New Birdie Adventure!

So my indecisiveness has given me a new opportunity. The lady that runs the rescue where I got the pretty chicken plays softball with my wife. (Which is how I found out about the rescue in the first place, I bet my wife wishes she hadn't told me that one )

Anyway, I was talking to her last night about how I think I've changed my mind about wanting a baby. I originally wanted a handfed baby as my next bird, partly so my wife could interact with it more. I was looking at possibly a male Ekkie, or even a GCC or a quaker. Then she told me she really just doesn't care to interact more than necessary, because birds aren't her thing, so I shouldn't base my decisions around her.

Well, that pushed me back towards just getting another rescue. I've always been a sucker for the animals, not just birds, that other people just don't want. For one, I like the challenge of earning their trust and proving that not all people are bad. And I love seeing the transformation from a scared and neglected animal to a sweet and loving pet.

So I told the lady that runs the rescue that is what I think I want, so to let me know when she gets a bird in that really needs some work. She said that she knows us pretty well, and we've worked together with some stuff before so she knows I can handle a "problem child", and she trusts us, so then she asked if I'd be willing to foster for her. She wants me to start with the sun conure that I brought back when I went on my rescue mission a couple weeks ago. He is tame, but she said he is pretty cage aggressive.

It is only going to be one or two birds at a time, and I am going to work with them to help them get past any issues they have, so they have a better chance of finding a forever home. Plus it gives me ample one on one time with several different species of birds, so maybe I'll find "the one" that I decide I need to keep.

I bet my wife is going to regret telling me I need to find a hobby.

That sounds like a great opportunity for you to interact with different species & personalities & what an amazing second chance for problem fids to get past some of their issues.

LOL @ Wife regretting hobby. I think it sounds great thing You'll be reunited with the Sun ... that should be a fun start. Keep us posted & of course pics

OS... you are wonderful

So, I have 2 birds I'm currently fostering. One is a little lovebird. She is young and gentle, but not hand tame. Working with her is pretty straightforward, it just is going to take some time.

I am also fostering, and possibly adopting, a sun conure. I was told he is cage aggressive, but I am not sure that is it. If you stick your hand in his cage and ask for a step-up, he will definitely lunge. However, if you reach from above, he'll bend his head down and let you give him scritches all day long, I can even pet down his wings and tail and he is fine. I tried asking for a step up with a perch, and he attacked it so viciously, he ripped chunks of wood off of it. If I put on a glove, he will step up without hesitating, he won't even try to bite the glove. When he is out of the cage, he is an absolute dream. He ran up the front of my shirt and snuggled under my chin until it was time for him to go back in his cage.

Does anyone have any idea what this is, or how I can go about trying to correct it?

This reminds me of a Discussion I was having with Terry the other day, and I have to say I'm right on point with you. There really is something amazing about seeing the little switch flip inside a fids head when he realizes everything about life isn't going to suck anymore.

I think it is the intelligence, the fact that parrots are smart enough to realize that their situation has changed and actually have the capacity to be legitimately thankful. Not to say other rescue animals don't appreciate it as well, but with the Fids especially there just seems to be a much deeper understanding.

As far as the Conure's behavior, to me it sounds like triggered cage aggression. How well if at all do you know of his original situation? Maybe he has some negative opinions about things being poked at him judging by his T-perch reaction. Could have been in a home with a kid who was constantly poking things through the cage bars or some-such. Could explain the negative reaction to trying to have him step up on a hand as well if he feels a hand coming at him from a lower angle is going to try and force him out of his home.

Anyway, props to you. I honestly think fostering would be a lot more of a challenge for me, i wouldn't ever want to give them back up after I got them over their "humps" lol. It says a lot for your character though to be willing to put the time and effort in just to pass it off when the time comes. But without people willing to take that step, so many more birds would end up never getting adopted because there are a lot of great pet owners out there who can't handle the extreme baggage and need someone else to overcome the initial hurdles. Sometimes all it takes is one person to break the ice for an animal to show its true colors, and suddenly the little guy/gal no one looked twice at, is the bell of the ball.

Anyway, good luck with the progress with everyone, can't wait to hear more about it!