First Flight

Friday, July 02, 2021 (In 21 days, July’s fullest moon [“Thunder”] will rise.)

Today, my rescued baby bird should fly. I learned lots about the little guy while running around searching for live food to feed it.

About live food for reptiles, there’s very little available. Wild Birds Unlimited hasn’t carried live mealworms in a long while. One reason is that the weather is too hot for shipping live creatures and knowing they’ll arrive alive. Another is live-critter shortage, for the pandemic has put many live bait producers out of business.

I made a first ever visit to The Reptile Zone, which doled out 10 live and very large mealworms. The owner, Mike, suggested I cut-off heads before feeding them. The big mealworms are biters and fine for reptiles that chew their food, but might be less good for birds, which swallow whole.

He had questions about my bird’s feathering and decided that it has molted off its baby feathers, is a full fledgling. In other words it could fly. Mike estimated that the parents pushed my bird from the nest, but it didn’t become airborne. The screaming parents encouraging the baby to fly were not swooping to feed it.

Long story short, my little guy was lazy.

Mike suggested feeding for a day or two, and then taking the bird outside, tossing it high into air and seeing if it flies. If not, lift, toss again, and repeat, until eventually the wings carry. In air, wings respond automatically by beating, and one or another toss will create flight.

He adds that once the bird flies, it will be able to find its food.

What I didn’t know about birds!

Mike said to visit Walmart, which sells live bait (Who knew!). Live worms, easy to feed, are these days a more available live species.

My little rescue Robin loved last evening’s dinner and this morning’s breakfast. Me, not so much, because it’s a challenge to poke a long wriggler down a tiny bird’s throat.

Today, this bird will fly.

I’ll add, that here in Bend, Mike’s Reptile Zone fascinates, with a variety of beautiful and interesting reptile species (sans birds). Mike and his staff are experienced, knowledgeable, and thoroughly can explain each critter’s unique characteristics and care needs. They invite browsers, and I’ll revisit their cool environment.

Dear Friends: A fun little Robin bird has brought wonderful learning and new friends. Diana