Aviary Technician Tales: Bird vs. Balloon
On one particular day, I had just begun the process of cleaning an aviary when a shaft-tail finch escaped from me (the sly guy slipped out the door as I opened it to go in). I distinctly remember my first thought being: No, no! Not today!
But despite my mental groaning, the answer was clearly: Yes! Today!
I leapt into action, grabbing my net, and racing after the fugitive–no more than a cinnamon blur. On this day, as luck would have it, I happened to be working in a facility with a high ceiling. After the fiendish bird had taken me through my paces, he discovered that he could lounge on a chandelier a few dozen feet above head. Honestly just grateful for a rest, I craned my neck back, staring up at him as I considered my options. The two-rung step ladder I had in my kit wouldn’t lift me nearly enough; I couldn’t throw anything to scare him for fear of breaking the chandelier (plus, it would just be slightly unprofessional); a broom handle wouldn’t be lengthy enough to swat at him…perhaps using the broom handle while standing on the ladder? Hm.
My internal strategizing was interrupted by a light tapping on my shoulder. I turned to one of the facility’s residents, a smartly dressed woman with pearly, painted nails. She pointed to a corner of the wall and I looked over (as did the rest of the growing crowd) to see a cluster of what I assume were birthday balloons on a richly glazed oak table. “Maybe if you released one of those it would scare the bird down.”
I have to admit, I was skeptical, but it was more appealing than standing tipi-toed on a ladder waving a broom around. So, I tried it. Painstakingly, I lined myself up directly under the bird—he was watching me with a taunting look in his eye. Having my net ready in one hand, I let go of the balloon with the other, hoping it would float straight up. With a little twirl of flair, it rose true, lightly bumping the chandelier just beneath where the bird was perched.
Giddy from my adrenaline-fueled heartbeat, I kept my eyes glued to the shaft-tail as he took to the air in surprise and swooped down closer to me. As soon as he was within reach, I swung my net faster than a cat pouncing on a moth; just like that, the fugitive was recaptured!
A delighted cheer filled the room and I grinned feeling both relieved and sheepish. Maybe aviary technicians don’t have much dignity (at least not when facing off against a shaft-tail) but we can provide a lot of entertainment.
