Other pets (pics and discussions)

[guidofatherof5]

*Update*

The little Robin is still alive. Crying, eating and pooping all the time.
My Vet. called another Vet. and he advised the air trapped under the skin could be vented to give the bird some comfort.
I have done that a number of times and the little bird looks a lot more normal and I hope more comfortable.

[ConcinusMan]

Good news Steve. With each passing day, his chances of survival get better. I think he'l make it. Pin feathers should be breaking open soon if they haven't already begun to.

[Light of Dae]

This is a baby Emerald Swift I got for free, Lady thought it was sick n wouldn't make it in her care plus she was moving blah blah blah. I picked him up, he was cold, played dead. But I had done my homework(caresheets before agreeing to pick up this little guy) On the hour n a half long drive I held the little kritter keeper with him in the warm sun... It only took about half hour for him to move! He then moved all around n loved the sun.

Anyways I get him home n note that there is some shed on his face, so I start picking at him lol and I got a few good chunks off, at least the ones around his eyes. He seems just fine to me. First picture is with some of the shed still stuck. it came off easy enough. He changes colors! From amazing bright green to girly pink to red brown tp yellow. He's also got gold flecks all through his sides.
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[katach]

That is great Steve! I'm pulling for the little fella.

[ConcinusMan]

Looks like a fence lizard to me. I have a great deal of experience with spiny lizards. They're not exactly easy to care for. Lay off the mealworms, they're too fatty and cause impaction. Gut loaded crickets are best, or other soft insects. Basking spot should be around 95 F. ambient temp 70-80 so a big tank is needed. They absolutely have to have plenty of UV exposure and bright full spectrum lighting too or they just get depressed and deteriorate. If they are doing well, they will be very alert, bright eyed, and active, and will eat every day. If they seem lazy or depressed, that isn't good.

I would suggest a dry, loose, sandy substrate about 2 inches deep. They bury themselves in it at night. They tend to not recognize standing water. Instead, drip water in a shallow dish or on a rock daily and they will lap it up but try to keep the tank dry.

It appears that you have a rather young one there. Appears to be in pretty good shape. Probably just wasn't warm enough and/or didn't have proper lighting. Should perk up if you correct that.

[aquamentus_11]

great news all around. glad to hear the little robin's on the mend and that lizard is a nice pick up. did she catch it or does she breed them? the only lizards we had in michigan were skinks and i've never seen one in the wild, so i'm not much of an expert. now if you had a salamander or frog...

[guidofatherof5]

*Species Update*

When this little bird was found it had very few feathers and was basically under a robins nest. Hence, I figured it was a Robin.
As this bird feathers up and the fact a second, slightly older version of the bird has come into the house. I must admit the smaller bird is a
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) Common Grackle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I personally don't have good feelings towards Grackle as they raid the nest of other birds but they will be cared for here on the Ranch.
I wish one of them was a Robin but it is what it is.

[ConcinusMan]

well that's odd. it sure looked like a robin to me!

[guidofatherof5]

Its chest still needs to feather out but the head is too small and the lips are not wide enough.

[ConcinusMan]

i guess i should have noticed a bird with lips.