Still at branch hopping stage.
The 2 eldest can fly maybe 5 meters before they crash. They can bounce & climb up vertical braches like tree creeper. But they seem to spend the bulk of the day just snoozing & preening on a branch until I turn up with next feed. They wouldn’t be able to join parents for hunting expeditions at this stage – like say juvenile magpies. When they are active, they are mainly pulling on leaves & sticks, bouncing around the floor playing with twigs, chasing small flies and hiding when something scary is overhead.
They will play with a moth if you directly hand them one but not eat it unless it is a really small one. I’ve tried a few times to let them get really hungry so they are keener to bash up a moth but no such luck yet – probably me cracking before they do.
At dusk they are desperate to cling to you and get really distressed if I try to leave them just let them to settle in the covered small flywire night cage. I’m guessing this is a strong instinct to be with a big flock at roosting time. If I let them sit on my shoulder they are happily quiet until they fall asleep, then I transfer them back to a perch once it is dark. It is a tricky one to resolve – I’m not sure how highly strung they are and if I tough it out I’m worried the stress will kill them. Hoping as they get older it will get easier.
Still not sure about the little one, its appetite and behaviour is very strong but its constitution doesn’t seem to be developing as quickly as the others.
In nature I don’t think it would have survived this long.
Update on Dusky Woodswallows.
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SamDavis
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- Posts: 2578
- Joined: 03 Jan 2011, 14:01
- Location: Douglas Park NSW
I'm still in awe of what you've achieved!
I've no experience in such matters, but it does sound like a difficult task for them to go back to the wild (and survive). Just a thought, but I wonder would any of the zoos have an interest in them? No doubt there are people on this site who may have contacts within the zoo community.
I've no experience in such matters, but it does sound like a difficult task for them to go back to the wild (and survive). Just a thought, but I wonder would any of the zoos have an interest in them? No doubt there are people on this site who may have contacts within the zoo community.
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Mortisha
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- Posts: 333
- Joined: 05 Nov 2011, 11:05
- Location: Bathurst, NSW
A zoo would be a great solution SamDavis, they seem to be pretty fussy (naturally enough) about what they take though.
Even giving them to specialist keeper would be problematic in the legal sense.
I'm sure the mortality rate of all young wild birds is pretty high in the first year.
I've always tried to release the wild birds I look after, once their hormones kick in it is pretty obvious the call of the wild is very strong & it is more mentally healthy for them to be with their own kind. But is a scary day releasing them, you get pretty attached to the little characters and just want them safe.
These little ones are lucky to have each other so they can still bond to other birds - not like the little silvereye in my photo who only knew people for the first year.
He got much more birdy after a long time in a mixed aviary.
Even giving them to specialist keeper would be problematic in the legal sense.
I'm sure the mortality rate of all young wild birds is pretty high in the first year.
I've always tried to release the wild birds I look after, once their hormones kick in it is pretty obvious the call of the wild is very strong & it is more mentally healthy for them to be with their own kind. But is a scary day releasing them, you get pretty attached to the little characters and just want them safe.
These little ones are lucky to have each other so they can still bond to other birds - not like the little silvereye in my photo who only knew people for the first year.
He got much more birdy after a long time in a mixed aviary.
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Tintola
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- Posts: 1700
- Joined: 08 Mar 2011, 21:12
- Location: Murwillumbah1l
[quote="Mortisha"]A zoo would be a great solution SamDavis, they seem to be pretty fussy (naturally enough) about what they take though.
Even giving them to specialist keeper would be problematic in the legal sense.
You've done a great job. If it's any consolation, it will get easier as they get a bit older. Once they are feeding themselves completely they will naturally distance themselves from you to a certain extent. They may remain "humanised" and always associate humans with food, so usually are unsuitable for release. If this is the case a zoo, bird park or experienced keeper in softbills is the only other option. I will PM you.
Even giving them to specialist keeper would be problematic in the legal sense.
You've done a great job. If it's any consolation, it will get easier as they get a bit older. Once they are feeding themselves completely they will naturally distance themselves from you to a certain extent. They may remain "humanised" and always associate humans with food, so usually are unsuitable for release. If this is the case a zoo, bird park or experienced keeper in softbills is the only other option. I will PM you.
OH LORD, SAVE ME FROM YOUR FOLLOWERS!
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Mortisha
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- Posts: 333
- Joined: 05 Nov 2011, 11:05
- Location: Bathurst, NSW
Duskys are starting to fly really well, although they still would be easy prey for our local predators.
They are very alert to flying insects, though not very skilled at catching, killing and eating for themselves.
They are very affectionate and playful with each other, reminds me of young magpies in their playfulness. Always communicating to each other as well.
I found a bird report from 30yrs ago which describes their roosting behaviour very well.
My 3 will often have a siesta like this.
They are very alert to flying insects, though not very skilled at catching, killing and eating for themselves.
They are very affectionate and playful with each other, reminds me of young magpies in their playfulness. Always communicating to each other as well.
I found a bird report from 30yrs ago which describes their roosting behaviour very well.
My 3 will often have a siesta like this.
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Mortisha
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- Location: Bathurst, NSW
Hi Sam,
In the photo it is the bottom one. It seems about 2 weeks behind the others.
Healthy, happy and active in every way except it it's feet aren't looking very promising
but it is such a keen little battler i'm giving it a chance to catchup with the others.
In the photo it is the bottom one. It seems about 2 weeks behind the others.
Healthy, happy and active in every way except it it's feet aren't looking very promising
but it is such a keen little battler i'm giving it a chance to catchup with the others.-
desertbirds
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- Posts: 1318
- Joined: 21 Nov 2010, 09:13
- Location: Alice Springs
The pic from the paper looks more like BF woodswallows. I thought Dusky chicks would be more dusky in colour or is my field guide a bit out ? Do they go browner with age ?
Awesome post by the way and thanks for posting some great pics.
Awesome post by the way and thanks for posting some great pics.
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mattymeischke
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- Posts: 862
- Joined: 25 Jul 2011, 20:25
- Location: Southern Tablelands of NSW
Beautiful photos.
Beautiful story.
Great work.
Beautiful story.
Great work.
Avid amateur aviculturalist; I keep mostly australian and foreign finches.
The art is long, the life so short; the critical moment is fleeting and experience can be misleading, crisis is difficult....... (Hippocrates)
The art is long, the life so short; the critical moment is fleeting and experience can be misleading, crisis is difficult....... (Hippocrates)
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Mortisha
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- Posts: 333
- Joined: 05 Nov 2011, 11:05
- Location: Bathurst, NSW
Hi desertbirds,
I don't know how they develop with age, did read in a very very old paper that at around 4 months they might start getting adult colouring - all a bit of a learning curve with me. I'm assuming they are Duskys from the description that their finders gave me of the parents which was confusing at first and based on the white edge to their wings. Pretty flimsy I know
Like a lot of our Australian birds it seems like their behaviour, biology and habits haven't been studied that well in the wild. I've can only find one helpful scientific paper on breeding & behaviour, the rest are bird watchers observations and a bit about torpor adaptations.
I don't know how they develop with age, did read in a very very old paper that at around 4 months they might start getting adult colouring - all a bit of a learning curve with me. I'm assuming they are Duskys from the description that their finders gave me of the parents which was confusing at first and based on the white edge to their wings. Pretty flimsy I know
Like a lot of our Australian birds it seems like their behaviour, biology and habits haven't been studied that well in the wild. I've can only find one helpful scientific paper on breeding & behaviour, the rest are bird watchers observations and a bit about torpor adaptations.