Mekaisto

New member
Jan 8, 2014
503
0
Melbourne, Australia
Parrots
Zookeeper who has worked with many bird species, and owner of a cheeky red-tailed black cockatoo (Ash)
IMG_2824.jpg


I picked her up Friday afternoon :D
She had been on a long trip - Grafton to Sydney to Melbourne in two planes!
She was a little scared when I collected her, obviously, but as soon as I got her home into a quiet place, she was feeling a little happier.

I wasn't quite sure how she'd take to me - whether she'd be crying all day, bossy, meek, anything! Remember, this is a bird who has never met me before!

But no, she didn't want to walk out of her travel box, she wanted to be lifted out by hand. As soon as she was on my hand she lowered her head for scritches - so I obliged. Then she went into her cage for some quiet time, water and food after the long trip. She kind of sat there for a little while, probably thinking "where the heck am I?" before launching into her food.

The breeder had her on a diet of seed and nuts, with a little fresh food. I wanted to transfer her to wholemeal pasta, beans, so i mixed a bit of that in with her seed. WELL! did she dig in! I was expecting her to eat all the seed, and ignore anything else, but she tried a bit of everything and loved her beans!

By the second day, she was already out and about the bird room, playing, demanding cuddles, ripping up foraging toys, and just generally doing everything I had hoped she would do once she had fully settled in in a few weeks! I only have a few photos so far, but we're going outside in a harness today, so I'll try to get some good photos then :)

IMG_2815.jpg

IMG_2829.jpg
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Ash is STUNNING! And VERY BIG. Sounds like her breeder did a great job preparing her for her new home, and I couldn't imagine a better person for this girl to live with. Will she eventually be going to work with you or staying at home during the day?

I can't help but notice what looks like a painting of some harpy eagles there in the background. What does she think of that in her area;)?
 

RavensGryf

Supporting Member
Jan 19, 2014
14,233
190
College Station, Texas
Parrots
Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
Beautiful! Wow, Ash is so majestic looking even as a baby :). As April mentioned, you are the perfect person to have one!
 

Anansi

Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Dec 18, 2013
22,301
4,211
Somerset,NJ
Parrots
Maya (Female Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Jolly (Male Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Bixby (Male, red-sided eclectus. RIP), Suzie (Male cockatiel. RIP)
Congratulations on finally getting Ash home! I'm so glad that she's already everything you were hoping for.

As April said, it sounds like her breeder did a phenomenal job of socializing her for you. I look forward to seeing how she continues to blossom and flourish in your care.

Keep those pics coming!
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
9,789
San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Ash is incredibly gorgeous! What a stunning bird, and as others have said, she seems to have been superbly raised and socialized! So happy for you!!
 
OP
Mekaisto

Mekaisto

New member
Jan 8, 2014
503
0
Melbourne, Australia
Parrots
Zookeeper who has worked with many bird species, and owner of a cheeky red-tailed black cockatoo (Ash)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
I'm very pleased with how the breeder raised her - she's absolutely bomb-proof!
She's not scared of loud sounds, the neighbourhood dogs, big objects - anything! The only thing she didn't like at first was the kettle, which she's already gotten used to :p

She's at home with me for a month, until her quarantine period is over, then she'll be moving into her nice big flight aviary at work :)
I'll be living on-site soon though, so she'll still technically be with me :p
 

WilliamKenyon

New member
Aug 21, 2015
579
Media
1
20
Parrots
Mango: Male cockatiel, Ruby: Female eclectus
Wow so stunning!! those sparkles in her feathers are beautiful. Also it's great to have another melbournean in the forum. :D
 

Allee

Well-known member
Oct 27, 2013
16,852
Media
2
212
Texas
Parrots
U2-Poppy(Poppy lives with her new mommy, Misty now) CAG-Jack, YNA, Bingo, Budgie-Piper, Cockatiel-Sweet Pea Quakers-Harry, Sammy, Wilson ***Zeke (quaker) Twinkle (budgie) forever in our hearts
WOW!!! She's incredible in every way and absolutely stunning! Congratulations! You two are going to have wonderful adventures together.
 

DexMom

New member
Jul 18, 2015
429
0
New Jersey
Parrots
Dexter, SI Eclectus
Oh my gosh. She is super gorgeous! I'm so glad to hear she's settled into her new home nicely.
 

Betrisher

Well-known member
Jun 3, 2013
4,253
177
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Parrots
Dominic: Galah(RIP: 1981-2018); The Lovies: Four Blue Masked Lovebirds; Barney and Madge (The Beaks): Alexandrines; Miss Rosetta Stone: Little Corella
Woohoo! Now that is one queenly-looking birdie! I'm so glad she's healthy and happy and made herself at home so quickly for you. You do realise we'll be needing lots of pictures as time goes by? This is one uniquely beautiful girl and her friends, Barney, Madge and Dominic send their very best regards. XXX
 

JerseyWendy

New member
Jul 20, 2012
20,995
24
Welcome home, Ash! :smile015: I readily admit, my heart rate goes up a bit each time I see pictures of your magnificent girl. :D
 

Puck

New member
Mar 8, 2015
802
4
She is so gorgeous! I know it's already been said, but it bears repeating... Again and again and again! Beautiful!
 

Roanoke

Member
Oct 30, 2014
195
2
Greenville, SC
Parrots
Teeko, GCC [Baby Amazon ETA: August 25th]
Gorgeous! And such a big beak. I love her name as well. Good luck with her and keep us updated!
 

chris-md

Well-known member
Feb 6, 2010
4,349
2,119
Maryland - USA
Parrots
Parker - male Eclectus

Aphrodite - red throated conure (RIP)
Stunning and majestic are just some of the words that come to mind. Congrats on your new bff, here's hoping for MANY happy years together:)
 
OP
Mekaisto

Mekaisto

New member
Jan 8, 2014
503
0
Melbourne, Australia
Parrots
Zookeeper who has worked with many bird species, and owner of a cheeky red-tailed black cockatoo (Ash)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #17
Thank you everyone for your kind words ^_^

She's settling in very nicely - we went to the park yesterday! Hopefully I'll get some nice photos soon to share :)

One thing I've noticed is - she really doesn't understand the concept of holding things with her foot! I'm sure she'll get the hang of it eventually but it's kind of funny watching her try to eat a nut without dropping any, without holding it :p
 

AmyMyBlueFront

Well-known member
Apr 14, 2015
6,315
Media
4
3,034
Connecticut
Parrots
Amy a Blue Front 'Zon
Jonesy a Goffins 'Too who had to be rehomed :-(

And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
WOW! A very photogenic sweet heart! What is her size,compared to a U or M2?? Makes lil Jonesy look like a sparrow lol.


Jim
 
OP
Mekaisto

Mekaisto

New member
Jan 8, 2014
503
0
Melbourne, Australia
Parrots
Zookeeper who has worked with many bird species, and owner of a cheeky red-tailed black cockatoo (Ash)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #20
A few new photos from our trip to the park today :p

Ash.png

ash2.png


She isn't a very confident flier yet, so we're practicing :)
 

Most Reactions

Top