The Who Diary

[chickadeedeedee]

This is a recount of our time with a Mourning Dove who came to our home a few years ago........

If I were you, I would not believe the following for a second but since it DID happen to me I do believe it for it is all true. Promise!

So here it is....A C3D birdie encounter story.

Tuesday we were trying to take more tropical plants into the house before it gets too cold at night. Some plants needed to be repotted so I set up an area on the steps to the back door with pots, soil, water where my husband could sit and be domestic.

I dug out some banana plants and a palm or two and sat on the step to help place them into pots. A mourning dove flew down and started walking around on the patio searching for seeds. There were some seeds left where we had scattered the seeds our parrots rejected. The dove strolled about appearing to be not very concerned that humans were so near.

The seeds on the patio appeared too large for the dove to swallow so I backed myself up the steps and into the breezeway, (an enclosed porch/sunroom type thing), and took the last of the seed we had for our pet finches. Going back to the door I grabbed some millet sprays too and crept back to my position on the back step.

The dove, a male with new feathers sticking out of his head making him look like part hedgehog, was very close to my husband. Had he stretched out his arm he could have touched the dove! I cautiously tossed some seeds off to the side to avoid frightening the dove. He watched as the food was scattered and slowly made his way to the feast set before him.

He picked the seeds up and swallowed them one by one by one. After several moments he stopped eating and shook his head. The seeds he had swallowed came flying out of his mouth. Hmmmm. Something must have gone down the wrong way and so he started to pick up seeds again.

Then he expelled the seeds he had gathered once more. He had a problem. He was unable to swallow the seeds. So we asked him if he had a problem. Asked him if he'd like to get caught and we'd try to help him. He just looked but did not answer.

We spent a good two hours watching the dove and talking to him. We went inside to set up our aquarium but left the back door open with seeds and water in the breezeway should he decide to come inside.

We checked many times during the afternoon and he did not come inside but stayed on the patio. Near five in the afternoon I did not see my dove friend. He must have left. I went out and started putting away our abandoned plant enterprises. As I finished putting away the pots I stepped back and nearly bumped into the dove as he now sat on the birdbath.

I asked him if he would let me catch him. No reply. He just stood there. He was within easy reach but I would have only one chance to get him. I asked the dove to wait a moment while I got a net to improve my chances for a successful catch.

I got the bird net and now he was on the patio again. I slowly approached him continuing my one sided conversation. He was walking away from me. Hmmmm. OK. I did not want to frighten him so I went and got some more seeds for him. When I came out he flew onto the roof and watched what I was doing. I left a bowl of seeds for him.

~~ Goodnight little dove. Stay safe!~~

[chickadeedeedee]

This morning (Wednesday) I slowly opened the door to see if the dove was still around. Not only was he still around but he was huddled against the back step! I asked him if he would let me catch him. Again he did not answer.

I got down on my knees slowly and approached him from the step above. GOT YOU!! I could not believe it! I snatched a wild mourning dove with my bare hands! Wooooo hoooo!!

He was thin but I have seen worse looking birds. I offered him some water from a bowl and he drank readily. I put him into a carrier with a towel for traction, seeds and water. I took him to work this morning to see what was his dilemma.

Opening his beak there were many seeds. I scooped them out and saw the obstruction. A thick yellow plaque just at the entrance to his throat. It looked like semi dried oatmeal stuck to the top and back of his throat.

With a water soaked cotton swab I was able to remove about half the thickness of this plaque which prevented him from swallowing seeds. I tried to moisten the remainder but it appears to be firmly affixed to the underlying tissue. I soaked 4 more cotton swabs in antibiotic solution and soaked the mass with the solution after I had taken a sample for culture and analysis.

I suspect he has Mycoplasma but the culture and analysis will tell. I mixed up some baby bird cereal for him, warmed it, and passed a thin rubber tube into his crop and he was fed.

I have fed him several times during the day with the baby food and the tube into his crop. He is more alert and active. He still tries to eat but the seeds do not go down. He is a pooping machine though! As I am typing this I can hear him calling his mourning dove song from the dining room.

LOL!! Doesn't everyone have a mourning dove guest in their dining rooms?

So far so good with the dove we named: Who. If all goes well he will recover and go outside and tell tales of captivity by a Chickadee. If things go in another direction at least he was warm, he was fed, no one hurt him and he was loved.

I will keep you posted how Who is doing.

C3D

[chickadeedeedee]

The Who Diary Day 2 of my Captivity.

I had a restful night and feel stronger than when I was captured by the human. I am in solitary confinement in an area the human captors call the "dining room." As I look out of my cell I see many plants. Most have flowers and are green and healthy.

Pity. The human dwelling has no sky. No rain can penetrate to offer much needed moisture to the parched ground within their enclosure. The soft off-white growth on the ground here appears dry from lack of them watering it. I fear the same fate for the potted plants.

The smaller human captor appeared happy that I was still their prisoner this morning. They did not provide me with even a branch on which to perch. They know that I would have used it to break free from my cell.

My mouth was again cleaned and a clear liquid was applied to my throat. I was then given some warm food directly down my throat just as if I were a chick. The larger human fed me most of the day.

He appears to be injured as he walks with supports under his wings. I am certain the smaller human captured him too but he is now free to roam the dwelling. Perhaps it is because he is housebroken.

I hear other captives in another area of the human dwelling. They chirp, whistle and sing in their cells. The larger human enters their enclosure. These poor souls sound happy to see him. They whistle at him. I believe his name to be something like Mmmmmmiiiiiikeeee.

He brings them their rations and water. He offers them something called cookies. What is this? Cookies?

The captives sound happy to get this cookies. They are happy in their captivity. They have been brainwashed. Indoctrinated into liking this condition.

I must resist. The humans will NOT brainwash me! Good Lord! My brain is smaller than the size of a pea. It will be easily washed! NO!! I must resist.

The larger human offers me this cookies. What is this? Small broken pieces of an unknown food type? Good. He has gone. The cookies food is slightly sweet. I am able to swallow the smaller pieces. My throat is much better this afternoon. I finish the smaller seeds that were my ration this morning.

So I sit here in my cell. I can hear the other captives and I call out to them. Who! Who!! Who!!! They call back in many languages.

The small human approaches and again swabs my throat with that liquid. Why don't they leave me alone? Oh. She left some more small seeds.

Why do they hide the best seeds on the bottom? I need to throw the seeds aside to get to the best ones on the bottom.

The large human comes with a machine of some sort to remove the scattered seeds from the parched growth on the ground. It appears to be a suction device.

I hope my Comrades will see this message. I will write again when I can.

Who

[chickadeedeedee]

Day 3 of my Captivity.

I had some difficulties last night. I had a bit of a cough and felt cold. This morning the human that captured me did not look happy to see me. Again my throat was swabbed and cleaned with the clear liquid. I was fed the warm cereal as well. The tube passed with ease down into my crop. As I was being fed, the smaller human had water coming from the eyes.

Now I understand.

Of course their ground cover would be parched with such an inefficient irrigation system! No amount of water from the eyes would be enough to sustain the expanse of growth they attempt within the dwelling.

I am taken into a smaller holding cell with clear solid walls. A tube attached to a canister is attached. Some sort of heat source is placed beneath this holding cell. I am surprised. Soon I am able to breathe well enough through my nose I no longer need to gasp and I feel warm again.

I feel these human captors are concerned about me until I hear them say: Hope Who makes it.

I see. Their concern is for my ability to work. They will transfer me to some sort of sweat shop and put me into forced labor. I will have to make "it." I do not know what this "it" is.

I have gathered more information on these humans. The large one on supports is the mate of the smaller human. Laugh if you will but I still believe he is housebroken. The other inmates have given me information.

Name: Oooooooo Mmmmmmiiiiiiikeeeeee
Rank: unknown at this time
Cereal: Apple Jacks

The information on the sprinkler human is yet undetermined. I was given something called scone today. I ignored it when it was given to me. Must not look to anxious about the rations. When I was not being monitored I tried this scone food. Very sweet. Very soft. Very good. I finished it quickly.

These are humans. They will not remember they have given me scone. Again this Ooooooo Mmmmmmiiiiiikeeeee gives rations and cookies to the prison population. I am fed on a regular basis with the warm cereal.

This afternoon the larger human took me from the small cell and held me for an extended time following a feeding. How does he know how to manipulate the new feathers on my head to reduce the itchiness? Comrades, I would be lying if I said this was an unpleasant experience. I fell asleep shortly after this treatment was begun.

No. I must resist! This is part of the brain washing. I am pleased that my messages are able to get out. Contact Central Command and the Ministry of Misinformation and Maple Syrup Production. They know the coordinates near this institution.

I have learned it is Camp Nappy #13. I spoke briefly to a Canadian Goosi that was part of the mission that bombarded the human dwelling near by. A nice chap, from Labrador I believe. Our conversation was short as he was on a mission. I am now glad I may have made a contact prior to my capture. There may be too much collateral damage if bombings begin. I must establish communications with the other prisoners and warn them of the escape plan.

I am warm and was given my last feeding for the night. Oh. More seeds. They are much easier to swallow now. Breathing is better too. I have paced and paced for a long time this evening. I wanted more cookies food. Mmmmmm. Scone! Must not let the captors know I like this food. Must resist the brain washing.

Thank you all for your concern and ideas. Very good. I will be sure to save this diary. Following my escape I will one day read my adventures to my great grand egg.

I will write again when I can.

Who
_________________

[chickadeedeedee]

Day 4 of Captivity. The day began with the sprinkler human trying to do both irrigate the ground cover and force feed me with warm cereal. The swelling of my throat got worse over night.

The captives offer no scone today. Critical error on my part yesterday. They must have noticed I enjoyed this food. They say it is because they have no more scone. I know better. I decided to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Another critical error. The hunger strike has caused an increase in their monitoring of my activities. They have increased the cereal rations and now swab my throat with three solutions.

My breathing was difficult this morning. Some congestion. Wish I knew how to hack up a phlegm ball and deposit it out of my cell door. I forget to poop on my captors as they fuss over me while I am human handled. I must be drugged.

This afternoon I was set free and placed in a chair. Mug shots were taken of me. As I do not have thumbs, I was not forced to hold up a sign with my information on it. No doubt they will make an ID card out of this when I am sent to the labour camps.

Following the taking of mug shots I saw my chance for an escape attempt. I flew toward the opening in the human enclosure. It is clear yet I was unable to fly through. Some sort of clear solid substance blocks my escape although it teases me with a view of sky and trees and freedom.

The sprinkler human tried to recapture me but I was able to evade the capture hand for several minutes. Alas I was cornered when the humans blocked my escape in a corner.

#@%&!!! Back into solitary.

I have no thumbs. I will not succumb to the brain washing and indoctrination into the human ways.

I will NOT be housebroken.

I have not spoken today to my captors or the other prisoners.
They got cookies, rations and water. No scone for them either. The human captors no doubt fear I may be slipped some scone food by another inmate.

All they know about me is:

Name: Who
Rank: Prisoner
Serial Number: 13

I must rest now. I will attempt another escape tomorrow if given the chance.

I will write when I can.

Who
_________________

[chickadeedeedee]

Day 5 of my Captivity. It started with the same routine. The inmates in the other holding cell chattering and banging their ration bowls about calling for "free drink" and "cookie?" and for the larger human "Oooooooo Mmmmmmiiiiiiikeee!" The sun is not up and they begin their protests.

They are not as brainwashed as their captors would like to think.

The sprinkler human again begins by grabbing me from my warm bed and swabbing my throat. The warm cereal tube passes down with such ease. Mmmmm. My crop is full! I need to keep my neck extended today otherwise I am short of breath.

As long as I hold this position I need not gasp. Must not appear to be weakened to my captors. I have information on this "dining room" cell area of the human dwelling.

This is where they eat. They eat no seeds. They are fruit and MEAT eaters. They fill me with sweet scone and cookies and will in turn eat me when they feel the time is right.

I must escape quickly! Early this afternoon I fell asleep. When I awoke I felt so much stronger. I was able to breathe without effort and somehow escaped my cell. Not long afterwards the human sprinkler came to the cell. I am fortunate that I was not seen.

The irrigation system was turned on full force. She had found a fallen captive in my cell and irrigated the body. There were attempts to inflate the fallen dove but the lungs did not hold the human breath.

The remains of this dove were removed from my cell and taken outside. The humans there sprinkled the ground with their eyes and laid the dove in the ground with a sprig of flowering plant. This sprinkling appears to be some ritual. Perhaps it will make the outdoor ground cover grow better?

I do not understand. I do not remember having a cell mate. I am also confused as to how I was able to escape without effort, not only from the solitary confinement cell but from the human dwelling. It was as though I could go through solid structures.

Very curious!

I see someone up ahead. It is my brother! All this time I thought he had been caught by a cat and eaten. But there he is happy to see me. Wait....My Mum is there too. She was badly hurt when she struck one of those clear solid structures that are part of the human dwelling.

No bombing raids to free me are needed. The human captors maybe were not so bad. ((I must resist the brain washings and indoctrination they began!))

I have escaped my captivity and feel healthier and happier than I have ever been. I must leave you now and see my family. They wait for me at the Bridge.

Ohhh. Little seeds and scone and cookies. Yes, my friends I will be happy here.

Thank you for caring about me.

~~Who~~
_________________

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The culture came back on Who the mourning dove. It was indeed Mycoplasma that killed him. There was moderate to heavy growth of the organism on the culture. It is highly contagious to other doves and pigeons so we are on the look out for new Who's in distress.

We used a steam cleaner to try to disinfect the stone patio we have and moved the feeding area elsewhere. And I suppose keeping our fingers crossed wouldn't hurt either.

I phoned Cornell University, where they did the culture, and asked if I could get the infection since I gave him mouth to beak resuscitation before Ooooooo Mmmmmiiiiiikke handed me a catheter to use as a breathing tube. The pathologist said this type of Mycoplasma was fairly species specific so I likely am not at risk.

Poor little Who. Since that incident we have seen NO OTHER birds showing signs of Mycoplasma. :-)

C3D

[4pygmies]

Poor little bird..I've never heard of that happening - is it a common problem, C3D? You are a Doctor of Who! (UK joke I'm afraid - Dr Who is a sci fi TV programme , an institution over here)
Glad he's managing to eat and planning his escape strategy - sounds like he'll recover to me.

[Sweetleaf]

Im sure he is truly glad now, that he dropped by. ;D

There are some very lucky wild birds in your care, not every vet would go the lengths you do, for clients of impoverished circumstances. Most of the vets I have met wont even treat wild birds, they simply advise euthenasia.
You really are a lovely lady.