New member, need advice!

Rebecca · 06 Apr 2010, 11:40

Good morning, I am new to this site and was hoping for some wisdom. I am a wildlife carer and a few months ago was called to take on a European Goldfinch. This baby was so small that other carers were anxious about how she would go with being fed. It wasn't an easy task but we soon got in sinc! There are no known European Goldfinches in my local area and it was suspected that this may have been a young baby that got out of an avairy. This little bird quickly attached and showed no signs of wanting to leave and as I was not able to release her in a flock I decided to keep her. I would take her to work each day and feed her every couple of hours. When she was weaned I would leave her at home. She begun getting very distressed when in her cage and on one occassion severely hurt her face. She was so happy out of the cage and was happy just exploring the same areas of the house. She enjoyed interacting with other little birds I would get in, however, predominately wanted to stay with me. This bond got stronger with each passing day until we became rather inseperable - she even would try to get into the shower with me!! On one day when I returned from work and had to go to bed with a migraine she slept on my shoulder for 2 hours. I am sure to many of you reading this that this is all very bizarre but I grew to really love her very quickly. I did worry about her safety often though as she was very playful and had to be in everything!! I would put her in the cage to sleep and if there was a specific danger ie. boiling water on the stove. On the morning of Good Friday I had been cleaning pens outside and came back in. To my horror I hadn't seen her on the floor right at the door entrance and accidentally stood on her - I hadn't put my full weight on as I could feel something and she flew up into the kitchen - my heart was racing but I thought she was ok - she died within seconds. Since this time I have been exceptionally distressed. I feel amazingly guilty about what happened and miss her incredibly. I live alone and although I care for many animals that come in I have never experienced a little animal with that amount of personality. She has left such a void as she was always on my shoulder and making the mundane exciting. I have never tried to replace a loss by getting another pet and generally I only take in rescues. I do not like the idea of birds being in cages and feel I would never have had the relationship I had if she had been in one. There is a huge part of me that wants another little goldfinch but I would of course fear the same thing happening. I would really like advise from anyone regarding if this was just a once in a lifetime unique little bird or if there is anyway that I could have this special connection again. My house and heart feels very empty.

06 Apr 2010, 12:23

Hi Rebecca and welcome to the forum. This is so sad and hope the you find another one , mi have had no experience with Goldfinches so i can't help there, best of luck

06 Apr 2010, 15:21

Hi & welcome to the forum. afraid I cant help you either. have never kept goldfinches

06 Apr 2010, 15:24

G'day and welcome, what a shame she sounded like terific little bird. I've never kept goldfinches either so I'm not much help.

06 Apr 2010, 15:29

Hi and welcome to the forum.
What a sad story!

06 Apr 2010, 15:38

hi and welcome to the forum

06 Apr 2010, 18:30

Hi and welcome. I suspect the fact that your bird was hand raised had a lot to do with the bonding, particularly as there was no other Goldfinch for it to transfer its attention to. Have not handraised birds myself, but my parents did this many times in the past. And these birds always remained quieter and more inclined to come to them than those that were parent raised. I have had Goldfinches and did not find them particularly inclined to want attention.
LML

07 Apr 2010, 15:23

Welcome Rebecca,So sorry to hear about your loss.I have not had a hand raised finch before,But have heard about them.It would be a rarity indeed to have such a loyal companion pet.But i would think if it has happened before it can happen again, with the same dedication and love put into a young bird.

07 Apr 2010, 22:36

Hi and Welcome. I've had goldfinches and never found them that tame but mine weren't hand reared.
Sorry to hear of your loss. You must have felt lucky to bring this bird from sure death to having a wounderful experience although short lived.
I have seen hand reared budgies and canary's behave this way.The younger they are inprinted with human the more attached they seem.
I would think you could do it again with similar results.I had a budgie that would eat at the table, sit on the shower rod and would fly down to my pillow in the morning(this was when I about 10 yrs old). He was quite a Character.
Hope this helps.

06 May 2010, 14:33

Hi there what an incredible story and shame about the accident.I am a big fan of the european goldfinch and kept a lot of them for their singing and their attractive colours.Your bond was due to it being hand reared and i personally havn't had any that were that tame.Although I have seen footage on you tube where they are let out and eat seed out of their owners hands.If you go to a pet store to buy some chances are they are caught in the wild so when you bring them home it will take a long time for it to get used to us.I have a pair that i bought 7 months ago and still very agitated as i change thier feeder etc.Don't want to put anything negative out about these birds but guys do some research as they have specific dietary needs and they are a flighty bird by nature that need room.Your welcome to ask questions if you like about anything regarding the european goldfinch.Bye for now Jo