The Story of Tu-ki

By Marlena Juniman

The story of Tu-ki is to me, mystical, and full of love. Tu-ki is a Green Cheek conure I found dying in a local pet chain store almost 4 years ago. She had been shipped there with her lower mandible missing. When I asked what had happened I was told "she came in that way and was doing just fine".

I later found out a Macaw had attacked her, tore off her beak when they were placed in the same shipping crate for delivery to the pet shop. She was 'patched up' and put back into the box and shipped along with the other birds. I can only imagine what this little tiny bird must have been feeling by this time. What an awful way to begin a new life.

I'm not a bird expert, in fact I have little experience with birds having had only one, very dear, little yellow budgie found in the woods behind our home. I had no thoughts of buying a bird from this store when I walked in there. Even I knew that a companion bird should be purchased from a breeder or at least a reputable bird store. I was just there for toys for my budgie, but I'm a sucker for a pretty feather and wandered into the bird room just to look. Something about this green cheek just kept me coming back day after day. I must have visited her 10 times in a two-week period. I knew that if I were to take her home it would mean a lot of special food preparation, cooking, food processing, also vet bills and no sure way of knowing if she would even survive a natural lifetime.

I did a lot of praying, talking to people, Internet searching on care of special needs birds and nearly drove my husband crazy with indecision. So I did what I often do when I have big doubts and insurmountable decisions, I asked my Dad. This is what is so hard to believe about Tu-ki's story. My dad has been "on the other side" or as most people say "deceased" for over 25 years. He has always come to me in dreams and visions and has helped me with so many of my problems throughout my life. I had to ask for his help again, this time about a bird. I just said "Dad, I need help, send me a sign as to what to do." The day after this "prayer " I again went to the pet store. the attendant was putting up a sign on the conures cage that read "Green Cheek Conure 1/2 price $250.00 5/5/99."(I think the 1/2 price was supposed to lure me in)

I asked her what the "5/5/99 " was, as this was April of 2000. She stated that 5/5/99 was the birth or hatch date of this bird. I knew then and there that this bird would come home with me. My Dad's birthday was May 5th. -" 5/5 " was surely the 'sign ' I asked for.

I contacted the CEO of the pet chain and told him about the condition of this baby. I insisted he have an avian vet check her and also told him I would take her regardless of the diagnosis. The chain had a bad reputation in our area and had some negative publicity about a puppy that died in one of their dog dryers when someone forgot to 'set the timer'. I mentioned that if he did not get me the info I wanted and give me the bird, my next call would be to the newspapers or TV media. He complied.

Her tests came back a week later and as suspected she had enough bacterial and fungus infections to make her one sick little birdie . I took her home anyway (quarantined) and made an appointment with our family avian vet. It was going to be a challenge getting her well. I searched the web for holistic treatment to go along with allopathic medications from the vet. I also had to get her to give up soaking her seed in her water dish so that she could eat.

Her first feeding brought tears to my eyes. I held her in my hand and gave her some crumbled, warm birdie bread made just before her homecoming. It was made with organic corn meal base , yams, broccoli , fruits , nuts, Harrison’s Mash, eggs, applesauce, baby food, everything I could get into it that would be nourishing. The look on her face was amazing. She actually started to purr. It's a sound she makes even today when she's totally, blissfully happy. In one year our vet check up gave her a totally clean bill of health and as an extra bonus we have an amazing talker on our hands. Tu-ki has a vocabulary of over 80 words and puts together the most hilarious sentences.

Tu-ki now has a 2 year old 'sister' Ziza, a Half Moon Conure. They get along very well. Ziza, must understand that Tu-ki has a 'special need' as she helps her preen all the 'hard to get to' areas. She also cleans under Tuk's upper mandible very gently , as if she knows that is needed.

Special needs, perhaps. Special bird, definitely. Thanks DAD!!!