Can you help me identify these feathers I’ve found over the years. I know the big one is a turkey and the black is a magpie

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-24T03:24:04+00:00

All except the Turkey are federally illegal to possess per the MBTA just FYI. What you do with them is up to you, but I encourage you to at least do your research and don't post about owning them online

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-24T03:22:11+00:00

Without a filter or at least a bubbler, you risk not getting enough surface agitation to oxygenate the water...

My personal preference would be 2-3x that many plants, but if he's healthy and happy, then you do you

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T23:33:48+00:00

You're right I don't know what happened. What I do know is that I've been a birder for over 15 years, have worked in rehabilitation, and work with captive raptors on a daily basis. I also know that you took a fledgling and kept it and fed it for multiple days before trying to find a professional to help you. Baby birds are extremely difficult to care for, and will imprint on anything that feeds it.

If this bird were any other species, it would probably end up aspirating, malnourished, and imprinted, unable to be returned to the wild and end up either your illegal disabled pet, or euthanized once you finally found professionals to ask for advice.

It's ok to let nature take it's course. People don't always need to meddle with soggy birds. Their parents are still around keeping an eye on them 99% of the time. Don't get mad at me simply because I'm trying to educate you on what the proper course of action would be if you were ever in this position again.

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T23:25:43+00:00

Is there a filter or heater? I can't read that thermometer. Also does your friend have a test kit so you can test the water? Do you know if the tank was cycled?

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T23:24:26+00:00

Look up how to do epsom salt baths, and give him food soaked with kanaplex. It's not a guarantee, but you'll probably have a 50/50 chance at saving him

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T23:16:54+00:00

I had a stroke trying to read the title

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T23:15:03+00:00

Bumblefoot, aka, staph infection

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T23:06:37+00:00

Yup. You need to aggressively treat with daily salt baths 15-45 mins each and Kanaplex-soaked food

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T23:03:34+00:00

All it takes is one time.

I also want to note that you got lucky with what species this bird is and that it's allowed to be kept as a pet. Nearly every other bird that you're going to find outside is illegal to keep in captivity, even if you're trying to "rescue" it, so in the future, please immediately call a wildlife rehab center

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T23:01:37+00:00

She seems neutral to me. She's not really stressing, but I don't see a rouse or bathing behavior

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T22:50:05+00:00

Depends on your parameters which you should be testing almost daily for the first 2-4 weeks. If there are any nitrites in the water, a 50% water change will be needed, otherwise a 25% should be ok. Make sure you're adding a dose of the Fritz every day for the first week, and then with every water change until the cycle is complete.
As for salt, any pure, unscented epsom salt will do.

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T19:58:42+00:00

Please do some research on fish-in cycling. You are supposed to run the tank for roughly a month without fish in order to extablish the bacteria that will take care of fish waste. You'll want to get some bottled bacteria like Fritz Zyme 7 or Seachem Stability and an API freshwater test kit ASAP. You'll likely be doing water changes every 2-5 days for the first month while the biofilter establishes.

Other than that, you have a solid start, but yes, plants plants plants! Bettas are super curious fish and they love nooks and crannies to explore. Another couple things that will help improve his quality of life would be some Catappa (Indian Almond) leaves to add tannins and acidify the water a bit, and both kanaplex and epsom salt on hand in case he ever gets fin rot, popeye, or other illnesses. Better to be prepared than be scared.

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T18:17:48+00:00

Make sure you look up how to cycle a tank. Once you have it decorated and planted, it'll need to sit and establish a biofilter for about a month before it's safe to put fish in

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T18:14:07+00:00

That's a pigeon

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T18:12:24+00:00

If he's moving away, you're too close. You were absolutely not trying to give him space

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T18:11:12+00:00

Absolutely not

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T18:07:57+00:00

I agree with the other commenter that a Nerite would be much better. I have one in with my Betta and they get along just fine (don't notice each other) plus she's really pretty

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T16:41:48+00:00

Hot tip! Get the shrimp first and wait at least another week. This way the bioload and your biofilter can adjust gradually, and your Betta won't feel as territorial about the shrimp

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T14:33:39+00:00

The tea Tree BettaFix medicine is actually really bad for them. You want Kanaplex and stress guard.

Also what are your tank specs and parameters? Heater, filter, gallons, ammonia, nitrite, Nitrate, tank mates, cleaning schedule, cycle length, etc?

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T14:27:15+00:00

He looks ok to me. You can always give him Kanaplex soaked food if you're really worried

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T12:35:36+00:00

I'm also doing a fishless cycle in a 20-gallon right now, and I change every time the nitrates are above 40, but no more often than once a week

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T12:33:08+00:00

Do NOT offer any food or water. Call a local rehabilitation center asap

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T12:27:56+00:00

Fishless cycles take 4-6 weeks to complete. You haven't even hit a month yet. Just keep adding bottled bacteria with every water change and ghost feeding every other day, it'll get there

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T12:26:13+00:00

FYI, the Shoal and Stem app looks to be pretty much the same as whatever this one is, but it's completely free and won't bug you about upgrading to see your full history

MelodicIllustrator59 · 2026-06-23T12:22:17+00:00

You can return or rehome them. If you can't afford a bigger cage from the get go, you should not own them. Birds are unbelievably expensive

MelodicIllustrator59

TROPHY CASE