Considering adopting a mourning Amazon

Hey everyone,

I am seeking some advice/opinions about an Amazon whom needs a new home.

Her name is Dorita and at this time her age is unknown, but she thought maybe 5 ish. She was owned by a truck driver who took her everywhere with him. She was his happy companion.

About 9 months ago, he passed away and Dorita was understandably very sad. She was taken in by a retired couple who feel they are not doing her justice because she has rather severely plucked herself.

Speaking with her current owners, it seems they are doing everything right, engaging with and keeping Dorita entertained, but Dorita has not stopped plucking.

I am trying to decide if I am the right person to take her in. I worry about her plucking worse, changing environments and turning her whole life upside down again.

I have never owned an Amazon, but am knowledgeable, I do have other birds I love very much. Everyone is happy and healthy.

I am wondering if anyone has experienced adopting an Amazon who lost their loved one.

Does anyone have tips for helping Dorita to settle in, if I decide to bring her home? Tips for discouraging plucking?

I do not go into bringing any pet into my home lightly. Our pets are family members around here if you all get my drift.

She never plucked until her owner died.

Any and all advice, encouragement and discouragement is welcome.

I attached a picture her owner sent me. You can see, she is making herself naked.

Thanks in advance everyone!

Toni

Poor baby. I don't have any advice on what you should do. If the couple would like to keep her, I would probably encourage them to come to the board to see if some of the amazon experts could help.

This broke my heart...it even caused an 'Awww' from DH. His suggestion: How often can you get her in a car? Clutching at straws here - obviously she's grieving for her owner, but is she aching for 'life on the road' too?

Our LCA was nearly naked when we got her. A combination of plucking and rubbing herself against the bars of her cage. She was a wild caught Amazon and spend years falling from one pet store to another. Her last pet store owner stated that if I purchased a stand and some food he would give me the 'skin ball.' Only requirement was, I could not bring her back. It took five years before she had enough feathers that you could tell she was a LCA. Four years after that and she was full feathered. Never had a more loving Amazon. The memory of her still brings tears.

Our newest member a DYH Amazon lost his best friend six and a half years ago when he died from heart failure. The wife died 18 months ago leaving him without a family. The kids didn't want him and took him to 'Pet Smart' and had his wings clipped from a flyer to a dropped stone. The result was he had hit the ground with enough force to break-open his rump. Now with 18 months and 12 vet visits, three of which for rump tucks to hold his bottom together, he has regained most of his wing feathers and enough tail feathers to at least land safely. A bird's rump is very sensitive and add new feathers, healing skin and plucking the itching area has him with less than a show quality bottom end.

Amazons are the comeback kids of the Avian world, once their world settles and they develop new relationships in a loving home, stress plucking commonly goes away. But even if it never goes away, the love provided is mirrored back at twice the level offered. Never give-up on her and you will be reward.

All of our Amazon have been rehomed, some have been with us for years others for only a few. I would do it all over again, even knowing the heart break of their loss.

Amazon's Rule!

Dorita's story is so sad, she's obviously grieving for her companion. I don't have an amazon of my own but I know they are adaptable. A change to a busier home could be just what Dorita needs. I'm glad you are taking the decision so seriously and because you are, I don't think you'll have any regrets if you adopt this lonely girl.

Poor Dorita, that is just so sad. I wonder if itchyfeet could be onto something with taking her driving if you bring her home.
I agree with Allee, I think it's wonderful that you are giving so much thought to bringing her home. You may end up being just what she needs

Awwww...you folks are soo awesome!

When I talked to "Lisa" yesterday on the phone and she told me the story of Dorita, yes my heart just ached for this girl (or boy) I'm not so sure they really know the gender.

I found out about her through a dear friend of mine who saw an ad on our local town reader board and she said, do you want to "rescue" a parrot. I'm all...hmmm.....I dunno...I'm about birded out! Hahaha...What type of bird is it? She said, I don't know, a parrot! I said goodness...parrot is a very broad term...is it a Amazon, African Grey, Cockatoo, Cockatiel, Conure??? She says...Oh! I don't know, it has a green head.

Well, at that point I figured it was either an Amazon, or Conure or maybe even an Ekki.
So she says that she is plucking out all her feathers and they don't know what to do, maybe you can give her some advice? I said, sure...I'd be happy to talk to her, give her my number.

So about 30 minutes later I get a call and this woma, Lisa tells me they've had her since her owner died and he was a truck driver so that should tell you a little bit about her personality she says 1/2 jokingly. She said, some people have dogs, others have cats...he had Dorita and they went everywhere together. She basically lived in the cab of his semi.

She is very smart and talks very well including "trucker mouth" when she's mad!

I laughed at the visualization.

I mentioned that my friend said you may be looking for advice on ways to stop her plucking? (wondering if diet or boredom might have something to do with it) And she said...NO! I just want to find her a good home, I don't feel like we are doing her justice and it's not fair to her.

She told me a few other stories about her, such as if she could see out the window and someone walked by, she would perfectly time screaming "HELLLLP! HELLLLP!!" To the point that who ever was walking by would stop, look and in some cases start walking up the driveway! Lisa said she had to move Dorita in front of the window so people walking by could see it was a bird...not someone in distress! Hahaha

As I was listening her her tell me all about Dorita I too was thinking the same thing as itchyfeet...maybe she needs to go bye bye more often. I thought, if I took her, I would try and take her bye bye with me as much as possible.

Lisa said she definitely prefers men over women and although she has never been mean or aggressive toward Lisa, she can just tell she prefers her husband.

I have to consider this, because my spouse travels A LOT for work, 9 months out of the year he is gone on average 2 to 3 weeks a month! What if Dorita bonds to him over the next few weeks, just before his travel season starts up and then suddenly he's gone 4 - 6 days a week and it's so inconsistent.

I have always...ALWAYS LOVED LOVED LOVED Amazons! Watched a zillion videos of amazons, talking, playing, their antics, their laugh, their singing and such and I have always craved one. That being said...I also am well aware of the commitment, dedication and work that goes into having a larger parrot. The need to keep them entertained is a lot more involved than say it is with most cockatiels and even conures.

I am trying to be realistic, I have 5 birds, 3 horses, 4 dogs, 2 pigs, 8 hens...yep...a farm. Do I REALLY have the time for Dorita? Can I safely include her in my day to day activities, take her with me as much as possible and HOPEFULLY build a positive, fun, happy and healthy environment for her?

Oooorrrr....am I going to soon be overwhelmed at having a "toddler" in the house. Wondering why I once again let my huge soft heart and a sad story lead me into another life long commitment.

I have made an appointment to meet Dorita on Tuesday, they were busy this weekend. I'm hoping my instincts will guide me. My spouse is like..."Go get her already! End the suffering" (I'm not sure if he was talking about my suffering at wanting to commit to her so badly...or her suffering at possibly not being truly happy where she is at."

I will keep you all posted.

Thank you!

Toni

Toni, best of luck with your decision. It sounds like you have a lot of thinking to do before Tuesday. Please don't be surprised if Dorita takes matters into her own talons when she meets you, sometimes parrots don't need much help selecting their next home and human.
Looking forward to hearing about your visit.

Toni, like you said yourself, I believe your instincts will guide you when you meet her. I think if you REALLY didn't think you had the time or capability you wouldn't go meet her right? Your heart will guide you the rest of the way.

That is such a sad and heartbreaking story to lose a bonded owner, but unfortunately one that happens . As Allee had mentioned, I think she might do better in a more active 'busier' environment than where she is now? When I had an Amazon who I 'rescued' as a young adult from a bird store, I could not make her happy for 5-6 years in my 'quiet' home. I lived alone and worked full time, and my other birds and her toys weren't enough to adequately stimulate her even when I was home with her, and she got extremely depressed. Turns out she LOVED the chaotic environment at the store. When I'd bring her in she'd literally light up! So much activity and people and chaos! She loved that. That was 10 years ago, but I still hear of her through her groomer. She is super happy in a "busy" home environment. I get sad thinking of her, but ultimately glad that she's happy. Anyway, I didn't mean to go on about it, I just wanted to say that I think a lot of Amazons seem to love the action. Good luck !

I forgot to mention...SailBoat WOW!! You have definitely committed! Bless your heart! That poor baby getting clipped so drastically!

RavensGryf I am encouraged by your statements about the chaotic environment! Because I definitely feel ours is! There is ALWAYS something happening around here. In fact or sun conure I adopted 1 1/2 years ago did not fare well...it was just over stimulating for him and caused constant flock alarm call screaming. Non stop! I tried everything from moving him through out the house, leaving him out all day, covering his cage, even came to the forums looking for advice, I was just about to try and find him a new home when my one last ditch effort was to move him into our "office." Turns out HE LOVES IT!

He is such a happy guy now, gets just enough attention to keep him entertained. All of us are in and out of the office various times throughout the day using the computer and such and if he starts that screaming, we simply shut the door and give him his space. (Right now he's sitting on my arm preening himself as I type)

Allee I know you are right, I too, think I will know one way or another when I meet her

I tell myself I worry about the time, will I have enough time for her....but then I think about when I had my first child, and my second, then my 3rd and in a way, this is kind of like the same internal battle...and in the end...I just know, everything will work out for the best....as it should. After all, there is probably some reason why I have been chosen as a "please 'rescue' this parrot person. It's my understanding Lisa has been trying for a while now to find her a new home, was even looking for a bird rescue in our area to drop her off at.

Please keep us posted after you meet Dorita on Tuesday!

Dorita deserves a second chance and I commend you for letting her story open your heart. The rest is up to her, and I hope the visit proves to be a mutual love-fest!

I have a pretty strong feeling that you'll be coming home with a naked little Amazon soon! And I know for sure that Dorita will find just the right home in the end. I hope your visit on Tuesday goes wonderfully!

So did you go meet Dorita today? We're anxious to hear!

I got Buddy after his owners had passed. Nobody wanted him and when I met the stinker, he was all goo goo eyes for me and he bonded fast to me. I was told he was very sad after the death of Rita, his primary owner so I got lucky. Have you met Dorita yet? I'm curious to how she acted with you. I agree with the others, you'll sort it out. And I think Dorita misses the road, she's seen a lot out there.

Hi everyone! First off...THANK YOU SOOO much for all your awesome replies! They really mean a lot to me as they are all so encouraging!

Yesterday morning I received a text from Lisa and her daughter had been involved in a car accident and needed to go to hospital. Super sad! Anyway, as long as things with her daughter improve it sounds like I will be meeting Dorita some time next week.

For a split second I was very selfishly sad, because I have been sooo worked up about this for 4 days! However, on the bright side, it gives me more time to prepare for Dorita to HOPEFULLY join our family.

I have been reading everything I can get my eyes on with heavy regard to Amazon's, tips about rescuing larger parrots, traveling with parrots, parrot behavior, plucking, causes and suggestions for redirecting the behavior.

As with everything advice comes in all levels...good, bad and indifferent...for instance, I'm currently reading "The Parrot who owns me" Book has great reviews, however I'm only about 1/3rd of the way into it, but feeding Tiko chocolate??

From my experience with my conures, I am noting similarities with body language and behavior between them and what I have read bout Amazons.

Fortunately for me, I am very in tune to body language and I am certainly no stranger to parrot behavior.

All in all, I'm pretty sure my mind is made up. I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life.

So, now I have to wait, in the mean time I will be studying everything I can.

When I do meet her, as long as she doesn't do some flying or running beat the crap out of me attack scaring the beejeezes out of me...my plan is to load her up and settle her into our busy and sometimes chaotic household.

I will certainly keep you all posted!

Toni

Oh...and does anyone have any advice/peference/experience with travel carriers/cages/packs for Zons? I'm considering a harness as well, however not knowing how good she is about being touched the harness may have to come later.

Since Dorita has been soo used to traveling with her original owner all across the united states I am hoping to include her in much of my activities as possible to HOPEFULLY discourage the plucking.

I'm thinking I want to invest in some type of carrier that will make including Dorita in as much of my outdoor and errand time as easy and hassle free as possible.

Anyone's experience will be helpful to me.

Thanks!

This reminds me of a sun conure story...

Same deal. The bird was so distraught that he stopped eating or drinking, and plucked himself right down to his very last head feather...

I've been meaning to post that one, because I found it very poignant, and the point is that we all know how much we love our birds, but do we ever stop to realize how much we are loved by them?!

Here is another classic example of that.

Awesome pics Birdman!