A great surprise this past Thursday! I received a call from Grant, who found a bird in trouble—some local cats were definitely “interested” in him, so I prepped for a new admission immediately.

When I finally saw the baby, I felt just like a child receiving the best present ever… it’s a baby Loerie (Purple-Crested Turaco!) I always hear them around us, but they are so elusive that you rarely actually see them.

After a full health check, I’m thrilled to report he is doing great! No injuries, just a little “feisty” personality that I’m already in love with. He has the most beautiful feathers and, if I do say so myself, the most beautiful face!

I’ve decided to name him Grant, after the kind soul who rescued him. The best part? Listening to the sounds he makes. I could sit all day and just listen. Every time he calls out, the loeries in my garden call right back to him. It’s absolutely magical!

Fun Loerie Facts:

Copper-Based Color: Their vibrant green and red pigments actually contain copper! If you stirred a red feather in water, the water would turn pink.

Fingered Chicks: When these chicks are ready to leave the nest, they have small claws on the edges of their wings to help them climb through the branches.

Predator Defense: They use those bright red wing feathers to confuse predators. Once they land and tuck their wings, the color “disappears,” helping them vanish into the canopy.

The Name: “Loerie” is thought to come from the Afrikaans word loer, meaning “to peer” or “to watch.”

So grateful to be part of this little guy’s journey. Welcome to the family, Grant!

#freespirit#animalrescue#SetThemFree#turaco#donations#birdrescue#birds#southafrica#Sodwana#wildlife#wildliferescue#wildliferehab#rehabber#HelpOurAnimals#wildliferehabber#nonprofit#NPO#donationsmakeadifference#workingtogether#conservationefforts