Considering rehoming a 17 year old yellow nape

Hacklebird

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Feb 25, 2013
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Hi all, this is my first post so here is some background:
I have been reading these forums for a while and it has been great to get so much good information. my wife and I have been thinking to rehome or rescue a parrot for some time. We haven't been too stuck on any one species, and are mostly looking for the right individual. Although I have not owned a bird myself, I do come from a family of bird owners including cockatoos and a macaw, so I feel we have an idea of the commitment involved.

Recently a yellow nape came up on craigslist in my area and my wife and I went to meet it yesterday. the bird has been owned by the same woman for about six years and she recently moved into a smaller condo and is looking downsize since she also has a blue front that she has had for 30 years.

The bird was a little nervous and a bit beaky, but nothing too hard. It stepped up for my wife and I and even allowed us to pet it while it was on our laps. A few concerns were that the bird is on a seed mix type diet (no sunflower seeds). the beak was definitely on the long side, and the owner seemed to use negative reinforcement like bopping them with a paper if they acted up.

We are a bit apprehensive and don't want to rush into anything, even though she seems like a very sweet bird. I am thinking to commit to adopting the bird if the owner will allow a vet check, since the bird has not been to a vet in at least 6 years.

Thanks again for all the help.
any thoughts?
 

sarafigal

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Aug 31, 2012
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Nashville, TN
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Houdini, Peeper, and Little Blue--the Budgie Trio
It sounds like this birdy needs you! You can help amend her diet, and she'll settle in fine. How are her feathers?
 

Tosca

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Jan 26, 2013
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Just because a bird has not been to the vet within 6 years is not a reason to pass it up. Look at the overall physical condition of the bird. Look at the eyes, nares and droppings. Many people do not see a reason to take an animal to the vet if it doesn't need to.

You also can tell how the bird was cared by the environment it was in. Was the home and cage clean? Did the bird have toys? Ask questions about the bird itself. Look at the big picture and then make the decision.
 
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Hacklebird

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Feb 25, 2013
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Thank you both for the helpful advice. I think the current owner gives her birds quite a bit of attention and they are both in separate cages in the living room. She says they spend most of their time on top of the cages and that they tolerate each other but are not real close. The feathers seem fine but the tailfeathers are a bit tattered.

Here are some pics
 

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Kiwibird

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Jul 12, 2012
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1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Awww....he sounds like he needs a good home, and you seem to be wanting to give a bird in need a good home. If your looking for the challenge and commitment of taking on an adopted bird, he sounds like what your looking for. Amazons are pretty awesome birds as a species. They aren't terribly large or super small. They tend to be more independent and typically have an easier time overcoming behavioral problems, if they develop them, than other species are. They are notorious for hormones, but by 17, this bird is coming out on the other side of his worst hormonal years, and will likely mellow out a lot quicker than a younger bird. Also, any privately "rehomed" parrot will need to see a vet within a few days of coming home. This bird doesn't sound especially neglected, probably just needs some dietary tweaks and grooming. Even when you adopt from a reputable shelter or buy as a baby, it's always good to get a wellness checkup. Don't be scared off if he needs a short course of antibiotics or is maybe a little over/underweight, virtually any bird you adopt will need a few minor things treated. The vet will assess the birds health concerns (if any) and address them appropriately, be able to trim talons/wings/beaks if needed, and answer any questions you have for the specific bird/situation (like on diet or behavioral issues).

We adopted out BFA Kiwi out of a not so ideal situation, and I have no regrets about the little guy :green:
 

Clueless

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Feb 14, 2012
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Missouri
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Secret & MC, two blue front amazons
Follow your heart - I can tell you that Amazons are a ton of fun. We have 2 older rescues - have been told they were wild caught blue-front amazons. We've only had them for just over a year and it's been a blast.

I can't compare with the other birds since we never owned or even THOUGHT about owning a parrot . . . . but these guys have tolerated us quite well.
 

Melandkids

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Feb 24, 2013
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I have been around all types of birds growing up and my family members having them. This is my first time doing so. But I believe there is no bad animal just bad pet owners. I believe with the right guidance then they would adapt to your loving home. Go to the vet, read as much as you can and as I was advised because I took on a problem baby find a trustful source of helpful information and advice. I think with all the concern you are showing means you are ready. I wish you the best
 
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Hacklebird

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Thanks again for all the information. My main concern is that although we currently dont have kids, we will at some point after a few years. Does anyone have experience having children in a home with an already established amazon?
 

Kiwibird

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Jul 12, 2012
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1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
My parents had their 2 amazons and cockatoo for 16 years before I was born (they didn't plan on having any kids, so they got the parrots instead lol). One of the zons took to me the moment I came home, the other zon didn't care I existed, but apparently their too' wasn't terribly thrilled about me at first. I'm not sure what exactly they did with training him, but the bird that didn't like me at first had overcome his issues with me by the time I was a toddler (I have no memory of him ever being aggressive towards me, but he apparently was at one time). I was taught from a very young age how to interact with the birds properly, and besides the occasional nip, I never had issues with them. I actually loved growing up with parrots. They were so much fun, and while not technically "my" pets, I learned a great deal about the responsibility of pet ownership and parrot care. In fact, I missed them so much when I moved out, I adopted my BFA as soon as I felt responsible/mature enough to do so. My husband and I do plan to have kids in the next few years, and I have no doubts we will be able to work with Kiwi if he does happen to have an issue with a new baby in the house. Naturally, any major event is going to have a potential affect on a pet, but so long as you teach them the new baby is a positive thing and not a "competitor", they do just fine. As I mentioned before, amazons are pretty hearty birds, and they tend to just go with the flow.
 

henpecked

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Dec 12, 2010
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Jake YNA 1970,Kia Panama amazon1975, both i removed from nest and left siblings, Forever Home to,Stacie (YN hen),Mickie (RLA male),Blinkie (YNA hen),Kong (Panama hen),Rescue Zons;Nitro,Echo,Rocky,Rub
Thanks again for all the information. My main concern is that although we currently dont have kids, we will at some point after a few years. Does anyone have experience having children in a home with an already established amazon?


Yes i do, Myself ,brothers and sister grew up with amazons and macaws. My kids grew up with amazons. It's all about socializing your pet at an early age. But i guess if you can raise a amazon ,kid's are no sweat, LOL. At least they'll leave home.
 
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Hacklebird

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Feb 25, 2013
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Haha thanks.

So would you say it might be rolling the dice getting a rehomed bird with kids in mind in the future? I really don't want to risk the bird's stable future or kids...
 

Kiwibird

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Jul 12, 2012
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1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
For me, there is simply no way I could ever live without parrots, and no way I won't have children in the future. Life is nothing but a big gamble anyways, but I'm confident the odds that Kiwi (and any future feathered beasts) will get on just fine with my future kids are excellent. Most birds actually like children, since they have tons of energy and are just as inquisitive as the bird is. The key to not having issues is teaching the child how to behave around the bird and visa versa. And if you have a bird that just doesn't like/care about your kid, that doesn't mean they can coexist peacefully under the same roof. My parents green cheek amazon was never aggressive towards me, but he didn't particularly like me either. When I was really little, they reinforced I was not to bother him, he certainly never bothered me, and the entire 17 years I was at home, we just had minimal interactions (like if I fed him or put him back in his cage at night). I was a perfectly happy kid and he was a perfectly happy parrot.
 

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