In Memoriam to Little Billy

 

Sadly, Billy did not make it overnight. He had what appeared to be "Avian Pox", which is transmitted by mosquitoes and is highly contagious. We consulted with bird rehabbers  (thanks so much Dixon, Terrie, Katie, and others) and gleaned knowledge from the Internet. Because it was around his eyes as well as his beak, and he was so little, we gave him oral antibiotics  and hoped that his immune system could overcome it. AP, itself, is a virus and not curable. However secondary infections usually set in and that is what can finish off these little guys. Billy seemed to be relatively  perky at 7PM, moving around and eating and drinking  so we were surprised and sad to see his still little body in his cage this AM. He had been isolated from the other chicks for several days as it is so contagious and we had to weigh his happiness as a wild bird against the survival odds of his siblings if he continued to eat the same food sources and  co-exist around them.  Interestingly he seemed to take comfort when we would talk to him and that would trigger him eating his meals.  His cage had towels covering the sides facing the jungle so he didn't struggle against the cage to get out. Also very useful to  trigger his eating instincts were for Don to have his siblings land on Don's hand for their snacks and then he would turn and walk up to Billy's cage so he could see his siblings chowing down. Whether the motive was companionship or more likely competition, Billy would start eating too. So we had our fantasies of Billy overcoming the virus (which can take months) and being our friend for the rest of his life. But not to be. 

Billy was a very personable Shama chick in that special way that Shamas have. We miss him! 

While we mourn Billy's passing, his biological parents were already completely indifferent to their bird child and his plight. They would come up to the balcony for their snacks and even though he was peeping at them they gave him nary a glance.  They had already quit feeding him before he was caged and now he  no longer was their concern. Birdlet is already focused on her next clutch to be and Bird is .. over being "The Best Bird Dad Ever," which he really was for awhile. He was so industrious. Now apparently saving up his energy and emotional investment for the next clutch. And Billy's siblings, Bob, Brandein and Bernadette are "so last week" for our beautiful, uncaring patriarch. He is now in his "Bobby Axelrod" phase of self- absorption. 

RIP, Billy