Bird 55

Will post a picture soon!

Bird 55
Gender: Unknown
Birth Date: May 13 or May 14, 2007
Preferred Partner: Unknown

Bird 55 has a special number. He is the first bird that I have recycled a number for (knowingly!). I met Bird 55 Senior when I was first introduced to the lab. He helped out with a thesis comparing the learning efficiency of mass trials vs. distributed trials. He was a very gentle bird, much as Bird 37 is. He and Bird 53 liked to hang around with each other. Bird 55 Sr. passed away during the winter between 2006 and 2007. Here is the only picture I have of him:
Wish he hadn't just pooped! Anyway, before the new birds were introduced into our lab, Bird 55 Sr. was one of our biggest. He was usually 100 grams or so heavier than many of the rest of the birds. But his most obvious quality was his calmness. He didn't back away from my hands and didn't shake when I picked him up. I think this is a testament to the students who have worked with him in the past and I hope your bird will be just as comfortable with you.

This quality is why I passed on his number. When Bird 55 Jr. was about a week old, his parents began leaving the nest more and more, and I began handling him and his sibling (Bird 65) to get them used to it. Bird 55 Jr. was so relaxed in my hands. He cuddled into my palm and let me carry him all over the place. Usually the young birds are very nervous and try to back up (I guess they don't realize that there is just as big of a fall from the other side of my hand!) Now that he is grown up, and hasn't been handled regularly for the past two months, he is a little more nervous around people. But treat him gently, and I think you will see that calm disposition come back out.