Mini Minor was found dodging cars in a carpark. We checked with the closest shop owners about birds in the area and one happened to have a Pet Bird Shop! We stayed for half an hour where Mini was found and the only birds around were confirmed as Common Mynas, which had a nest too far to reach. Next, Mini was taken to be identified by WIRES (Wildlife Rescue and Education Service). We were informed they would humanely 'remove' Mini because she was a Common (Indian) Myna - an introduced pest in Australia. Not choosing this option, and already being Foster Carers, we were then advised to keep Mini warm and of what she liked to eat. Home we went with our new fostered Myna Bird!
We were almost sure Mini was a Myna; she also had a big yellow mouth! She was fed with a porridge mixture of soybean, rice, oats, wheat, psyllium husk, sugar, vegetable oils, vitamins and minerals mixed with a little water. She loved organophosphate and hormone free mealworms! Mini did not like earth worms or fruit but liked tiny pieces of meat from our dinner plates. Common Mynas are supposed to eat almost anything, including insects, fruits, vegetables, scraps, and meat.
More Aussies confirmed Mini was a Common Myna. However, as each day passed I grew more suspicious about her identification! I'd previously seen a baby Noisy Miner like the one on the left above, but not a baby Common Myna younger than the one in the photograph to the right. Mini wasn't developing any sort of yellow around her eyes and her bill was losing its yellow!
Bill 
Feet
In fact, Mini had a small hook on the end of her bill! She had flecks of dull grey-brown through her feathers and brown feet. The day Mini went out into the big wide world she was no more than 15cm long, although her tail had more growing to do in addition to Mini only being a fledgling.
If you think you know What Type of Bird is Mini Minor please email and I will add the bird type to a poll that will be posted during the weekend for you all to vote!
Wattle?
Wings and tailTwo more hints: Like most young ones, Mini is supposed to like a little fruit and vegetables and you should all recognise her!
Please check under this post until next week because the AFTERNOON DELIGHTS of the Spring Parade have begun!
26 comments:
PS: I won't be answering your emails individually so thankyou for your suggestions! Good luck :)
mmmnnnnnnnnn..........! I am confident! :o)
Good Simon! I'm waiting on two emails in particular to add 2% to my 98% by the weekend and there is always the result from the poll HAHA :) The Pet Bird Shop Owner next to where Mini was found, is also doing a week's worth of investigating his local area which is great! It isn't easy identifying a very young orphaned bird unless you don't set it free!
I love this series of posts about Mini -- this post sums it all up ... just look at her all dusty and scared at the car park in her first photo ... and then look at her with feathers and bright eyes and all that nutrition, paddling in the pool, playing, and worm-finding. Awesome! Thank you, Anon, for sharing it all with us. :)
This is a riddle? Bah! She is adorable no matter what she is!
I love that first picture, though not her scaredness. Wonderful series.
I'm with you about Christmas decorations being too early! BAH HUMBUG!
I have no idea. You have different birds there. I can't even come close. But I know a few birds she's not!
i'm just thinking, anon: here you've shared something that so clearly and deeply touches all that is good and protective and loving in we human beings. one story about the rescue and growth of a little bird.
would that we could package this into a pill taken before anyone decides to raise a sword or shoot a gun.
i know--kind of close to political, but consider it philosophical, ok?
:)
Ah. Now I'll have to wait until next week to find out. Tease! I'm actually quite glad she's not an Indian Myna.
That first photograph just goes to demonstrate what an amazing job you have done!
I have no idea what type of bird MM is but I know she is a special one as she has captured so many hearts.
I think she is a lesser long eared bat...... ;o)
Hehehe, well, I think you know what Id say. ;) Wasnt she clever to have us all fooled - some of us several times! HAHAHAHAHA!
Firstly, thank you to all those who have sent emails with suggestions of what type of bird Mini might be!!! There are some very good suggestions and they will all be included in the weekend poll :)
It was fun sharing Melissa, although hard work - Mini was fun :)
No riddle Perriette! Mini had a lot of us fooled as to what bird she was :)
It's interesting how most saw Mini's cuteness before her fear at the beginning of my story Mary Stebbins Taitt! She was SO CLOSE to being run over by cars ... she was very lucky.
Red Mojo, there is a link in the last paragraph, 'What Type of Bird is Mini Minor' which will help identify Mini in Australia. She isn't a Kookaburra HAHHAAA.
Right you are KJ! Philosophically ;)
I was very glad to learn she wasn't a Myna too Baino! BUT the first thing I thought of was a CUCKOO! HAHHAAA Which is worse ...
Mini has captured many hearts Miladysa. If you have another tea and chocolate biscuit - try clicking on the link in this comment :)
I can safely say I don't think so Simon! HAHHAHHA
Mini fooled EVERYONE Lavender! Hhehheheee, thanks for your email ;)
Blah! I'm sure she's a Pelican in disquise!!! Meow! *pass the salt*
Excuse the bad behavior of my cat, Anon... She has the November Syndrom! :(
You have saved a life, and you must feel very proud! :) I know I would....
:)
SCAT CAT!
I don't feel proud MerlinPrincesse, but feel like Mini has taught me a few things and have been lucky. One I don't understand is WHY ON EARTH I would have wanted to help a Myna into the world, but lucky she wasn't for the neighbourhood's sake ;)
PS: Thanks for the emails and please check under this post until next week because the AFTERNOON DELIGHTS of the Spring Parade have begun!
Every little birds, even Myna, deserve to have a life! And She was soooo cute, even as a baby! Who could have resist! :)
Maternal instinct, probably..Hhehe..
The boys were just as GAGA here MerlinPrincesse! Must have been HUMAN instinct!
She better not be a cuckoo!
That was the very first thought that came to my mind also Ces!!!
I KNOW !!! She is an UNCOMMON mynah!
And she is aDoRRRRRable.
HAHA, you don't even get points for being half right Catnapping! You must have been sleeping ... Stop licking your lips!!!
With those little talons you would think she is a hawk. Maybe she is a miniature hawk or a chicken. hahah!
Blimey, I only get to visit here once a week and soooo much happens! I'll never guess what he/she is as what I know about Aussie birds I have probably learned on your site, but I did wonder if Mini Minor could be an introduced species as she really reminds me of baby European blackbirds and starlings (though not quite enough for me to scream YESSSSS that's IT!)
What a lovely story, gorgeous photos and as always I am now hankering for spring :)
P.S I can't post comments from my own blog anymore - what happened? Spammers get you? Grrrrr...
PPS:- having finally scrolled down and watched the film of Mini Minor being fed and more importantly HEARD THE SOUNDS I am going to hazard a pretty firm guess that he/she is a COMMON EUROPEAN STARLING!!! Sorry for shouting but anyone who has had a little flock of feathered mischief arrive in their garden knows that sound, you really do have your hands full and should consider yourself lucky you only have one :D I adore them mind you! Would be consistent with only liking meat, baby starlings mainly subsist on leatherjackets and caterpillars. Mind you I could still be wrong, those wattles are throwing me a bit. I'm sure that by next weeks visit here all will be revealed :)
HAHA, you have to be more specific for me to add those two to the poll Ces :)
Thanks for your input Bird! AHA, the Common Starling will indeed be in the poll which will have all your suggestions in it by the end of this weekend :) A Blackbird is also already there, so you have a good week to make up your mind Bird, and perhaps look at some Wattlebirds ;) I have just found out Blogger has a glitch where those without Blogger accounts can't comment. They are working on fixing it!
There are lots of clues and thanks everyone for your emails :) I think almost everybody has put forward their suggestions! It will be an interesting poll!
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