My confession. Coming clean.

Gizmomania

Banned
Banned
Aug 25, 2012
599
0
San Diego
Parrots
Duskies: Gizmo & Niko, hatched 3/12 & 5/12; pineapple GCC: Skittles, 5/10/13; Pan Am: Harley, 1/27/13; CAG: Maalik, 7/27/13; Eclectus: Ziggy, 4/4/04; BHC: Walter 6 y; baby Jardine's: Bogart-May!
I've always been an animal lover. From the time I was a very little girl, I would help, or take in an animal in need. From guinea pigs, to chinchillas, dogs, cats, hamsters and even bunnies, I would take in or adopt any animal that I could...except for birds. Why??? Because I believed that birds belonged free and flighted. I felt sorry for any birds who were kept in cages all their life. I judged those who caged their birds, not knowing anything about them.

It wasn't until I started volunteering to take care of select shelter bunnies at Petco with my daughter that my beliefs about bird ownership changed. We set up the bunny pens right next to the conure section every week for an hour. While we were there, this funny little dusky conure caught my attention. She would dance, swing from various toys, and mimic my calls to her. I was drawn to her cuteness, and I was pulled in by her every move.

I went home and began reading about conures. I was intrigued by these inquisitive creatures, and developed a thirst to learn more about them. As the weeks went by, I felt that she was connecting to me in a way I didn't know was possible between humans and birds.

After a month, I was compelled to bring her home. There was just something about her that was magical! Slowly, surely, my viewpoint changed. I could see the attraction. And I could see that it was possible to bring happiness to them, whether they were caged or not.

Today I'm the proud owner of two beautiful, sweet duskies. They spend a lot of time socializing with my 4 kids and me. I couldn't imagine life without them!

When I talk about my birds to others, I'm met with the same biases and resistance that I used to hold towards others. Many respond to me negatively, but I understand their point of view. And it's OK!

So...never say never. Because you just never know!:)
 

Riio

New member
Apr 19, 2011
318
0
San Diego California
Parrots
'Rio'~RIP baby girl 'Sunshine'~Yellow Side Green Cheek Conure
Good for you. I often get the look from others to. And often all I hear is "birds are gross and messy" Well so are humans if you ask me! Then people meet my lil guy and fall in love!
 

Agapornis

New member
Oct 25, 2012
478
1
California
Parrots
Turquoise GCC - Fiji - Hatch Date: 8/14/12 and Yellow Sided GCC - Sundance - Hatch Date: 4/12/13
Oh my gosh, Gizmomania, what a beautiful story! A similar incident happened to me. I used to think birds were loud and messy, and they ARE, but so are dogs, kids, etc. Now I'm so excited to bring a bird into my life! I can't believe it took me so many years to finally see how great they can be!

Thank you for sharing your story!

Lorinda :green:
 

Remy

New member
Jul 13, 2011
1,905
1
California
Parrots
Darcy (Golden-Collared Macaw), Puck (Caique - RIP)
Part of me feels that birds should stay wild too. However, they make excellent friends! Having a bird is totally different from any other kind of animal.
 

Catherine_

New member
Nov 7, 2012
17
0
Far North Coast of NSW, Australia
Parrots
Sam; Alexandrina
I used to feel exactly the same way till my Alexandrine flew into my life. The thing is just because you have a caged bird doesn't mean that they stay in their cage all the time. My Alexandrine spends at least 4 hours out of his cage every day flying around the house chewing my furniture, my walls and trying to get into his favourite room in the house which is the kitchen. Even though he can be a pain he is just so funny that I couldn't imagine what it would be like without him.
 

Abigal7

New member
Jun 17, 2012
853
1
United States of America/ Kansas
Parrots
Captain Jack (Hahn's macaw)


Clover (green cheek conure)
What a nice story. Everyone likes my little conure but views are all still different. Some people think they should be free and I can understand that point. It could be debatable if large parrots like toos should be kept as pets see the website mytoos. Others say they are messy. They ask "You let it out of the cage?" When they asked they are usualy shocked to hear about a bird that will lay on it's back in my hand, likes to cuddle, loves being petted softly and sits on my shoulder. Of course not all bird species are the same and alot of bird species would die of stress of being held or having their wings clipped.
 

MaraWentz

Banned
Banned
Mar 27, 2012
1,023
Media
8
2
St.Leonard, MD
Parrots
Red Front Macaw, Elvis, 10,male RIP

Red Front Macaw, Erin, 1.5,female

Goffin Cockatoo, Blossom 2,female Rehomed

Blue & Gold Macaw, Oscar, Male, 21 years old, Rehomed

American Bulldog Mix,
I've never had a negative or icky feeling about birds as I grew up with them, but I don't think it's fair to lock the away all day, which being caged by a good owner doesn't mean that. I don't cage my bird only for the reason she likes to flu around the room and she is very cage aggressive, but it's a lot easier to create a routine and confine the mess and hang books and toys up on a cage.
 

bkparrot

Member
Nov 13, 2012
149
Media
6
1
Brooklyn, NY
Its great that you met your fids when you were volunteering. You never really know when they are going to show up in your life... good luck.
 

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