So I got up early this morning and, as usual, the first thing I did was walk around in the garden and munch on a few leaves with my cuppa. Then I saw this bird hopping around the garden, thinking it was injured, so I tried to track where it went and gently picked it up and checked it, and it didn’t seem to have any injury.
I scolded my kitty Blu, who was out at the time, thinking he had something to do with it, and he went into a submissive position.
Then I realised the bird I was holding was a baby female blackbird, a fledgling. It was pretty big, so I didn’t think it was a fledgling at first, and it was quite feisty, pecking me a few times. After a little research, I learned they leave the nest early and spend time hopping around on the ground, hiding in the grass or bushes, and are very sensitive to stress.
So I looked around to see if the mother was there. I tried to let it go, and it could not fly, but I thought leaving it nearby would just be putting it in danger on the ground, where my kitty or any other animals could attack it.
So I quickly dug up some worms to feed it before letting it go.
It actually ate a couple, but I could see it was a little stressed and couldn’t eat more.
So I rushed to the woodland, and one of my kitties was desperate to follow, but I managed to push him away.
As I reached a safe place, I loosened my grip.
It jumped, landed on its back, and wouldn’t move, so I gently flipped it over.
Then it hopped under the grass and into the twigs, where it felt safe and protected.
Then it went somewhere underneath where I could no longer see it.
I am confident it will thrive. It is protected by the twigs with insects around, and besides, there is running water nearby. I hope the mother blackbird can still locate it, as it is not too far away.
What a lovely thing to start the day!
A lovely Sunday to everyone!
Mariah 🦅