A bird’s feathers are one of its most defining features. Humans are often able to recognize different species of birds because of their plumage. To lose this key characteristic would be devastating.
One baby bird lost all of her feathers because of an illness. Just when the situation seemed the most bleak, a kind human sparked new hope in this sweet bird.
Rhea is a loving bird whose feathers will never grow back. She lost them when she was just a baby due to a viral infection. This little bird was heartbroken. Feathers play an essential role in a bird’s life, and without them Rhea would have to struggle to survive.
According to The Cornell Lab, “Each feather on a bird’s body is a finely tuned structure that serves an important role in the bird’s activities. Feathers help birds fly, but they also help them show off, blend in, stay warm, and keep dry.”
To make matters worse, Rhea was completely alienated from the other birds. As animals who obey the rules of survival of the fittest, her friends and family could not risk catching Rhea’s illness.
It is likely that the bird suffered from an illness known as the PBFD virus. The Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital explains that “PBFD-infected birds are more likely to show other signs of illness because the PBFD virus weakens the bird’s ability to fight infections. The disease also has a general immunosuppressive effect on the bird, clearing the path for secondary viral and bacterial infections which are usually the cause of death, not the PBFD virus itself.”
The hospital continues to share that because of this illness, birds like Rhea will never be able to rejoin their fellow birds. “Unfortunately, once infected [a] bird will shed the virus in its feathers and its feces for the rest of its life, and will pose a threat to uninfected birds.”
If she stayed in the wild, Rhea likely wouldn’t have survived. Fortunately, that was not the case. One woman rescued Rhea and provided her with a home. This kind soul nurtured the bird to health and kept her company every day. Rhea couldn’t have been happier to be with her new mom.
The little bird is now feeling better than ever. She sings constantly, and she loves resting on her mom’s shoulder. Her hobbies also include crawling into small spaces and meeting new people.
Rhea even has her own YouTube shows. Fans from all over the world knit sweaters and scarves for Rhea and send them to her. This little bird has a lot of love.
Rhea might be featherless forever, but she has the best home a bird could ask for. This little bird is so grateful for her compassionate mom.
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