We’ll begin this week’s update with the red tail who, in last week’s update, was en route. He’s a mature male, keel (breastbone) 1.5 (starvation level) but alert. He tends to fall over on his side at the slightest stress but is eating well. He just needs to gain a lot of weight back before we can even consider release, and with the heat advisories we keep having, he’s inside until he’s more stable nutritionally.
The paralyzed red shoulder, though, has surprised me immensely. After a couple of days of steroids, he was able to sit back on his hocks. By week’s end he was able to move his feet and legs, although he’s still not standing. He may stall at this level, or he may, in a couple of weeks, be able to stand. At this point, given his progress thus far, I’m willing to give him the time he needs to see what happens.
However, within two days of his self-release, a call came in for another MIKI, this one a nestling. He was stressed out of his gourd on arrival but once he realized he would get fed rather than be eaten, he settled down nicely. MIKIs are amazing little birds at all ages!