A little something I stole from the cat this morning
He was in pretty rough shape when I put him in the box. I gave him some sugarwater, suet and a piece of apple and covered the box.
I checked up on him after an hour, and naturally he fluttered out into the room. There are a thousand hidey-holes in this room, so I had to give up looking after a while. Fortunately, I did catch him before the cat did and got him back in the box.
My rationale for holding him was that a fully recovered little bird would be flying all over the room, not going to ground. I kept him for another couple of hours and he began to thrash. I thought he was going to hurt himself banging around the box, so I let him loose in the garden.
He flew off, but down rather than up and skittered off into the hedge. I doubt he’ll make it, poor thing.
Posted: July 10th, 2024 under birds.
Comments: 6
Comments
Comment from Uncle Al
Time: July 10, 2024, 7:53 pm
Yes, his future is iffy. But it’s promising he was able to fly at all, even if it was only downward. You did the right thing by trying anyway, so thank you.
Comment from Durnedyankee
Time: July 10, 2024, 10:52 pm
Almost every year we see that kind of thing.
Do they normally fly first time right out of the nest?
On the ground here we have bunnies of all sizes scampering out at me with a hungry gleam in their eyes just after sun up.
I’ve stopped naming them though, that seems to be one of those “dead rabbit hopping” things.
Comment from Uncle Al
Time: July 11, 2024, 12:09 am
@Durnedyankee — My practice is to name each and every bunny I see “Wally”. This puts me on a first name basis with them all, even those I haven’t met and named yet. Perhaps you might find this will enable you to resume naming your bunnies and yet avoid those “dead rabbit hopping” things.
I’m in Florida and that means alligators. All of those are “Albert” in homage to Walt Kelly. I’d call the bunnies “Bun Rab” but I have yet to see a single one with a snare drum.
Comment from Quetzalovercoatl
Time: July 11, 2024, 9:39 am
“I’d call the bunnies “Bun Rab” but I have yet to see a single one with a snare drum.”
It’s the lack of opposable thumbs. The poor things really do want to learn but just can’t keep hold of the sticks.
Ba DUM tish…
Comment from Durnedyankee
Time: July 11, 2024, 2:54 pm
What about Thumper?
Comment from Uncle Al
Time: July 11, 2024, 3:43 pm
I feel like I’m channeling Oprah: “Your name is Thumper! YOUR name is Thumper! EVERYBODY’S NAME IS THUMPER!”
“Thumper” is great…as long as you’re not the Thumpee.
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