Size of a Cotton Ball, Mighty in Spirit

Peg Phoenix White, Photo by Lynda Wallis

Peg Phoenix White, a large name for a tiny .42 oz white zebra finch.

All three toes of Peg’s left foot fall off. Her dew claw fell off too. The wound has healed beautifully. Peg now sports a smooth, round stump at the end of her slender orange leg. The green leg band slides smoothly up and down her slim leg above her stump, like a bangle bracelet. Peg has re-learned how to hold onto branches and the edge of her nest with her one remaining foot. She uses her healed stump for support and balance.

Peg surrounded by some of her cage mates.

Peg has not one but two partners. Both of Peg’s handsome

orange-cheeked boyfriends sweetly cared for her immediately after she was injured and through all stages of healing. They both took turns bringing food and feeding her. The boys would clear a path for Peg to the peeper salad each day immediately after I refreshed it, insuring she had first peck at the fresh greens. Peg loves the alfalfa sprouts, spinach and romaine lettuce more than any other bird in the colony. They’re a devoted family of three. The three of them took turns watching over a tiny clutch of eggs, ferociously defending their small space from fly-bys and the raucous behavior of all their other cage…