New flock member?

msdeb · Apr 2, 2018

Ok I know that the first step is admitting that you have a problem. Hello my name is Deborah and I am a parrot junkie. There I said it. I sniff my birds at home and when I am at work I daydream about the little feathered demons until I am home. I go straight to the cages when I get home and let them out and THEN I go do all my chores. I am hopelessly besotted. It's only getting worse too! I want another one now that Charlie has forgiven me for adopting Paulie. Charlie knows he will always be my first love (sorry Hubby) and he and Paulie have decided that they like each other (most of the time). Its rare these days to have a spat and there is some mutual preening happening occasionally.(yeah!!) Hubby wants a baby to love the way Charlie and I do. How do I make that happen? Where do you go to find a bunch of birds that are adoptable? I just lucked into both Charlie and Paulie (like fate) I have never set out to find a bird so for all you experienced parrot junkies: where do I get a fix? Looking online has me convinced that there are more scammers than actual breeders. I need ideas! Help! I think we want an Amazon or a grey. We have experience, patience, room, time, and money. Now we need another baby

jenphilly · Apr 2, 2018

If your hubby wants a bird that is HIS bird and bonded / connected to him, buying a baby is not the option, you want to adopt an adult bird and let the right bird pick him!

Is there a rescue not too far from you that you can go and meet a bunch of birds and let the right bird pick him?

We have multiple birds in our home and the ones that are most bonded / connected to any of us are the ones that picked us as their new family, not vice versa

And all were adults, past sexual maturity.

Good luck and hope your hubby finds his perfect feathered friend!

Tami2 · Apr 2, 2018

That is wonderful and I wish you the best of luck.

I agree with what jenphilly is saying and I've heard that a lot.

I am new to the parrot world (I'm no expert, not even close) and I only have one. So, technically you are far more experienced than I am.

This is my experience, for what it's worth.

I didn't go once a week and feed and bond as he was growing. When I called around and found Grey's they were already weaned and ready to go. I went and they had 4 babies available. My Levi was the only one that came over to check me out. The other siblings ran and hid in the corner. I didn't take him that day, I wasn't ready. I went back the following week after getting all set up at home. Again, my Levi was the only baby that came over to me. So, even though he was just a baby he did choose me. I know b/c I wrote his band number down, (the first visit) and he was a little darker than the others. He & I have a very strong bond and I've only had him 19 months. However, it did take a month for the trust/bond to happen.
Which I've been told that was pretty quick.

Not sure if that helps?

PS) I'm also a Sniffer

GaleriaGila · Apr 2, 2018

I also love the idea of a rescue, even if it means some travel and extra trouble. So many birds wind up abandoned, and so many make wonderful pets, as you know.
You also know how unpredictable they can be as far as getting along with other birds.
Many here have found that they have to separate birds permanently... some have been fortunate, like you, and multiple birds get along.
You just never know! Never, ever.
Good for you for being so responsible and serious, and for reaching out!
I think that as long as you're willing to deal with whatever happens (e.g., separating them, if needed, handling added expenses, etc.), you sound like a great parront.
Good luck!
Keep us posted, please.

msdeb · Apr 2, 2018

We definitely would consider another rescue but we are way out in the middle of nowhere and not a rescue in sight😥 I know the bird has to pick the person and I am hoping that is what we get . Hubby just wants one he can handle since Charlie is a mom only bird. Charlie has allowed hubby to perform the service of acting as a perch in the afternoon, even without a food motivator! Only on the legs (I never let Charlie near someone’s face, except mine) and this is tremendous progress since Charlie has never interacted with a man since I have had him. (Charlie was rescued from an abusive man) I have even seen Charlie allow a touch on the back,briefly. Hubby is excited by the interaction and continues to work on softening Charlie up (Amazons are food motivated) Paulie allows limited handling by me but she is still nervous about touching so we don’t push it with either birdie. Slow and steady progress. The closest rescue is about three hours away and they have mostly smaller birds. We need a similarly sized bird I think. Sis in law has a grey that LOVES hubby but she is attached to her bird and won’t let me steal her Grey. I hope that a younger bird would allow us all to bond. I am keeping our options open in case fate steps in and helps by sending a bird (rescue or baby)

jenphilly · Apr 2, 2018

msdeb said:
We definitely would consider another rescue but we are way out in the middle of nowhere and not a rescue in sight😥 I know the bird has to pick the person and I am hoping that is what we get . Hubby just wants one he can handle since Charlie is a mom only bird. Charlie has allowed hubby to perform the service of acting as a perch in the afternoon, even without a food motivator! Only on the legs (I never let Charlie near someone’s face, except mine) and this is tremendous progress since Charlie has never interacted with a man since I have had him. (Charlie was rescued from an abusive man) I have even seen Charlie allow a touch on the back,briefly. Hubby is excited by the interaction and continues to work on softening Charlie up (Amazons are food motivated) Paulie allows limited handling by me but she is still nervous about touching so we don’t push it with either birdie. Slow and steady progress. The closest rescue is about three hours away and they have mostly smaller birds. We need a similarly sized bird I think. Sis in law has a grey that LOVES hubby but she is attached to her bird and won’t let me steal her Grey. I hope that a younger bird would allow us all to bond. I am keeping our options open in case fate steps in and helps by sending a bird (rescue or baby)

I was an Adoption Coordinator for a large parrot rescue for over 4 years and honestly, a baby or young bird does not in any way mean you will have a bird that will bond with everyone. Birds go thru sexual maturity and at that point often pick their person, and that is especially true of most of the larger species and Greys and Amazons tend to have that personality trait. In all my years at the rescue, I can only name one Grey that was friendly with everyone, and even she had her breaking point. And Amazons are notorious for picking their chosen person...

Look up on petfinder to see what there is, might be something closer than you think... truly worth the time and drive. Baby and very young birds tend to like most everyone, they are like kids, they enjoy playing with most that give them attention. But like picking your husband, you want an adult who won't change their mind when hormones kick in

Good luck in your search!

msdeb · Apr 15, 2018

OK We have filled out an adoption form at a bird rescue. Bird Haven rescue is about a two and a half hours away and they have a few birds that may be our new baby! We are looking at a AG because they are flock bonding birds and may love everyone, feathered and people. Of course it may not, but we are prepared either way. I hope they approve our request!! Thank y'all for the advice!

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