It was breakfast time when I saw a male Australian King-Parrot at the birdbaths. It’s always a thrill to see these magnificent parrots, especially as they don’t often visit my place. I abandoned my cornflakes to take some quick shots through the window, and then I started to feel concerned…
The first two shots were taken very quickly. I was racing around getting ready for the school run but it was clear that this wasn’t a happy parrot. It was hunched up, its wings were drooping and its eyes were closed, or half-closed, far too often.
I thought he was either concussed or unwell and called Nalini, my wonderful friend who runs the Boobook Wildlife Shelter. She thought it sounds like the poor bird has spironucleosis. This is a dreadful protozoal illness that is fatal unless caught very quickly. It causes affected birds to lose weight, suffer diarrhoea and become increasingly weak. And King Parrots are particularly susceptible to it.
I feel so sad looking at these photographs. I was hoping to catch him and take him to Healesville Sanctuary. Armed with a net and a towel, my youngest daughter and I tried to catch him but he flew into the bush. I tried to find him but failed with that too.
This is yet another disease that is often exacerbated by humans choosing to feed birds. It’s easy for feeding trays to become contaminated and to spread horrific illnesses. Feeders and birdbaths must, absolutely must, be kept clean. Well, feeders are unnecessary. It’s best practice to design gardens that provide food and shelter for a range of species rather than be responsible for some of the horrific illnesses and deficiencies that are caused by feeding birds.
Birdbaths need to be kept clean, as clean as we would like if we had to drink from them. Luckily I have some F10 veterinary disinfectant so my birdbath could be thoroughly cleaned.
I feel awful that I was unable to help this magnificent bird. I am so sorry.
I hope that all the birds you see this week are happy and healthy, happy birding, Kim
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