A Birth, A Death - Anyone getting married?

[meandem]

Well as the saying goes - A birth, a death, a marriage.

I've completed two - and I can't say that I know of anyone getting married.

The birth - well really not mine.
Today we have had a baby tawny frogmouth brought to the house. The only reason I know for sure it is one of these, is because we went back out to where the people said they found it, and the ma or pa was still sitting in the tree. We found part of the nest on the ground and also the other sibling (which sadly was dead) to this little survivor. Not really sure how old it is, but it's eyes aren't open, and there is just a whole load of fluff, as you can see.

Hopefully we will be able to feed it and give it some quality of life, until it is old enough to go out on its own. I have done a bit of reading and I don't think I am going to have any worries feeding it, but was curious to know what temperature to keep this little bundle of fluff at? If anyone can add any insight I would much appreciate it.


This is the dear little bundle of fluff.

And this is Ma or Pa.

The Death.
It is absolutely blowing it's a#$e of here today, so I am guessing that is why the little Tawny has fallen from the tree. As sad as it is he/she has lost its sibling, for some strange reason, my normal bourke (who was sitting on eggs) came out of the nest and must have flown straight into the wall and she broke her neck! Mick just happened to be walking past just after it must of happened, he said she was upside down on the ground flapping her wings. I got straight in and picked her up, but it was too late. It was awful for the male, he kept looking at me with those big beautiful eyes and I just about cried for him.

The Marriage.
Well unless anyone here is getting married that I don't know about, I may get an invitation in the mail in the next few days

[vankarhi]

All I can say is that bub is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. Seeing as it is fluffy I would be inclined to try it on a temp of around 30 degrees and just see how it goes......if it appears cold....up the temp a bit........if it appears uncomfortable and hot.......drop the temp a bit. That is what I would do anyway. ;D

[vankarhi]

Oh and I am so sorry about your burke mummy........what are you going to do with the eggs??

[meandem]

Advice taken Trace, I will just keep an eye on the little one. She is in our bedroom where Chuckles used to sleep, looks like I will have a few more sleepless nights.

I didn't do anything with the eggs. The poor little male keeps looking in the nest for her.
I don't want to disturb that aviary too much, because that is where all the finches are nesting.

[vankarhi]

fair enough

[meandem]

My little mate survived the night, woke up and was starving. So we had breaky, and it all went down well. Day one over...........phew.

[zooyouthben]

What are you raising on, i use pinky mice, and roo mince with insectivore in it, Jules uses something different hopeful;y she will pop by

[pinkdevil]

What a fluffy little swetie he is.

I have never seen a pic of a chick before.

[Jane]

What a gorgeous ball of fluff

That is so tragic about your poor Bourke (((Hugs))) for you Ellen

[meandem]

Oct 22, 2008 9:38:00 GMT 10 zooyouthben said:

What are you raising on, i use pinky mice, and roo mince with insectivore in it, Jules uses something different hopeful;y she will pop by

I rang WIRES, and they are coming to pick it up in a day or two. The closest person that is able to care for "Tommy" to us is in Armidale and that is 1 1/2 hours away. For now, Tommy is in the brooder box and is eating mince with crushed dog bickies and a small amount of moisture to wet it all down. Eating well, and coming out the other end well too


Thanks for all the loving thoughts about my Mummy Bourke, her poor man is miserable now - there is another bird I might have to buy whilst I am on holidays.

[zooyouthben]

Frogmouths are the easiest bloody things to raise, they just eat anything!

[meandem]

He/she is still going strong. Looks like the little fluff ball will be living here till Sunday.

[silvercloud]

I used thinly sliced lamb or ox heart coated in insectivore mix and chopped up furry mice. He is so adorable. Tawnys are just the most awesome birds.

[meandem]

Well in the time we had our little Tawny we all grew quite close to him. In the end we called him "Trooper", it just seemed so appropriate. His life was an event from the start. After being born in a crappy nest that hardly held together, and then being blown out of a tree in a horrible storm, dropping 15m to the ground, he spent the next six days of his life living here with all the noise.

Happy to say, all went well. His eyes opened, he ate well, slept well and even started to chat a little. Pin feathers were starting to show through, and then yesterday we had to part. Trooper was picked up and taken to Armidale to a Professor at the university (lovely lady who specialises in Tawny's). We are going to keep in touch so we can follow progress and then hopefully in a few months time Trooper will be released back here at the dam.

[silvercloud]

Thats wonderful. They are such lil treasures.

[pinkdevil]

It must be a great feeling to know you have had a helping hand at helping this little one make it.

[meandem]

We have received an email stating that Trooper is doing fine. We are all thrilled here, but we are all missing him very much.

[meandem]

For those who are interested:


I received an email from my good friend the professor. Little Trooper is still going strong. Apparantly a little sluggish to eat, and likes to sleep a lot, but other than that doing well. I just had to share the photo of him/her now - getting better looking everyday!

[silvercloud]

Awww what an adorable fluff ball. Tawnys aren't the most active critters and some really need coaxing to eat.

[pinkdevil]

Oh what a stunner!!!

Certainly has grown.

You must be very pleased to know that you had a helping hand at helping this little fella make it, meandem.