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#77
12/12/2004, 09:55 PM
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Quote:
 I also want a sun conure.I especially owe KarenHorn a huge debt, since she was very enthusiastic, realistic, and helpful in our deciding to buy our macaw. She and her partner actually were the two who pushed me off the fence.
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#78
12/12/2004, 10:41 PM
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That's a beautiful little bird brook
Cake- good to hear everything is going well for you. Macaw's are big birds so I'm glad I got to hear both sides of the story. I don't have any kids, don't plan on any any time soon so that's one less thing to have to worry about. I have plenty of studying to do before I make up my mind. Like everyone has said there are both good and bad seeds so hopefully I will get a good one. About how often do birds need to be seen by a vet? Is it just a one time thing to have all the tests done and that's it or do they need regular visits? This is a tuffy since there are so many beautiful birds to choose from. |
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#79
12/12/2004, 10:42 PM
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Dear Surfy, I am a parrot head as well as a reefer, like so many others. If you arte in So Cal I highly recommend Omar's Exotic Birds- they have a network of breeders and the babies are treated very very well. If you go into the store, you will see the birds on perches(clean) and friendly. If you want to get a rehoused bird for very cheap, contact Sherri at birdtrain.org. She rehouses birds who have come from divorces, or owners need to move, etc. There is a trial period and they really do a good job of matching people with birds.
As for parrots and tanks, we have a double yellow head amazon (Spud), and an umbrella cockatoo(Sparkle). Spud never leaves her perch, but likes to hang out by the tank and watch the fish. Sometimes I wonder if its the light, the humidity or she really likes the fish. Sparkle is a male ockatoo who went hormonal over the summer for the first time. Before, he was free range. I put the fear of God into him when he was a baby over electric cords. He doesn't touch them at all. I can tell him no, and tell him danger, and he seems to understand. for several years, he would hang out on the front porch for hours unsupervised and destroy my microirrigation and chew in the planters, etc. He never went into the street or off the steps. He is eternally and infinately curious, and loved water changes. He would perch on the side of buckets, and because he was potty trained, I would put him up on the side of the tank for a few minutes while we would suck out water. He tasted the water a few times, but I told him NO and he didn't do it anymore. We are getting a new tank (its in its first week of cycling today). He has been extraordinarily patient and well behaved. It has taken us two months just to get this setup. Every night and all weekend for two months, my boyfriend has worked on it. This greatly cut into his evening cuddle time, yet he was wonderful about it. This summer he went hormonal for the first time. Be prepared when your parrot reaches sexual maturity. I don't hear the horror stories with other birds that I hear with male cockatoos, but if I had children, I would have gad to get rid of him. He was extremely dangerous, and bit me several times without warning. The nerve in my left inde4x finger had to grow back twice. I have seen bad facial lacerations on the web. It would be such a service if there were a website for parrots comparable to Reef Central, with avian vets and behaviorists and others passionate about them. Anyways, anybody know if they are working on neutering male cockatoos? He couyld use it before he goes inot season again next April. It was a total shock for me to have my cuddly "velcro" bird that I haver adored for five years turn like Mr Hyde and hurt me so bad over and over. I got so I was afraid of him. Only my boyfriend could handle him. This year, I've got welding gloves. Happy Holidays all!!! |
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#80
12/12/2004, 11:43 PM
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Surfy,
I highly recommend attending some seminars held by PEAC. They operate out of San Diego and also hold seminars in Orange County. Very informative...they also adopt out birds. You'll also get a chance to meet other parrot owners and learn about the different breeds. Check out www.peac.org for more info. About vet visits. It's recommended that you take them in once per year for a checkup. Oh yeah...pick up a copy of Sally Blanchard's Companion Parrot Handbook. This is the bible of bird care.
__________________
Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick! Everybody knows a Burrow Owl lives--in--a--hole--in--the--ground. Why the hell do think they call it a Burrow Owl, anyway?! Last edited by BrookR1; 12/13/2004 at 12:14 AM. |
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#81
12/13/2004, 12:32 AM
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Thank you for your story reefidiot, looks like we were typing/ posting at the same time
And happy holidays to you to.Thank you for the link brook, I will check it out and I will also pick up that book. I need all the info I can get. By the way, does anyone ever travel with their bird(s)? I would love to take it with me where ever I go, if it doesn't stress it. I have seen people with their bird on their shoulder while riding their bike. I have also seen a bird kicking it in the back window of a car on the freeway, pretty funny to see. But then again I will just be happy if the bird lets me interact with it, with out pecking me to death. |
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#82
12/13/2004, 12:42 AM
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Oh yeah, I have a funny little story to tell that only bird lovers can appreciate, especially those with birds that can talk.
One night last week, my kids were in bed, my husband was out of town, and and the birds were all in their cages. I had a cake due the next day so I made the batter, put the cakes in the oven, and like a kid, started licking the cake batter off of the beater. I nearly had a stroke when a man asked me, "Is that good?" My silly Sprocket had climbed to the top of his cage, which is next to the kitchen, to watch me, and perfectly imitated my husband, who always asks him "Is that good?" when he gives Sprocket some people food.  Sprocket had never said that before, and he couldn't have picked a more opportune moment to say it for the first time!  Of course, I nearly wet myself from fear but when the adrenaline wore off, it was pretty darn funny. Hehehe
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#83
12/13/2004, 09:50 AM
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Glad it's going great for you. It's amazing that they seem to say things at the most appropriate time. Once Oscar told the neighbor to come in. We weren't home and usually don't shut the door. She came in calling Dan or I, and Oscar said "I'm Oscar, I'm a bird" Scared the hell out of her. Usually in the morning Dan drinks his coffee Oscar starts out with a whisper hi, then when noone talks to him he lets out a big hellloooo! Like, isn't anyone going to talk to me? Probably the funniest thing he does do is put his head under his wing, and have phone conversations. He is such an amazing creature for sure, my biggest concern is that he will probably outlive me, and what will happen to him. He's about 10.
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~Debi~ Powertripping~is that a song or a dance? RC Lounge~Humor Questionable ~Enter At Own Risk! |
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#84
12/13/2004, 10:11 AM
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I've travelled with Stanley a bit by car. Because he's small, I took a modified cat carrier and inserted removable water and food cups. I also added a small perch and some toys. I buckled his carrier and drove from the bay area down to so cal and back in 3 days...about 1,000 miles. He was a little tired at the end of the trip, but he did fine...start out with small trips before attempting any big trips, though.
I wouldn't let your bird go outside without a carrier or leash because so many things can spook them. When they get spooked, they panic and can try to fly away or (worse), then can bite you on the face to try to drive you away from perceived danger. Stanley doesn't like small children and he's terrified of cats, dogs, and crows. I have thought about putting a rack on my bicycle so I can mount his cat carrier so I can take him for a ride. They also make special backpacks for birds so you can go hiking. He gets lots of attention wherever he goes. |
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#86
12/13/2004, 11:20 AM
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Quote:
__________________
~Debi~ Powertripping~is that a song or a dance? RC Lounge~Humor Questionable ~Enter At Own Risk! |
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#87
12/13/2004, 11:33 AM
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Birds do say the darndest things. If our Macaw gets a little firm in his nibbling we tell him "careful" he then quits nibbling. Of course some times the "careful is prededed by "ouch". He now talks to himself saying "OUCH! caaarefuul"
He also answers the phone and doorbell as well as responds "what" whenever we call the kids and even answers "NO" if we ask the kids if they know where something is. It's interesting that they seem to learn things spontaneously so much more quickly than when we try to teach them to say something. |
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#88
12/13/2004, 11:40 AM
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The first new words Oscar uttered were Noooo, baaaad bird! He had got ahold of the curtains. I only said it once, and he repeated it. Tells us to shhhh, all the time. Laughs like me too. Which according to some isn't a good thing!
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~Debi~ Powertripping~is that a song or a dance? RC Lounge~Humor Questionable ~Enter At Own Risk! |
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#89
12/13/2004, 12:17 PM
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Cakepro,
I wish my Lory would let me trim his nails! It's quite a battle. The funny thing is he trusts me enough to let me bite his nails, it's the clippers he doesn't trust. For those of you that try to bite off your birds nails, do so at your own risk lol. And the nails are easiest to bite off after the bird has had a long bath. Ha!
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Mark |
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#90
12/13/2004, 01:46 PM
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My sister visited and brought he yorkshire terrier which barked constantly. Needless to say the yorkie was with us long after my sister left!
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#91
12/13/2004, 03:52 PM
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#92
12/13/2004, 04:48 PM
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I had a parakeet years ago that would say, "Mmmmm pizza!" when Dominos would deliver. I never taught it to him although he always got a few bites of pizza for himself.
He had an unlimited vocabulary, was incredibly people-focused, and would fly all over the house chasing you while laughing and saying "tweet, tweet, tweet" (the word, not the sound). |
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#93
12/13/2004, 11:51 PM
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We have a car seat for Spud, or should I say a car perch. We were hell bent on socializing them well, so when Sparkle was young we took them both everywhere- Home depot, my vendors, stores that would allow it. We always had fun at outdoor cafes. Spud grew up in my boyfriend's old business- a jet ski shop. She loves home improvement and power tools, and lots of action. Sparkle is more sensitive and prefers quiet cuddling. Theyare both good in public, although we haven't taken them out in several months because of the "hormones" and the winter. One of their favorite places is the local arboretum. Spud says bad things when she wants attention. We live in a closed community and we used to go for walks. People would meet spud, who is strikingly beautiful, and she would say fu**, fu** fu**and then laugh. People would look at us and say, what did she say? We would chime back "good Luck" Fortunately, her diction wasn't perfect! The guys at the shop taught her to say those things and she only says them when she meets someone for the first time.
Sparkle doesn't really talk, although he is enormously expressive. He uses inflections. He has an inflection for Hi, No ( a sort of grunt) yeah, and I love you. He is completely appropriate in his use of I love you. Spud will yell "I love you " if you have food. It's too funny, as she yells is, as if to say , damn it, give me some now! At first it was cute, now I feel she bullies me. Sparkle only says I love you when we are cuddling and having tender moments. Its an amazing thing to have an animal say I love you, and you know they know what it means. |
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#94
12/14/2004, 01:04 AM
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LOL, that's some funny stuff. I would hate to have my bird cusing at people. In my house it would probably pick up some nasty choice words to use at all the wrong times. Would be funny though.
They always love you when you have food
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#95
12/15/2004, 06:56 AM
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 You can get a Chlamydia infection from them birds too.
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Mike I'm also Aquatect's dad and 3_high_low's brother |
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#96
12/15/2004, 01:15 PM
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I actually did do it once, Mike. Thanks for the heads up. FWIW Hoppy was screened for Psittacosis a few months ago.
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Mark |
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#97
12/15/2004, 01:22 PM
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....back to your regularly scheduled program. 
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Mark |
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#99
12/15/2004, 07:28 PM
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Hi reefidiot.
Actually I do make them, or I should say I used to. I have been to busy the last year or so and haven't had time to make any new ones. It usually takes me about three to four months to carve all the parts. I have a half finished one sitting at home, just need to find the time to finish. I don't own a camera so I don't have any pics, sorry. Do you mess around with marrionettes yourself? |
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#100
12/15/2004, 08:12 PM
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I always wanted to put on a puppet festival if I ever made alot of money. A great big festival with theatre for kids. I thought that would be alot of fun. I own a company that makes products from flowers and thought of tying flowers in somehow.
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Starts hurling after about a mile.
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