#birdler

Okay, so a couple of weeks ago, I saw a Corella in my front yard. There were a handful, actually, but what made this one notable was the large grey skin-coloured lump that was hanging between its legs. It didn’t look comfortable.

See below a photo of a healthy Little Corella. They are usually a dirty white colour, and their feathers can get quite filthy (especially juveniles).

When you’re out and about, you’ll usually see them flocking in public spaces in great mobs of upwards of 50 birds. We most often only get half a dozen or so at a time in our yard.

A little bit of internet research later, I had discovered a medical condition called a ‘prolapsed cloaca,’ which means the bird’s cloaca - think combined anus and egg chute - has basically fallen out of itself and is hanging out the back.

Now this doesn’t seem right - the strange lump on this bird is rounded and seems to hold its shape when dragged against branches or the ground. But it’s all I can find.

My proposed explanation? Somehow, the bird’s prolapsed cloaca was… egg-bound. This is a real bird’s medical condition in which the egg gets stuck inside the bird. As far as I’m aware the treatment is to crush the egg inside the bird so it can shit it out.

No clue how an egg-bound cloaca could remain so whilst hanging off of the poor creature.

My dad - the maths teacher with a bachelor’s in biology and a bird obsession - got me to how the bird was moving (well enough) if it could still fly (yes) and if it seemed to be in overt discomfort (it… didn’t? much?? it’s call seemed slightly plaintive?)

As it seemed fine-ish and wasn’t ill enough to be easily caught and taken to wildlife rescue and/or a vet, we let it be. Nature would take it’s course.

Now, fast-forward a week or two.

If it was egg-bound, it would be clear by now. The prolapsed cloaca would be getting infected. The bird has once again turned up in our garden.

The growth is still there, hanging between its legs like some sort of rounded stone and swathed in feathers where it meets the body.

Not a prolapsed cloaca then.

The bird seems a bit bolder today, so I get a good look at it, as does my Dad (actually present this time). Turns out, the lump is positioned just above the cloaca, and is not on the cloaca itself. Above and slightly to the right

On observation, thé lump doesn’t affect the passing of waste in any way. The feathers around the cloaca are clean and in good condition.

That does leave the question of what the lump is, however.

We have at this point decided the lumpy growth is a tumour of some degree, or possibly a hernea, my Dad reckons.

The bird in question seems to be slightly bullied by the other corellas for the weird growth thing, (and slightly lower in the pecking order for it) but seems otherwise perfectly healthy. It seems to have a more than decent quality of life.

I managed to get a video this time, so you could see what was wrong with the little thing in more than blurry photos. Below:

(Apologies for the way it’s head keeps getting cropped off, I was more focused on the miscellaneous lump)

(The bird trailing behind it seems to be its partner, and they appear to have stuck with each other since the last time it turned up)

Maybe it’s malignant and this bird will die in the next while or so, and nature will take it’s course. Maybe not.

Maybe this corella with the uncomfortable growth will continue to thrive in its birdie life. Maybe.

Maybe it will claw its way back up the pecking order, and be first at the fresh seed we put out every little while. Maybe it’s partner will be there too.

Maybe it will grow to be known as the Corella with the Ballsack, and become renowned as a bird of Meme legend.

but I don't care

call help but don't

"...will you still be here when the sun comes up?"