FINCHforum

So, let me start by saying I've had a rough go of it lately.

I lost my favorite finch, Molly Sue.

My business partner had a heart attack, so I got left buried in work while he recovers.

My 9-year-old chihuahua got sick and we had to put him down Monday. Devastating.

So my head hasn't been in the game lately.

Even so, I always care for my lovelies. They're my continual bright spot.

But apparently, I didn't look closely enough on those nest checks because Squeepers and Cecily had a secret. Two secrets to be precise:



Yep. Two little babies.

And not newborn babies. That big guy has already sprouted feathers! He's probably close to a week old!

I never saw them! I **heard** the big guy squeeping.

So how did I miss this?

Well, it seems there was just 2 eggs and the little depression was near the front wall of the nest. So when I look in, they're in my blind spot.

So funny! So now you can add me to the list of people with surprise Squeeps!

As an aside, I'm THRILLED that I finally got a baby from my lovely little Squeepers! He's never shown any attraction to a female (and still seems only lukewarm with Cecily) but he's a lovely little daddy. (A first time dad, no less!)

I am a tad bit concerned about the little one. He moves strangely. I can't put my finger on what's odd, but his movements aren't quite "right". I'll have to look closer and get a video a bit later.

MiaCarter
So sorry to hear about all the stress going on in your life. But congrats on your "bright spot"! Babies bring out the best and yours came at a good time. Post more pics when you find the time!

sorry for your loss. that hurts. can you tell me how your pintail acts around other birds and what other birds is it with?

thanks and congrats on the little ones.

Jen - Indeed, I needed a bright spot and these little ones are just lovely!!


@TheExtremeCraftsman - The pintail whydah is named Felix and he bunks up with a female weaver named Felicity.

Both are rather outgoing (aka pushy), so they're good cagemates (though I can't say they're "friends", at least not in a cuddly, way that you would see with another species. But they definitely get on well.)

During free fly, he interacts with everyone to some degree. He's not a bully as I feared he might be.

In all, I think the whydah is a bit of an outsider. He's definitely a bit pushy and stands his ground, especially at food bowls. Now that he's got his big tail, everyone gives him a wide breadth, even the bigger birds like the cockatiels and budgies.
It's a noticeable difference from how they treated him when he was in his not-so-fancy plumage.

I do occasionally see him hanging out with two of the young zebra finch hens and one of my crested societies is also very curious about him. (She just got out of quarantine, so she's new to the flock. She follows him around and just tilts her head at him. It's quite cute! But he ignores her for the most part.)

MiaCarter

Congratulations on the Squeeper juniors, Mia. Hope the little one pulls through alright.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I hope things will look up from here on.

Elana

Congratulations on your surprise squeepers. Their discovery came at the perfect time.

So sorry to hear about all your troubles, you've certainly had your share lately. Hope these two little 'surprises' will help get you through the stress. Nothing like little babies to brighten your day.

lovezebs and Sally - Yes, it was perfect timing!
Fingers crossed, but it seems like things should start settling down now... Hopefully!

The little one is still hanging in there.

I couldn't get a video because my phone is full and I need to transfer to my laptop and erase a few, but I DID figure out what's so odd about his movements:

He seems to get "stuck".
If you flip him on his back, he can't right himself (and he looks to be at the age where he should be able to do that. Granted, I don't know his exact age, but he's not more than 24-36 hours behind the older. And the older one has been able to right himself since I found him a couple days ago.)

If the older baby partially sits on him, he clearly gets uncomfortable and wiggly, but he can't seem to reposition himself.

I should note that this ISN'T the awkwardness/front-heavy-ness that you see in little ones due to a super full crop. (He is awkward/front-heavy due to a full crop, but this is different and in addition to that.)

I'm not sure what to make of him. If I had to guess, it almost seems like he has a spinal cord injury or spinal defect. Not enough to kill him or paralyze, but enough to impair movements and cause a delay.

But he's getting fed and growing so I'm not too stressed about it. Hopefully he'll outgrow it or adapt to it.....whatever "it" is.

Anyone seen anything like this???

MiaCarter

Give him time Mia, hopefully he'll outgrow whatever it is, or if not, learn to cope with his disability.

Elana

lovezebs - That's what I'm thinking too - he'll outgrow it.
And if not, he'll adapt.
He'll be loved no matter what!

Oh Mia, I'm so sorry You're going through such a hard time right now. I wasn't sure about the timing of Molly Sue, but I read it on your website and there was not date, so I wasn't sure how old it was, I did leave you a message there, I hope you got it. I hope things start looking up for you. I know we've never met, but I feel as though we are friends!! (especially cuz we come from the same "hood'"!! Congrats on the new babies!! They are adorable little uglies!! (they so ugly they cute when they have no feathers!!!! I LOVE IT) I hope the little one turns out ok, I'm sure he will, as you said no matter what (if any) the issue is, he will be loved and well cared for!! Deffinitely get the phone cleaned and shows us more baby pics!!! Good luck with the new babes!!! They will Definitely help you keep your head up!