Ohh I thought I would release mickey when he becomes independent... but he’s so attached to me and loves people that it’s really impossible to release him. Especially with our dogs - that would not end well.
Mickey is also easily frightened by birds flying past him when he’s outside and really doesn’t like loud noises. I fear he will not make it on his own.
I also love him so much it would be absolutely heart breaking to let him go.
I also read up that Mousebirds are flock birds which means that if they don’t accept a new comer they will kill him.
You are right, mousebirds can't just be released as the local flock is likely to attack. As it is one can't simple just let a bird go - it is a long and often painstaking process of getting them ready for life in the wild. The success rate is not high. And of course we have all the predatory birds, domestic pets and stray cats and dogs. I often wish I could keep all my wild rescues for these reasons, but that would be impossible
I think I read it on this forum, there was someone who released a tame mousebird by putting her outside in a cage during the day and letting the wild flock interact with her. Once they started feeding her through the bars, she was ready to join them, and it sounds like it was a happy ending for that little bird.
I don't think you need to worry about keeping Mickey
Mousebirds are so loving and so content to be with their humans. My little mousie Nimh has never once shown any inclination to be free. Some other species of birds that I have had would actually die in captivity if I were to keep them - they are just not made to be with us. Nimh also gets frightened by big birds flying past. She sticks her little crest up and shrieks her head off
It is quite easy for them to fall prey to bigger birds as they really are quite clumsy (especially Speckleds, I don't know how they even stay airborne).