My first wild bird!!

**madhen** · 11-20-2009, 08:24 PM

As some of you know, I signed up to be a wildlife rehabber a few months ago. I have been patiently waiting for my first bird for quite a while, but since I am on the songbird team only, apparently, it is the wrong time of year for them in this area.

But then I got a phone call!! Not for a song bird, but for a mourning dove (considered a game bird - different team of rehabbers). The rehabber was going out of town, and she has a little bird that has not been gaining weight and who has to be gavage fed three times daily. She heard that I knew how to gavage feed (basically, slipping a tube or needle down into their crop and feeding without having to depend on the bird swallowing) and asked if I would consider watching the bird over the weekend.

I got my little ward on Thursday night, and her record showed that she weighed 77 grams when she arrived and had slipped to 69.9 grams. The most they ever got her to weigh was 81.3 grams. (Normal weight for a mourning dove is approx 100-150 grams.)

I like to think that I know a little bit about birds and bird psychology. (Yes, that means I am a bit of bird brain.) After all, I have finches and parrots, and I feed the wild birds and watch their activities, and I've done this for decades. Well, this little dove was in a small basket - perfect for an injured bird, but for her, a little cramped. She could see out all sides of the basket, and had nowhere to hide - hard for a prey animal - very stressful. Stressed birds don't eat. Stressed birds use up energy in just being stressed. Stressed birds lose weight.

So....I moved her into a larger reptile cage, giving her room to move around. I gavage fed her last night, but I warmed the formula up and added some supplements that I rely upon with baby birds, but that the wildlife rescue doesn't use (not prohibited from using, but just doesn't, possibly due to cost). I set up her cage to closely parallel what she would experience in the real world, even choosing a green towel to replicate grass. I set up a shallow, walk-in water dish, and I scattered her seed around her dish, so she would have to peck them up off the ground. I put a little mirror in the cage, so she wouldn't get lonely. I covered part of the cage with a towel and backed it against a wall, so she can look out two sides, but can also feel that she is protected. Then I gavage fed her 5 cc's, put her in her new digs, and left her alone.

This morning...85 grams!!! And I just got her out to feed her tonight (8 hours later) and weighed her beforehand...91 grams!! I have promised her that if she reaches 100 grams, I'll stop sticking things down her throat, and I think she is taking me at my word!! I am really hoping to see her hold her weight overnight, and if she weighs over 90 grams tomorrow morning, I may give her a break and see if she wants to eat on her own again. (Less stress for both of us!)

So, yes, at the risk of having to eat my words, I am bragging JUST a little.

I am really excited that she is doing so well, especially as she is my first foster for the wildlife group, and because the rehabber was interested in getting me to be part of the game bird group, as well, and I'd have a lot of fun with that (pheasants, quail, etc.). Not killing my first one would probably go a long way toward them being predisposed to take me in.

So wish me luck and more importantly, wish the little dove (who I have nicknamed Coo) luck. I have her until Monday, and if she gains her weight back, she'll be released back where she came from and will hopefully go on to live a happy and productive dove life.

**mauimagic** · 11-20-2009, 09:05 PM

Madhen - that is fantastic news and terrific work!! I love when you paint a picture with words so we can really see what you are doing!! I'm sure you'll get a picture of Coo to share with us!! Be careful or Coo will spread the word around the bird population!!

You have a right to be proud and to brag!!

**ravenmaniac** · 11-20-2009, 09:22 PM

We'll call you The Bird Whisperer.

**gapeach** · 11-20-2009, 09:26 PM

I'm rootin for Coo, she's in good hands!

**fixer** · 11-20-2009, 09:54 PM

We have several doves here in the yard. They are beautiful birds with very unique color. While in a past life I hunted them and found them tasty, now I enjoy the beauty they bring to nature. Best of luck with the new ward.

**LastDragonfly** · 11-20-2009, 11:47 PM

Awwwwww.....Birds of a feather....I'm sure....she knew you know bird psychology so she felt safe....I hope you take a photo of her....

**madhen** · 11-20-2009, 11:52 PM

I'll take a pic tomorrow.

**Palooka** · 11-20-2009, 11:55 PM

That's really cool. Goodluck with Coo.

**Palooka** · 11-20-2009, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by ravenmaniac

We'll call you The Bird Whisperer.

Haha, I love it.

**Deprived4TooLong** · 11-21-2009, 01:19 AM

What a cool story. Loved it! Way to go girl!

**MaryCarney** · 11-21-2009, 01:30 AM

How interesting!! We feed the songbirds in winter and hummers in summer, they sure do brighten up a day. Had the first chickadee of the season at the suet feeder this morning.

**tervsforme** · 11-21-2009, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by mauimagic

Madhen - that is fantastic news and terrific work!! I love when you paint a picture with words so we can really see what you are doing!! I'm sure you'll get a picture of Coo to share with us!! Be careful or Coo will spread the word around the bird population!!

You have a right to be proud and to brag!!

I totally agree with mauimagic. I can practically see exactly what you are talking about! Coo is in great hands, I'm looking forward to the picture. With such success, I'm sure you will be rehabbing more and more birds!