One-Legged Parakeet Rescued From Hoarder's Home Inspires Kids' Book

AURORA, Ill. (CBS/AP) -- A small, one-legged parakeet that was one of hundreds of birds found inside a feces-filled Aurora home is inspiring a children's book that an author hopes will help raise money for a zoo.

Nicknamed "Nubs," the multi-colored parakeet was one of nearly 500 birds found living in a home last October. About 150 birds were dead.

Kristen Ludwig was one of the volunteers who took in the birds. The Grayslake biochemist nursed the parakeet back to health.

Now she's using the diminutive critter who she calls "a handi-capable budgie" to educate others, forming the nonprofit group No Unwanted BirdS, also known as NUBS (check out the group's Facebook page here).

"Think of us as Sesame Street for bird owners," Ludwig says. "We educate without pointing out that we are educating, and add in loads of fun."

A children's book about Nubs is raising money for the Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City, Ind., where 368 of the former Aurora birds now live.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)