LittleRedHen
New member
- Jun 13, 2020
- 37
- 0
- Parrots
-
Homer (male GCC) - DOB 1.9.19
Frida (female cockatiel) - DOB 7.2.19 (RIP)
Gus (male quaker) - DOB 7.20.20
So, hi! I've posted previously here about pet insurance. But I thought I'd share about the new adventure I've decided to take on...and maybe a little about why.
I just finished setting up a trust for my birds. I don't have children...in fact, I *cannot* have children. That's actually one of the reasons I got my first birds in the first place (please no tips about adoption or fostering, I've explored it).
The only reason I'm mentioning this aspect of my life is because I want to illustrate the role my parrots play in my life. They are my feathered children. I devote a lot of time to them, and they get outside-cage playtime 3 times a day, along with interaction during the day because I work from home. I am clergy, so that takes me out of the house quite often, and I do have an active social life...but still, the birds are getting at least 5 hours a day of in-your-face interaction, while a human is pretty much within sight or earshot at all times for the rest of the day.
My active social life means I entertain often. A couple of my friends have bonded to my birds, that way when I travel the birds have someone they know and like watching them.
I do care for my elderly mother, and she does live in the house. Honestly, she is very involved with the care of the birds as well...she stops by the cages a few times a day to play games and offer healthy treats, and often puts a bird on her shoulder while she reads or watches tv. So, wow, maybe they get more than just 5 hours of one-on-one time! LOL :18:
So...I've come to the decision that I have too much love to give for only 2 birds. My cockatiel, Frida is NOT cuddly, she likes to sit on a shoulder or be around people but not to be touched. My conure, Homer, is super cuddly and playful but not necessarily down for hanging out ALL day.
I want a bigger bird. I want a bird that will hang out with me all day, enjoy the very social atmosphere in my home, and maybe even be cuddly!
So, this week I visited a bird rescue that is super reputable. I explained my lifestyle, and left my number. So, it looks like I'm going to stop by every week or so until I meet a bird that might be a good fit! They will be expecting me and I can play with all the birds and meet any newcomers. This rescue has you work with the bird for a month or so to properly bond before completing adoption, so I know I'm looking at a very long process.
I decided to start this thread in order to kind of journal my adventure, as I've never done this before. The idea of a rescue parrot is a little scary, but I'm giving it a try instead of buying!
I'm also happy to hear any and all advice along the way.
I'm looking at african greys and eclectus parrots, but honestly I'm more concerned about personality vs species.
Well, a couple exceptions. I live in the suburbs, and my idea of manageable noise is if the neighbors cannot hear my birds while inside their own homes during the morning racket. So, as much as I LOVE macaws and cockatoos...they are not going to work. I've heard them yell. Also, I've been told by the rescue people not to get an amazon for my mother's safety.
Soooo....yeah. This will be a ride!
I just finished setting up a trust for my birds. I don't have children...in fact, I *cannot* have children. That's actually one of the reasons I got my first birds in the first place (please no tips about adoption or fostering, I've explored it).
The only reason I'm mentioning this aspect of my life is because I want to illustrate the role my parrots play in my life. They are my feathered children. I devote a lot of time to them, and they get outside-cage playtime 3 times a day, along with interaction during the day because I work from home. I am clergy, so that takes me out of the house quite often, and I do have an active social life...but still, the birds are getting at least 5 hours a day of in-your-face interaction, while a human is pretty much within sight or earshot at all times for the rest of the day.
My active social life means I entertain often. A couple of my friends have bonded to my birds, that way when I travel the birds have someone they know and like watching them.
I do care for my elderly mother, and she does live in the house. Honestly, she is very involved with the care of the birds as well...she stops by the cages a few times a day to play games and offer healthy treats, and often puts a bird on her shoulder while she reads or watches tv. So, wow, maybe they get more than just 5 hours of one-on-one time! LOL :18:
So...I've come to the decision that I have too much love to give for only 2 birds. My cockatiel, Frida is NOT cuddly, she likes to sit on a shoulder or be around people but not to be touched. My conure, Homer, is super cuddly and playful but not necessarily down for hanging out ALL day.
I want a bigger bird. I want a bird that will hang out with me all day, enjoy the very social atmosphere in my home, and maybe even be cuddly!
So, this week I visited a bird rescue that is super reputable. I explained my lifestyle, and left my number. So, it looks like I'm going to stop by every week or so until I meet a bird that might be a good fit! They will be expecting me and I can play with all the birds and meet any newcomers. This rescue has you work with the bird for a month or so to properly bond before completing adoption, so I know I'm looking at a very long process.
I decided to start this thread in order to kind of journal my adventure, as I've never done this before. The idea of a rescue parrot is a little scary, but I'm giving it a try instead of buying!
I'm also happy to hear any and all advice along the way.
I'm looking at african greys and eclectus parrots, but honestly I'm more concerned about personality vs species.
Well, a couple exceptions. I live in the suburbs, and my idea of manageable noise is if the neighbors cannot hear my birds while inside their own homes during the morning racket. So, as much as I LOVE macaws and cockatoos...they are not going to work. I've heard them yell. Also, I've been told by the rescue people not to get an amazon for my mother's safety.
Soooo....yeah. This will be a ride!