I named my bird Zsa Zsa Gabirdie after the famous actress from the 1930’s, Zsa Zsa Gabor. She is a beautiful, sweet, smart, amazing Eurasian collared dove. However, I recently found out that she is a HE!

On 9/20/2020 I was outside on my back patio relaxing, my backyard neighbors were playing their jazz music quite loudly so my two cats that would normally be spending time with me outside were nowhere to be found, thank goodness for the birds’ sake & thank goodness I was there for what was to happen next! As I continued to enjoy the splendor of my day, I suddenly noticed a bluejay flying above. It dropped what looked like a brown, yellowish leaf on my lawn. As I kept looking at the leaf, it seemed to be moving slightly but there was no breeze in the air. As I moved closer to see what I thought was a leaf, I suddenly couldn’t believe my eyes & wished I hadn’t left my glasses inside! Surprisingly & most shocking I realized it was no leaf but instead a tiny newborn baby bird! What were the chances? It was crazy! I panicked! I had no idea what to do! One of his wings looked damaged. I called the wildlife rescue in my area hoping they could care for him but to my dismay they informed me they don’t take any type of song birds including doves. I was heartbroken & had absolutely no idea how to care for a baby bird.

Baby Zsa Zsa at rescue

In my desperation I turned to the internet, I looked on YouTube & found some great videos of what & how to feed him (different baby birds eat different ways, who knew!). I also put him in a box with a towel & placed him on top of my dryer to keep warm. I kept looking for help & found your website & was grateful for Palomacy’s existence & for all the information, advice & help!

Eventually, over time he grew bigger & stronger, we stopped giving him baby bird formula (which he was always VERY excited to eat!) & started giving him bird seeds, fresh veggies, fruit & vitamins. His wing that looked damaged is fine & healed on its own, he has a great aviarian vet & pretty much has free reign of the house. He has grown into such a handsome, strong birdie!

He certainly has a BIG personality! He lets you know what he wants, he pecks on my bedroom door when he wants in, he makes pterodactyl sounds (one time my manager heard him on the phone as Zsa Zsa flew by screeching his pterodactyl sounds (he gets jealous when I’m on the phone), my manager thought I had an elephant in the house! Haha). When Zsa Zsa isn’t happy about something he sure lets you know, he is very vocal about it! He also makes these cute “Woo hoos” sounds at me & especially my feet, my FEET & others are his most favorites! He loves to take showers, he jumps on the shower head & raises his wing letting me know he’s ready for his shower too! He LOVES to play with my glasses! Little stinker! Not good, I needed to find a way for him to stop playing & dropping my glasses, so off to the dollar store we went to buy several pairs of reader glasses! Woo hoo! Worked great! Thanks mom for the tip! He loves them & leaves mine alone! He also has a lot of bird toys too but my glasses seem to be his favorites! We go on different adventure walks & on short car rides (he is safely secured & buckled in) he loves the walks & all of the different sights & sounds of the outdoors & he enjoys visiting with my parents & other members of the family.

Zsa Zsa on one of our walks (Amazon pet bubble backpack). Awesome backpack!

Everything he does is so cute, funny, smart, interesting & totally amazing! He is priceless! I never knew a bird can bring such happiness & change your life in a most incredible, spectacular way. He is the coolest bird I know! He loves to fly on my shoulder & take naps while I work on my laptop. I am certainly blessed to have his amazing, special being in my life! My family & I love & adore him with all our hearts! One of the most cutest things EVER that he does is to snuggle up under your chin & have you pet him, when you stop petting him because your hand is seriously cramping! He will peck your hand continuously until he gets more petting! Such an impressive character! He is a joy to have around.

Our hearts are full & like the beautiful wings of a Dove our love shall soar higher & higher & sweet Zsa Zsa will be in our hearts forever more.