It started with an Adventure on Saturday: I was adding a new F.A.D. to the Magic Purveyor of Tasty Seeds when Goober flew out of the Finsterium. Now, I open the big door of the Finster cage every day, and it's been at least a year since any of the birds flew out. But I guess Goober got flummoxed enough this time to fly out of the cage, and land in Bob (the ficus tree). Leaving the door wide open, I walked over to Bob and tried to encourage her to fly back home. But she flew off toward the kitchen, bonked into the wall, and landed on top of the radiator. At that point, Bruce showed off his bird catching skills, scooped her up, and put her back home.

She wasn't quite right, though. Probably a bit shocked from the adventure, she looked sluggish for most of the day, and I spotted what looked like blood on her vent area. She's had some intermittent poop problems, even after the dose of antibiotics last August, but nothing bad enough to send her to the hospital — until Saturday.

So, back on antibiotics, bored and lonely in the hospital cage, but hopefully she'll be okay.

The photo, by the way, is from a sunny day last summer, when Goober was about to take a bath. You can click here for a close up.

Once again, Frank was on top of a nest box with another bird — this time, just Tea. They were getting along very well, just like they do when they sit on the white concrete perch together. But then Bosco joined them, and that was not a good thing. Frank started beaking off with Bosco, first Tea left the box, and then Bosco.

I was hoping that Frank would learn to cosy up to the Societies more, now that Sally is gone. But if he only wants to be near Tea he's out of luck, since I'm guessing Tea will always choose his Society mates over Frank. No matter how well the guys get along.

When Peanut is closed up in his house and he wants to get my attention — well, face it, when he wants to get out — he'll climb around on the ceiling of the cage, and call out. Loudly. I guess this is the biggest, most noticeable thing he can think of to do. And, it kinda works, since I think it's pretty funny, and usually pay him a bit of attention, even if I don't actually let him out of the cage. It isn't a great photo, but you can click here for a bigger version if you want.

As I said, usually he hangs from the ceiling and yells, but today, when I didn't respond right away, he gave me the silent treatment. He just hung there, upside down, for at least ten minutes. Staring. You know how he tries to Mind Control the people around him. It didn't work though. I didn't take him out of his house until after I ordered three hundred dollars worth of tasty seeds.

Interesting article about an Oxford University study of homing pigeons. Although the birds use their inbuilt magnetic and solar "compasses" when charting unfamiliar territory, they follow roads when they're familiar with the area. The researchers spent ten years, used tiny tracking devices, and GPS technology that pinpointed the pigeons' routes down to between one and four yards. Many were found to follow highways, turn at junctions and take roundabouts, sometimes adding miles to their journeys. A few newspapers picked up the Reuters story, but here's one: "The A-Z of Homing Pigeons," Stuart Coles, PA News at The Scotsman, 2/5/04.

Saturday is Michigan's democratic presidential caucus, so I've been getting quite a few phone calls, some from volunteers for the candidates, and a couple of recorded candidates.

Howard Dean just called, and since Peanut is already in my hand for Warm Toasties, I let him listen in on the call. Peanut loves Howard Dean! Something about Dean's voice just got him squeaking and chortling like crazy. Very funny.