corvidaid. caring for corvids and other wildlife
 Isn't she lovely?

Squiffy

aka ‘Our Little Star’

Squiffy was brought in by a lady called Sarah on 18/6/08 after being found laying next to a canal in the Manchester area, she was only a nestling, almost ready to fledge.

Sarah phoned us for advice regarding her care as she wanted to have a go herself after approaching several wildlife rescues in her area who were unwilling to help, one centre even threatened Sarah and said that it was against the law for her to look after the bird!

Sarah explained the extent of Squiffy’s injuries, she had only one eye and a badly deformed beak. I explained that even if she did survive with these disabilities, realease would be impossible, therefore she didnt have to worry too much if Squiffy ended up imprinting.

Sarah did really well with her and Squiffy thrived, but what with Sarah getting a new full time job much as she had fallen head over heels with Squiffy she felt unable to look after her full time properly and asked if we would take her.

When Squiffy arrived the extent of her deformaties were a shock, it looked like something had hit her hard at one side of the head as everything on that side was misshapen, including her skull, how she wasnt brain damaged I have no idea!

Sarah had done a terrific job and Squiffy was the picture of health in every other respect, active, happy & feather perfect, from the good side of her head she just looked like any other magpie, but the other side it was a bit on the squiff! Which is how Jason came up with her name!

We explained to Sarah that we would more than likely rehome Squiffy as we hadnt enough room to keep disabled birds here, but the home would have to be right as she still needed help with feeding due to her beak (which also needs regular trimming).

That was 2 years ago! We could never rehome Squiffy now, we love her to bits, she has the sweetest nature out of every bird we have. So sweet infact that she now shares her home with Zippy the starling and the two get along like a house on fire, Squiffy always lets Zippy eat first and moves out of the way for him, she’s a perfect little lady!

She can now feed herself & behaves just like any other magpie, she’s our little star!

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