Our new rescue...

[Belgaram]

She was the most bonded bird I ever had, and that's saying something given that I had a conure that lived inside my shirt with just his head sticking out for 12 years, and of course, my Greenwing...

She was special. And I got her when she was 35 and critically ill. Left by a dumpster to die...

Like she was trash!!!

I nursed her back to health, and she became exceptional. Probably because of all she'd been through. But the crappy diet she was on for most of her life took it's toll on her. I had her for 3 years or so, and she died of an intestinal tumor...

My greenwing is ALMOST that bonded... ALMOST.

BUT THAT BIRD WAS IRREPLACEABLE!!!

She should have died when I found her. I like to think she got a reprieve from death because any creature that astoundingly loving deserved to experience proper care and love... and that was my roll in her life!

She paid me back in kind...

I will never forget that bird!

OMG what a sad but heart warming story. I read that with a lump in my throat! My Meyers does that with the shirt, but she climbs all the way in and just lays there. Only thing I hate is her nails get like pins and scratch the hell out of me when shes walking around under my shirt trying to get in her comfy spot.

 

[Belgaram]

New cage. We are now a week and 2 days and I can't believe the rapid change. She rarely bites any more. Usually if she gets over excited or wants to go back to her cage she'll give a good bite followed by "night night". I gave her a shower AND blow dried her (no heat obviously) and she almost seemed to enjoy it. This is a completely different bird than the one I brought home 9 days ago.

 

[Birdman666]

And you're only just scratching the tip of the iceberg... wait til she really opens up to you! That's the best part of rehab. When a previously poorly trained and cared for bird turns 180 degrees around...

 

[getwozzy]

And you're only just scratching the tip of the iceberg... wait til she really opens up to you! That's the best part of rehab. When a previously poorly trained and cared for bird turns 180 degrees around...

Definitely thee best feeling when they make that change and you see them opening up. My eyes are sweating now thinking of my Jackie boy...

 

[Belgaram]

Update:
It has been 2 weeks and 3 days since we brought her home. She has made huge leaps and bounds. I haven't been bitten in almost a week. I have actually started flipping her over onto her back. I started teaching her "high 5". She will now gimme 5 on command. I gotta get a picture of it, it is so funny! She steps up on command now. She does some play biting, where she will grab my finger and twirl her head. She has only given a few redirect bites (and not that hard) when my wife was in the room. But even with her, she has come a long way. My wife is able to feed her by hand. In fact, last night she tore off a piece of chicken and gave it to her while she was on her cage (Wanda, not my wife... Although that would be pretty funny to see my wife on her cage...) 2 weeks ago, she flew off her cage and attacked my wife. Now, she is a completely different bird. I am totally in awe. I guess because I have only really had Greys, Pois, and Macaws and know a few people with Cockatoos (talk about issues.....(the birds not the people, tho I suppose they probably have issues too)). But I have seen birds take months to years to rehab. I got so incredibly lucky to have gotten Wanda. She's an amazing bird. I wish I knew how old she is. I am guessing she is older than 6 or 7 as the people we got her from had her for 4 years and they said the people they bought her from had several birds and they couldnt take care of her. But since she is missing half a toe on each foot, I am assuming that it took a few years to heal. Poor girl has had a rough life. But she is turning out to be the most amazing bird Ive ever had.

 

[Birdman666]

My blue front was far and away the biggest personality bird I ever had, and the most bonded... They are very outgoing and out there! Quirky, comical, and loving.

 

[Maria_Metropolis]

Wow what a happy ending. Thanks for this wonderful story, and rescuing her.

 

[Belgaram]

Well.. Tonight was a little step back. She was sitting on my shoulder as I was on my computer. I had music playing and she was as content as could be. She was all lovey and relaxed. I don't know if something startled her or if she had a bad dream... But she just attacked. Bit my cheek 3 times drawing blood, got 2 fingers too. I was able to get her to step up and got her in her cage. That was the first time shes gone after me like that. I tried to remain as calm as I could, so as to not get her more excited. But ouch! Took a little chunk out of my cheek! Was like a parrot episode of Walking Dead....

 

[Merlee]

Great story and congrats on your progress. Putting a bird on your shoulder is not a good thing no matter how long you owned the bird. I have taken a couple of bites from a macaw on the face without any provocation. Many others as well from their birds have been bitten while on the shoulder. Birds cannot be trusted 100 percent. Hope you heal without a scar.

 

[Betrisher]

So true! I was playing with my little Madge today and she suddenly turned her head upside-down while looking at me. Thinking she was being sweet and cute, I made cooing noises at her just as she took a workmanlike bite at my septum!!!! (ie. The thing that separates your left nostril from your right nostril).

There are no words to describe what that felt like. I'll leave it to your imagination. I can only assume Madgie thought my septum was something that ought not to be there and was only trying to help. She doesn't normally bite. Then again, my septum is the most deviant one I've ever seen. Maybe it offended Madge?

Anyway, yeah, be careful if you allow your bird on your shoulders.

 

[Kimma]

Have you told the previous owners how much she's improved? I imagine there is some sort of etiquette about not contacting previous neglectful owners, but I think I'd have a hard time not showing them how much their fault the bad behaviour was.

 

[Belgaram]

Oh I absolutely did. Sent them pictures. I think they were a little offended actually. I wasn't being in your face about it. Just thought they'd want to see how well she's doing. Guess they took it as a slap in the face.

 

[getwozzy]

I'm so happy to hear about Wanda's progress!!

And I wouldn't take it as a step back, more like a lesson to be learned...amazons have a tendency to bite when they're overexcited, spooked, angry...and you happened to be the closest thing *to* bite. So don't take it personally

 

[Merlee]

I have had my macaw for 12 years and don't trust it after two nasty bites to the lip.

 

[Belgaram]

Well.. I think I may have the root to Wanda's aggressive behavior as of late.. She has been regurgitating for me every time I have her out. The last few days she has been a lot more aggressive than usual towards me. Actually bit me twice on the thumb drawing blood. Today, I had her step up.... And um... She started mating behaviors.. I actually don't know why I didn't put it all together sooner. The pinning eyes, the fanned tail, the regurgitation, the flapping of the wings, the more than normal vocalization, the preening of me, and the bites (bluffing). Today, she (or he.. tests aren't back yet) was stepping up and her vent was opening and restricting. At first I thought she was trying to poop, so I started to put her over her paper. Then she was trying to mate my hand. I immediately put her back and walked away. No more on my shoulder. I only ever pet her head and under her chin.

My thinking is that Wanda has never had attention and love like this so she (or he) has selected me as her mate. hehe I am her first love

Hope this doesn't last too long. I started trick training with her but now that she is focusing on other things now and not tricks, I need her to take a break. Gonna start making her go to bed earlier too.. 12 hours of night night is what Im told for when they are in the mating season.

 

[Belgaram]

I am trying to change up a few things. I am going to re-arrange her cage some. They use to keep her covered at night. I left her uncovered last night to mix things up. She cooed when I turned out the light and told me "night night" so it didnt seem to bother her that she was uncovered. I dont cover my other birds. I only covered Wanda because the previous owners did. But as it doesnt seem to bother her, I may continue to leave her uncovered. I've always felt that it could trap cold (or warm) air in the cage and it's not natural. They don't get covered in the wild. But there will be arguments from both sides, so.... I think discussing covering a bird is like religion or politics hehe.

 

[Merlee]

I don't cover my birds at night.