Blind Budgie Hospice Care

About 6 weeks ago, a couple brought an 11 year old green Budgie into my vet's office. They noticed that he seemed to be bumping into things, and falling off perches, etc. The vet decided that he was blind due to his age. The owners thought that he should probably be put down. They felt they were unable to give him the kind of care he needed. The vet offered another solution. Me. I have taken in several Special Needs cases from her. She called me, and I, of course, agreed. We warned the people that the bird could die any day, or possibly live some time longer. But, would be well taken care of until his end came. I brought "Yoda" home, put him in a small travel cage, no perches, toys, etc. for him to bump into. I gave him wet lettuce twice a day so he wouldn't need a water cup. He did fine, but, this morning, I found him dead. I called the original owners, and they wanted to bury him in their yard with other pets that have passed. I brought him over, in a small box, and they buried him with a brief ceremony. They thanked me for making his last days as good as could be. I was happy to do it. They also informed me that they had bought another Budgie. A blue one, and named him after me...Billy Blue Boy. How cool is that!

How sweet of you to take care of that bird at its end of life like that!

Sounds like you did the right thing Bill.....

For future reference & the benefit of others who might encounter blind birds, once a sight impaired bird figures out their way around a cage, they are usually good to go on their own. I know someone who had the pleasure of an encounter with a blind military macaw, that was allowed outside in the grass. The bird loved to hold its head up & run through the grass.....if it was headed for something, she would yell 'ouch' and the bird would make a 90 degree turn & start running that way.....

Thanks. I've spent my life helping birds, in one way or another. And will continue until I can do so no longer. I have a friend who has a blind Macaw. And I've had a very old Grey that had eyesight problems (among other ailments). They both did/do fine. Blind birds are more common than one might think. Often albinos go blind due to light sensitivity.

weco said:

Sounds like you did the right thing Bill.....

For future reference & the benefit of others who might encounter blind birds, once a sight impaired bird figures out their way around a cage, they are usually good to go on their own. I know someone who had the pleasure of an encounter with a blind military macaw, that was allowed outside in the grass. The bird loved to hold its head up & run through the grass.....if it was headed for something, she would yell 'ouch' and the bird would make a 90 degree turn & start running that way.....

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Awww, that sounds adorable!! My mom has a blind dog. I wonder if he could learn that.