Thor (Thrush)

Thor is a 6 week old thrush (bird). Thor was found when his nest fell out of our big oak tree. We brought him in the house and put together a mash to try to feed him with. We weren't sure if it would work, as saving baby birds usually doesn't work.

The mash mixture was chicken layer crumbles (we have 16 chickens) which is high in protein and other avian nutrients, soy milk for protein, crushed blueberries for antioxidants,and vitamins (plus thrushes love fruit), smashed banana, and a bit of water.

He was fed this mixture every hour for the first week. After the first couple of days and he was growing feathers and beginning to stand, we knew he was going to make it.

Now, after 6 1/2 weeks his routine is to be taken outside during the day, where he flies around eating bugs, flower petals, and berries. He comes to the door and taps on the glass when he wants me to hand feed him some of his mash, which is 4 or 5 times a day. In the evening, at dusk he's waiting outside on his cat carrier house for me to bring him in.

When he comes in at night he spends time in a big cage (that belongs to our Macaw, but she doesn"t use it), then once the shades are put down he wants in his little cat carrier house for his last feeding and to be covered up for the night.

Some day he may fly off permanently, but in the mean time we're his family and this is his home. The ornithologist I contacted online is the one that told me my bird was a thrush, I thought he was a robin. They're in the same family so I was close! This professor was impressed that Thor had survived and was the one that told me that Thor considered us his family. He suggested we keep him inside during the winter. We'll figure out something, but in the mean time we're enjoying watching him fly around the property, playing with the other birds, landing on our shoulders, and teasing the dogs with his flying acrobatic abilities.

So if anyone finds a baby bird, try out our recipe as it has proven to work beautifully. Thor likes to land on our heads or shoulders when we're outside. He hangs out watching me as I take care of the chickens and the gardens. He also enjoys teasing the dogs, flying close to them to get them to chase him as he performs his acrobatics. Thor has been such a sweet blessing to our family.

His chirping is fun to listen to, especially when he's obviously talking to us. He likes to stand on a finger and just tell us all about his day. I would love to know what he's actually saying, but by the tone I can usually tell if it was fun and exciting or if he's telling me about something not so great.

He's been a wonderful addition to our menagerie!

By Viktorija from Edmonton, KY