My Little Miracles
January 2005
by Gladys Wilson - Washington, USA
I have been blessed in my lifetime, to have had in my care 12 Mynahs since 1978 and each one has been a love story, many anecdotes, a memorable experience of creatures with individual personalities and astounding intelligence. The first time I was introduced to Mynahs was in a bookstore - two Greaters in separate cages next to each other, up high on a bookshelf. When I looked up at them, they looked down at me and said "Can you talk?" Imagine asking ME if I could talk! They then followed with a very cheerful "Merry Christmas" with a lisp! And so started a lifelong affair. HAD to have one. I am very sad that after decades of trials, tribulations, various (bad) feeds resulting in shortened lives, and much spent on research by companies in the US and Europe, Softbill diets have just about been perfected to avoid Iron Storage disease but most of the good breeders have just given up. Had we had this knowledge then, they may still be around. However, it has almost become a science caring for this species and is probably just too much trouble and expense for most. I am just going to tell you about (and show) you my current 2 birds, both Javans, and my trials with them. I am lucky to have had them both this long, but that is thanks to the feed and good vets and utmost care and lots of love. My Java Hill
Mynahs: Witchell (left) - she is 8 years old, When you look at these pictures you have to marvel at what these birds have actually been through. Almost every year towards April and October, they were getting some sort of bacterial infection. It took me 2 years to realize what was going on. Those were the times of the year when the American fruits were finished and the U.S. starts importing the fruits from South America e.g. blueberries, grapes etc. (grapes - January). I was positive that the coincidence was just too great. If the one bird got sick, the other would too, being in such close contact even though they are in separate cages. The vet here said that Giardia was cropping up in the water (of course the birds got that) and suggested I use only bottled DRINKING water, not distilled. So now they only get that for drinking and bathing. And they only get frozen organically grown blueberries, etc. from Canada. Last January both birds got PSEUDOMONIS and what a business that was. The local vet consulted (again) with my previous vet in California and the poor birds ended up getting shots in their chests for 10 days. The vet had to drive 30 miles a day to do this but we pulled the birds through. After that, it was another 14 days of Baytril and then 10 days of eccenacia/lactose tonic. Touch wood, with the water and fruit situation, they have not picked up anything since then. The miracle of all this is that Witchell has had Giardia twice in the last 4 years and Chaka was 14 with the Pseudomonis and then all the other in-between bacterias and they have pulled through. Chaka is physically a very powerful bird and Witchell is just plain lucky. The
other preventative that is so vitally important is that the minute I
notice any weight loss is to get their stools tested immediately for
bacteria. I simply hold them early evening and can feel if they are
heavy or lighter. Once
you catch whatever it is, your chances are far better. Especially
with Giardia (a horrible death) where the bird eats as usual, maybe
more but continues to lose weight and subsequently dies of starvation
and dehydration. So, when you look at these birds, you can see
why I call them My Little Miracles.
Witchell and
Chaka love the kitchen! Of the 12 mynahs I have owned since 1978, only these 2 are Javas. Of them all, only one had a terrible loud wolf whistle that went right through your head. Unfortunately, I did not teach him that. It was the prior owner who thought it was cute for the girls, and that was probably the reason he bought it and then got rid if it. I did not love the bird any less and I tried everything to stop him from that but never could. From
my experience, whether or not you will have whistling problems, depends
on what type of household the bird finds itself in. If there are
children, dogs, fighting parents, loud TV's, I believe the bird starts
to be noisy not only to get attention but so that it can be heard above
all the noise in order to get it. I have also seen that birds can
take after the owners PHYSICALLY as well.
As an
example, my bird lost it's mate (we are talking years ago) and so I
started to look for another one. I saw this ad in the paper and they
brought the bird up from San Diego. When the owners arrived, they were
crammed (guy, girlfriend, cage and bird) in this small sports
car. When they got out and brought the bird in, all three of them
were so hyped up - full of energy, non-stop talking . They actually
made me nervous. At the same time, the Mynah was back and forth,
up and down. The owners could not sit still for a minute. I
forgave the Mynah because I thought the trip hyped him up. No
such luck. That bird took months to calm down with me. He had a
name when he arrived, but I changed it to Dingbat. Dingbat lived
for eleven years and passed on from Iron storage. I really loved
that bird and he bonded to me very well. Anyway, all my birds besides
the wolf whistle one, have been quiet birds, (but talked) because our
environment is quiet. They all get TV and or music, but not loud.
AND, my
experience has been: The more you love and dote on your bird, the more
attention and entertainment you give it, the less interested it will be
in screeching.
Dingbat & Yenta - Greater Hills, and Chaka - Java Hill MY GOLDEN RULES: 1) Follow the DIET strictly for for softbills. Only low-iron pellets, low-iron fruits and vegetables and never feed acid or iron content foods together. No People food e.g.: chocolate, cakes, cookies, etc. no matter how much they may beg you. 2) A large CAGE and free-fly time at least once a day for no less than an hour. You can paper-train your bird to drop only on the paper outside cage. 3) Lots of ATTENTION. If left alone during the day, give the bird a TV, or radio, window with view (not direct sun) or mate to keep it occupied. 4) Use only all natural CLEANERS. No chemical sprays or cleaners. Bio-clean, Seventh Generation or simple distilled vinegar are the only cleaners I use in the birds' area. 5)
OTHER: No scented candles.
6)
Birds are always inclined the nip at your hands or fingers and picking
at and then swallowing NAIL POLISH can be toxic for them.
7) Know your bird's WEIGHT. If you do not have a scale or can't hold the bird on it, just hold the bird toward
the end of the day to feel if it
has lost weight. Also feel the breast are. Should your bird
be losing weightdrastically, do not hesitate to have it's stool tested immediately for bacteria. One
always has to beware of Giardia as the bird continues to eat well, but
is losing weight at the same time.
Within a few days it can die of starvation
8) All my birds have slept in large brown paper bags (folded back). During the winter I also put a little "blankie" inside for extra warmth. Shake bag and contents out well in the morning; change bag every other day, more often when molting. If possible, make some sort of little hiding place in the cage as Mynah like to take a quick refresher nap during the day.
9)
Never SCOWL at your bird. We forget about their intelligence and their
understanding of facial expressions. Smile often at your bird, laugh at it's antics and praise them when
they entertain you.
10) Never SHOUT at your bird. Not only will that aggravate it, but it too will start to be loud and obnoxious. Talk normally but clear to your bird.
UPDATE:
Our
Loving Chaka passed away October 16, 2007 at age 18 years old. We
miss him so very much.
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