UPDATE: The baby can't get a break!

[Sally]

Oh, I'm so sorry to read this, Deborah. I never thought he would have had a fatal injury, since he was perching. Poor little baby.

[Sam007]

So sorry to hear that!!!

[finchmix22]

Thanks everyone! Such an odd injury...Has anyone else had birds get caught in the greenery?

[MiaCarter]

Oh goodness.
I'm so sorry.
Like KarenB, I thought he was going to make it. Poor little guy. It's incredible how they always seem to find ways to get injured in a seemingly safe cage.

I had a similar thing happen, except my guy got a nail caught up in the fibers of a blanket that I'd placed over the cage. He was caught up for a minute or two at most and he was fluffed up and under the heat lamp for a solid day and a half. So I know how stressful it can be for them. It wouldn't take long for it to be fatal.

Poor little guy. Rest in peace and fly free, little one.

[finchmix22]

MiaCarter
Thanks Mia. I just can't believe he was so seriously injured, but a neighbor told me that birds stress their hearts when they get stuck upside down in the wild and they usually die even if rescued. Weird, as I never knew that would be so hard on their bodies. Poor baby had problems from day 1. No more breeding until next year for me ....Although, my finches may have other ideas since I just saw my new gouldian pair and the male was singing and hopping on the perch. I don't even have any nests in that cage, nor are they getting eggfood. I just can't win right now.

[MiaCarter]

finchmix22 - I definitely know that "can't win" feeling. On those days, I try to go to bed ASAP so I can hit the reset button and be done with the day. Even worse when it's more than a day!

Now that you mention the strain on the bird's heart, I realize I've also heard that before. It totally makes sense, since the heart would be tasked with pumping blood against the power of gravity. Poor little sweetie. At least you found him and realized what occurred. If he'd gotten caught up, but then freed himself, he'd have just passed without any apparent reason.

Careful with those determined gouldians! My guys have had their own agenda when it comes to breeding!