Apparently the mutation is quite common now. There was a huge outbreak of beak and feather disease in the wild population in Australia that the Crimson were very susceptible to. These orange mutations have better resistance so are becoming much more common in the wild, as well as in flocks across the world. Chances are now if you get an orange it's grandparents would have been flying wild.Wow. Very unusual mutation
Aww, poor baby. I hope he gets settled in and calms down soon.Roger really is super scared. He won't come down from his roost unless I leave the room. When I move about he goes right into the back corner keeping his back to me.
However I did coax a flock call from him earlier. So you can imagine how hard it is for me to get a pic while avoiding stressing him. I managed to get a quick candid snap to show how much plucking he's done. It is a bit blurry and only shows his breast, the worst is under his wings.
The best news is - not a single feather plucked since coming home.
Tau has perked right up. He's far from 'on song' but he is a lot more active giving me the odd flock call or wolf whistle. He got on well with Buddy as a neighbour, and being the same size I think Roger is going to slot right into his life.What does Tau think of him so far?
I think me and Roger are going to get along great. He's still extremely shy, but earlier this afternoon (Sunday) I was sat watching TV when he started the two note whistle. I turned and he was hanging upside-down from a perch staring at me still whistling. My hands were out of sight so a little later I went right to the cage with my hands in my pockets and he never flinched. Never went to his corner just stood his ground.
This birb is scared of hands, but we can work around that and later train him out of it.
I'm really impressed. So much like a green cheek, just an aussie accent lol
I think me and Roger are going to get along great. He's still extremely shy, but earlier this afternoon (Sunday) I was sat watching TV when he started the two note whistle. I turned and he was hanging upside-down from a perch staring at me still whistling. My hands were out of sight so a little later I went right to the cage with my hands in my pockets and he never flinched. Never went to his corner just stood his ground.
This birb is scared of hands, but we can work around that and later train him out of it.
I'm really impressed. So much like a green cheek, just an aussie accent lol
It's in his notes that before surrender he was kept in an aviery with a mix of other birds. His wing is so heavily clipped that he can't maintain level flight so he ended up on the floor all the time. I imagine he would have been bullied a lot..it was said they are better aviary birds than companion birds
I'm aware of implants, sadly I didn't think of it {scampers away to phone the vet}He is so beautiful. Welcome to AA Roger the Loger!
I wonder if he would be a good canidate for feather implants? It may help him stay more balanced at least.
How Injured Birds Get New Feathers—It May Surprise You