Squee, the Scrub Jay

In September 2002 I had the opportunity to raise a Scrub Jay. For a month I house-sat for friends who were living in Ashland, Oregon. Prior to agreeing to house sitting, they had taken in a baby bird that had fallen from a nest. Nests, there are in pine trees, so it was a high fall. It obviously had some kind of trauma to her/his head and legs. Of course, I still agreed to house sit along with the disabled baby bird. After a month caring for Squee, as I name the baby bird, they let me keep her/him.  

So, we came to find out he did have a broken leg and cerebellum damage that wasn't that easy to diagnose until he was a teenage bird. The leg had to be amputated because it had grown sideways in the way of the good working leg. I never understood what he said, but he often tried to copy what I was saying with a cute little crow-like speaking voice. He was also affectionate. His poop was too big a slimy, otherwise, I would've let him sleep with me.  

Yes, I know I was supposed to take Squee to a wildlife rehabilitation center, where all injured wild animals are supposed to be taken. But we had already bonded. I loved the little guy. The knowledgeable bird caring people call it imprint. I call it human-bird love. By the way, if you ever find yourself in the position as I did, mealworms alone will not suffice their diet. My vet, who did not report me to the wildlife rehab. informed me worms are mostly mineral. They need more protein and cat food would do.

(To be continue).