Sunny update! More photo spam!

[Scott]

Wish I had an answer to the dilemma, Hannah - there are no good options. Sunny is clearly enjoying both worlds, and we don't understand the avian mind enough to know if he is conflicted.

It breaks my heart to contemplate his angst if you employ "tough love" in attempt to break the bond, even as you do so for his safety. Huge ethical crossroads, is it possible to engage wildlife experts for advice?

At this point I'd be tempted to keep him in captivity with a large aviary and abundant social time. That is admittedly my bias from a parront with five goffins.

Really curious to read Trish's take! (Betrisher)

 

[ChristaNL]

I think he is still weaning himself from you presence: staying out a day, all day with the flock, like a grown-up bird, and then be an absolute cling-on is pretty normal: he did a scary/ challenging thing and he needed some of your safety (and relaxation) after.


You are doing so great with letting him find his own way

 

[HannahandSunny]

Wish I had an answer to the dilemma, Hannah - there are no good options. Sunny is clearly enjoying both worlds, and we don't understand the avian mind enough to know if he is conflicted.

It breaks my heart to contemplate his angst if you employ "tough love" in attempt to break the bond, even as you do so for his safety. Huge ethical crossroads, is it possible to engage wildlife experts for advice?

At this point I'd be tempted to keep him in captivity with a large aviary and abundant social time. That is admittedly my bias from a parront with five goffins.

Really curious to read Trish's take! (Betrisher)

Hi Scott!
It really is a conflicting crossroad he is at at the moment, he doesn’t realise though lol, he’s very happy and oblivious to my worry!

I get days, like yesterday where I suddenly panic about him and I feel he’s confused and lonely. BUT I’ve got to remind myself he’s come SO far in a short space of time, found him in middle of December. Couldn’t fly, almost died and had a leg injury. Literally didn’t think he’d make the night. Slowly recovered, started to learn to fly in January. Late jan early feb started sleeping away from home. Slowly spent more time with wild birds, have the odd day here and there of not coming home etc. And that leads to now. I just need to breath, I’m sure he’ll get to the next stage soon.

I don’t feel I could keep him in an aviary at this point, it would be cruel. He’s had so much freedom. We’ll give him time, he can do this!

I asked advice from a wildlife rehabilitater about a month ago before I was letting Sunny out his aviary. Her only Advice back then was to open his aviary and let him come and go as he pleases and he’d soon stop coming so much. I guess it’s easier for her with so many birds to care for in cages, and not getting one on one attention.

I think he is still weaning himself from you presence: staying out a day, all day with the flock, like a grown-up bird, and then be an absolute cling-on is pretty normal: he did a scary/ challenging thing and he needed some of your safety (and relaxation) after.


You are doing so great with letting him find his own way

Thank you for take on this, it’s really made me feel better as you’re completely right.. hopefully

 

[ChristaNL]

I do not know *bleep* about wild too's, but I had somewhat the same thing going on with a juvenile blackbird.

He did the same thing when he was weaning himself from pseudo-parental care.

 

[Betrisher]

Oh Hannah, that's so hard on you! Really, even after all this time, the decision is still yours and you'll have to make it, either now or at some time in the future. I guess the proper advice would be to allow Sunny complete freedom and do nothing until 'something' happens. Either he'll leave for good or he'll continue visiting you until you leave.

My suspicion all along has been that Sunny has imprinted on you and sees you as his Mum. No matter how much fun he has with the wild flock, he still comes back to you. The worrisome part is that he doesn't have the proper fear of human beings and their machinery. He looks to humans for food and protection. Perhaps not every day, but often enough that he expects it when he comes. The crunch will be if/when you leave. What might happen to Sunny then, especially if he's hungry, thirsty or sick?

Part of the decision to allow him to be wild and free is that you will be exposing him to all the diseases, parasites and injuries common to wild corellas (remember: PBFD is rife among wild Australian parrots). It has to be said: his life will definitely be much shorter as a wild bird.

On the other hand, you don't need to enclose Sunny in order to keep him. You just need to decide that you will commit to being his person and not simply leaving him without warning or preparation. If Rosetta's any yardstick, Sunny will cry for you if you go. He just will. It's not your fault (none of this is) but it's just the way Nature made it all turn out. If you hadn't come upon him, Sunny wouldn't even be here now!

I think the fact that he's had human intervention in his life has changed Sunny's prospects. I'm a biologist by training and logic tells me you should pack him off to the wild flock and then hide from him until he leaves and doesn't come back. HOWEVER, I have a living, breathing corella in a corner of my heart and I could never give that advice and mean it. Bottom line: you have to decide whether you want to ensure a long, healthy life for Sunny somewhere in your near vicinity, or whether you want him to have a shorter but more 'natural' one living exclusively with a flock and away from human companionship.

PS. When making your decision, you don't need to overlay human emotions onto your bird. He won't 'miss' you in the way a human child would miss its parent. Rather, he would search for you expecting you to return as any other corella would to the flock. (Oh Lord, 'Setta searches for me! LOUDLY!) If you caged him, he would very quickly become used to that reality because it's what animals do. Otherwise, the stress of enclosure would cause widespread death among all our fids. It's why we all go to such lengths to provide good, worthwhile occupation so the birds feel busy and fulfilled. It's all up to you in the end, though. It's whether you want the responsibility (and pleasure) of having a corella permanently in your life. (NB. He's a lot smaller than a horse and his poo is negligible in comparison. He won't get colic or strangles and he doesn't need a farrier.)

 

[Scott]

Oh Hannah, that's so hard on you! Really, even after all this time, the decision is still yours and you'll have to make it, either now or at some time in the future. I guess the proper advice would be to allow Sunny complete freedom and do nothing until 'something' happens. Either he'll leave for good or he'll continue visiting you until you leave.

My suspicion all along has been that Sunny has imprinted on you and sees you as his Mum. No matter how much fun he has with the wild flock, he still comes back to you. The worrisome part is that he doesn't have the proper fear of human beings and their machinery. He looks to humans for food and protection. Perhaps not every day, but often enough that he expects it when he comes. The crunch will be if/when you leave. What might happen to Sunny then, especially if he's hungry, thirsty or sick?

Part of the decision to allow him to be wild and free is that you will be exposing him to all the diseases, parasites and injuries common to wild corellas (remember: PBFD is rife among wild Australian parrots). It has to be said: his life will definitely be much shorter as a wild bird.

On the other hand, you don't need to enclose Sunny in order to keep him. You just need to decide that you will commit to being his person and not simply leaving him without warning or preparation. If Rosetta's any yardstick, Sunny will cry for you if you go. He just will. It's not your fault (none of this is) but it's just the way Nature made it all turn out. If you hadn't come upon him, Sunny wouldn't even be here now!

I think the fact that he's had human intervention in his life has changed Sunny's prospects. I'm a biologist by training and logic tells me you should pack him off to the wild flock and then hide from him until he leaves and doesn't come back. HOWEVER, I have a living, breathing corella in a corner of my heart and I could never give that advice and mean it. Bottom line: you have to decide whether you want to ensure a long, healthy life for Sunny somewhere in your near vicinity, or whether you want him to have a shorter but more 'natural' one living exclusively with a flock and away from human companionship.

PS. When making your decision, you don't need to overlay human emotions onto your bird. He won't 'miss' you in the way a human child would miss its parent. Rather, he would search for you expecting you to return as any other corella would to the flock. (Oh Lord, 'Setta searches for me! LOUDLY!) If you caged him, he would very quickly become used to that reality because it's what animals do. Otherwise, the stress of enclosure would cause widespread death among all our fids. It's why we all go to such lengths to provide good, worthwhile occupation so the birds feel busy and fulfilled. It's all up to you in the end, though. It's whether you want the responsibility (and pleasure) of having a corella permanently in your life. (NB. He's a lot smaller than a horse and his poo is negligible in comparison. He won't get colic or strangles and he doesn't need a farrier.)

Thank you Trish for a brilliant post! You've perfectly summarized the situation from every possible aspect except the impossible - Sunny's take. But even there you've applied the Biologist's best understanding.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Hannah? Is there a refuge or sanctuary that would take Sunny? That way he'd be "safe" but still be with his mates? and you could possibly visit him from time to time? Just a thought!
BTW you have done a tremendous job with him..no matter what you choose to do,I am very confident that he will NEVER forget you! :04:


Jim

 

[HannahandSunny]

Oh Hannah, that's so hard on you! Really, even after all this time, the decision is still yours and you'll have to make it, either now or at some time in the future. I guess the proper advice would be to allow Sunny complete freedom and do nothing until 'something' happens. Either he'll leave for good or he'll continue visiting you until you leave.

Hi Betrisher!
Sorry for the delayed response. It really is hard yes! I do think my best and almost only option is just wait and see what happens within the next few weeks, He has nothing stopping him from flying off and doing his own thing, I’m sure the more he matures the more he’ll want to spend time with the flock..hey he may fall in love with a gorgeous Corella and choose her over me

My suspicion all along has been that Sunny has imprinted on you and sees you as his Mum. No matter how much fun he has with the wild flock, he still comes back to you. The worrisome part is that he doesn't have the proper fear of human beings and their machinery. He looks to humans for food and protection. Perhaps not every day, but often enough that he expects it when he comes. The crunch will be if/when you leave. What might happen to Sunny then, especially if he's hungry, thirsty or sick?

Part of the decision to allow him to be wild and free is that you will be exposing him to all the diseases, parasites and injuries common to wild corellas (remember: PBFD is rife among wild Australian parrots). It has to be said: his life will definitely be much shorter as a wild bird.


On the other hand, you don't need to enclose Sunny in order to keep him. You just need to decide that you will commit to being his person and not simply leaving him without warning or preparation. If Rosetta's any yardstick, Sunny will cry for you if you go. He just will. It's not your fault (none of this is) but it's just the way Nature made it all turn out. If you hadn't come upon him, Sunny wouldn't even be here now!

I think the fact that he's had human intervention in his life has changed Sunny's prospects. I'm a biologist by training and logic tells me you should pack him off to the wild flock and then hide from him until he leaves and doesn't come back. HOWEVER, I have a living, breathing corella in a corner of my heart and I could never give that advice and mean it. Bottom line: you have to decide whether you want to ensure a long, healthy life for Sunny somewhere in your near vicinity, or whether you want him to have a shorter but more 'natural' one living exclusively with a flock and away from human companionship.

If he still sees me as his Mum then hopefully there is a chance he will ‘out-grow’ me? And want to leave. As long as he doesn’t see me as his mate..then it will be a problem as he won’t want to leave!
It is a worry that he’s quite tame, he doesn’t usually go up to random people and if the go to him he bites them lol. But he’s still tame. However if he leaves this years mating time I wouldn’t be too worried as I think he would forget people and be more wild when/if he returns next year.
His life would be shorter in the wild I know, but it would be a free, full and true to nature life, just how his real mum intended his life to be. He was born wild therefore I’m prepared for him to die wild. (I say that with a lump in my throat, holding back tears). If he continues to live like he does now for the rest of his life (half wild/half domestic) I will provide him with Vet care as soon as I notice something wrong.

PS. When making your decision, you don't need to overlay human emotions onto your bird. He won't 'miss' you in the way a human child would miss its parent. Rather, he would search for you expecting you to return as any other corella would to the flock. (Oh Lord, 'Setta searches for me! LOUDLY!) If you caged him, he would very quickly become used to that reality because it's what animals do. Otherwise, the stress of enclosure would cause widespread death among all our fids. It's why we all go to such lengths to provide good, worthwhile occupation so the birds feel busy and fulfilled. It's all up to you in the end, though. It's whether you want the responsibility (and pleasure) of having a corella permanently in your life. (NB. He's a lot smaller than a horse and his poo is negligible in comparison. He won't get colic or strangles and he doesn't need a farrier.)

Thanks for all your advice and information, it’s very much needed. I feel quite alone in looking after and making Sunny decisions so it’s nice to have people to talk to about the situation.
I think I do just get days where I panic and stress about him. But I need to relax, see what happens in the coming weeks, keep giving him a little less attention and food etc. He’ll get there, we’ll be okay

 

[Cardinal]

The past few days I’ve had Sunny out his aviary in the open as much as possible. He’s flying so well now, gliding high and navigating trees. he loves digging up grass and plant roots, as well as picking bark off trees, fresh branches and fruits and pine cones. He stays near me, I can relax and read a book while he grazes.


Sunny is the best little creature I’ve ever had the pleasure of caring for, he is so affectionate, funny, cute and cheeky. I’m going to be lost when he decides to leave but I really do think it’s the right thing for him. I will worry everyday but I’m giving him the best chance I can give him. He isn’t happy in the Aviary for long anymore which is helping my decision. If he decides never to leave that’s fine too! I LOVE his company, he’ll always be welcome to stay.
If you could see the massive 500 flock of Corellas plus hundreds of sulphur cresteds flying over his aviary everyday all day you’d understand why it hurts my heart and soul so much to even think of keeping him a pet. He was born in the wild, it’s not fair for me to lock him up. It’s for him to decide
Photos to follow, just uploading!

You are just so lucky to share your life with this semi-tame and semi wild Cockatoo. And also to be able to witness flocks of 500 large parrots on a regular places. I would give my right arm to trade places with you

But seriously, I think it may be better for you to retain him because he may not have the full skills to live completely as a wild bird. It may be best for him to have this semi- freedom.

Also I have read that in some parts of Australia, Little Corellas and perhaps this species too are killed in large numbers, often using very cruel methods like poisoning with automobile fumes etc.

So I think it may be best for you to retain him. And also while Parrots are very intelligent, they are not wise enough to make the correct Life choice - especially the captive bred ones but also the tamed human bonded wild ones. This is what I feel. I could be wrong though

 

[ChristaNL]

(just my humble opinion)
I am still very much for letting the bird decide where it wants to live out its life.
This one is still a very young one and is 'growing into too society'.


So if Sunny decides to turn his/her back on humans and be an adult wild too that is great.
But if (same time next year) he/she is still hanging out with humans *and* getting into trouble (destructive behaviour) then it may be time to cage it forever- just to protect everyone from coming to harm.

 

[HannahandSunny]

I witnessed something heartwarming and positive with Sunny today!
I hadn’t seen him all day, though I know he visited this morning as I heard him sqwarking oitoside while I was still in bed haha.But he’d left by the time I went outside. Anyway this evening I was feeding the horses when a pair of Corellas flew overhead. I straight away knew one of them was Sunny, he spotted me and gradually lowered down from the sky, which his friend also started to do with him. Was SO lovely to see him being a real bird flying around with a friend! And a friend which actually followed Sunnys decision to about where to go!! Of course the friend bailed once they got quite low and close to the humans, he went and sat in a pine tree that’s next to where we was standing Sunny of course wanted lots of my attention and followed me around for a little while.

BUT how awesome was that to witness!, Sunny with a Corella friend, and him leading the way! Feeling much more optmistic

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

This is just an awesome story...period.



Jim

 

[Scott]

That is wonderful progress, Hannah! Perhaps Sunny is slowly finding the way back to his original universe.

 

[HannahandSunny]

Sunny didn’t come and visit this morning which is good..

However he did turn up this afternoon while I was trying to train a ‘wild’ Brumby.. I’d literally just got a halter on her for the first time in her life when Sunny comes and lands on my head good job she’s a sensible pony haha

Hard to resist this little face

I also done a really bad painting of him today lol..

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Sunny didn’t come and visit this morning which is good..

However he did turn up this afternoon while I was trying to train a ‘wild’ Brumby.. I’d literally just got a halter on her for the first time in her life when Sunny comes and lands on my head good job she’s a sensible pony haha

Hard to resist this little face

I also done a really bad painting of him today lol..

Personally Hannah...I think Sunny would say "What an honor" it was to be painted by you
I think it's beautiful myself!

Jim

 

[wrench13]

What a beautiful and heartwarming movie this would make, based on your story Hannah. I claim dibs on the rights! LOL. Truly a remarkable story. Of course it would star Sunny !

 

[Scott]

That is a beautiful painting! You've captured the essence of his face!!

Pictures are too perfect, the painting is more personal and captures emotion. Frame it and be proud, Hannah!!

 

[HannahandSunny]

I haven’t seen Sunny for almost 4 days.

I was away Friday and Saturday. And out for most of Sunday.
My partner saw him on Saturday and I’m 99% confident I heard him Sunday morning whilst I was still in bed. So I’m sure he is okay!

And I’m not too worried yet as all the Corellas and Cockatoos have disappeared. I haven’t seen or heard any since Sunday morning! The must have moved feeding and roosting grounds for a little while.

It’s Spookily quiet this evening, this time of night is usually full of cocaktoo and corella noise. But it’s still and quiet.

I miss him

 

[charmedbyekkie]

I haven’t seen Sunny for almost 4 days.

I was away Friday and Saturday. And out for most of Sunday.
My partner saw him on Saturday and I’m 99% confident I heard him Sunday morning whilst I was still in bed. So I’m sure he is okay!

And I’m not too worried yet as all the Corellas and Cockatoos have disappeared. I haven’t seen or heard any since Sunday morning! The must have moved feeding and roosting grounds for a little while.

It’s Spookily quiet this evening, this time of night is usually full of cocaktoo and corella noise. But it’s still and quiet.

I miss him

Nerve-wracking now that he's growing up into an independent corella. But it's also comforting to know he's with his flock, wherever they are. It sounds like they'll take good care of him, since he's been flying with another buddy.

Do you know if the corellas migrate seasonally or where their other home grounds are?

 

[ChristaNL]

Oh...you did it! \o/
Your Sunny got strong, healthy and comfortable enough to migrate with his new/old family instead of sticking around.


You must really miss them all a lot.
They will be back!