A picture worth a thousand words

[chris-md]

As I was laying there, Parker just walked up to my face from daydreaming on my knee and rested the tip of his beak on my chin for a couple minutes. This was taken by DH while he was doing it, unfazed by the camera.

Think he's happy?

 

[itchyfeet]

That's gotta warm the heart, that's amazing

 

[Laura729]

So sweet! Parker reminds me so much of my boy (Charlie)!

 

[Allee]

Thank you, Chris! This photo made my evening! I can see things are going very well with Parker. Very sweet update!

 

[Newbsi]

Cutest beak ever!

 

[Doublete]

Awe how sweet....

 

[RavensGryf]

Good to see this, I'm happy for you!

 

[JerseyWendy]

OMG, the picture made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, plus it gave me goosebumps! There is ZERO doubt that Parker was meant to be living with you!

 

[GreatBlue320]

What a special moment for you and Parker. I'm so glad your DH was there to capture it. These birds are so special - they just melt your heart, don't they?

 

[chris-md]

Warm and fuzzies all around! It was a really special moment for sure

The progress he is making is remarkable. He just today solicited a step-up from DH (he's still hesitant so didn't oblige but he was flattered for sure). He's also beginning to demolish his veggies. He's more about veggies than fruit for sure. And he's starting to show a few pin feathers amongst the down, so I'm asking him if we can keep them. :41:

The only challenge were having is a bit more screaming than we would like. I'm trying to address it, not yet finding a pattern for when it happens. To help him cope with us being gone 11-12 hrs a day, we keep him up til 11pm, in the hopes he sleeps a chunk of the next day. If the screaming continues I might put him to bed earlier and see if that helps.

I just want to say thanks again to everyone for all the advice and support. It has really made all the difference in the world for Parkers quality of life.

 

[Birdman666]

Pecker used to do that stuff with me all the time. Whenever I laid down that bird was right there next to my face.

It's definitely a love thing...

 

[Kiwibird]

Awwww... Parker says "thanks for rescuing me, I love you!". That is SUCH a sweet pic!

 

[JerseyWendy]

You know, Chris, I think you (and DH) are doing a REMARKABLE, PHENOMENAL job with Parker! No doubt does Parker know how much he is loved!!

You are truly on top of things all the time. It's commendable!!

 

[Anansi]

What a wonderful pic, Chris! Yep, I'd say Parker's definitely digging his new situation.

And preferring veggies to fruit?!? Only other ekkie I've heard of like that is Drlisaort's Oliver. Great "problem" to have, as the veggies are easily the more important of the two. (Yes, an ekkie is arguably a frugivore, but our veggies are a closer match, nutritionally speaking, to the fruits they eat in the wild than our fruits are.)

Keep up all of your efforts, Chris! They're obviously paying off. Who knows, maybe he will allow those pin feathers to grow out.

As for the screams, when do they happen? Constantly? Whenever you leave a room? Near mealtime?

 

[katie_fleming]

Adorable

 

[Birdman666]

What a wonderful pic, Chris! Yep, I'd say Parker's definitely digging his new situation.

And preferring veggies to fruit?!? Only other ekkie I've heard of like that is Drlisaort's Oliver. Great "problem" to have, as the veggies are easily the more important of the two. (Yes, an ekkie is arguably a frugivore, but our veggies are a closer match, nutritionally speaking, to the fruits they eat in the wild than our fruits are.)

Keep up all of your efforts, Chris! They're obviously paying off. Who knows, maybe he will allow those pin feathers to grow out.

Yeah. And now you're reaping the rewards for your good work.

Another fine example of a "bird with baggage" eh?! You don't want one of those, they have issues! You need to get a baby and hand feed it yourself or it won't bond with you... Errr... Uuuuhh... Uuumm...

When will that myth finally be busted for good?!

I've always suspected there was a dietary component to Eckie plucking disorders, just like toe tap.

 

[Terry57]

What a beautiful, heart warming picture...Parker is obviously so incredibly happy to be in his new family

 

[chris-md]

Mark, you are so right. I had almost written off any rescues, mostly thinking of parrot rescue places since, in my area, they remain under the guardianship of the rescue when you take them, they aren't yours. The only reason I jumped on his craigslist ad was because the ad said he stepped up to most people. So he couldn't have been that bad. And he wasn't at all!

Wendy thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement. They really mean a lot, and I really do feel like Parker has a great home. It's nice to know that other people can see that I'm trying to do my best for him.

Stephen, thankfully the screaming is not constant. I'm still trying to work out when he is likely to do it, but there is no common thread. He occasionally screams when you come home from work, but half the time it seems to come out of nowhere. I could be walking around with him on my arm, or he could be on the couch and I'm just walking around the living room. It might be a little busy at the time, or could be A very serene environment I just cannot find the pattern yet. It's maybe 3 to 5 times per day so it's not so bad. Just a little more than what I would've expected from an Eclectus. Doesn't even bother me, but DH is a little disturbed. But every bird is different, and this could very well just be a Parrot being a parrot.

 

[Birdman666]

All living things respond to proper care and love...

And most of the rescues I've taken in have been almost greatful to have been taken out of their neglectful situations, and put in a situation where they feel happy and are loved...

They've been my best birds over the years.

There's work involved in rehabing them, but what you get in return is just amazing... It's stuff like this!

 

[chris-md]

All living things respond to proper care!

As a former tropical horticulturist, I can say truer words were never spoken. :41: