The Escape Artist

On Saturday someone on my neighborhood facebook page posted about a little loose budgie.

Harry and took a cage, some seed and some water out to where he was last seen.

We played budgie calls on my phone, hoping he would hear and come back to the area. We had no luck, but people walking by said they had seen him over the past couple days. So we decided we would try again the next day.

We set up in the same spot and waited. A man walking by said he saw the budgie across the street. And there he was! Someone had set up a little dish of seed and water and he was hanging out there.

Harry almost got him, but he was very skittish. We watched him fly back and forth, trying to follow a hummingbird.
Here’s a little video – he’s the white spot in the middle of the bush.

Harry has been back every day trying to get the little bird. He didn’t see him yesterday, but he saw him today.
Someone else recently posted these photos of him, so he is still in the neighborhood. Harry will try again tomorrow.

Hopefully, someone can manage to catch the wiley little guy.

Harry on Harvey

My Buddy Harvey

Like all the other birds, I would talk to Harvey by saying, “Hey buddy”. He never responded and if he thought anything about it, I’m sure he didn’t consider me his buddy. But that’s OK because Harvey was the birdiest of the flock. Never one to sit on my finger very long and always looking to where he would fly next. He loved all the girls and was usually the last chirp and chatter at bedtime, maybe singing every-budgie a lullaby.

I remember when Harvey came into our flock after Gordie passed away. Poor little Harvey was all by himself in a dirty cage with very few toys. It quickly became obvious that he was probably not treated very well by his former people and it would be tough to win his trust. At least we would provide him with a new flock and he could have a better bird life.

We try to provide all the budgies the best possible life next to living free in the wild. Of all the budgies, I thought Harvey was the most likely to welcome just such a life, which always made me a little sad. I called you buddy, but knowing that I’d never really be your buddy made me love you even more. I hope you’re at peace and finally able to fly free. I’ll miss you, buddy.

Harry