Some time after September last year, a blackbird that I had been regularly feeding, came to the fence late at night and was tugging at something on its foot. I fed it and noticed that it was a piece of fine string. After trying and failing to get the bird inside to help it, I would try again the next day.
He did not come for a while so I was worried. Then when he came the door was opened, a mat was put down and a piece of bread was put on that. The blackbird suspected something but was very hungry. Too hungry to care, so he rushed inside to the bread and when the bird was less than 20 centimetres from it I shut the door. The blackbird went nuts and hit the window! With help from a family member to catch the blackbird and to hold him I got the scissors. The string that had tied its self around the blackbird’s foot was very long! Every time the bird tried to get the string off he tightened it more. He was not happy when he was being held so I offered him some bread. He did not take it straight away but when he did he held onto it. Then he got upset and dropped the bread. I had a brain wave and talked quieter than the bird was yelling. He calmed down after that. I then gave him a piece of bread which he through at the window in anger! The string was very hard to get off; it had his foot and ankle wrapped up like a mummy. Most of the string was on his back toe and then around his ankle. Snipping the string was an exercise in patience.
After 15 minutes, many dropped feathers later and a piece of bread (that he ate ravenously on a neighbour’s roof with his back to us) the blackbird was free. After one or two hours he came back and that bird was the happiest bird I have ever seen. He kept coming for bread for a while!
Even though the blackbird has eventually stopped coming to get bread he still uses our bird bath. I have seen him from time to time in a neighbour’s berry tree! I write this because it is amazing that the little blackbird survived the ordeal!
P.S. When the bird was inside the house it was possible to hear his heart beat one metre away!!! I know he is not a native to Australia but it was good to save a friend.
1wattlebird:
Tossing a towel over the bird calms it down a bit, and makes it alot easier to handle.
Nice story with a happy ending.
Al
Thanks for the tip Conspirator, will remember for the next time a bird needs help!!
On the 17/8/10 that blackbird came back, and has been feeding off the window sill since then!
The Blackbird has possibly been driven away by Noisey Miners.
You did a good job saving the bird from being choked by the string. But, may I suggest,feeding any bird, espesially bread, is not helping anything. Bread will swell up in their stomach, well,you can think of, what that's going to do.....? (only representing my own opignion, that might not be reflected by others!)
M-L
I am sorry, but I do not agree. I think bread is the best food for fussy eaters like Indian Mynas. Besides I have been feeding my feathered friends for at least ten years and have found no better like food for my friends in that time. As for the Blackbird in question, he would only eat bread. I tried to feed him oats last year but he would not have it. I feed the Mynas oats for the main meals (yes they get meals), and bread in between. The Noisy Miners do not eat the oats I give them. One has taken to going down to the grass to eat the oats with the Indian Mynas, but I think that is a young one that has not learnt to beg me and watch me wilt.:)
Sorry, I rest my case!! ( don't want to get into any discussion about feeding birds again) Just one thing, all the blackbirds I have seen, eat worms as their "main meal" . Well, that's all I want to say!!! Still, you did a good job saving the bird from the string!
M-L
I actually offered a worm or two to the Blackbird but he did not even look at it, and just sood there untill I gave him some bread.
P.S. I was not try to be mean, I was just puting forth my opinion:-)
neither was I ! Just my opinion !
M-L
Good, then we are in agreement-LOL