FEATURE


in the aviary, I opened the top flight door to let the other parrots make a visit if they wished. Perdy the Lesser Sulphur flew in with enthusiasm. Basil’s body language must have conveyed some stern message for she flew onto my knee and stayed there for the whole visit.


Cybil falls Ill


This hen was one of the shyest birds I’ve ever met. Soon she was staying most of the time in the nest box. At first I thought this was breeding behaviour. As three weeks passed, it grew evident that she was ill. Her belly was swollen; she was barely eating. The vet’s prognosis was poor. The swelling was probably liver damage; he doubted Psittacosis. We both agreed she was too ill to take to the surgery


for tests. He thought she’d probably die but we could try Baytril antibiotic administered by me. Treating her twice a day was easy; she was too poorly and weak to object. I could take her out of the nest box with a towel and administer the syringe. Basil would fly at me and try to bite as I approached. I don’t know what made him accept my treatment of his partner. Personally I believe parrots have a huge intelligence and ability to understand situations in a changing environment. Once Cybil had gone back to the nest box, he himself would still fly to a stick for a nut but less often than before.


Cybil recovers - From my notes Saturday August 30, 2008 Cybil out of the nest box when I go in at 9 am. Much harder to catch than on


BIRD SCENE 41


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