Technician Tales: Winged Pranksters
I spent most of my adult life working with dogs. I first learned the ins and outs of their minds at a training facility where many of the dogs were on their last chance and few were the happy-go-lucky, tail wagging variety. I wasn’t phased at the charging, growling, or attempted injury via ivory teeth. I loved it; there is a system behind it and likewise, a system to fix it. Nothing could ever feel better than earning the trust and respect of a dog that never had a friend.
Recently, I began working as an aviary technician. I knew from limited experience that birds had personality and spunk, but never would I expect them to be so mischievous. Set a dog before me—any breed, gender, or age—I could probably tell you what it’s thinking. Set a bird before me…all I could tell you is that it IS thinking. Perhaps even plotting its next prank.
When I clean an aviary and a bird happens to escape, my heart begins a frantic pulsation. I claw at the air until it’s in my trembling, clasped hands. One time I caught an escapee, and as I was returning it to a cage, it escaped again! Only to land on the ground in front of me, as though to say, “just kidding”. The other birds began twittering in what I imagine was laughter when I returned their friend to them. Such merciless humor! My knees were about ready to buckle. If a dog did not want to run around freely, it would generally stay in its kennel, content to NOT give me the fright of my life.
Another such escapade involved the interruption of my morning routine. Getting up early to beat traffic is a large part of this job. The only thing that makes it possible for me, is filling up a travel mug with steaming coffee. One morning, I took a swig of the caffeinated beverage and immediately noticed a gritty texture mixed in. I looked to my right and the reason was instantly revealed. The birds, their cage nestled nicely on my passenger seat, had somehow kicked a large amount of their seed into my coffee. Perhaps they were being kind and sharing, or maybe they wanted a good laugh—they sure got it. In my groggy stupor, I had no other idea but to pull off the freeway, spitting the coffee out in a bush.
Intelligent mischief, obscure antics, unique songs; residents and nurses alike tell me that they spend hours in front of these aviaries just watching the birds. I do too. Such creative little creatures might not sit when you tell them to, but they’ll let you watch the great construction of their nests, from bare wooden ovals to warm, baby filled homes. They don’t enjoy being petted or having their ears ruffled, but when talked to, they listen with a cocked head and twitter back conversationally. Who could be better neighbors!
