Smart Animals Undisputed Territory

Sharing is caring for a hare and a cockatiel

During the 20-year occupancy, from April 1997, of our small farm ‘Ballygibbon’ in central New South Wales, we have been aware of a hare that has steadily increased in size and majesty. He seems to have been in residence for a much longer time than we could possibly claim. He tolerates us and appreciates our lush lawn and the steadily growing apple orchard my husband has nurtured.

One day, during the 40°C temperatures of early autumn last year, Mr Hare had taken to resting under the well-watered apple tree at the side of our house. From my window, I was delighted to see him wake from his slumber, casually look up into the apple tree, reach up with his paws and select a nice firm apple for his lunch. Later that day my husband said that the apples had not been quite ripe and Mr Hare had left half of his apple under the tree.

Subsequently Mr Hare invited several members of his family to join

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the celebration while the hot days and apples lasted – so much so that I considered leaving a basket under the tree so that he could take some home for supper.

I don’t really know how to initiate a conversation with a hare but it seems perfectly natural to greet him with a hello each time we meet.

Seeds of Love HARRISON STAMOUDIS

About two weeks before Christmas of 2014 my wife bought me an early Christmas present. It was a beautiful three-month-old cockatiel. I had always wanted a bird but as my wife had objected to the very idea of getting one, I was really surprised. I immediately fell in love with her and I named her Bleng, which was my wife’s childhood nickname.

From the beginning I was advised by the owner of the pet shop not to put a mirror in her cage, as she would think that the reflection was another bird. This could cause Bleng to become upset once she matured as birds perform their mating calls to attract a partner, and, as the reflection would not be responsive, it could become a source of frustration.

Nevertheless, my little Bleng found reflective surfaces all on her own: in the kitchen, the bathroom and against the refrigerator. She spreads her wings out slightly and whistles the same tune every time she sees her reflection and she spends a lot of time around these areas. It wasn’t until last July, when we bought a mirrored bedside table for my mother-in-law’s room, that things really became interesting. Bleng loves spending time around this bedside table and around her new ‘friend’. One day, my mother-inlaw went to her room and noticed a real mess. Seeds were scattered all around the bedside table. She observed Bleng running to her cage, which was situated on the opposite side of the room, and returning carrying seeds to the bedside table and setting them down on the ground. Bleng had noticed that her reflection never went to the seed bowl to eat, so she brought the seeds over to her ‘friend’. We had always known that Bleng was an affectionate and loving creature, but it was at this moment that we all learned just how big her heart really is!