| felt is AWESOME |
[Mar. 13th, 2008|10:42 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  refreshed | ] |
i was feeling a little creative last night o_O
do you guys like? it's supposed to be Lychee (my normal peachface lovie) :D
i can walk around with a tiny lovebird hanging out of my pocket now yay!
i wish i wiped off the fingerprints before i took the photo...
NOT trying to promote the razr btw... (i hate it... lol)
too bad i couldnt find felt that had the reddish-orangy color for the "peach-face"
i want to make another version of this that looks like my other lovie :)
( -_- ; ) |
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| Guide to the Well-Behaved Parrot Owner |
[Mar. 13th, 2008|11:13 am] |
Most of us start out wanting the ideal parrot. One that likes to be around us, rarely (if ever) bites, and speaks our language or makes pretty noises rather than screaming its fool head off. We want them to stay where we put them, step up for physical interaction, entertain our house guests (or at least be quiet while we try to do so) and eat the food we spend hours choosing and preparing. They're meant to be ok being left alone for large periods of time, expected not to pluck their feathers when things get stressful, and be content whether or not they ever get to meet another one of their kind.
When they fail to meet one or more (or all) of these expectations, many are quick to label them as problematic birds or parrots with issues. Just last year, I attempted a rescue of a male eclectus who was pronounced as "neurotic" because he plucked and bit. This wasn't said in humor, I was told he was certified neurotic. The rescue sadly fell through, and I'm not sure what happened to the ekkie but that's a completely different story.
The ideal parrot owner prepares him or herself for these challenges as most of us will have to deal with them at one time or another. It doesn't matter if you get your bird from a breeder, pet store, rescue, or craigslist ad. You are very likely going to have some complicated issues to deal with. Parrots, by nature, are movers and shakers, hardcore players, lovers of destruction, noise, and each other. Also, they really like to fly.
A well-adjusted parrot owner caters to as many of these behaviors as humanly possible. We roll with the punches. We have screaming parties when the noise gets to the point where we'd rather run away, find a distant corner, and cry. Some of us are battered, bruised, and bitten but still manage to croon about how awesome it is that our birds have attitude.
A VERY good point was made in a fairly recent post that you really don't get an outgoing parrot that isn't also nippy or otherwise obnoxious. In that same line of thought, you can have the cuddliest, most people-loving parrot in the world but then, you're more likely to have one that screams bloody murder when it's not getting the attention from you that it wants.
The reason that so many problems don't have clear solutions and the reason that no matter how hard you try, your parrot still bites or screams is not because the bird is insane or neurotic. It's because parrots bite and scream, period. The problems that you have inadvertently caused can often be reversed given time and patience. But the rest of those issues are only issues because we can't always handle the things that come most naturally to parrots.
Not all screams are attention screams (most are flock calls), and biting doesn't equal a "mean and nasty" bird.
So, for those of you who are dealing with such problems or thinking of getting your first bird but trying to avoid potential problems: Brace yourself and focus on understanding where these issues stem from. They usually have absolutely nothing to do with abuse or neglect, but everything to do with parrots being complicated creatures who need more than any of us can completely provide. If you're dead set on keeping the mindset that rescue birds come with issues then think of it like this. Those rescue birds who you find to be completely neurotic and difficult are your bird five to ten years from now. The difference isn't always in how the bird was raised but often in how much the owner was able to handle before they lost their patience. They are ideal parrots, as far as parrots go, who had inadequate owners. Whatever damage may have been done during their life in previous homes was done by people who bought them thinking that they'd sit in a cage and be content all day. Or people who thought "If I just get a baby from a breeder it will grow up and behave." Somewhere along the line, was an owner who couldn't or wouldn't deal with the issues that almost all of us, at some point in time, are going to have to just suck up and roll with.
Keep that in mind when you see posts and pictures about parrots that talk, roll over on their backs, and cuddle with their owners. Most of them also have "issues" that you hope you don't have to deal with. Many of them are babies who have yet to become difficult.The ones that manage to keep their homes are the ones who have owners who are versatile and prepared to rearrange their lives in order to keep everyone safe and happy.
If you're looking for a parrot, don't worry about choosing the one less likely to scream. Choose the one whose scream doesn't have the potential to get you evicted. Don't worry about the one that hopefully won't bite you. Choose the one whose bite you think you can handle and whose body language will be clear enough for you to avoid the bite all together. Choose the parrot that will still be beautiful in your eyes if it decides to pluck all of those bright colors away.
I also hope that more of us start choosing the parrots that need us as much as we want them. |
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| Red-bellied parrot. |
[Mar. 13th, 2008|11:15 am] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Home | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | excited | ] |
So I am officially an owner of a red-bellied parrot as of yesterday, when I put my deposit down for her (at least they're calling it a "her", but she's a baby, so who knows). I will be bringing her home about a week from now when she is fully weaned. And yes, I did look into adopting and am well aware of the fact that cute baby bird does not = cute adult bird, and am prepared to adjust as necessary as my bird grows up!
Which means that, although I've done as much research as I could prior to deciding this was the kind of bird that would probably suit my lifestyle and that I am well prepared for it, I would love to hear some feedback from other red-bellied/other Poicephalus owners in regards to any personal experiences with cages and/or toys. I already have some that I've been kind of stockpiling for the past six months since I started looking into getting a bird, but I'd definitely like to get some more and/or make some more! I plan to go to a craft store tomorrow and pick up some supplies to make my own toys.
Thanks for any and all help. :) |
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| Kaytees exact organic vs Harrisons? |
[Mar. 13th, 2008|12:53 pm] |
I live in NZ and the only organic pellets that I know I can get are Harrisons and from one particular vet. While bumbling through a few websites, I noticed that Kaytees does an organic version in their exact pellets. I know I can get Kaytees exact here, so it's possible I can get the organic pellets, even if it means get them ordered in. I prefer being in a situation where I have an option in products and where I buy them. Doesn't anyone have any opinions on/experience with Kaytees exact organic pellets?
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| New feather questions to Sun Conure folks |
[Mar. 13th, 2008|03:03 pm] |
Hi there. Izzy turned 1 yearz old on 2-20-08. He is such a big boy now. So onto the question:
He has two brand spanking NEW primary feathers. These both have a light lemon coloring to them. I'm curious if they will deepen in color or if that is what they are supposed to look like. Here's a pic:
( My SC Toddler ) |
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| cages and things |
[Mar. 13th, 2008|03:13 pm] |
So, I need to get some new cages, and I think I've finally figured out that I need two now, so I'm look for suggestions, or at least the sizes I'd need.
So, I'm looking for a new cage for a GCC and one for 4 Budgies.
The big cage I have budgies in right now I wouldn't want to put more than 3 in... so I think I'd just want something a little bigger, but would still like suggestions.
Nipper, the GCC, Could use a bigger cage I think.
Also, the boyfriend has told me he would build a play stand for the feathered buggers, so I'm looking for ideas to show him.
And one last thing! One of my budgies has laid an egg! she doesn't seem to show much interest so I'm taking it out when I get home from work. but is there any way to stop her from doing this other than changing their environment once in awhile? That's all I've heard to do. Any other suggestions would be great thanks. :) |
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| DNA Sexing |
[Mar. 13th, 2008|04:44 pm] |
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I sent a blood sample of my adopted 9 year old sennie in to get DNA sexed. We've been calling her a girl, and we were right! My Maeby is now officially female. XD Now hopefully she won't decide to prove it by laying eggs. |
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| Ruby Had a Wellness Check |
[Mar. 13th, 2008|06:04 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | home | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  anxious | ] |
So Ruby started looking lethargic and a little too fluffy (she's a perch potato anyway so noticing her lethargy was mostly me not feeling like she was looking right). I made her a vet appointment with a very recommended vet about a half hour from me.
( Cut for length ) |
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| A Parrot's Hierarchy of Needs |
[Mar. 13th, 2008|08:25 pm] |
My husband was a psychology major in college, and one of the things he studied was Maslow's hierarchy of needs.* He brought it up in discussion a few days ago, and I started thinking about how a companion parrot hierarchy of needs might look, or if they have one at all.
There's certainly lots of needs that need to be met for our parrots, everything from appropriate housing and nutrition to mental stimulation, physical exercise, and a safe home environment, and there's probably as many different ways of meeting those needs as there are parrot lovers. So, I figured I'd throw this out for the community:
-What would you say a parrots basic needs are?
-How would you rank a parrot's needs according to importance?
-Do you think that there's certain needs that take precedence over others or needs that must be met as prerequisites for addressing other needs?
-Is there a hierarchy that could be applied to all companion parrots, or should needs be considered on an individual basis only?
I'm interested to hear what everyone else thinks. I'll post my opinions in the comments.
*The Maslow Hierarchy of Needs is a theory that certain human needs take priority and must be met before other subsequent needs can be addressed and filled. To over-simplify, Maslow broke some major human needs down into a crawl-walk-run type model. I know there are those who agree and disagree with it. I bring it up merely as a point of inspiration and discussion in applying it to parrot needs, and not to debate the actual Maslow theory itself. |
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