Heckle and Jeckle-Talking Starlings that live with Humans!
Heckle and Jeckle came to live with me in April of 2008. They were baby starlings in a nest under the eaves of our house. Their parents, or some other birds, created a hole in the wood through which they managed to enter and build their nests. We had no idea they were in there until one day, my husband Paul was pressure washing the house and out came flying baby birds.
There were 3 but we only managed to catch 2. The 3rd one disappeared under some bushes and probably died or was killed by a cat. I took the baby birds inside and put them in a shoebox.
There were 3 but we only managed to catch 2. The 3rd one disappeared under some bushes and probably died or was killed by a cat. I took the baby birds inside and put them in a shoebox.
They were adorable and I was terrified! What should I do? My first thought was that I would have to start digging up worms for them. I knew they would die if I couldn't feed them.
So I thought of the internet. Surely there must be some information on the web! Sure enough, I found a website called Starling talk. http://www.starlingtalk.net
Their advice was to feed the birds something called the Starling diet which consists of good quality dog food containing chicken or meat with high protein and low fat. Hardboiled egg and applesauce with some chicken laying mash mixed in. I also gave the birds live crickets every day which they went crazy for!
Their advice was to feed the birds something called the Starling diet which consists of good quality dog food containing chicken or meat with high protein and low fat. Hardboiled egg and applesauce with some chicken laying mash mixed in. I also gave the birds live crickets every day which they went crazy for!
I also found out that earthworms can carry parasites which can make birds very sick. So I'm thankful that I never gave them any. They thrived on the dog food diet and begged for the crickets.
In a few weeks, my starlings were growing, playing and getting strong. My husband named them Heckle and Jeckle.
The birds grew and began to molt after a couple of months. Heckle was always the bigger one and she is the most assertive. At around 5 months old, she began garbled vocalizations. I encouraged them both to talk and I sang to them often, especially during feeding times.
In the following pictures, you can see how their changes in appearance as they molted and they began to develop "stars" on their chests. Heckle was and still is very affectionate. She began to fly to me at an early age and still loves to sit on my shoulder. Jeckle has always been a bit shy and not so friendly.
In the following pictures, you can see how their changes in appearance as they molted and they began to develop "stars" on their chests. Heckle was and still is very affectionate. She began to fly to me at an early age and still loves to sit on my shoulder. Jeckle has always been a bit shy and not so friendly.
Beginning of molt.
Can you see the first star on Heckle's chest?
Jeckle
Be sure to check out the video section. You've got to hear my babies talk. It is amazing!
I'll be adding more to this site as time allows. If you have a starling or other pet bird site and want to trade links with me, please use the contact form below. Thanks! While you're here, check out Swagbucks by clicking the banner below. It is great and completely legitimate. You earn swagbucks in various ways but mostly by just using the swagbuck search engine. They add up fast and you can trade them for lots of neat prizes, including Amazon gift cards.
I'll be adding more to this site as time allows. If you have a starling or other pet bird site and want to trade links with me, please use the contact form below. Thanks! While you're here, check out Swagbucks by clicking the banner below. It is great and completely legitimate. You earn swagbucks in various ways but mostly by just using the swagbuck search engine. They add up fast and you can trade them for lots of neat prizes, including Amazon gift cards.
