19 August 2011

ONE NIGHT IN PARIS


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Yesterday I had my first -unexpected- visitor at my Parisian apartment: a budgie. He came hurtling through my 5th floor french windows without warning and proceeded to watch me from his perch on top of one of my framed 'Frisco '66' psychadelic posters, and then he came to sit on my laptop, staring quizzically in his birdish manner as I finished typing an article. Fortunately, Parisian grocery stores are pretty thorough in their stock taking, and it was surprisingly easy to procure tropical bird seed at 8pm on a thursday night. I was at rather a loss as to what to do with my guest. Hectic googling taught me both that budgies can cover vast distances in a short space of time and also that stray tropical birds become more common in Paris in August as cruel owners simply release them when they go on their 3 week congés d'été. I can't bear that sort of negligence. I've never been keen on caged birds, but to then free a caged bird into the wild where it will either starve or be eaten by a native bird is even more wicked. I put some 'found' signs around the neighbourhood, while Perrouche stayed the night in my shower, and was very well-behaved and quiet. Despite a horribly crooked beak, he is an exceedingly handsome fellow, and charmingly friendly. He perched on my hand to eat seed and was very contented hopping about in my wardrobe this morning. It was a comic delight to have a house pet, even for such a short time.

Yes, sadly, Perrouche took off this morning after breakfast, just as the sun was beginning to melt away the cover of grey clouds. I still imagine I hear his enthusiastic chirping from my balcony, but he has truly gone. 

I hope he is a happy wanderer, living la vie bohème of Paris, dropping in on girls all over the city's rooftops every evening and then brazenly taking off after breakfast without so much as a 'bisous'. I've left some seed out on the balcony in case he ever passes this way again. Farewell, Perrouche!

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17 comments:

A La Mode said...

He's SO CUUUTE!

Rosalind said...

I want to be in a Parisian apartment with a stray budgie flitting in and off again! Love the photos in the post below too - ah, to be wandering by the Seine in a silk blouse.

Burn the Blonde said...

So cruel :( You are so sweet for looking after him and making him an internet star!


Burn the Blonde
XX

Lucia said...

This is such an unbelievably cute story, it's so sweet that he stayed around but so sad that he was gone in the morning, it's like it was meant to be. Your blog is getting better & better Imogen! & your life in Paris sounds like so much fun. Also - I saw a photo of you on Oracle Fox blog in one of her latest posts! xo

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures. Poor little mite. I hope you see him again, but what his chances are in the wild, I've no idea. Having now discovered such a comfy hotel, he may even come back for more accommodation from you. You might find that other local birds such as pigeons avail themselves of the bird seed in the meantime though!

Gawgus things... said...

I would say from the length of his beak that he's probably an urban wanderer and has no where to call home :(

Vani said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Vani said...

What a nice story. And there he goes again breaking the hearts of Parisian ladies :)
xoxo

Lidiya said...

Love the budgie , so so cute =)
http://cupcakesandtreacle.blogspot.com/

Kit said...

What a handsome little fellow.

Lola said...

I love that in the last shot he actually looks like he's looking into the camera. How sweet!! It must have been quite a surprise, I thought budgies were only ever found as pets and not flying around paris. XXX

THE DIVINITUS said...

cute little fellow. i had a similar in feather coat bird when i was a kid. sometimes those run away from the cage too.

Fashionistable said...

What a fabulous 1st visitor. May all your visitors be so colourful. I am sorry we couldn't do the challenge together too. I will be in Paris over Fashion Week. Maybe we could do something then. Well it wouldn't seem right now anyway if a FW went past and I didn't photograph you. Xxxx

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