Soon to be bird-ed. Nervous!

[sixshades]

Hello everyone.
My name is Ashley, I'm 26, utterly owned by three dogs, and I'm supposed to be on my way to pick up a little chickie pineapple GCC right now, but instead I'm writing this!

I've never owned a bird before, and I was only planning on getting a tiny little budgie for my starter bird, but in the process of researching and visiting pet stores to get a feel for them, I ran into a sun conure and just melted.
I wouldn't actually buy from a pet store, but I did find myself revisiting that store to hold and schmooze and be chewed up by that little monster.

So, I started looking around at conure info..
I read that GCC's are quieter (A big concern for my bf) and was leaning toward them when I found an add for a newly-weaned hand raised pineapple gcc just an hour from me. So now, I'm at the brink of taking the plunge.. and I'm terrified!

I have kept 10' boas, venomous snakes, and monitor lizards.
I have fostered known-aggressive dogs and rehabbed them through rage outbursts that were going to get them put down before they came to me.
I own three male dogs of "dangerous" breeds, and maintain absolute peace through strong leadership and training.
I was the manager of small pets and birds at a pet store, and have ample experience handling, clipping, medicating, catching, rearing, and training birds that were otherwise wild...

And the idea of picking up this tiny little trusting pile of feathers and beak has me scared to death!

 

[andrea.faerie]

This made me feel better about my own nervousness! Transform that nervousness into excitement! I've kept all manners of animals also, I currently have bearded dragons as my forever pets and I'm adding a birdie buddy next month (i was also looking at budgies and fell in love with the conure... haha) Get hyped! You're about to make the best friend you could ever have! The only one who will really trust you for who you are and that you can trust unconditionally <3 Go for it!

 

[kitt]

I too think you should be excited...
As long as you have done your research and know that they can be loud and you have learned what you can and are familiar with their life spans and are ready for that commitment then I say "have fun"
If you have any real negative energy about it or are to nervous about it then maybe it isn't the time....only you know the answer to that. Good luck.

 

[sixshades]

It's an excited kind of nervous, haha.
Picked him/her up a bit ago. We just got home.

I have her(?) up high on a shelf in view of my computer, so she can see the dogs and me and start getting used to the sights and sounds of our home without being in any danger and hopefully in a position where she'll feel safer.

I'm sure she's stressed, but she doesn't really seem all THAT bothered.
My dogs, on the other hand, are freaked out.

 

[andrea.faerie]

HAHA I bet they are!! I'm actually in the process of creating a little booklet kinda thing as a reference guide for basic conure care (focused on GCC's but basically applicable to any parrot in general) I'f you're interested, when it's done I can forward you a copy I don't know if I can attach PDF files so I've created a new email account for it and everything, once it's done I'll email it to anyone that wants a copy, I might make it a regular thing and keep adding stuff and changing stuff as I go along! I made a thread about it too, it's called "Are you interested?"

Just lemme know! congrats on the new baybeh!

 

[sixshades]

Oh absolutely! More info NEVER hurts! (Especially since I'm entirely new to this. I know the basics, but there are so many nuances that I have no idea about yet, I'm sure. Ahh, just thinking about what I probably don't know is scary all over again!)

Here's the first ever pic of her:
(Going with her for now, but I have no idea.)
And now to try not to stress her out anymore today.

Note: I hate the cage and I hate the perches. D:
I didn't want to upset everything she knows right off the bat, and I figured that could wait until she's more comfortable with things outside of her cage.

 

[andrea.faerie]

Awwe, she's so CUUUTE! And don't worry, I'm completely new to birds too! I haven't even gotten mine yet! I figure I could narrow down some research time for some potential new owners and impress lol some of the more experienced and perhaps get their feedback on what I know and what else they feel new owners like us should know... plus, i just LOVE making stuff like this! lol I'm having SO much fun with just the banner I'm making for the top of the page!

 

[andrea.faerie]

Awwe, she's so CUUUTE! And don't worry, I'm completely new to birds too! I haven't even gotten mine yet! I figure I could narrow down some research time for some potential new owners and impress lol some of the more experienced and perhaps get their feedback on what I know and what else they feel new owners like us should know... plus, i just LOVE making stuff like this! lol I'm having SO much fun with just the banner I'm making for the top of the page!

Here's the banner I've been working on! I'm having a blast with this... LOL

 

[sixshades]

Oh neat! That looks like it's coming along really well!

She says thank you for the compliment.
She's been busy at work nibbling through the food she came with (Actually looks pretty good quality. Lots of fruits and veggies, few but varied seeds.) and hasn't made a sound any louder than a sweet little chitter at that pretty bird in the mirror.

 

[andrea.faerie]

AWWE! I can't wait to get my GCC <3 Just a few more weeks... like.. 2 haha

 

[MikeyTN]

Awwww....she's so cute!!!! At least you did your research prior so kudos to you!!! Welcome to the forums here!!!

 

[sixshades]

http://www.parrotforums.com/members/sixshades-albums-new-birdy-picture1942-sleepy-bird.jpg

Birdy in her new little cozy bed. <3


Posting again in my hello thread because I don't feel like I have enough content to make a new thread. Hope that's ok!
Things are coming right along with my still unnamed little chickie.
She has been showing interest in me, and lets me move her without much fuss, (she's pinched me a couple times, but it's seemed more exploratory than anything) and tonight she actually paced her bars toward me like she wanted to come closer, so I brought her cage right by me and she settled into the corner closest to me and let me kiss her head and beak through the bars and such. It was adorable.

I transitioned her to a water bottle per a guide I found, and I REALLY prefer it! I feel like I can keep her water so much fresher this way, and she took RIGHT to it. (Surprised me, tbh!)

She was supposed to be a pineapple, but she looks like a cinnamon. Should those colors come in later in life, or did she just not get those genes? (It doesn't matter to me either way- she's beautiful)

 

[kitt]

Oh my, she is a little sweetie...I bet she already has your heart....congrats.

 

[sixshades]

Definitely. Even my boyfriend (Who was sure he didn't like birds) admitted last night that she's pretty OK, haha.