Here’s a wonderful narrative from my new friend Avril (aka
Rosalie) who is a musician and fellow animal lover from the British
Isles.
“We started
the aviary over 10 years ago, more like 15, from two zebra finches purchased
from a local pet shop. Apart from a few “imports” to mix the gene
pool a bit, they have multiplied with enthusiasm, as you can see from the pics.
They are quite self regulating, actually, this incredibly fecund year follows a
couple of years when the population dwindled to a mere half dozen or so, but
this year is more than making up for it.
A touching little story you might like; we were given a zebra finch from a friend because he was a hooligan, and beat up the other birds in their aviary. Hmmm. But he was absolutely fine here, not only that but he befriended another little finch, who had lost a leg, and most of his feathers. He would groom him , tuck up with him at nightfall, protect him from the others, and they became absolutely devoted to each other, so much so, that they built a nest together, (2 little boys, mind, this is sounding like a soap opera .but absolutely true), and a little hen laid an egg in it, which they looked after!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, the little injured bird lived a good 18 months longer than we thought possible, thanks to the ministrations of the reformed character, and when he finally passed away, the other one died a couple of days later! Is your mascara running down your face yet, Merry? I got a lump in the throat just telling the story.”
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