Blind gouldian, after rehab, his plastic "wife"

[Babs _Owner]

I've never spoken of my little guy Midget. He was a lone juvie (out of a handfed bunch last year) who flew into a wall last breeding season. He was stunned.
After the accident, he followed his clutch to the pipette (by sound I assume), took his feedings like the rest. It wasnt until I relocated the juvies from the smaller weaning cage to the bigger flight that I noticed he just sat on the floor of the cage and didnt explore with his siblings. He waved his head around trying to make sense of the environment, but just sat there for hours. When I waved my hand around him, he only responded when it created a "shadow". I realized quickly he was almost blind. I immediately moved him into a 18x18 cage so I could observe how/what he could see. I placed VERY shallow bowls, with a puppy pad on the floor. And I noted he could bump into things and locate food and water.

Perches........that took about a month. Seems he can see colors and shapes. So perching took practice and a LOT of over-hopping and missing before he memorized the exact placement of the perches. I observed him all day for weeks and weeks, as he sits on my office desk while I work my full time job.. I noted he can see blurs of color, so I added TOYS, most with bells he could ring and use sound to entertain himself ( he loves bells and the clanking of objects). The last few weeks I noticed something SPECIAL, he has bonded with one toy in particular. He loves, sings, mounts and sleeps by "her" always. Here's Midget with his "woman" we call his "Woogy"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgpnHBJ-8ZU

[lem2bert]

Babs

That was a beautiful story, brought tears to my eyes, especially when he was responding to your voice. Thank-you for posting it. He is adorable and sure looks like he loves his plastic wife. That little guy just made my night !!

[Babs _Owner]

lem2bert

I didn't post on him, because I thought he wouldnt survive, much less survive into a full molt. I talk to him for about 8 hours a day, while he's in my office while I work. I honestly think gouldians understand language. Im not crazy......between my hand-tamed gouldian Hammy, and this little guy, they both exhibit response from not just words, but phrases.

Im glad I made your night. He makes sure everyday is a sunrise in my office!

[Tish]

A ww that's very sweet story, loved the video.

[Babs _Owner]

Tish lem2bert

This has been his food and water set-up since I noticed he was blind. The heart bowls are about 1/2 inch deep.

I truly hope this helps others rehabbing a blind gouldian. I make sure all bowls, millet and perches are exactly in the same place ALWAYS. They have amazing memory!

[Babs _Owner]

Heres his food. water, millet and dried eggfood. Puppy pad keeps him from breaking a leg/wing on the grate.

Everything in the cage is very simple. Toys placed against the walls of the cage on each perch so he can play but not get caught up in them if startled.

[Barbara]

Wow that is such a touching video.The knowledge you have shared will help so many of us,what can be accomplished with just taking the time to care"God Bless" you and midget.

[Babs _Owner]

Barbara

When his pin feathers showed through, I thought he would surely die. But he got on with the dried eggfood and since he has no visual ques to molt like normal finches, he breezed right through it.

Yes I am hoping this video shows not only their resillence , but also their love of LIVING. He a singing , happy guy! Ill get a video of him singing to his plastic lady one day.

[Sally]

Babs Wonderful, heartwarming story! It just shows what can be done to make life worth living for a handicapped finch. You have done an outstanding job of catering to his needs--kudos!

[Babs _Owner]

Sally

I have to give Midget a lot of credit, he's really determined. When I added perches one at a time, he could only see the blur of it and would attempt to land on it, missing it over and over. But he kept trying and when he finally landed repeatly on one perch he was sooo proud of himself. When I knew he got one perch perfected I added another and so on.

I got the idea of the toys when he was tugging constantly on the plastic foliage for entertainment. I added the toys all at once and instead of being afraid, he was in heaven, tugging and ringing and clanking them. He LOVES LOVES bells! I think that's why he's "in love" with that one toy. "She" has a ton of bells on her. Makes her SEXY. ;) hahaha

[Barbara]

Babs you and midget were a perfect match,your love and patience for him and his determination.I have learned some from this site but doesn't compare with what I have learned from stories like yours.thank-you for sharing I applaud you both

[Madcat]

Wow this is soooo beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing!!

[Babs _Owner]

Barbara

Take a look through the forums. We have quite a few that have rehabbed little disabled finches. ;) Elana is one I can think of right away.

[Barbara]

Babs I have searched thru many pages and there are many personal little stories that I have been touched by,I know if anything happens to any of my babies, I will find a way thru all those stories I have read to take care of them the best I can.

[Babs _Owner]

Barbara
Youre a good bird momma