About Prophecy and Fantasy

In a monumental loss to Bird Endowment, in addition to the personal devastation of Laney, both of these important birds died within several months of each other early in 2005.

Fantasy died of chronic renal failure. Prophecy died just months later in what was presented as a benign medical procedure. They are the most represented blood line in The Blues Conservatory's program.

Below is the original text about Prophecy and Fantasy:

This wild-caught pair was imported in the early 1980s and acquired by a Texas aviculturist. In August 1992, Laney Rickman saw them while they were on loan at a Florida facility. She took photos and fastasized about getting the pair. Lo and behold, five years later they were acquired for Bird Endowment from the Texas owner. So, the hen's name is Fantasy and the cock's name is Prophecy. They joined us June 6, 1997 and became Founder Pair #2. Their habitat is called Proto 97, our prototype effort at a free-standing aviary.

They lay fertile eggs and incubate them properly. But they mutilate the chicks during the hatching process. We devised a rehabilitation program. A dummy egg replaces an early-pipping egg in the nest while the chick hatches in a brooder. The chick is syringe-fed warm Pedialyte until well-hydrated. Then it is returned to the nest and the dummy egg is removed. During this transaction the parents are locked out of the nest box. They can not see what is being done. When allowed back inside, they assume responsibility for their nestling and are good parents.

In Memory of
Prophecy and Fantasy

Colorado artist John Brasaemle donated an original watercolor he painted from one of Laney's photos of Fantasy and Prophecy. This occurred at the AFA 2004 convention where Avian Art and BE both had booths.

In Memory of Lin Jellenik

The Bird Endowment, Texas