Gracie's post ♡

[noodles123]

She turned 9 on April 1st [emoji3059]

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See- this is why I am ALL ABOUT the "older" birds-- and when I say "older", I mean YOUNG still, but if you take that plunge and adopt a non-baby, I think it can be so rewarding (especially because you get a taste of that adult personality to SOME extent upfront). You are doing a great job! Keep it up!

Would't advise using ankle leashes-- I know harness training an older bird feels like a nightmare, but those ankle leashes can harm them if they do take-off (broken legs etc)

That's what I kind of thought too, it seems so dangerous she were to take off in flight! I definitely like getting older birds, as much as I would love to snuggle with a baby and start it out young with training, it's more likely to outlive me at this point if I get a newborn! 10 years + is GREAT! My kids fortunately hope to take the birds if I die LOL. So at least theirs that [emoji1787][emoji2356] my oldest is 8 and they have already started calling dibs.

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That's awesome- and you gave her another chance at life! I mean, these birds need people who love them and want them around. Sometimes with babies, I think people get SO used to that level of docile behavior, that adulthood scares them, but when adulthood is all you have known and the bird still is happy, that is great! I get why people want babies etc-- no offense intended to those who get them, but I think that older birds can be absolutely amazing (especially because yours could easily live another 60 years + LOL!)

 

[saxguy64]

I would love to raise a baby myself, but never have. I consider it kind of above my pay grade, you know? I'm much more comfortable dealing with an adult bird. What you see is what you get, and you accept them for who they are, and go with it. No puberty changes or any of that stuff. I've been sooooo lucky to be chosen by such amazing birdies. Mine have all been rescues or re-homes over the years. They're so deserving, and totally worth it. Wouldn't have it any other way.

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[sunshinemama91]

If we ever get another bird, definitely gonna be another rescue... hopefully the next one loves me more than my husband [emoji1787]. I genuinely want the clinginess of a nice large bird.

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[saxguy64]

I fully understand. Nothing better in the world. I have one like that. OMG that girl loves me! (And only me) I'm truly blessed.

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[sunshinemama91]

Awhhhh, I cant wait to get to the point Gracie will let me really handle her. That to me is just a dream. Shes been letting me touch her beak without biting [emoji3059]

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[saxguy64]

Not a thing wrong with baby steps. Sometimes trust just takes time. A lot of time, but it's worth the effort when it finally happens. Patience, and more patience. You got this!

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[noodles123]

Awhhhh, I cant wait to get to the point Gracie will let me really handle her. That to me is just a dream. Shes been letting me touch her beak without biting [emoji3059]

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You WILL get there-- I was just watching an old video I found of Noodles when I couldn't touch her and she wouldn't even go on a perch anywhere else in the house!!! I DO remember it, but is seems so distant--I mean, technically, I guess it is, but...it look months for us to bond fully. Looking back, it's funny, because I never doubted that we would get here, even though all signs pointed to no lol! Seriously, though.....it can be SO hard at first (especially when you aren't "the chosen one") but you would be surprised at how much patience and behavioral awareness (+ treats etc) can do.

You say you wish you could touch her, but she has perched on you--that's HUGE! I can hold Noodles upside down and toss her through the air these days, but there was a solid 3 months were I couldn't pick her up or anything...add 3 more for basic trust...I think we took about 6 months to KIND OF figure each other out, and I had never met her...6 months more to REALLY read her...so basically, a year before I REALLY could say I knew her! (even though I thought I knew her before then).

I wouldn't tell ANYONE to do what I did, because it was a GIANT gamble because Noodles and I were strangers--but...just saying....you can get there....

Now, if the bird HATED you then I might be a little less optimistic, but you are well within the "tolerated" or even "like" zone at this point

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I feel blessed with Amy..he was four months old when he picked me,and now after thirty years he truly loves "dad" I can do just about anything with him but yes there are times when he is a typical amazon,I still get a chomp if I push things that he just doesn't want to do. His fave thing tho is rides in the car where he turns into a mush bug with me. It's the only time that he'll coo in my ear,gently preen my beard or GENTLY nibble my ear or nose and chew on my fingers and mumble Amazon speak to me.


Jim

 

[sunshinemama91]

I feel blessed with Amy..he was four months old when he picked me,and now after thirty years he truly loves "dad" I can do just about anything with him but yes there are times when he is a typical amazon,I still get a chomp if I push things that he just doesn't want to do. His fave thing tho is rides in the car where he turns into a mush bug with me. It's the only time that he'll coo in my ear,gently preen my beard or GENTLY nibble my ear or nose and chew on my fingers and mumble Amazon speak to me.





Jim

That's what Hracie does to my husband EVERY time he handles her. She sits on his shoulder and like coos at him and just pretends his whole face, ears, hair, nose... I'm sitting there watching in almost horror because I wouldnt have a face

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[sunshinemama91]

We woke up in the middle of the night due to my 4 year old having to use the bathroom. She went to get back in bed and just started crying, I thought she said she was cold and her sister wouldnt let her in the bed.... but she said GRACIE wouldn't. She crawled in our bed and told my husband that Gracie was in her room! I was like pshhhh, noooo, no she ain't shes sleeping on her cage as usual. Went to turn the light on and low and behold, there she is, on the bottom bed frame just sitting there in the dark! I dont know if something spooked her, or if she was looking for my husband. She is ABSOLUTELY obsessed with my husband. Like "I cant live without you" obsessed. Which I'm bummed because that's what I wanted [emoji1787] he didnt even want a bird. She slept on her T stand in our bedroom for the rest of the night right next to my husband.

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[Anita1250]

My Sam is a 37 year old BFA. I did raise him as a baby, but would never get another baby again. I am too old to make that the right decision for the bird. If I got another parrot, it would be an older rescue. This way I would be giving a bird a home that needs one, and wouldn't have one that would outlive me by a long time. Living with a parrot for 37 years has taught me that these creatures are smart, loving and so worth the time it takes to make their lives better!

 

[sunshinemama91]

It's been 3+ years since I've posted in here, but we moved to Alaska, brought Gracie with us. She's a brat and we've had a really hard time. My husband doesn't really care for her anymore, he is tired of her needy behavior and her and I burnt some trust bridges because of her biting me after asking to step up. Today was the first time in months I've let her step onto my hand, and this time she didn't chomp so I decided that I need to do everything I can to rekindle her and I's relationship. My husband has wanted to rehome her but the thought makes me deeply sorrowful so I'm going to try and just get her to attach to me instead by taking her everywhere to do everything with me from gardening to bathing. She deserves better and idk how imma give it to her, but I will try.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

It's been 3+ years since I've posted in here, but we moved to Alaska, brought Gracie with us. She's a brat and we've had a really hard time. My husband doesn't really care for her anymore, he is tired of her needy behavior and her and I burnt some trust bridges because of her biting me after asking to step up. Today was the first time in months I've let her step onto my hand, and this time she didn't chomp so I decided that I need to do everything I can to rekindle her and I's relationship. My husband has wanted to rehome her but the thought makes me deeply sorrowful so I'm going to try and just get her to attach to me instead by taking her everywhere to do everything with me from gardening to bathing. She deserves better and idk how imma give it to her, but I will try.

I read your earlier posts from three years ago and it's sad that your husband, who wanted Gracie and who she was so fond of, kinda got tired of her. I realize how demanding it is to be a parront. It's nothing like having a cat or a dog. Parrots are very high maintenance and we generally can't keep them uncaged all day and give them full run of the house. They would either destroy things or get into trouble, so they end up spending way too much time alone in their cages. I think most of us have been "guilty" of this at one point or another.
Even though your husband has lost interest, I really hope you succeed in rekindling your own relationship with Amazing Gracie. Best wishes to both of you!