Looking to connect with any Vasa owners

[Brittany0208]

I don't usually check into this account, but I figured I'd actually give this forum a chance and see what comes of it. I have a 9-year-old special needs Vasa named Java, and I have yet to meet any active members (other forum) with a Vasa. I would like to learn more about this species. Thanks for reading.

 

[LordTriggs]

not a Vasa owner myself but absolutely fascinated by them. I've even been told that Vasa parrots might be a good fit for me but they're so darn rare I've never even seen them in action

 

[Kiwibird]

Oh, I love seeing the super rare parrots on here! Vasa parrots are extremely rare in the pet trade, probably as rare if not rarer than palm cockatoos or hyacinth macaws (albeit no where near as costly from my understanding). It is not too surprising you're struggling to find other owners- there simply aren't many out there. Vasa parrots, from the little I've heard, make excellent companions and seem to be generally quiet, sweet birds. They likely never became very popular because other parrots look flashier and some people are off-put that male Vasa parrots have visible sex organs when they're going through their spring thing.

So what kind of special needs does Java have? Have you had him since he was newly weaned? I hope you stick around and share regularly about Java. Such fascinating birds and so little insight into their behavior and personalities.

 

[Brittany0208]

Oh, I love seeing the super rare parrots on here! Vasa parrots are extremely rare in the pet trade, probably as rare if not rarer than palm cockatoos or hyacinth macaws (albeit no where near as costly from my understanding). It is not too surprising you're struggling to find other owners- there simply aren't many out there. Vasa parrots, from the little I've heard, make excellent companions and seem to be generally quiet, sweet birds. They likely never became very popular because other parrots look flashier and some people are off-put that male Vasa parrots have visible sex organs when they're going through their spring thing.

So what kind of special needs does Java have? Have you had him since he was newly weaned? I hope you stick around and share regularly about Java. Such fascinating birds and so little insight into their behavior and personalities.

I've had him for 8 months now, and prior to me rescuing him, he spent his life as an aviary breeder in FL. At some point in his past, he was attacked by a raccoon and lost a leg because of it. His remaining leg has nerve entrapment and it's locked at a 90 degree angle and he has no function of his small back toe.
He's never had any human contact aside from being caught with a net to be shipped to me, and just recently, I've been able to pet his head without getting chomped

 

[buurd]

Dont give up searching. Have you tried to connect with any of the Vasa people on youtube?
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=vasa+parrot
Some of the clips are pretty old; some not so old. But getting in contact with anyone, might lead to contact with other people. Even a decent breeder (unlike the ass you rescued your bird from), who might have good information. It's no more random connecting with people from there, as it is from here. At least you can see how they take care of their birds.

I understand a bit of what you're going through. I have Bourke's parrots, and they are different enough , even from the other Australian parrots, to warrant some special understanding apart from the other parrots. It can get frustrating when the good advice isn't a good fit to your kind of bird , but keep posting about him. Eventually, someone will see you them, and feel comfortable enough to connect. And then you can build from there. I eventually asked the mods for a separate thread for Bourke's. You should have a separate one for Vasas.

And since you are a new parrot owner, please keep reading, despite the frustration with most everything geared toward the bigger, more commonly owned parrots. The Vasa is still a parrot, and while its behavior and food, etc, may differ, they are mostly more alike than different, and you can pick up some good info.

Ultimately though, its up to you to do the research on Vasas. You can look up information on them in veterinary medical and university research journal articles, and in journals and sites regarding Madagascan fauna (and flora helps, too).
It's good that their hemipenis was pointed out by a previous poster because you dont want to think something is wrong with them when that happens ( https://www.google.com/search?q=vas...yt7eAhVF5IMKHYGWAUIQ_AUIDigB&biw=1277&bih=653 ). You're going to have to read up yourself and bring your knowledge to the avian vets you go to, most likely, because these arent the most common parrots that they're used to seeing. They can crack open their vet books and read up, too, and give you information, also.

With regard to youtube, you have to be judicious about the info you get from anyone on there. A lot of Bourke's owners that seemed wholly competent bird owners, still had some wrong information about Bourke's parrots. You can be swayed by people saying things as fact, when they are not fact, at all; just anecdote, or bad info that they were told and then passed on as fact.

Please keep posting about your Vasa! After seeing how damn cute they are in those youtuber's clips, I have added them to my list of birds I want to eventually adopt; right along with a Pionus, if possible.
They are adorable, and make the most adorable sounds! Im in love :smile015:
Good luck!

 

[buurd]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXg7bPHA1Us"](Greater Vasa Parrot) - Chocobo's Necklace - YouTube[/ame]

Look at this guy! Adoraballs!!

Vasa's use tools, according to another clip.


Another thing: You might think you've seen everything there is to about Vasas, on the net. But keep searching, for good. Because the net is like a brain. The more searches you do on Vasas, the more it connects its synapses to other Vasa information, out there. And also, new info might be available, as time goes on.

https://www.facebook.com/westbranch...-advocates-for-bird-conserv/1011390078877572/
In 2014, this aviary mentions charitable work done in captive breeding of Vasas, and outright calls them "rare" birds. What happened from 2014 to 2018, where your 9 (or 13?) year old bird ended up with an hoorrible breeder who let a raccoon chew off his leg? How did that happen? Anyway, you can reach out to these people to find out more information and contacts.
Also? Have you called animal welfare on that breeder? That's freaking awful that this bird was kept in such a vulnerable state that a raccoon chewed off his leg. They dont sound like they are part of the conservation program. They shouldnt be able to endanger the rest of the birds or animals they are using as their personal cash machines.


https://www.facebook.com/TheGreatVasa/ Why in the heck is the last post on here dated two years ago? Were these birds just declared illegal and the owners are hiding out? Are they just abnormally shy? I dont understand...

Anyway, try all kinds of creative hashtags on Twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/vasaparrot?src=hash
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/greatervasaparrot/?hl=en Motherload.

https://www.facebook.com/westbranch...-advocates-for-bird-conserv/1011390078877572/




Really you should try Twitter and facebook , first. Good luck!

 

[noodles123]

Unless it was you, I am pretty sure there was another vasa owner on this forum.

 

[buurd]

https://www.parrots.org/encyclopedia/vasa-parrot

Id consider becoming a member to a site like this. Search out Orinthology in Universities.

And of course, libraries (Uni and state are best). Make the librarians earn their pay, by researching and getting you information on Vasas


https://www.amazon.com/Parrot-Parenting-Essential-Training-Birdtalk-ebook/dp/B00OFK215S
Vasas are mentioned in this book on 20+ parrot types. It takes all the differences of parrot types into account. Dont know how deeply for Vasas, but it's worth checking out ( library are free and they can search as far as they need to , to get a copy).

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...GEXIPVKFTL0&rh=n:283155,k:birds+of+madagascar
You might pick up bits n pieces here and there.

 

[noodles123]

Google ""My vasa is" parrot"
This shows videos on youtube and other bird sites.

 

[EllenD]

I wish I had some suggestions for you, I've not ever known anyone who owned any of the Vasa species...They are quite similar to other parrot species in some ways, mostly behavioral and psychological ways, their greatest differences are actually physical in nature, and make them quite unusual is a lot of ways...

LOL, for whatever reason one of the little things I remember from grad school is about the Vasa species as a whole. All of the Vasa species that are males have a "Hemipene" inside of their Cloaca's, that first becomes erect, then "inverts" itself, and then exits the Vent during mating, exactly the same way that a lot of reptile species do, such as Bearded Dragons, Iguanas, all Tortoises and Turtles, etc...That's what I got out of graduate school

 

[Brittany0208]

Thank you. Yeah, I've witnessed the hemipenis firsthand a few months ago. No DNA test needed here lol

 

[Brittany0208]

Dont give up searching. Have you tried to connect with any of the Vasa people on youtube?
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=vasa+parrot
Some of the clips are pretty old; some not so old. But getting in contact with anyone, might lead to contact with other people. Even a decent breeder (unlike the ass you rescued your bird from), who might have good information. It's no more random connecting with people from there, as it is from here. At least you can see how they take care of their birds.

I understand a bit of what you're going through. I have Bourke's parrots, and they are different enough , even from the other Australian parrots, to warrant some special understanding apart from the other parrots. It can get frustrating when the good advice isn't a good fit to your kind of bird , but keep posting about him. Eventually, someone will see you them, and feel comfortable enough to connect. And then you can build from there. I eventually asked the mods for a separate thread for Bourke's. You should have a separate one for Vasas.

And since you are a new parrot owner, please keep reading, despite the frustration with most everything geared toward the bigger, more commonly owned parrots. The Vasa is still a parrot, and while its behavior and food, etc, may differ, they are mostly more alike than different, and you can pick up some good info.

Ultimately though, its up to you to do the research on Vasas. You can look up information on them in veterinary medical and university research journal articles, and in journals and sites regarding Madagascan fauna (and flora helps, too).
It's good that their hemipenis was pointed out by a previous poster because you dont want to think something is wrong with them when that happens ( https://www.google.com/search?q=vas...yt7eAhVF5IMKHYGWAUIQ_AUIDigB&biw=1277&bih=653 ). You're going to have to read up yourself and bring your knowledge to the avian vets you go to, most likely, because these arent the most common parrots that they're used to seeing. They can crack open their vet books and read up, too, and give you information, also.

With regard to youtube, you have to be judicious about the info you get from anyone on there. A lot of Bourke's owners that seemed wholly competent bird owners, still had some wrong information about Bourke's parrots. You can be swayed by people saying things as fact, when they are not fact, at all; just anecdote, or bad info that they were told and then passed on as fact.

Please keep posting about your Vasa! After seeing how damn cute they are in those youtuber's clips, I have added them to my list of birds I want to eventually adopt; right along with a Pionus, if possible.
They are adorable, and make the most adorable sounds! Im in love :smile015:
Good luck!

Thank you very much for the informative post. I've gone through just about every internet article concerning the Vasa, I've contacted Kim and two other Vasa owners, but the search is still on.

I've also contacted local sanctuaries, vet clinics, and online forums, and there are still very little who even know what the heck a Vasa is. Thus far, I've learned A LOT by firsthand experience, and since he is my first parrot (even though I had a budgie when I was 11), I don't have a baseline for parrot behavior other than what is posted online. He's also my first handicapped animal, so I'm constantly learning how to accommodate his needs, which has been a lot trickier than I never imagined. All in all, having him has been worth every bump we've come across. He's such a joy!

 

[Brittany0208]

(Greater Vasa Parrot) - Chocobo's Necklace - YouTube

Look at this guy! Adoraballs!!

Vasa's use tools, according to another clip.


Another thing: You might think you've seen everything there is to about Vasas, on the net. But keep searching, for good. Because the net is like a brain. The more searches you do on Vasas, the more it connects its synapses to other Vasa information, out there. And also, new info might be available, as time goes on.

https://www.facebook.com/westbranch...-advocates-for-bird-conserv/1011390078877572/
In 2014, this aviary mentions charitable work done in captive breeding of Vasas, and outright calls them "rare" birds. What happened from 2014 to 2018, where your 9 (or 13?) year old bird ended up with an hoorrible breeder who let a raccoon chew off his leg? How did that happen? Anyway, you can reach out to these people to find out more information and contacts.
Also? Have you called animal welfare on that breeder? That's freaking awful that this bird was kept in such a vulnerable state that a raccoon chewed off his leg. They dont sound like they are part of the conservation program. They shouldnt be able to endanger the rest of the birds or animals they are using as their personal cash machines.


https://www.facebook.com/TheGreatVasa/ Why in the heck is the last post on here dated two years ago? Were these birds just declared illegal and the owners are hiding out? Are they just abnormally shy? I dont understand...

Anyway, try all kinds of creative hashtags on Twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/vasaparrot?src=hash
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/greatervasaparrot/?hl=en Motherload.

https://www.facebook.com/westbranch...-advocates-for-bird-conserv/1011390078877572/




Really you should try Twitter and facebook , first. Good luck!

Yeah, I get the feeling the breeder hasn't been completely honest with me about Java's background since I was able to track his original breeder, and since a lot of the information regarding the attack doesn't add up, I've stopped keeping in touch with the breeder I got him from. It's been well over four months since I last contacted her, and even when I did, asking about Java's history, she would ignore my texts.

I have no knowledge of how long he's been without the leg or whether the raccoon made it into the aviary or simply reached through the bars. Knowing how skittish Java is, I can assume the animal made its way into the aviary. Unfortunately, because of the negligence, Java lost a leg and his remaining leg is very damaged. Essentially, he's a sitting duck, and struggles to get around. He also wasn't allowed to fledge so he has no clue how to fly without slamming into what's in front of him.
We've made a lot of progress thus far, and even if he never gains mobility, he'll always have me.

 

[Inger]

I think there is an article around here somewhere about teaching a bird to fly. Have you found it? If not, let me know and I’ll go look for it. Or Sailboat can probably just tell you what to do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Brittany0208]

Thank you. I have not found it. I've been casually tossing him onto my bed so he'll flap, but it seems that he can't gain any lift, he can only fly at a downward angle, and he isn't clipped.
I've also just held him in my hands and gently raise and lower him so he'll flap, but he usually starts panting after about 5 seconds, so it doesn't last long.

 

[Inger]

Found it! I would think that for this a parrot is a parrot.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...orums.com/showthread.php?t=73296&share_type=t


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[buurd]

I've also contacted local sanctuaries, vet clinics, and online forums, and there are still very little who even know what the heck a Vasa is. Thus far, I've learned A LOT by firsthand experience, and since he is my first parrot (even though I had a budgie when I was 11), I don't have a baseline for parrot behavior other than what is posted online. He's also my first handicapped animal, so I'm constantly learning how to accommodate his needs, which has been a lot trickier than I never imagined. All in all, having him has been worth every bump we've come across. He's such a joy!

Seeing as theyre from Madagascar and how different the animals from there are, it's got to be tough. Youre doing great though!
There's no limit to where you can look for information

https://www.facebook.com/usembassy.madagascar/

It was just International Education week. They just may be able to refer you to people who study the Vasa. It can never hurt to ask

A good avian vet will be interested in learning more about your bird species. They'll turn to their books or university, etc, to read up on the Vasa. Even if you have to call or contact them out of state for info, keep looking around. They may be able to put you in contact to someone else at a university, etc.

And keep us posted about how you're handling his handicap, for sure, because how you handle your bird, will educate others who find themselves in the same spot. He's being fitted for a prosthetic? Perhaps the makers of the prosthetic can offer some information regarding how to go about teaching him to fly, as he is a special case?

My Bourkes were adopted and cage-bound for their lives (2 years), according to their previous owner. The board post on helping parrots fly didn't help me, as it turned out. The Bourke's I have arent tamed, and are only shy toward human interaction. So, despite best wishes, one size does not fit all birds, it turns out. They taught themselves under my watchful eye, and after I had taken environmental precautions, so that they could not potentially hurt themselves. As your bae is handicapped, he probably requires some additional information. Especially as he is being fitted with a prosthetic leg.

 

[buurd]

I have no knowledge of how long he's been without the leg or whether the raccoon made it into the aviary or simply reached through the bars. Knowing how skittish Java is, I can assume the animal made its way into the aviary. Unfortunately, because of the negligence, Java lost a leg and his remaining leg is very damaged. Essentially, he's a sitting duck, and struggles to get around. He also wasn't allowed to fledge so he has no clue how to fly without slamming into what's in front of him.
We've made a lot of progress thus far, and even if he never gains mobility, he'll always have me.

It's good to know that he'll always be your boy. You obviously love him a lot and have a big heart, for rescuing him

No one's perfect. I wish my birds werent so skittish, but from what Ive read, there's a chance that they always will be. I still love them with everything in me; and Im sure it is the same for you.

And yeah; that raccoon story is fishy as hell. How does a raccoon, who eats meat, chew on a leg an not infect the bird with their saliva, at least?

Anyway, cant wait to hear more about Java, and his progress

 

[buurd]

https://journals.tdl.org/watchbird/index.php/watchbird/article/view/1586

You could try contacting the author, too, or others like her, who are authors of various articles, or use their references in the footnotes, when available.

Im interested in what she says here:

"...had to find my pair another home in the middle of 40 acres because of their loud, annoying off-key braying, squawking, un-oiled hinge sound vocalizations. I live in a tightly packed neighborhood and was ve1y concerned the caterwauling during the breeding season would jeopardize my quieter species with the neighbors."

Maybe you can post audio on this, one day. Id love to hear this

 

[Morty]

Vasas are my dream parrot. Some day!