How do you think I should approach this...

So I know I am always posting "look what I found" things about parrots, but those are mostly, if it were meant to be, then I'd go with it type dreams, or if they would allow me the chance to help, I would. Anyway...


There is a wonderful woman that lives down the road from me. I met her through a friend and she has babysat my daughter a couple times. She has a kind heart, not a mean bone in her body. Would give the shirt off her back kind of person. She is soft spoken and very sensitive. Well she also does hand feeding for a lady she just calls "the bird lady," I never really asked questions about her. Through this woman she got a baby quaker and an older female ringneck.

So.. I asked her about the ringneck because she was never out of her cage when I came to get my daughter and the other parrot was. She told me she bites and you can't handle her or get her back in the cage once she is out. The parrot looks very unhappy, and she believes she is doing this parrot a favor by just keeping it in the cage. She doesn't want to rehome her for fear she will just go home to home to home... Etc.

As most of you know I have a 30+ year old male ringneck that was abused and afraid of children when he first came to me. After a lot of work and gaining of trust I have a parrot that loves to be near my child and trusts us. I have been thinking about this for some time, and I want to ask her about taking the parrot and trying to rehabilitate her. I just don't know if she will take offense to my offer. What do you guys think?

Sorry this is so long.

You could tell her what you've done with your ringneck and what he was like when you first got him and what it took to get him to rehabilitate. Just offer her the same for her female ringneck and see what she thinks. Offer her with some advice and see what she thinks of it. It would be great if she would just stop on by your house to see your ringneck and show her what hers could be like if she was handled properly. IF you really would like to have the ringneck, ask her what she thinks if the ringneck comes to live with you so you can rehabilitate her.

Thanks for the response. I forgot to mention she doesn't really leave her apartment, and doesn't have a car. I am waiting for Chico's flight suit to come in the mail, I am thinking of just taking a walk with him down to her place and having her come out to check him out, and going from there.

I think the walk idea is a great idea, I wouldn't ask to take the bird. Instead I would start slow, offer to work with the bird a few hours here and there. Move slowly and maybe she will see how much the bird is turning around. I do think there are instances where a bird may never exactly be pet material, but the bird should be out enjoying time out of the cage and treat. Maybe you could show her how

I think this sounds like a good idea. The poor bird deserves to be happy. I don't know the woman in question, but some people can take offense to advice that isn't asked for, but she sounds like she wants what's best for the bird.

i've a feeling she would welcome it, as when i am in the house an nuts in her cage time i feel soo mean, so i can only imagine what this woman must feel having the fear of not being able to manage her bird, and the guilt that she is enforcing a miserable life sentance.

I don't know if she will welcome it or not. What little chats we have had about parrots, she doesn't seem to know to much. She didn't even realize you should give parrots veggies, but yes I will walk down there with Chico. My neighbor is going to talk to her as well, break the ice.

Abzeez said:

I don't know if she will welcome it or not. What little chats we have had about parrots, she doesn't seem to know to much. She didn't even realize you should give parrots veggies, but yes I will walk down there with Chico. My neighbor is going to talk to her as well, break the ice.

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Oh wow I think that is a great idea and you can tell her how you tamed chico and she might see that and say hey do you think you could do that with mine ? and she might even pay you to tame her bird . I think you are doing a wonderful thing .