Hello everyone, I'm sorry I haven't been active for a while, I've been extremely busy with work.
Earlier this afternoon I made a heartbreaking discovery. When I got home at around 3:50pm, I went to check on my outdoor birds as usual. Nothing in the world could have prepared me for what I found in the gouldian aviary.
My poor birds had been attacked, all 4 finches and 2 quails dead. I will not describe the gruesome scene, however, there is no doubt that something had fed on them.
I was and still am extremely distraught, and I immediately my roommate.
He came home from work early and helped me to deal the trauma.
It is still unclear what exactly was responsible but we do suspect rats. There are a few aspects of the ordeal that do not really point to rats buy in any case, we were hoping that, taking into consideration the following findings/ aspects, you could either confirm this theory or come up with a new one. *please note I have left out most details of the bird's condition, unless they are necessary as they may be too upsetting for some-if you do wish to know, and if everyone complies I will explain*
Birds not yet stiff
One finch appeared fine but was still deceased
This bird still warm at 4:40pm
Bones were consumed
Guinea pigs were not affected and seemed unphased(they have free range of the yard)
Cat was outside entire day
Happened between 1:55pm- 3:30pm
Roommate did not hear anything before leaving for work at 1:55
Would have had to have been fast to catch finches
Only main aviary was affected (this aviary is a double door aviary, and three quails are housed in the first compartment, these were fine)
Most likely would have needed to be able to climb
Quail Eggs were not eaten
Little disturbance in branches and bark
However a thick piece of bark was cracked as if something heavy stood on it
No faecal matter left by attacker
No teeth/gnaw marks present anywhere in aviary (that we can see)
Latches of doors were still done up
Neither door was open
Inside of aviary is lined with bricks, slats on wood rest upon bricks meaning that the aviary floor is raised around 7cmoff the ground
Only one small hole in corner approx 4cm x 2cm in size, but was covered with bark and sand
Seed was not eaten
Otherwise no other known entrances
If it was to come from that hole, would have had to burrow under aviary first
Side Gate was locked and yard is completely sealed
Live in coastal Queensland, Australia
We have ruled out cats, foxes, possums, bats and wild birds as there are no holes large enough for them to enter and exit again, our pet cat would also be spooked, and nothing apart from the birds have been disturbed. Also keep in mind it occurred during the day.
We have also crossed off snakes, as entire birds were not swallowed, and after feeding, snakes become lethargic and do not move as they digest their meals, meaning that it would still be in the aviary.
I am still upset and it is bothering me even more that things aren't adding up, and I'm determined to find out the culprit.
The two two photos were taken after removing all substrate. They are to show the possible entry and also if you're unsure what I mean but the avriay floor being raised.
The others are photos I took only yesterday of the beautiful birds that were killed.
Also if anything I've said makes you uncomfortable please let me know and I will edit.
Earlier this afternoon I made a heartbreaking discovery. When I got home at around 3:50pm, I went to check on my outdoor birds as usual. Nothing in the world could have prepared me for what I found in the gouldian aviary.
My poor birds had been attacked, all 4 finches and 2 quails dead. I will not describe the gruesome scene, however, there is no doubt that something had fed on them.
I was and still am extremely distraught, and I immediately my roommate.
He came home from work early and helped me to deal the trauma.
It is still unclear what exactly was responsible but we do suspect rats. There are a few aspects of the ordeal that do not really point to rats buy in any case, we were hoping that, taking into consideration the following findings/ aspects, you could either confirm this theory or come up with a new one. *please note I have left out most details of the bird's condition, unless they are necessary as they may be too upsetting for some-if you do wish to know, and if everyone complies I will explain*
Birds not yet stiff
One finch appeared fine but was still deceased
This bird still warm at 4:40pm
Bones were consumed
Guinea pigs were not affected and seemed unphased(they have free range of the yard)
Cat was outside entire day
Happened between 1:55pm- 3:30pm
Roommate did not hear anything before leaving for work at 1:55
Would have had to have been fast to catch finches
Only main aviary was affected (this aviary is a double door aviary, and three quails are housed in the first compartment, these were fine)
Most likely would have needed to be able to climb
Quail Eggs were not eaten
Little disturbance in branches and bark
However a thick piece of bark was cracked as if something heavy stood on it
No faecal matter left by attacker
No teeth/gnaw marks present anywhere in aviary (that we can see)
Latches of doors were still done up
Neither door was open
Inside of aviary is lined with bricks, slats on wood rest upon bricks meaning that the aviary floor is raised around 7cmoff the ground
Only one small hole in corner approx 4cm x 2cm in size, but was covered with bark and sand
Seed was not eaten
Otherwise no other known entrances
If it was to come from that hole, would have had to burrow under aviary first
Side Gate was locked and yard is completely sealed
Live in coastal Queensland, Australia
We have ruled out cats, foxes, possums, bats and wild birds as there are no holes large enough for them to enter and exit again, our pet cat would also be spooked, and nothing apart from the birds have been disturbed. Also keep in mind it occurred during the day.
We have also crossed off snakes, as entire birds were not swallowed, and after feeding, snakes become lethargic and do not move as they digest their meals, meaning that it would still be in the aviary.
I am still upset and it is bothering me even more that things aren't adding up, and I'm determined to find out the culprit.
The two two photos were taken after removing all substrate. They are to show the possible entry and also if you're unsure what I mean but the avriay floor being raised.
The others are photos I took only yesterday of the beautiful birds that were killed.
Also if anything I've said makes you uncomfortable please let me know and I will edit.