I didn't realize how nasty Robins can be

**pollypurebred39** · 06-16-2011, 03:08 PM

This morning my DH found a Robin all tangled in thread flopping on our breezeway. He had to put on heavy leather work gloves to hold her while I tried to figure out how to remove the thread without hurting her. Getting the thread untangled from her neck, chest and one wing were the worst. It took forever and she really was really nailing my DH. Her feet were completely tangled together, but once I got one leg free and started to untangle her claws she started giving me the devil with her tangled foot. All the while she had a death grip on DH's finger, and he said even through the gloves she was hurting him. She sure was feisty, I was worried we'd give her a heart attack before we were through.

When finally free of the thread my DH, lowered his hands to the ground and let her fly free. She only flew 8 inches off the ground and went but 6 feet from us into our shade garden. She stayed for over an hour, and frankly had me worried that the thread may have been the least of her problems. Just a little while ago I got to see her hopping along merrily gathering insects. She seems fine, thank God. She will never trust humans as long as she lives after this experience.

**frugalwarrior2** · 06-16-2011, 03:36 PM

Must be robin day. I finally get the money to cut our tree in the front and robins nested in it. This is a dilemna for me as the tree keeps leaning farther over. I am worried it is rotten inside like the others we cut were.

As far as your robin goes-although you know your helping she is fighting to get away in her mind. She is giving you everything she's got. By the way-birds carry lice and such-might want to wash your hair tonight? sorry.

**pollypurebred39** · 06-16-2011, 03:45 PM

Tree leaning

And yeah on the lice. I actually was more concerned with Avian Flu, someone from the community garden died from it. She got it cleaning her bird baths and bird feeders. I did come in and wash my hands right away, but lice. Ewwww

**frugalwarrior2** · 06-16-2011, 03:56 PM

Sorry Walt Disney animals went out the window for me the day the dogs tag teamed a squirrel. That night I found no less than 7 fleas on her head while she was on my bed! Fastest tweezers in the west-thats what they called me and all while DH snored.

**pollypurebred39** · 06-16-2011, 04:38 PM

Heh, Walt Disney animals *grins*

Our birds here are quite content, and not skittish. They come back year after year, same ones. They hang out just a few feet from us and never start when we walk through the breezeway with packages, or bang the doors, talk or even carry on. They've grown used to us being here. So I guess to us they seem a bit Walt Disney'ish. This Mama Robin has a nest in our tall bushes on the edge of the breezeway. She's grown to be rather complacent about us, we don't bother her, she feels comfortable. That is until this morning. I worry that she won't come back to her nest now that we manhandled her.

**Libby** · 06-16-2011, 06:45 PM

Not many people would try to help untangle the robing. Good on you and DH for doing so

I sometimes get dive bombed in my own driveway by them but I am doing nothing threatening either - just going to my car

BTW: our robins seem to be XL this season - almost the size of seagulls!!

**pollypurebred39** · 06-16-2011, 07:59 PM

Oh my, dive bombed! Must have a nest nearby. The only time other then that I've heard of was when I was a kid. My Aunt had a boyfriend with a red fro. Well, everyday on his way to class this bird would dive bomb him and pull his hair out. For some reason this bird thought his hair would make a great lining for it's nest. LOL! Poor guy!

Now those are some big robins Libby! I wonder what they've been eating?

As far as not untangling her, I just could not imagine that. She was suffering, we had to do something. But she sure wished we would just leave her alone. She has yet to come back to her nest, and it's getting late.

We broke her trust I think.

**Libby** · 06-17-2011, 03:17 PM

Any updates on the robin polly?

**pollypurebred39** · 06-17-2011, 03:21 PM

She's in the Japanese Maple in the shade garden, but not her nest. We really shook her faith in us manhandling her like that. I hope she relaxes a bit and comes back to her nest.

**Libby** · 06-17-2011, 04:14 PM

Are you guys watching from outside or through the window? Maybe she's scared to be in the nest b/c its close to the house? Or when she hears humans (aka you) she flees to where she thinks is safe?

Id suggest offering her 'bird food' or grubs nearby where her nest is etc but then thats tampering with the whole human vs nature balance and prob goes against everything in her brain.

Try not to pay attention to her through the weekend and see what happens by Sunday?

I still think you did a good thing.

**pollypurebred39** · 06-17-2011, 05:10 PM

We are in and out quite frequently. Her nest is just steps away from our door. The tree is too, but she can stay far out of our reach, and she's been giving me the wary eye. She's never complained about free food before, and she LOVES the bird bath. Maybe I'll put out some extra special treats and give her some fresh water in the bath. It just may woo her back to her nest. I'll let you know how it goes.