Save Sick, Injured, & Orphaned Birds - California

Avian Underdogs Rescue Association takes in a wide variety of wild and domestic/exotic birds that find themselves in need of help. From January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018 we assisted a total of 773 avian underdogs. Baby bird season 2019 has not yet started here in Southern California, but it won't be long before we will be taking in and caring for dozens and dozens of baby birds over the coming months as well as the sick, injured, and abandoned birds that come our way throughout the year. We are so very grateful to have had your generous financial support in 2018. We are asking for your continued support in 2019. Thank you in advance for making it possible for us to continue assisting the avian underdogs in our area.

Since we take in many diverse species of birds, we want to have you meet some of our recent flock members. These birds are not typically found out on their own and have no ability to survive on their own. As you wll see, they are all quite different types of birds.

Ellen - English Trumpeter Pigeon: Ellen was picked up by a local animal control agency as a stray. She spent her 5 day hold time in the shelter and no owner came forward to claim her. Avian Underdogs Rescue Association (AURA) adopted her from the shelter and has an adoption pending for her where she wil be safe and well cared for as a pet. Ellen is a fancy pigeon also known as a show pigeon. She has zero ability to survive on her own for the long term. There are several hundred breeds of domestic pigeons, and many of them are strictly show pigeons like Ellen and have no ability to survive on their own.

Yuki - White Canary: Yuki was found in a local shopping center and taken to a pet store in that center for care until a rescue could located. We were that rescue!  Yuki was posted on lost and found sites, but no owner came forward. Yuki quickly found his forever home with one of our adopters and is now living the good life.

Zebra Finch: This handsome boy and three other zebra finches were abandoned in the Los Angeles area and found and taken in by a Good Samaritan. The Good Sam cared for them as long as she could and then sought a rescue for them. One of our directors make the trip in pouring rain to get these lovely little birds. They have been in the care of AURA since that time.

Ringneck Dove: This unfortunate domestic dove had been shot with a pellet gun and was gravely injured. It was found in Anaheim and gotten to us for care. Sadly, it succumbed to the injury.

White Japanese Coturnix Quail: This bird was also picked up as a stray by a local animal control agency, spent her 5 day hold time, and was not claimed by an owner. AURA adopted her from the shelter and found her a wonderful home where is a well loved and well cared for pet.

African Ringeck Parrot/Parakeet: This little green beauty was found in Lake Elsinore and taken to a pet store for care. AURA was contacted about her and arrangements were made for her to come to us. She is extremely untame, extremely fearful of humans, and needs lots of slow and easy TLC to allow her to understand that she is now safe.

Thank you for reading and meeting these Avian Underdogs!

Links:

• Avian Underdogs Rescue Association

Please help us to be able to continue helping the birds that we rescue and rehabilitate. Thus far 2018 has been a very busy year for us with just over 750 birds coming in as of November 30, 2018. We will probably have taken in and helped 800 birds or more in 2018 by the end of the year. Since our last report, we have continued to take "Underdog" birds such as English House Sparrows, European Starlings, Feral and Domestic Pigeons, Domestic Doves and Eurasian Collared Doves, Pin-tailed Whydahs, Nutmeg Mannikins, Japanese White Eyes, and many parrot species ranging from petite parakeets to majestic macaws. Many of these birds have required extensive veterinary care which has been quite expensive. We will be very grateful for your donation towards rebuilding our veterinary funds for 2019. Thank you in advance for your help!

BBG and Emerald, the Baby Zons: These two darling youngsters are baby Amazon parrots. They are nestmates who were rescued on July 4, 2018 after having been attacked by crows and a hawk. Both of their beaks suffered extensive damage from the attacks. BBG's upper beak was damaged to the point that a portion of it had to be removed. This is permanent. The beak won't regrow. These two babies have a wonderful caregiver who has gotten them to all of their veterinary appointments, hand fed them for several months until they became self feeding, and has taught them "manners" and how to talk "human". They are incredibly lucky and incredibly adorable baby zons!

Crispin, feral pigeon: Crispin was the victim of an accidental electrocution incident when the power line he and a number of other pigeons were sitting on basically exploded sending a massive electrical shock through their bodies. Most of the pigeons died immediately, but Crispin and three others survived long enough to be rescued and taken to rehabilitators in the area. Crispin and one of the survivors came to us. Of the four survivors, only Crispin remains alive. All his feathers were burned, his feet were burned, his beak was burned, and he smelled like a charcoal grill. Crispin's feathers and beak are starting to be replaced by new growth, and he is expected to make a full recovery with time.

Isabel and Baby Boy, Mitred Conures: Both of these young conures were found by members of the public and made their way to us for care. Isabel was found severely injured on the campus of Chapman University, and Baby Boy was found in Los Angeles County. Both began life as wild Mitred Conures, but due to their sigificant injuries can never be  released back to the wild. Their caregiver has invested countless hours in feeding and medicating these two and in socializing them so they can become beloved pets.

Fruitloop, Lady Gouldian Finch: Fruitloop (named for her "Fruitloopy" colors) came to us showing extrerme neurological symptoms. Her veterinary examination resulted in no conclusive answer as to what had happened to her or what the cause of her symptoms could be. Fruitloop has a wonderful, loving, attentive caregiver who sees to her every need and assures that Fruitloop doesn't get into a bad situation when having or recovering from one of her neuro episodes.

Phoenix, Cockatiel: Oh what a sad story Phoenix was. Yes, he is deceased. Phoenix was found by person A who passed him on to person B who passed him on to person C. Thankfully, person C realilzed that Phoenix was in dire condition and brought him to us. Phoenix was diagnosed with psittacosis by our avian veterinarian. In spite of the best efforts of our veteriarians and 11 days in the ICU at the veterinary hospital, Phoenix could not be saved.

Squirt, Parakeet: Squirt was found in an apartment complex and brought to us for care. Squirt had a large mass above one of his eyes which required surgical removal. Squirt came through the procedure with flying colors, healed up well, and is living the good life with the lovely lady who adopted him.