The Mother Of All Parrots

Prophet, our pet Military Macaw, has always had a soft spot in her heart for very young baby parrots. She's so big and roudy that we have been afraid to allow her too near the babies. In the past few weeks she's decided that she should participate in their care.

We have a makeshift brooder on our kitchen counter with two very young baby Eclectus. These little guys barely have any feathers. All they know how to do is eat and sleep.

Prophet has figured out that, if she climbs up her cage and hangs upside down from the ruffles on the curtain, she can "walk" upside down over to the microwave stand. She then uses her version of contortionism to right herself on the microwave and ease onto the counter.

About six times a day we find her standing over the brooder, the top on the floor below. Inside, the baby Eclectus are cowering in fear. Prophet guards the "nest" with all the fervor of an insane mother protecting her chicks...eyes pinning and beak slashing.

We've gotten to the point of trusting her with the babies. Some of them are fond of her and the others are not in danger of stroking out when she comes to visit. Life is never dull around here.
- posted by J-Birds @ 9:43 PM |