When he got back to the fence and saw it had been stolen, he looked around... muttered something I couldn't quite make out and jumped down into the bird bath where he began vigorously swishing his head back and forth. This is his usual bath...only the head.. as it is difficult for him to bend his damaged leg I think. He looked up... stepped on the edge and ... usually he hops right off. Not this time. Back he went and really went to town.... he splashed like crazy to get it all out of his system.
I've decided crows are pretty patient. The starlings make their lives hell... really they do. They dive bomb them, peck at them in flight and on the ground as well...they steal their crumbs.. they never shut up either with the darn TICK TICKing....... it makes me crazy, but not Limpy and his wife ... although, he is a bit more patient than his 'missus'. Sometimes she makes noises and flies at them every so often...but, he just quietly says "awwww".... in his little voice., like ..oh, man..not again......
He has a loud voice when he needs it..but mostly just mutters, or chatters or quietly voices his displeasure and/or opinion. He talks to me while I garden too... wandering around with his limpy gait... hoping for a few sun flower seeds from time to time. He doesn't get too close and I don't blame him... who knows how he got injured. Maybe it was a person who hurt him.
I've been indulging them ..helping them to feed the babies.... but, I've cut back and hope to let them teach the babies not to beg ... he is a good provider (even if he is disabled) and she is a fierce and capable Mom. I can hear the babies in the tree now..but, they are not out of the nest yet. Probably won't be long...they say 35 days ... it's been several weeks since they began taking food to the nest.
I'm dreading winter ... I've read that they do migrate. Ours from Alberta apparently go to Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma. How will he fly that far with a damaged wing and leg and whatever else is making him limp and not fly right?
I've even gotten to the point where I wonder if a small doghouse nailed to my fence would work as a winter house for him if he can't go away. I wonder if he might use it. Mister BV is wondering if I want it heated and decorated nicely too..... hmmm....
Sometimes I attempt a bit of humour in return...but, it's probably going to end badly for him..... and it's already making me a bit sad to think on it.
Linking up to Stewart's Wild Bird Wednesday.
13 comments:
Aww yes the prospect doesn't look good for him does it. Maybe if you left some food in his roosting shelter he might get in there and stay. Once I found a pigeon hurt .i managed to catch it and take it to the bird sanctuary where they take care of injured or sick birds. Do you have anything like that there?. I guess it won't be easy to catch him though
The ebb and flow of nature is sometimes sad and sometimes joyous. For now Limpy is living a marvelous life - raising a family with his love. He can experience the joy of having a bath and enjoy the treats you provide for him and his family. Try not to dwell on the future too much so that you miss his joy in the present.
We have so many crows here and they are always diving at each other. Sometimes they are fun to watch though. Enjoy your week sweet lady! Hugs, Diane
You never know. The thing with wildlife is that we can't get too attached, for even the healthy and strong may meet an untimely demise. I think you have to have a healthy balance--put some food and water out...but don't go too far to help and make him dependent on you. He may surprise you and do very well on his own for a few years. Or longer.
Even if you build a house for him, nature will still whisper in his ear that he needs to leave...and he will. You gotta just enjoy him now and not worry too much.
I do not name my frogs for this very reason--too much happens with them and then I feel bad when it does. I still feel bad now, but not like they are my "pets."
It's funny, but I'm like that in the pool when I've had a rough day. I just keep splashing until I work out of the annoyances. Smart birdy.
Hmmm, I'm thinking about that crow house. Maybe a carpet and tiny comforter for the bed ...
Seriously, here in this part of Florida we have an animal rehab place called CROW (I forget what the C stands for, but the ROW is Rehabilitation of Wildlife)... it is where the male eagle of the pair that nests near us is. He got hit by a car. They really do good work and there has been a lot of stuff in our paper about it because of the eagle (there is a wildlife cam on the eagle nest and everybody loves it). Anyway every time I see 'CROW' I think about your Limpy ... I hope he gets well on his own and is able to migrate. It would probably be difficult to send him here to the hospital ;>)!
Oh Duh the "C" stands for clinic. I had to go look it up. Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW).
i loved this post and i hope Limpy heals up enough to migrate later. Love the photos. We have a raven that sometimes comes around for snacks i put out but it's not on a regular basis. Today he was up in the trees by the backyard and I felt he was scolding me for not putting anything out today. I'll do that later.
Things often work out - and if not - well, we can't fix everything!
Will keep an eye open for good news.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne (for a couple of days!)
Hi Vee, I can certainly understand your thoughts about Limpy and, like you, I wondered if some sort of shelter may help and, well, if Mr BV is offering ;D)
You've had some very wise comments here so I'll keep up good thoughts for him... who knows, he may well be stronger than you think. We're always astounded at the seagulls over our way - their stamina with only one leg, or an obviously broken wing hanging down... there was even one with a bent neck I saw the other day.
Animals can be more resilient than we realise at times.
He's certainly keeping you entertained and I love your photos. Lots to look forward to when the babies emerge!!
Cheers now and good wishes :D)
Hi Vee, This is such a sweet post. I hope your sweet birdie heals up before the winter. You never know, he may. I'm like you in that I get sick to my stomach when I think about stuff like that. I'm forever on some kind of a "rescue mission". Hope for the best. The good thing is that he's got plenty of time to mend before the fall arrives. xo
Your dreading winter already? I am sorry you did have a nasty one this year as did we. Hopefully this year will be better. Hug B
A nice box full of hay perhaps for winter and a prayer.
Limpy is such a sweet bird! Hopefully since he made it through last winter he'll make it okay through this winter. I sure hope so!
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