Name:
Lucky Charlie. Most of the time, she goes by "LC" for short.Species:
Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus.)Sex:
Female.Age:
9+ years.Favorite Foods:
Anything her mom gives her!Favorite Toys:
None in particular.Favorite Perches:
Definitely her hammock and the bed! LC's injuries prevent her from perching like other birds do.Dislikes:
Having her bandages changed.Special Talents:
LC is one tough little bird. Years ago, when she belonged to her first owner, she was badly burned on her feet, legs, and belly when she flew into a pot of boiling water. She actually survived for 6 weeks without medical care until her new mom, Sandy, took her in. Obviously, LC's greatest talent is the ability to survive against the odds!Life with Lucky Charlie:
LC's mom, Sandy, found her over 9 years ago when an acquaintence of hers called her in a panic. The friend explained that her son had opened her bird's cage as she was boiling a pan of water on the stove -- and that the bird had flown into it and been burned badly.Sandy rushed over to her friend's house to help. Upon arriving, she found "Spike" (LC's old name) in a horrible condition. "She had to be in excruciating pain" she says. "Her little feet had skin hanging from them; her belly was burnt." Sandy cleaned and dressed the bird's wounds the best she could, and gave her friend some avian antibiotics that she had on hand. She urged her to seek help from an avian vet immediately.
Unfortunately, her friend did not listen. Six weeks passed and the poor bird recieved no medical attention. "She [her friend] always had an excuse as to why she didn't take the bird to the vet." Sandy explains. "So one night, I asked my husband and my son to go over and get her for me."
For LC, the help came just in time. Burnt and raw, with her wounds badly infected, the bird was barely clinging to life. "The next morning, I called and got her in to see my vet." Sandy says. "She was amazed that 'Spike' was still alive."
LC saw the vet regularly over the course of the next year. "After I was sure she would live" Sandy says, "I changed her name. My vet wanted to name her Lucky, and my mother wanted to name her Charlie, so I call her LC."
And lucky she is! LC will have to wear bandages on her legs for the rest of her life, as her skin will never heal completely. Thanks to Sandy, however, she has a new lease on life and a loving family to support her every step of the way.
Congratulations on being chosen as Bird of the Week, LC! Your mom deserves a title of similar prestige -- perhaps "Bird Owner of the Century!"
Do you think that your bird should be the next "Bird of the Week"? If so, email me at birds.guide@about.com with photos and information about your pet. Make sure that all images are clear and bright, in .jpg format, and at least 200px.
