The Blair family’s newest member is a clever, very personable budgerigar (native to Australia and the tiniest member of the parrot family) named BB. She’s beautifully dressed in brilliant yellow feathers streaked with black touches in just the right places. Her eyes are bright, and she sings an astounding variety of songs when happy, which is most of the time. BB possesses many talents: she registers 150 images per second, compared to humans, who register 16, and she sees colors, as well as ultraviolet light. Her kind may live a decade or more.
She’d belonged to another loving family in New Jersey for four years, but in January that couple moved where pets were not allowed. So, my daughter Lisa and her husband Peter adopted BB, who took to them immediately.
Since then, there rarely seems to be a dull moment!
When Peter and Lisa had to leave their New Jersey home for a few days in June, BB was visited and cared for daily by a good friend. Her food and water were kept fresh, and she had her familiar toys to play with. But at some point after her caretaker had gone for the day her right foot became entangled in a bit of material from which dangled a favorite toy that hung from the top of the cage. Frantic, she fought to free herself, but it was useless. Finally, exhausted, she hung there by her foot, upside down, and waited. Probably all night.
The horrified caretaker discovered her the next morning, and rushed her to the vet. BB was badly injured; her four long, clawed toes had to be amputated, leaving only the main part of her foot. After a further three-day hospitalization to make sure there was no infection, she was released. Pain medication was necessary for the next couple of weeks. She was much comforted by the presence of Lisa and Peter, who stayed close, and eventually she felt well enough to perch on their fingers, and even murmur and chirp again, after having been silent since the accident.
Lisa and Peter recently moved back to Michigan, and eventually drove up to Traverse City to introduce me to BB in August. The little budgie, who had delighted in the scenery and in the motion of the car, settled well at Sunnybank House, but didn’t closely inspect the bedroom; only Peter and Lisa mattered. She was happy to perch on one or the other, murmuring affectionately. I watched her land on Peter’s head, and after carefully balancing herself, move down over his forehead to gently groom his eyebrows. She’d figured out how to do this favorite caring gesture without falling!
BB loves to be talked to; she can repeat a voice’s pitch, and say, clearly, ‘B-B-B-B birdie.’ When brought close to their faces she closes her eyes, paralyzed with pleasure when they make the simple, loving sounds meant especially for her. She’s a social bird who enjoys family gatherings and parties. But she also favors more intimate family times, when she can perch on Peter and Lisa as they move around and chat about their day. Broccoli treats and carrot greens are frequently offered as treats. When spoken to she’ll always answer with cheery chirps, or gestures of affection.
When we were introduced she looked me over carefully from Lisa’s shoulder. Then, to my surprise, she flew up to my head, gently arranged my hair just so, and sang her little song. I’d been quickly approved. (Apparently, when meeting new people, this isn’t always the case.)
Then- the ultimate honor- BB leaned down to daintily groom my eyebrows and then look deeply into my eyes for a long time. It was a special experience to be pondered so thoughtfully by this intelligent little bird.
BB doesn’t enjoy being stroked, and prefers being approached slowly. I learned to insert part of my hand inside her cage door, with a perching finger offered- but never forced- on her.
When caring for her one afternoon I played soothing classical music CDs. Eyes closed she swayed gently to its cadence, seeming deeply contented.
She enjoyed looking out the sun-drenched kitchen window at the garden fountain; the sight elicited lots of exclamations and complicated songs. Every garden visitor - and especially the sound of my garden bell- delighted her.
Alas, one more misery came the little bird’s way two weeks ago. She went silent, isolated herself and began plucking out her beautiful plumage. She’d become seriously ill. The vet obtained a urine sample, which immediately revealed the diagnosis- a severe urinary infection. Right after the doctor administered the first antibiotic dose with an eyedropper, the panting, feverish little bird suddenly ‘lost it.’ She stumped around the bottom of her cage, banging into the walls and screaming, completely undone by being handled and examined by a stranger who sniffed of ‘hospital,’ which certainly held no good memories. Now so ill, the world was suddenly just too much. The doctor couldn’t calm her. It was heart-rending to watch.
But then, Lisa put her face very close to her cage and made that special ‘only-for-you’ sound, over and over. BB stopped stumping and screaming to listen- and her panic attack simply evaporated. She closed her eyes, limp with relief. Her family was there; all would be well.
They took her back home without further incident.
Twenty-four hours later she’d brightened considerably, even beginning to chirp and chat. Just one dose of medicine had made a huge difference.
She’ll be on eye-drop antibiotics for six more weeks. (Isn’t it wonderful how this tool, used in the right situations, has been such a blessing for both humans and animals?)
I doubt if many birds would have survived that horrifying foot trauma without dying from pain and fright. But BB didn’t give up.
I’m really impressed with this sturdy little budgie, who knows all about courage, trust and love, and always embraces the bright side of a life that seems fraught with hazards.
It’s a philosophy with no downside.
Drawing below by Joe Blair
