Name: Baby
Type of bird: Cockatiel
Gender: Female
Color: Normal gray
Arrival Date: August 8, 2004
Age: Born in June 2004

Background:
Baby had a rough start in life. Her parents originally tossed her out of the nest box. Hitting the bottom of the cage broke her right leg and caused both legs to splay. The woman who gave Baby to me rescued her half dead and hand fed her. Baby was using both legs to move around successfully when she turned 8 weeks old. This is the age when cockatiels learn to fly well. Baby took flight and hit some tile. She broke her right leg again. After this second injury, Baby was given to me.

1/5/05
Looks like baby will be a permanent addition. I can't get her to let anyone else pick her up besides me. See above for a current picture of her. She turned into a beautiful bird with a little TLC!

10/14/04
I am thinking of keeping Baby permanently but may be willing to adopt her out to a really good home. She also is a great eater and will eat sprouts, pellets, seed and at least try other things I put in front of her. I wish all my birds were so easy to convert!

10/1/04
Such an independent funny little bird! She is perfectly happy to come out of the cage, but ONLY if she is allowed to come out on her own. It may have to do with her being less stable on her feet.

9/15/04
Baby is doing wonderfully. Her foot seems to have healed completely and she is starting to molt and is turning into a very pretty bird.

8/24/04
Baby seems to be doing very well and she is now putting weight on it most of the time and slowly becoming more mobile. She is very sweet and always wants attention and head scratches any time she can get them.

8/12/04
Baby visited the vet today. Her leg is already healing. It should finish healing in two weeks time but how much mobility Baby will have in the right leg/foot is currently unknown.

8/10/04
This bird was given to me as un-weaned but is already asserting her independence and refusing formula. She is eating millet and nibbling on pellets and other good foods. I have now also seen her drink so she is well on her way to being self sufficient. She does have a very hard time getting around on one leg but moving her favorite rope perch right in front of the food and water dish has made moving around much easier. I will update again after the vet visit.