrot; it's hard to imagine a naturalized Quaker becoming so friendly so fast. A feral QP might not shy away from a human, but isn't very likely to want to snuggle. It's nice that you're ready to give this found Quaker a good home, if no owner can be located. |
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It sounds like you might have an escaped pet bird, rather than a wild Quaker. I would check around to see if anyone is looking for him. I would still contact the rehabber. She can tell you what to look for to help determine if there are injuries.
