Newbie parrot owner from Florida

[groovieguy]

Hi everyone,
Been lurking for awhile and this is such a nice group figured I better register.
I previously owned a couple of Conures, (Sun & Nanday) but it's been about 25yrs plus since I've had a bird. And I've never owned a large parrot so this should be fun.
I rescued the Yellow Nape (ZaZu) from a local hoarder, he is pretty good only had him 2 weeks, will let me pet him but that's it so far. He was kept in a small cage and hadn't been let out in over a year. I know with time he will get better. Poor bird doesn't know how to forage and is afraid of a lot of things.
The Cockatoo (Apollo) I picked up on Sunday. He is friendly and talkative. The environment he was in was not the greatest, very dirty and nasty.He seems to have helped ZaZu with his talking actually he Whinny's like a horse, first time I heard that from him.

I took both to the Avian vet in Tampa to get checked out and have there nails and feathers clipped as it had been quite some time either bird had this done. Apollo gram stain was 80/20 vet says he likes to see 09/10 so I have mash that I add to there food and he said that should help.

I will have a lot of questions, but first wanted to introduce myself.
The cage in the picture I have 2, is it to small for the cockatoo? He came from a larger one 30x40x68 this one I have is 30x30x43. He seems ok in it but his old one seemed a lot larger.

Thanks
Joe

 

[thekarens]

I'm not a cockatoo expert, but IMO umbies need a bigger cage, like macaw sized .

 

[Kiwibird]

Cockatoos are very active birds, and do tend to enjoy a little more room. In the short term, that cage is fine, but you should plan to get a bigger one for him sooner than later The current cage would make a WONDERFUL outdoor cage so Apollo can enjoy the sunshine by that beautiful pool I see you have (easier to roll in and out than the size cage he needs as regular housing)

Beautiful birds BTW. Both of them

 

[ErichT]

Hey Groovie,
I live in Spring hill as well!BTW we do have a Vet who sees parrots up here,She has been great with my 2 Conures. Westside Animal clinic out on 19 by Spring hill lanes.

 

[groovieguy]

Thanks everyone, after I got that cage I thought he was a little to big for it. I got Apollo's cage from the owner but it was really nasty, had to keep it outside and pressure wash it and kill all the roaches that came out of it. I will return this cage and order a bigger one. His old cage is going out on the patio. Any suggestions on affordable large cages?

Thanks ErichT I went to Animal & Exotic Medical Center in Lutz. Dr. Tony is fantastic and he owns parrots too. I looked in the SH area and didn't see any that specialize in birds.

 

[ErichT]

They have cages and toys at the Outlet mall on 19, "the place by Chili's that used to be a Walmart" some of their prices can be a bit high but we found a nice shaped one there for our needs. Also Foster's exotic Pets down by Gulfview Mall has a selection worth looking through. That is where I got both of my Conures.

 

[Kiwibird]

kill all the roaches that came out of it

It may be a tad cozy of an arrangement for Apollo in the new cage but at least it isn't infested with ROACHES! Poor bird I'm so glad you took him. If he was living in a roach-infested cage, I would suggest he be bathed if you haven't already

I don't know locally where you could find cages (your on the other side of the country from me lol) but amazon usually has nice and affordable ones. Surprisingly, so does petco.com. A cage I thought was out of my budget from the manufacturer I found for much, much cheaper as the "everyday price" through Petco's website/ Even better, once we save up enough, we will be purchasing it from them and can pick it up at the local store.

 

[thekarens]

This one is on sale
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=28192

 

[Timothy]

Hey There I live right here in port Richey. Almost in hudson so were all super close together really neat! Welcome to the forum ^^

 

[groovieguy]

Seems like a bunch folks in my area.
I didn't even know there was a place in the indoor flea market, I think I have been in there twice. I will probably go to Oldsmar at everything birds on Thursday.

For any others in our area there is a sale tomorrow in Valrico, I talked to the guy today, it is stuff from a closed down Bird Store and he is selling a lot of bird toys, nothing over $4.00 here is the link.

 

[Timothy]

Darn, i wish i could make it. I just can't spot more cash atm. Tight month with everything that happened

 

[ErichT]

Wish he was doing this sale on the weekend, I'm everywhere except Tampa this week.

 

[Allee]

Hello and Welcome, Joe. Congratulations, both your birds are real beauties. Thanks for giving them a chance at a better life. I think your Umbie will appreciate a bigger cage, they climb like monkeys and use every inch of cage space. Have fun with your new friends.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

My best cage prices Ive found was on Amazon . Congrats on your new birds!!!!!! [they look great ] Cant wait to hear how you progress with them.

 

[RavensGryf]

Welcome Joe beautiful birds! Looking forward to hearing more.

Thanks for putting where you're located Many people choose not to, but it's always nice to see... It's not like you're listing a home address lol.