By JESSE GRAHAM
HEALESVILLE Sanctuary staff are calling for people to be wary of their rubbish, after a bowerbird was found choking on a milk bottle ring at the sanctuary.
A sanctuary spokesperson said the wild bird was found wandering the grounds on Friday 11 July around 9.30am, with a blue milk bottle ring wedged tightly around its neck.
The ring was also caught in the bird’s beak, and wildlife vets at the sanctuary were able to carefully cut the ring off and release the bird back into the wild.
The spokesperson said that male bowerbirds collect blue items, such as the milk bottle rings, to decorate their nest to impress females.
“The bower is a courtship arena decorated with bright blue coloured objects; in urban areas, blue clothes pegs, drinking straws and bottle tops are among the favourite stolen items,” they said.
They said the bird was a juvenile, but already trying to impress with blue objects, and that his situation was a cautionary tale for residents in the area.
“Sadly, this is just one of over 1500 animals that are brought to the Australian Wildlife Health Centre each year,” they said.
“Please, always cut the rings off milk bottles, juice bottles, peanut butter and Vegemite jars before putting them in the rubbish, so it no longer poses a threat to wildlife.”
Residents can contact the Healesville Sanctuary on 5957 2829 from 10am-noon and 1pm-3pm for inquiries on injured wildlife, or call the Help for Wildlife number after hours on 0417 380 687.
