Ms. Bird nursed back to health by Wildlife Center

Wildlife Center worker takes ailing
Ms. Bird in for examination.

Ms. Bird got another visit to the South Florida Wildlife Center this month.

The South Florida Wildlife Center is a partner of the Humane Society of the United States. The people there really care. The operation is impressive. An "ambulance" responded when we called Aug. 15 to report that Ms. Bird seemed in distress.

She wasn't eating, neighbors reported, and she had spent the night before on a low perch instead of high in a tree as usual. In the morning she stayed on that perch, appearing to be asleep sometimes.

Neighbors agreed that it was time to call for help. I made the call and a worker came right over and collected her.

The diagnosis, apparently after X-rays at the Center, was that she had a collapsed egg inside her. (We knew she had built a nest but hadn't laid any eggs.)

We read on the Internet that having an egg stuck is a life-threatening condition.

After it was removed and a course of drugs was administered Ms. Bird was released to us to be returned to her home neighborhood. We brought her back in a borrowed cage.

We're glad to have Ms. Bird back and grateful to the South Florida Wildlife Center for helping her back to health.

Back in her old neighborhood Aug. 25, 2015.

Ms. Bird lavishes her presence upon us

The beautiful Ms. Bird remains a frequent visitor to our yard but travels afar and apparently sleeps around, so to speak. She spent a night last week in our oak tree, something she hasn't done in many months.

Typically we hear her crowing in the morning, half a block away, and wonder where she slept. But then she will show up at our back door and, if we're lucky, spend much of the day resting (and even napping) on our deck.

Laurie, our animal friendly neighbor, has fed a family of Muscovy ducks on her lawn since they were chicks, and Ms. Bird quite often joins them for meals. Apparently, she doesn't consider herself too good for the despised Muscovies. Well, after all, they can swim and even fly a distance if they want.

What Ms. Bird would really like is another peacock to pal around with, and we are sure that is the reason for her occasional loud crowing. If she gets an answer, she might well rush off to find a friend.

Unless and until that happens, she will have to put up with ducks and people as company. We're glad to be among those people.

Ms. Bird stays in the neighborhood

The beautiful Ms. Bird continues to grace us with her presence despite the loss of her beloved Mr. Bird.

Sometimes we hear her honking determinedly, probably trying to "raise" another peacock. She enjoys viewing her reflection in shiny cars or windows.

Otherwise, she seems happy and content. She remains very curious and, yesterday, did not flee as I used a noisy electric trimmer on the bushes. She hung out nearby, as if anxious to see what I was doing. Brave bird.

Our anxiety level continues, of course. We fear she will move along one day; or, perhaps we hope she will find another mate to follow. If she is not seen for a day or two we begin to dread that she has gone. So far, our luck holds.