Contemplating mistakes...
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We've had owl finches for about 25 years - little tiny birds that are native to Australia. The last of our flock passed away this week. Even though they're not affectionate as larger pets can be, they've become part of our lives. They have little personalities. More than one has thought that my piano playing was an attempt on my part to communicate with them. One of them thought the piano tuner was playing with him - and tossed a note right after the technician hit the key.
In any event, I wasn't sure we should replace them - but the room seems a bit less lived in without creatures to interact with. The bad news is that it is challenging to find local breeders for them. I knew a woman in Indiana who we bought some from - but she's down to her last bird. Two other people who bred them no longer are doing that business.
Little birds bring back childhood memories for me. I had an uncle who in addition to his regular employment was the birdman of Maxwell Street. He had hundreds of breeding cages in the basement of his old house on the South Side of Chicago. The coach house
behind his house contained 2 apartments. The top floor apartment was used as an aviary. Birds could fly throughout the apartment - yes, as messy and ill-conceived as it sounds - but to six year old me - it was a thing of wonder.Uncle Tony was a welder for the CTA. He could weld anything - even things that aren't possible to be welded. He started a currency exchange and an investment fund for employees. Sunday morning was spent on Maxwell Street - selling birds, pet supplies, and anything he saw that he thought he could sell.
I don't know of anyone who lived more frugally. His house was furnished sparsely. I think he had one suit. I don't know that he ever flew on a plane. He kept an early 1960s Rambler for vacations - but otherwise drove a VW Beetle for his main car. He didn't drink, smoke or do anything wasteful.
He never really retired. He had a seven figure net worth back when that was something - but he took a job working in a restaurant in retirement just to keep busy and because he enjoyed work. Later still, he delivered meals on wheels, dropped off food to people who couldn't care for themselves.
He, like Larry and Jolly could tell you stories that seemed incredible - mythical, and funny. He played pinochle with audacity and what seemed like unbelievable luck.
I found a breeder in Ohio who said they would ship some birds to me. I've done that in the past - but have also had a couple of birds not survive the trip - and two others who passed shortly upon arrival. I'm a little cool to the idea of trying shipping again - and it is winter. They're typically shipped through the USPS.
I host an online group called the Owl Finch Society - on FB. I created it as a joke - back when FB was a new concept. The group has over 6000 members worldwide. Stay tuned.
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Birds definitely have personalities. We don’t have any indoor ones, but we have several feeders going at any given time. We have grown our regular population to several families of goldfinches, lots of house finches, 6 pairs of cardinals we know of, and a host of titmice, jays, wrens, sparrows, nuthatches and the like. Been visited by bluebirds, orioles and grosbeaks, but they don’t stay. We had a great horned owl but he died. Hummingbirds when it’s warm.
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Great post kluurs. Those little things really become part of your house and home. We have zebra finches for a while--they never really lasted, but then we got a canary. He was our pet for 15 years. He sang his heart out night and day and even ehen he was old and couldn't perch on his stick he just stood on the floor of his cage and sang.
When he passed away we buried him under this rock in Central Park. A worthy monument.
Now we have ducks, Florida mottled, Black Bellied whistlers, mallard, and fat, slow and friendly Muscovy. (The white ones are named Bob, John, Ellen and Molly and the black ones Tyrone, Deshaun, Sheniqua and Deshia.) We have ibus, and Sand Hill cranes (Broken Feather and Sugar,) that come for breakfast.
Birds are wonderful.
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Living in a swamp we have a good supply of birds. And being the first guy on the golf course, I get to wake them up. We have a good population of predators, Eagles, Ospreys and Hawks.
Last week I watched an Egret chase a Great Blue Heron over the pond in front of the 9th green.
It was like watching 2 B-52s in a dog fight, very graceful. The Egrets are maybe just over 3 feet tall, the Heron, who has been living here for years, is close to 4 feet tall. He could almost look you in the eye, at least he looks like he could from a distance. He won't let you get closer than 30-40 feet.
I assume the Heron stole the Egret's fish, the Egret broke off the chase after a minute or so. There are plenty of fish here for all.
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To be honest, it don't look like there's much meat on them little fellers.
Seriously, do what makes you happy. If that means driving across state or two states or however far it takes to make sure your new birds are healthy and happy, do it.
You won't regret it.
