So did you guys get the baby?
YES!
So, the cliche is long story short, let me do, long story medium haha.
So we went to the store once again, I wanted to see her once again in person just so I could feel the situation out; even though I thought she was awesome to begin with.
I was never a fan of cinnamon conures. Not that I didn't think they were pretty, it's just that I had a turquoise and thought that is all I would ever want because they are so pretty to me. Not meaning that other conures aren't. I think every single one of them are absolutely beautiful, regardless of mutation!
But thinking that cinnamons weren't as pretty as a turquoise... Boy was I WRONG!!! I have seen every color mutation of GCC's in person, normal, yellow-sided, pineapple, turquoise, but I had never seen a cinnamon in person, but pictures ABSOLUTELY DO NOT do them justice. She is absolutely gorgeous!!!!! Maybe even more so than the turquoise, but I won't say that because they are now both my babies and I love them both 110%! Her pail head, diluted olive greenish feathers, lightly colored canary yellow belly, and light, sky blue flight feathers. She is an absolute thing of beauty!!!!!! And ontop of that, she is the definition of SWEET!
When I got my turquoise, at first he was very aggressive. Not in a bad way, he was just very nippy. He thought he was playing and didn't realize he kind of hurt when he bit. He now knows the difference between a hard nip and a sweet one and never ever hurts me now! He just wants to play and is very kind hearted. Haven't had a painful nip once since he has figured out the difference. He is now my angel and my best friend. But regardless, he is an absolute alpha male no questions about it. It is his personality and it is obvious, which I have no problems with, thats nature, and I respect it. But he likes nothing more than to cuddle with me and is attached to my hip 24/7, way more than my girlfriend. He is an attention monster! He is super athletic, runs around and jumps around further than I even thought possible. If there were a GCC olympics I would put him in it lol.
Not the case with her, we have been playing with her all day and she hasn't even come close to attempting to nip. I can't overly express how sweet she is, me and my girlfriend are actually a bit in shock. Maybe it is in fact because, her herself, is in culture shock, which is to be expected. But now that she has had a little time to adapt, she seems quite happy.
What made me ultimately realize how comfortable she was, was when I put her in her new cage and she ran around EVERYWHERE, chirped happily, played with every single one of her brand new toys and tore her millet spray to pieces! She seems truly happy and it just makes my heart smile!
So we decided to introduce the two of them. My turquoise, being the alpha male he is, out of no where bit her. I immediately put him in his cage, and gave the new baby girl tons of praise for not retaliating. He learned quick, mean bird goes in the cage, nice bird gets play time. I put their cages side by side for about 6 hours to get to know each other.
I took them out and they met face to face once again and he figured it out. Bad bird goes into the cage. He ran up to her, kissed and preened her and she did the same back. I can't explain how happy this made me. For the next 3 hours they played and kissed and preened and just got along!
To finally end the story, I bought her today (Thursday) and have already scheduled a vet appointment tomorrow with the most respected exotic bird veterinarian in the south (Dr. Rich for whoever is curious) I am realllllly hoping and PRAYING he says everything is fine because she is the epitome of a sweet conure.
ALSO! I forgot to mention, when I asked the people at the pet store about her, I got two very ODD answers that I thought y'all might find interesting:
1. I have never seen anything but a normal green cheek conure in a chain pet store. I was so surpassed to see them having a cinnamon, which they had no idea was even a cinnamon, they thought she was just a normal green cheek. Is this normal for PetSmart to have a mutation other than a normal green cheek? Anyway, I then proceeded to debate with my girlfriend and say she was a cinnamon and my girlfriend say she was a pineapple. I of course being stubborn couldn't let it go so I called over an employee (this is the first time we saw her by the way). The employee replied, "Uhhh, no, she's a green cheek." I laughed and pretended to acknowledge him as being right.I won't judge though, not knowing mutations of a species doesn't mean you don't care. I could work at a large pet store and I could not know everything about every single species there but still take care of them to the absolute fullest!!!
2. This is what REALLY got me. When I asked if I could hold her the employee warned me yes, but since we have only had her for less than a week she isn't used to this place and is a little mean and has been aggressive to everyone that has held her... She immediately stepped up to my girlfriend and did nothing but cuddle, kiss and snuggle her. And since I have had her now for about 15 hours she has done nothing but the same. My friend has a green cheek, I have a green cheek. Both were nippy at first, this sweet girl has been nothing but an angel and doesn't even fathom what it means to bite or be mean!!!
Sorry about lying, I made a long story long, but I can't help it! I LOVE this bird! I'm sure you bird fanatics can understand. I am so happy to give her a happy loving home forever and not have to worry about her future! It worked out perfect! She is the sweetest bird and will be in the sweetest home! And of course I spent 50 dollars on more toys when I was there even though I have enough!
BTW, I swear i'll stop after this question!
My turquoise GCC is 6 months old, she is 4 months, and she basically makes him look small. Not in weight, when I hold them both he feels heavier, but just from the eye she looks absolutely gigantic next to him! And it's not just me, my girlfriend's mother upon meeting her immediately said wow why is she bigger than him already? I know GCC's are dimorphic and you can't tell, is this something I should be worried about? Going to the vet tomorrow morning so I guess I'll see.
Thank you all SO SO SO MUCH for your input, it made my journey so much easier and I want you all to know that not just me, but you as well, had a giant part of giving this absolutely sweet little baby a sweet little home!!!
Sorry for being so sappy, I am just so happy to help a creature of God! When I retire I want to breed, raise, adopt, a re-home these creatures!
Going to the vet tomorrow, please everyone pray for this little baby bird! She is so beautiful, and sweet, and loving. If they tell me something is wrong IDK if I will be able to handle it!!!