Bird in the Hand

Bird in the Bush

Our release attempt started with great hope as Amelia flew to a nearby bush.  She then slowly made her way to the ground where she chose to stay.  When I checked on her a few minutes later.  Since she tried to avoid my recapture by hopping along the ground and not by flying away, we decided that she was not ready to avoid predators.  I returned her to her cage.

Left Wing Improves

During our "physical therapy" sessions, Amelia has three times shown signs of some brief normal wing movement on the left side.  Tonight there was slight movement of her left leg but still no grasping with the left foot.  We still continue to enjoy the Kaytee baby bird food.  Our progress is slow, but it is progress.

Bird Massage 101

Although I have studied both cat and dog massage,  bird massage is outside of my usual repertoire.  Still I feel Amelia would benefit from some massage and range of motion exercises for her weak left side.  We have added this physical therapy after meals (with the continued Reiki, color therapy and Hypericum).  It has been a learning experience for us both.

We begin again

Much to my surprise, Amelia was still with us this morning.  She ate from her syringe with great gusto and even pecked at a few seeds.  Despite very cold weather, she needed some outside time and perked up considerably after that.  I've given her Ledum pal (great homeopathic for puncture wounds) and have been putting Aqua Gel made from Willard Water on the wound.  She still isn't moving much and we seem to have lost ground on our left leg strength.  Our bond is stronger though.  Amelia almost snuggles in my hand after feeding now.  We use that time for some extra Reiki.  Although I feel that her prognosis is still not good, we both continue to work hard to make her release a reality.

Major Setback

I came home this evening and discovered Amelia had injured herself in her cage (small puncture wound near her left leg).  It must have happened early in the day as she did not eat much and lost significant amounts of blood (for a bird).  I syringe fed some baby bird food by Kaytee after washing her wound and putting some liquid bandage on it.  We finished with a long Reiki session. Although she ate well, she is extremely quiet.  I fear she won't make it through the night.  During all our "procedures" this evening I saw something different in her eyes.  I think she finally knows that I am not just someone keeping her captive,  I am here to help,

Wings on the mend

Amelia made her first complete flight across the cage this morning although she is still not using her left wing completely.  Very exciting for all of us.  Extremely windy for the next few days (60 mph gusts) so release is definitely on hold.

Treatments Continue

Although the changes are not as dramatic now, Amelia shows little glimmers of improvement each day.  We have now switched her homeopathic to Hypericum perf. (great for nerve injury) and are now using yellow (for stimulating the motor nervous system and energizing the muscles) when we do her nightly color therapy.  She seems to enjoy sitting under the light before bedtime.