Hello there everyone... I'm new to this but was wondering if someone could please clear my conscience...My girlfriend, my son and I were just leaving the house when we realised that a small bird had flew into the house. Because we had to be somewhere for 4.30 we decided to leave the bird where it was and then deal with it later. When we returned we found the bird on top of the light shade. It didn't seem distressed at our presence nor at being in doors, which led us to believe it was a pet that had escaped. We tried to call the the rspb, and a few bird rescue centres in our area but because, by this time, it was after 5 o clock, all lines were on answer machine. my girlfriend managed to contact the Rspca, who advised us to use a towel to catch it and then let it out through the door.
When we finally were able to gently catch the bird we did as advised, but I got the impression that the bird didn't want to leave my hands. It did eventually and flew outside and perched on a satellite dish next door. Again I got the impression that the bird did not want to be out in the cold. By this time it was around 6 in the evening, dark , cold and foggy outside.
Looking back, I feel guilty that I had let the bird go, I feel I should have housed it in a box or something till the morning but that is just hindsjght I suppose.
So... here are a couple of pics I took of the bird before we let it out. I want to know if this bird is indeed a pet, to which I would feel terrible about letting it out, or is it a wild bird which thrives in this climate at this time of year. At which I would be safe in the knowledge that it would be able to survive the night and be ok until tomorrow.
Thank you foor reading this, all help would be gratefully recieved.
Zebra Finch, Escapee, Oz native, pet!
John :-)
For viewing or photography right place right time is everything. I'd rather be in the right place with poor kit than have the best kit and be in the wrong place.
Looks to me like a young Zebra Finch, which is native to Central Australia and are common pets. Shame you let it go it wont do to well in a British winter.
thanks for your answers.. we do deeply regret letting it go now... we feel absolutley awful...we should have done this while we had it... but thanks.. I suppose we can learn from this and know what to do in the future if anything like this happens again (unlikely, but still).
Hi Jedi123 and welcome to the forum. I agree it is a zebra finch. I know it is only a small hope but if it has remained in the vicinity of your home, it may come back in if you give it the chance to. Do let us know if it does.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Yes, do let us know - if it's found its way to you once, it may do so again? Let's hope so! Have you advertised the sighting in the 'lost/found' section of your local newspaper - just in case the owner is looking for it?
Make the boy interested in natural history if you can; it is better than games [Robert Falcon Scott]
Hi Jedi123
Try not to feel too bad, you weren't to know and it was lovely your intention to set it free without harm. It could well still be around. If it is a pet you never know it may well just let you get close again. Good luck!
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
Zebra Finch
Kathy and Dave