An extra happy day at the bird store

Honestly... having had parrots for quite a while now, and frequenting stores over the years, it "usually" leaves me with a 'can take it or leave it' feeling when I have to go to the bird store. Sure, I like seeing the birds and all, but I'm not usually as excited as I would maybe be if it was something new to me. But today... I was all smiles and I really needed it.

I went to get some cleaner, and thought I'd maybe take a quick peek around to see what they have, and be in and out right away. Not this time . Right as I walked in, there was a woman with a Blue Headed Pionus and a Galah on her shoulder. I walked up to see her Pionus and told her I have a Bronze Winged.

I was AMAZED at how well socialized her birds were. She immediately had me hold them! The Blue Headed Pionus surprised me, he looked and felt noticeably smaller than Raven. I'm not sure if he was just small, or they're normally smaller than BW, but one thing was for sure, he was beautiful. The bird stepped up for me and let me pet him, and she said hold up your finger (other hand) and he even gave my finger kisses lol. Yes, I trusted her she knew her bird wouldn't bite. Soon as he stepped up she said "Oh wow look at that, he really likes you!" LOL. Then the Galah was just as tame and well socialized... he stepped right up and let me pet him. She said 'cup your hand like this' and the bird fluffed and nuzzled his head right into the palm of my hand! Then she told me they're trained therapy birds. I was so impressed! I invited her to join the forum .

Then!! To add to my excitement and shock :11:... I saw Ruppell's parrots like Griffin! This is a very rare species of Poicephalus that is surprising to see in a store, although in Southern CA we are fortunate to see many species not seen much elsewhere. They said it was the first time they got them. These two adorable boys were selling for nearly twice what I paid for Griffin from the breeder. They're from Griffin's breeder, the only one around who breeds Ruppell's. On a side note about this breeder, he is the one responsible for "inventing" several of the mutations of Green Cheek Conures that are popular in the US today.

So, talking about Green Cheeks... they had the most adorable baby Turquoise Yellow Sided mutations! Ooh these were such a pretty color, and ohh so cute I could barely stand it. I also was able to cuddle with an extremely nice older Turquoise GCC. Usually it seems older birds for sale in a store are nippy or unfriendly, but this one was great, he cuddled and only softly warning bit. He will be a nice find for someone. Okay guys, now I see first hand why these little conures are so popular and irresistible!

Glad I was there today. It really made my day.

Sounds like an awesome visit. I've only seen ruppels at our shop once and he wasn't for sale. The owner was hand raising him for someone.

Sounds like that lady really knew what she was doing with her birds. That's fantastic.


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We went to the local pet store the other day that sells more than budgies. They had a blue headed pionus, and I wanted to take him home so bad. I don't know if he was even tame, but I felt so bad for him. He was missing 3 toes, and you could see that he had a bite taken out of his eyelid at one point. His feathers looked ragged and he just looked miserable. If I would of had the money, I would have gotten him, just to get him out of there. Needless to say, they will not get my business. They also had a U2 and he looked really good and was very friendly, but it did not make up for the pionus. I felt horrible. I wish I could have saved him. I'm really glad to hear you had a better experience.

That poor Pionus! I wonder if it wasn't the store's fault, and it was an older rehome? At any rate that is a sad sounding bird. I hope he gets a good loving home soon.

Sounds like you had a very pleasant time at the store. Amazing how events like that can lift your spirits. How interesting that you got to meet the lady with the trained therapy birds, very impressive.

I search the forums for new GCC pics on a regular basis, I think they are adorable, I feel cheated that I've never got to meet any of them other than at pet stores.

Allee said:

I search the forums for new GCC pics on a regular basis, I think they are adorable, I feel cheated that I've never got to meet any of them other than at pet stores.

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I think I'm in love with them as of today . They are so precious in person. So tiny and CUTE! For some reason, I've never realized before today how small they were. It makes them extra adorable. So tempting.... Too bad I can't have any more birds! I love the Turquoise Yellow Sided. Beautiful mutation.

Wish you had taken pics. They sounds just delightful!

As for the pionus, it's a good possibility he was given to the pet store to rehome. Is the store clean, cages clean, good food provided? This would be a good indicator if it's truly the store or just a baby with bad circumstances they took in.

The store where Molly was is really gross. Cages with 8" piles of feces, cage bars coated in nasty, bug infestation and bugs actively crawling through the bins of food �� really, really gross.

We couldn't leave her there and for what they took for her, and the fact Rob brought her home (and he isn't even a bird person,) sometimes you just know in your gut it's the right thing to do.

Brittany, that's awful. I know of a store that sounds almost that bad too. Unfortunately it's hard to get a shop shut down as long as there is some sort of food, water no matter how dirty, and no dead animals laying around everywhere .

Now is the time of year to see the bird stores for the widest variety of species.

STILL thinking about those little Green Cheeks lol. How I'd love to have one, but I'm at my limit.

Sounds like such a rewarding visit! I wonder if the little blue head could sense you are a pi person

I'm jealous! I'm with Brittany, I wish there were photos.

I love my little GCC. I mostly love when I have friends visiting who aren't bird people (but are animal lovers) and they ask about him so I of course take him out and ask him to step up on their hands. Like this weekend my best friend was here. She was very curious and had never met Loki. Chiqui intimidates people but Loki is little.
And cute.
And when he steps up he turns into the cutest little statue bird on strangers it cracks me up.

Piasa, it's actually a wonder 'any' bird liked me, as they usually don't lol. I'm not one of those people who all animals automatically seem to love. Those therapy birds were amazing though, how she has them trained to go to anyone like that and do their little tricks and be reliable! How many people can say they have mature birds that will do that.. not many!

Katie, Loki sounds like a well behaved little man . The GCC's little faces were so tiny and oh so cute, I just can't get it out of my mind! I'm a sucker for little guys. Smaller than mine. Extra small like lovebirds, GCC, budgies, parrotlets, etc. when I see the extra smalls my heart just melts!

Sorry about the 'no pics' lol!

RavensGryf said:

Piasa, it's actually a wonder 'any' bird liked me, as they usually don't lol. I'm not one of those people who all animals automatically seem to love. Those therapy birds were amazing though, how she has them trained to go to anyone like that and do their little tricks and be reliable! How many people can say they have mature birds that will do that.. not many!

Katie, Loki sounds like a well behaved little man . The GCC's little faces were so tiny and oh so cute, I just can't get it out of my mind! I'm a sucker for little guys. Smaller than mine. Extra small like lovebirds, GCC, budgies, parrotlets, etc. when I see the extra smalls my heart just melts!

Sorry about the 'no pics' lol!

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Same here. Rob is one of those people and it is SO aggravating!

He finally got his though- Molly is a challenge and does bite him good every now and then. I truly believe this is what's made him bond to her. He is NOT a bird person. In fact he's a not-bird person, or at least he was until Molly came along. My husband is incredibly intelligent, an intellectual in every right. The fact he found one animal who doesn't immediately love him was something he saw as a challenge. Molly doesn't like me and for the first time, I have met a bird I am truly scared of. I've never let them get to me before, but Molly has caused me so much physical trauma with her biting, I am now skittish around her. If you know me, I am fearless in all areas of life. This really bothers Rob that I can't handle her.

It's because of that he has taken initiative to spend time with her and handle her. He gets her out every day. She lays on his chest, on her back sometimes, loves to be scratched and rubbed all over. He is truly beginning to understand that bond and trust with birds and he finally gets it. It warms my heart. We may actually be to the point where we are a foster failure with Molly.

Not all animals like me, I'm not that person. I'm expressive and many animals don't care for that. I am becoming more reserved with age, however 😊

I'll ask Loki to do a photo shoot for you in honor of your little twigs.

Doublete said:

I'll ask Loki to do a photo shoot for you in honor of your little twigs.

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How sweet, thank you so much.