My Dad's secret amazon past

fayah

New member
Feb 16, 2017
45
7
So recently I learned that I didn't know as much about my father than I originally thought and that my bird loving runs deep in my genes! I have had many rescue birds and even some cockatiels/budgies when I was younger and my dad has always been the biggest advocate for my love of all things avian. I just thought he generally loved all animals though and not birds specifically. But recently since I got a new permanent bird in my home for the first time in years, my dad began to reminisce a lot about his parrot he had in his home country

I was really surprised because pets are actually pretty uncommon in my home country. Vet medicine is hardly a thing there and most people only keep dogs for guarding or cats for rat hunting. Sometimes birds just for singing, but usually small song birds.

Lately my dad told me he had a "parrot" when he used to live with his own parents. (We dont have names for specific breeds and info was not widely available back then) It was actually rehomed to my grandfather because he was a very kind person who took it in from a market because he felt bad for it. The bird was very tame, loved to talk, joined the family in meals, etc. It was supposedly fairly large for a standard bird to him (so bigger than a cockatiel) and green

My dad notes he was always impressed by the bird's intelligence. It knew their schedules, said phrases in very contextual ways. It greeted him when he came home, called to him from a balcony when it spotted him out on the street, and apparently was manipulative enough to ask for some foods! but suddenly one day someone opened the door and a dog got into the house, injuring the parrot pretty much fatally due to lack of vet care available. My dad said he was so angry at the dog that day and tried so hard to save the bird basically having to pry the dog away. it really made me tear up hearing that story.

Later I tried to find out what species it was. My first guess for big and green was a macaw, but he said smaller. He also mentioned it was smaller than my cockatoo and my next two guessses were an Amazon and an Ekkie. I apparently hit the mark with the Amazon guess!

It was really interesting hearing about this part of my dad's past and i am just struck by the odd coincidence that my family was one of the very very VERY few parrot owning families back in my home country at that time. My mother's side doesn't really like animals much and prefer cats/dogs if anything. Now I am wondering if my dad secretly or subconsciously steered me into being a parrot owner instead of some other animal! (My mother absolutely banned dogs and cats but let me have a choice of a smaller animal in my childhood)

I just wanted to share this story or record it somewhere be ause it just made a large impression on me that even in a different culture that is not quite so pet friendly due to economy and lack of information, such a strong bond could form between a human and a parrot. I really hope to adopt an amazon someday now when I get my career path more hammered out and my dad is a retiree with too much free time. Gotta keep some room in my flock for that now!
 

wrench13

Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Parrot of the Month 🏆
Nov 22, 2015
11,383
Media
14
Albums
2
12,567
Isle of Long, NY
Parrots
Yellow Shoulder Amazon, Salty
What a nice story ( well mostly). Ah ha, now you know you have Amazon in your blood! It's just a matter of time now.
 
OP
F

fayah

New member
Feb 16, 2017
45
7
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #3
I'm accepting that inevitability lol. I just hope any future amazon will get along with the other birds in my household at that point in time. I'm always anxious about having multiple birds at once but since I also usually have a very large family it tends to work out
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,646
10,008
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
With what you said about your Father, my guess would be is that when you showed interest he support your choices regardless of direction. Likely, when showed interest in Parrots, he was delighted since he knew the great joys when he was younger.

As my very good friend above stated, you likely have Amazon is your blood and whether you choose to have one be part of your life or not, you will always enjoy the family Amazona.
 

GaleriaGila

Well-known member
Parrot of the Month 🏆
May 14, 2016
15,045
8,742
Cleveland area
Parrots
The Rickeybird, 38-year-old Patagonian Conure
I love that story!
I'd love an Amazon, too, but the Rickeybird won't allow it.
 

AmyMyBlueFront

Well-known member
Apr 14, 2015
6,315
Media
4
3,034
Connecticut
Parrots
Amy a Blue Front 'Zon
Jonesy a Goffins 'Too who had to be rehomed :-(

And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
Birds "in the blood" could very well be possible! I recall as a very young boy,the wild birds fascinated me,and I set up all sorts of feeders and houses at my home,and bought/read all and any books on birds I could find. I still have my collection in the bookcase in my living room.

Gramma and Gramps had a budgie,and when I spent a weekend with them Gramma allowed me to "take care" of "Bluebelle",by feeding and cleaning his house and trying to teach him tricks.
I think my Gramma has some sort of influence with my mom,coz for my 13th or 14th birthday mom got me Wally,my very own little guy :D and that's when my affliction with birdies soared..and here I am,nearly 50 years later,with two of the best companions anyone could wish for!

A little budgie started it all!



Jim
 

HeatherG

Well-known member
Apr 25, 2020
3,893
6,966
I'm accepting that inevitability lol. I just hope any future amazon will get along with the other birds in my household at that point in time. I'm always anxious about having multiple birds at once but since I also usually have a very large family it tends to work out
I am wondering what home country or general area of the world your dad lived in?

My grandparents had a wildlife park with many animals from buffalo to wolves, bears, and peacocks. I hear my uncles used to crawl in with the wolf pups when they were little. I have had birds all my life and am trained as a zoologist/ bird specialist. My grandmother says I am a “bird whisperer.” It is interesting how this heredity works, isn’t it?
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Top