Miss Planner-Aheader, A Brotogeris Parront

If only there were a bee-bee smiley! Oh well...

I am a marine biology major at Rutgers University, and I am going to Antarctica for penguin research this December. (I love birds, if you can't tell).

My hobbies include archery, SCUBA, and of course, bird-watching!

I don't consider parrot ownership a hobby, but a lifestyle. I do not mind being a slave to a parrot for decades. My brotogeris, Milo, will sadly only have a lifespan of approximately 12 years, however.

As I prepare for my future, and begin making plans for it, I also accommodate for parrot ownership. My first thread here was regarding my consideration of a little corella, but I jump between a few species balancing all of the factors to consider. So much to think about.

Inadvertently, I have learned more about eclectus and feel that their temperament will suit my personality and lifestyle, more.

I'm talkative, but calm. And love training animals to follow commands. Working at an animal shelter (I did rabies control for a few years) has allowed me to learn how to work with animals better.

With this, I have also been witness to the unwanted parrot problem. So I have learned what it means to be a parront in every respect.

But enough about me. I will be making a thread soon when I capture Milo's burrito moments. He loves to be wrapped like a burrito as I pretend to eat him!

I will be sure to update you guys on that phenomenon soon.

Glad to be here, and I plan to participate for the years to come!

Thanks!

I enjoyed your post . Antarctica wow, what a unique opportunity.

While researching Eclectus, I assume you came across info on their species specifics regarding diet and their sensitivities, as well as environmental stressors? While not a 'low maintenance' parrot, they can be a wonderful pet bird to those who can cater to their needs long term.

Looking forward to seeing the "burrito"

RavensGryf said:

I enjoyed your post . Antarctica wow, what a unique opportunity.

While researching Eclectus, I assume you came across info on their species specifics regarding diet and their sensitivities, as well as environmental stressors? While not a 'low maintenance' parrot, they can be a wonderful pet bird to those who can cater to their needs long term.

Looking forward to seeing the "burrito"

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Thank you!

Diet is usually the second thing I research after temperament

I read that eclectus require fresh fruit with no vitamin supplements or vitamin rich pellet mixes (or extremely few pellets) because their digestive systems are so efficient at gleaning nutrients from their food.

I thought that was extremely interesting.

Of course, the exception to this rule is when blood tests reveal a vitamin deficiency. I also read to stick to richly colored vegetables and fruits (respectively). Red grapes are a favorite among eclectus, I hear.

Oh yes, and Antarctica! I cannot wait. The travel to the location is going to be horrendous though. 70-foot waves are typical in the Drake Passage and there are two plane trips. Plus extensive health requirements.

There are many Eclectus parronts and some Ekkie 'experts' here to help, so I'll leave it up to them to say particulars about the species, but I know that they are one of the top plucking species because of not just diet, but environmental and hormonal factors too.

What will be the plan for Milo (and other bird) when you're gone on your great adventure?

RavensGryf said:

There are many Eclectus parronts and some Ekkie 'experts' here to help, so I'll leave it up to them to say particulars about the species, but I know that they are one of the top plucking species because of not just diet, but environmental and hormonal factors too.

What will be the plan for Milo (and other bird) when you're gone on your great adventure?

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Will do!

Though I am Milo's primary caretaker, he very much prefers my father over everyone else. I have been gone before and Milo had shown no such change, though one time, I noticed that he seemed to squawk much more excitedly when he saw me return home after just four days. That's about it.

I do worse with leaving him than he does.

I know that he notices when I am gone, but he has never shown too much attachment to me. Quick displays of affection may be given to me by him, but the real doting love is reserved for my father. If HE were gone, then I would be concerned. Milo views me as simply his maid so...

I have set up guidelines for his care (nutrition-wise and play-time). The rest of my family has cared for him before, however, and understand how to do so. During the busier semesters, my mother has done an awesome job at caring for him. She is slightly more OCD than me (haha...it's a good disease when owning birds). He has no strict routine, and he is well-adapted because of it. I have no strict routine, either. Everyone else in my family are the one's with a strict routine, but marine biology leaves no such luxuries.

My only concern is that I will have to break Milo out of his routine when I return so that in the case of changes, he will do fine in the future (as he has been)

Oh yes! And after his aloe-water bath, he enjoys having a little bit of coconut oil rubbed on his beak as he licks it from my fingers (the little prince). I will make sure that they remember that.

On a side note...the coconut oil makes his feathers absolutely gorgeous...he has an almost holographic effect...illusionary appearance because they glow so well.

Milo I'm sure will do awesome in my absence. He is our only pet and my family is great with responsibilities of that sort. If it were my dad, again, I'd be concerned.

I write a lot, so bear with me.

In response to the plucking, i have heard conflicting things, but I will talk to the eckie experts.

I'm a bit handy and plan on building (with much research) a decently-sized outdoor aviary for my future parrot (whatever he or she may be) in addition to the indoor enclosure.

Plucking concerns me. Even the best and most experienced parrot owners may encounter plucking, I've found (surprisingly enough). I'm willing to do whatever it takes to prevent plucking from occurring.

Will do more research on their plucking habits. I will reluctantly admit that there is preference for the males on my part (from limited personal experience), and I am wondering if hormonal/environmental changes pose more problems for females than males. The females are wonderful, too, of course, but I can see myself better dealing with the typical personality of a male over a female (not just in temperament-terms)

I just wanted to say welcome and I envy your trip as a fellow birder!

My Red Bellied parrot who I've had over 20 years is super bonded to me, yet he was always just fine with some absences I've had over the years. He's rolls with the punches better than any bird I've ever seen. I think my budgie is less easy going lol.

Having had Robin over the course of that many years, my life and routines have changed drastically, and now the challenges of having an aging parent in the home still leaves me little time for "routine".
I think that (within reason) having a not-so-rigid routine for the birds makes them "used to" being more flexible should they have to be in an emergency or out of the ordinary situation.

hello up there!

Leonard isn't really on a schedule and he does fine. Do you find that Milo is really cemented into a routine? If so, gentle changes may be necessary, but he will probably adjust with no problem. I've been away for up to a week and Leonard couldn't care less as long as he has my mom (his girlfriend, according to him,) loving on him. He's always happy-angry to see me after a long absence; cuddleBITE.

RavensGryf said:

My Red Bellied parrot who I've had over 20 years is super bonded to me, yet he was always just fine with some absences I've had over the years. He's rolls with the punches better than any bird I've ever seen. I think my budgie is less easy going lol.

Having had Robin over the course of that many years, my life and routines have changed drastically, and now the challenges of having an aging parent in the home still leaves me little time for "routine".
I think that (within reason) having a not-so-rigid routine for the birds makes them "used to" being more flexible should they have to be in an emergency or out of the ordinary situation.

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Totally agree. I cringe sometimes when I hear people saying/ recommending that a routine will be set up for their bird.

I feel kind of strongly about it. Change is inevitable and allowing routine can potentially set your bird up for disaster.

Milo's completely cool with change, though. He's been to other people's homes and stayed for a week or two and did great.

His only peeve is when little kids are around and there are too many people. He begins to flick his wings and emit a high pitched whistle to show his displeasure.

starrynightxxi said:

hello up there!

Leonard isn't really on a schedule and he does fine. Do you find that Milo is really cemented into a routine? If so, gentle changes may be necessary, but he will probably adjust with no problem. I've been away for up to a week and Leonard couldn't care less as long as he has my mom (his girlfriend, according to him,) loving on him. He's always happy-angry to see me after a long absence; cuddleBITE.

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Leonard is beautiful! I love the way that he wistfully looks into the distance with the harness on him. Makes me think of a pilot from those old recruitment posters. The cuteness.

Milo is great with change. There is no routine in our house, really. His meals come at different times and his food is spiced differently on certain days. And I call Milo a "him" but I never sexed Milo. Is that a sin? I don't know. But Milo's behavior towards my father enhances my suspicions that Milo is female.

I actually have been thinking about sexing 'him', soon. But it would only be to satisfy curiosity. Male or female isn't a big deal for me...but come to think of it, it would help me to be a more specialized owner. For example being careful how I pet Milo.

Any recommendations on sexing?

Nah, not with these guys, you're pretty much looking at DNA like with most other parrots. Leonard gets loud and territorial and he does something very like the heartwing display that male cockatiels do, but I haven't found anyone talking about other species doing that so it may be coincidental and unrelated.

Your Milo sounds very laid back. Leonard has Opinions About Things and they're usually loud ones. I know that angry wing flip well lol

He doesn't really care for the harness but he LOVES going outside and flying so compromises must be made.

starrynightxxi said:

Nah, not with these guys, you're pretty much looking at DNA like with most other parrots. Leonard gets loud and territorial and he does something very like the heartwing display that male cockatiels do, but I haven't found anyone talking about other species doing that so it may be coincidental and unrelated.

Your Milo sounds very laid back. Leonard has Opinions About Things and they're usually loud ones. I know that angry wing flip well lol

He doesn't really care for the harness but he LOVES going outside and flying so compromises must be made.

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Funny how you don't hear often about the volume of brotogeris. They're loud! And this is coming from someone who's experienced entire days with screaming U2s.

if we leave the room, Milo will remind us incessantly. Thankfully, when he wants things like food or attention, he'll also resort to ringing his bell or whistling.

He rings his bell when he wants us to give him a taste of human food, mostly. His cage is by the dinner table. So he gets to join us for dinner.

I would love to do that with Milo, take him out by harness. I might try that this summer. I've read up a lot on harness flight, and have a few awesome places near my house.

The internet is nothing but lies! Everything says that they are quiet birds, but I guess it's all relative. Leonard just yelled at me for an hour because he was ready to get up and I was laying in bed ignoring him (this is part of my strict adherence to NO schedule lol) and now that he's out, he's flying laps and yelling the whole time. Luckily it's the middle of the day and no-one else is home.

I actually have a video somewhere from this past summer, you can hear him from the street, even with the windows shut lol But there definitely isn't the same carrying power as the big birds have.

I think some of the problem is that a lot of the information on brotos comes a time when there were lots of yellow chevron/canary-wings and grey-cheeks in the mix. I think they may actually be a little softer-voiced than the white-wings, which are currently the most widely available.

I see you're in Jersey, have you been to Bird Paradise? They have a room FULL of little white-wings and it is hilariously deafening (as compared to when it was full of amazons and was just regularly deafening.)

This is my favorite (and possibly the only) quote about white-wings, by Alfred Russel Wallace:
"All of a sudden ten thousand white-winged paroquets begin their morning song with such a confusion of piercing shrieks as it is quite impossible to describe: a hundred knife-grinders at full work would give but a faint idea of it."