Hi everyone,

 

I found this website whilst googling for bird of prey attacks on budgies.

 

This morning I heard my lovely male budgie squawking, which he normally does when courting his female friend. But this time it was a more insistent squawk and I went out to find a Goshawk had his little leg and was trying to drag him through the aviary wire.

 

I call him Bugalugs and I brought him up since he was 3 days old. Anyway I rushed over to the aviary and the Goshawk was so interested in Bugalugs it didn't seem me coming. When it did it flew into the patio latice and almost got stuck. Lucky it didn't go for me. Anyway, Bugalugs was sort of flapping around the bottom of the cage - there was blood, not a huge amount but when you consider a budgie is so small, it was probably quite alot. He has had one of his back perching toes (toes?) torn off. so now he only has the front two toes and a single back toe for perching.

 

Im glad it was not more, but at the same time very worried for my poor little boy as I'm not sure whether he will survive something like this? Im not sure whether he may die of shock, or infection? Im not even sure he would get full use out of that leg anymore either.

 

I have separated him from the other budgies and placed him in a dark quiet part of the house to rest up, cleaned his wound, and managed to dress it so it won't get dirt and germs in it, but im not sure what else I can do? I have also added some electrolye immune booster stuff into his water. I spoke to a vet and they said there isn't much else I can do, but I want to get another opinion and thought this may be the way to go.

 

Any help would be ever so much appreciated

It sounds to me like you have done a good job, normally budgies are pretty hardy little things so he should be fine. If you are going to have birds of prey around your place though I would suggest trying to get hold of some more bird netting or avairy wire and double netting your aviary. That will stop future attacks, or stop attackee's actually getting hold of the birds anyway.

 

Bugalugs should be fine without one toe, it is not uncommon to see birds missing toes when they get them stuck on something or caught through the wire like yours was! Keep us updated but it sounds like you have things under control.

Check him over thoroughly in case there are any other piercing wounds you havent noticed. You have done great so far for him.........wonderful job.

Birds in shock need warmth, so a warm lamp by his cage will also help.

You have done the right thing for Bugalugs, just keep him warm so he doesn't go into shock and feed him lots of nice food.

 

As for your hawk .... well my hubby fed ours prime beef steak for a week and he stopped coming round ... No, seriously - just be more alert when and where you let Bugalugs out in the patio area.

I agree with Hamish about the additional bird netting around the aviary, and he will be fine missing a toe.

Sorry to hear about the ordeal you have been through. It is impossible to watch the bird "like a hawk" when he is on the patio, so the netting is a good idea. It is not very expensive, and you can buy it from Bunnings. Not only may it save your birds life in the future, it will help put your mind at ease.

Thank you everyone for your kind words. It has reassured me greatly knowing you think i have done the right thing. I shall put a lamp near him, and i will check his wound later on. MAybe change the dressing too, of course he will want minimal handling so he can rest, poor boy. He was so good, coming straight up to my hand as quickly as his poor little foot could take him. After 2 years of being in an aviary he still comes to say hello :bliss:

 

To be honest I was totally shocked to see the hawk on the patio as it was in the end that has two sides enclosed with latice and one side enclosed with the house wall. I'd have thought the hawk would have felt boxed in there. I don't actually know how it picked up on the fact that there were birds in that section - its hard to see them - especially as the patio aviary has blankets around it (for covering up at night time - still a bit cold here.

 

I have seen the hawk lurking on the next door neighbours huuuuuuge aviary and I shoo it away all the time. I've been thinking that I should call a ranger or something as i have a 2 year old who loves playing in the back yard (never know the hawk could swoop her!!) And I have two chooks who i let roam the back yard (Hi 5 for free range eggs!) I'd hate them to be attacked too.

 

I'll keep a closer eye on the hawk - since the incident i haven't seen it back at ours or the neighbours house.

Hi Everyone,

 

Just wanting to let you all know that Bugalugs survived the night and has been eating well. I have given him is favourite grass seeds, his normal seed and some silverbeet - he has gone off his silverbeet but seems to be eating the rest okay. His leg is swollen still, but not as much as last night and he has even managed to give a few chirps here and there.

 

I hope this is the good beginnings to a recovery process, but im still worried he may get an infection. He is having plenty of fluids too.

 

I shall keep you all updated