When we found Birdie on the walkway of the mall we decided to take it home and took the responsibility to care for him. That meant a 24 hours round the clock feeding because he was just a nestling. There was no avian veterinarian here and searches through the local sites failed to give me any information at all except for one person who suggested he looked like a baby Asian Black Glossing Starling. This name is alien to me because I could only identify a few local birds by their names. With this information I search through the internet and after a series of failed attempts, found this great site : Starling Talk with detailed information and forum support to help this bird.
The members there helped me confirmed the identity of this bird by posting photos of several bird species. We were worried about his splayed legs and I had information how to treat it. Feeding formula was given and he took it very well, gaining strength and eventually able to practice perching on my fingers and we even looked for a right sized tree branch for him. We took out our big animal cage for him so he could be saved from all predators, our curious cat and dog included. The balcony doors was shut close so Curl and Tobie won’t get near him. Curl wasn’t too happy about it because it was his nappy place in the afternoon but some pampering and attention, he was happily sleeping in the bedroom. 😉 Somehow, someone forgot to close the door to the balcony and the next thing we heard was a shrieking bird! Curl had him in his mouth! DH was quick and quietly persuaded Curl to release the bird. Luckily from previous experience, Curl isn’t much of a hunter and Birdie was saved without a scratch!
We went looking for plastic netting afterwards to wrap the cage. It was a tedious job because we needed to secure every point so the birdie won’t hurt himself when he learn how to fly.
DH said it didn’t have to be a work of art 😛 because I was stitching the edges with thread! I stopped when it was getting dark and planned to continue the next day. Birdie was kept inside there and I had two pots of ferns and flower inside the cage to make it looking as natural as possible.
During his 3:00am feeding, I brought him to the bedroom and for the first time, he opened his mouth willingly for me! What a proud mummy I was because for days I have been coaxing him to do exactly that. Birdie seemed to always struggle with his food. He will regurgitate after his meal and was a concern for me. I tried giving him drier and wetter food mixture but to no improvements. He had been eating fairly well and I was going to buy some bird feed as suggested by a member the next day. Anyway, after his feed, we practiced perching on my finger and I was amazed how well he had adjusted to me. Suddenly he regurgitated and as I looked on thinking he will swallow it back, he didn’t. He twisted his body and I tried to get the food out but he laid lifeless in my hand. I kept stroking him, hoping I could bring back air into his lungs when he opened his eyes and seemed to look at me and say good bye. Birdie died.
The hands that held him, fed him and now holding a lifeless form – the guilt and the grieve I felt, the image of him struggling are imprinted in my heart and mind. I didn’t know who I was crying for? My husband and Hui Xian had a small funeral for him in our garden, I didn’t attend. I simply can’t. It was later on in the late evening when I visited his tiny grave, lighted up by a tea light. It gave me some comfort. I miss this little birdie. I have missed a trip with the family because we decided someone needs to stay back for him. I had neglected my design work and slept very little the last week to care for this bird. I complained about worrying too much for this birdie but if I could have him still alive, I will do it all over again – just to see him take flight and be free. Indeed he is free today, free to fly across the rainbow bridge and frolics with his brothers and sisters.
While making the layout for him, the dam just burst again. I can’t believe how much he has meant to me the short time he was here. The bird calls outside remind me each and everyday of him. We have now a couple of birds nesting on our mango tree, I seem to see more birds flying behind the house like never before- all this because Birdie had opened my eyes to the beauty of nature I only had a passing interest before. I told my husband I don’t want to help any other helpless creatures anymore, that I will close my eyes to their plights because when they die in our hands, my heart just breaks to pieces. But we both know, we will continue to rescue, provide comfort and love to any animals or humans that need our compassion. It is our nature. Like Rod Stewart’s song…. ‘to love some and to lose some, then to never love at all.’
My tribute to Birdie:
Layout credits:
Country Charm Page Set.
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xx
Alice Koh Designs 