NEED TO KNOW

• Nitya, a lovebird, regained the ability to “fly” with the help of a drone after a cat attack left her injured

• Her owner, Marc Joseph Colando, designed a custom cabin for the bird on his drone so that she could soar once more

• Another pet bird recently took an underwater ride in a submarine made by its owner

An injured pet bird is taking flight again.

Thanks to her clever owner, Nitya the lovebird can soar through the sky once more. Marc Joseph Colando of Davao, Philippines, said he came up with the idea of using a drone to carry his pet bird after she suffered a debilitating cat attack.

Footage shows the lovebird riding high inside a clear cabin attached to a drone, as the contraption glides through the air before gently descending toward the ground. The bird appears to enjoy the flight and can be heard squeaking from inside the cabin.

“Nitya was injured when a cat grabbed her from a friend’s shoulder. She survived and returned to short, low flights, but her toes have no coordination. She cannot stand, walk, or land properly,” Colando said.

“This idea came to me during one of my morning meditations. I tried it right away, and it works really well. She feels happy after flying the drone,” he added. “She is a very friendly and loving bird. She is my second heartbeat.”

Lovebirds are a small genus of colorful parrots native to Madagascar and other African countries. Their name derives from their ability to form strong, monogamous bonds with their mates, with pairs often sitting close together.

Nitya isn’t the only bird who’s gone for an unconventional ride lately. Steven Lawyer of central Iowa recently made a custom submarine for his white-winged parakeet, Bebe. Footage from a trip to the Bahamas shows Bebe relaxing inside the underwater vessel.

“He went in willingly, and he enjoyed it,” Lawyer told The Washington Post. “I’m sure he’ll do it again with me. He’d rather do that than, you know, sit back on shore in a cage or back in an Airbnb.”

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Lawyer took steps to ensure the vessel was safe for the bird. First, he checked that the valves regulating airflow, the lead weights maintaining stability, and the oxygen meter were all functioning properly. Then he placed Bebe in the capsule for a test run in the kitchen sink to make sure the bird showed no signs of distress, such as burying his head or attempting to escape.

“If there were any indication that it was stressful to him, he wouldn’t be there,” Lawyer said. “I only take him on activities that we’ve eased our way into and that he is showing an interest in.”

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