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Twilight Chinchillas

Twilight Chinchillas

Zookeeper extraordinaire
Joined
Jan 30, 2009
Messages
1,755
Location
Spokane, WA
I was just curious as to who else on the list are slaves to parrots. I have 3 macaws, 2 cockatoos, 3 greys, a pair of Caiques, Blue head Pionus, and a mouthy little Blue crown.
I'm always looking for ways to keep my beasties out of trouble, and ways to improve their lives and have FUN!
Speaking of fun, if you have larger birds like me, and like making toys, I found some circular sleds today on clearance. I plan on putting chain on the sled and suspending it from ceiling with wood etc in hopes more poop will end up on the sled vs my floor! :p
 

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One day...:crossfingers:
How do you make sure you give them the proper time they need? Are they all kept very social or are some more solitary and "display"-like?

I will be getting 1 bigger bird or 2 smaller birds as a graduation present from vet school. I'm not sure whether I'm more excited about graduating, or finally getting a bird! I still haven't decided what yet - I'm leaning towards a Goffin Cockatoo, a Pionus, an Amazon, or 2 Conures (either blue crowns or pineapple green cheeks)
I am wondering if I will have an appropriate amount of time to give them what they need, while working full-time.
 
Most of my birds were second hand/rescues. Older, cast off birds with one behavior problem or another. The ones in pairs were breeders. I do sometimes have babies from them, but it's been almost 2 years now. I have multiple play stands in addition to their play top cages. They all come out for a couple hours, or longer each day. Some are hands off, and like to have limited interaction, as in look at me but don't touch! While a couple are totally hands on. Only 2 of my kiddos are babies. They enjoy scritches, but I do try to teach them some independance, to where they aren't problematic needy birds that scream all day. They know how to play on their own, as well as with Mom. I spend a small fortune buying and making my own toys, so they seem to be pretty happy. Our oldest guy is in his late 20's that is our Goffin, Barney.
The blue crown is HILARIOUS! He has a love affair with my youngest daughter and is quite the talker. I used to breed green cheeks a few years ago, but have to say I have a love affair with Pionus!
 
I think birds are amazing. I've fallen in love with a White-capped Pionus, a Blue-crowned conure and a bunch of pineapple green cheeks at some local pet stores. It took a lot of self-control not to take any of them home with me, but I know I will be in a much better place time-wise and financially when I graduate.
I also worked with/trained a Red-fronted Amazon at the zoo near me in undergrad. He was a hoot to work with and became quite attached to me in just 4 months. I had so much fun figuring out his little quirks and in 4 months, only a few hours a week, I accomplished quite a bit with him.
 
We have a blue quaker, he was supposed to be my bird but loves my husband more. He's just a baby, I actually finished hand feeding him until he was ready to wean, I didn't want to force wean him. He's talking pretty good and you can always get a good " DUUkkkAHH" out of him, which is his name, and also Dukkah, Good boy, and ruff, ruff. He's starting to get What? and I swore the other day I heard him yell "Hailey!" so I guess we all know who I yell for the most, lol. He's sweet to everyone, not sure about my oldest daughter. John is his favorite though, and after he's been gone 8 days for work he promptly pukes all over him when he sees him, lol. Now that's true love right there. Even I don't love my husband that much!
 
I have an African Grey, Bailey. Ugghh...I just remembered...his birthday is Feb 2 and I forgot to tell him Happy Birthday :clap1: He is 16 years old now and I have had him since he was 12 weeks old. He is in my living room and is included in activities and conversation every day. He talks, and talks and talks....for me and my husband. Says a little for company :impatient:

His favorite toys are preening toys. He even likes to take apart rope, strand by strand. I don't mind. He has never feather plucked.
 
I have two lovebirds and love them. They both love us but unfortunately Griffi suffered trauma befoe coming to us and is a biter. Stino however loves us and totally trusts us. I always joke we got the best and the worst but the truth is that we love Griffi. Both have a permanent home with us and are loved.
 
One of our greys is old and cankerous at times, and then Mr Sweetie. He's almost 16 years old also. We brought him home over 8 years ago. All this toes are missing with the exception of his back toes. He loves, I mean he LOVES to hang upside down like a bat and just start swinging. Poor Keeta Monster though, cause every now and then you will hear a Cla-plunk! We have to keep him a cage not to high. He's always calling Mom, Mom. Freaked me out when he first started cause I KNEW that all the kids were supposed to be at home. Just the other day Mr Smarty pants looked at me and asked..."whats your problem?"
 
I have to say the even when Griffi is at her worst she is loved. I did research on lovebirds and females don't always make the best pets. The hormones of egg laying and than protecting the nest are strong instincts. We give her unconditional love and over the years we've gotten to the point where I can give her kisses on her back if she's in a good mood.

Stino's loving personality however makes up for it. He is truly the perfect parrot who won't even poop on me. The little sweetie actually flies off when he has to go and comes back. There is something that I can't put into words when it comes to his affection for me. Not all pets really love you and but Stino does so he lets me pretty much do anything to him. He's also never bit anyone in over four years with us.

I also love big parrots but never got one out of the fear that I would not be able to give them what they need. I love the personalities and colors of parrots but with the long life spans some of them have we wanted to be careful.
 
Yes, those lovebird girls are something aren't they? I first started out breeding lovebirds years ago. The boys were generally ok, but don't mess with those Momma's! OF course there were some exceptions to the rule, and a boy might think he's a holy terror. You still have to love them, and their personalities! I think that is one thing special about lovebird. They are tiny birds, but they certainly don't know it!
I hear you on the whole age thing, this is pretty much why I go for the second hand birds, especially the older guys. Most of my birds are in their teens are older, even we know a teen really isn't that old in the bird world! Luckily, and hopefully I have a younger son that loves the animals just as much as I do. He is always telling me, that he'll take care of them, if something ever happens to me. Don't ask me why, but I kind of have a thing for those with the biggest attitudes! Even if they are spoiled little things that would rather eat me than anything!
 
We actually bought Griffi because we felt like she needed to be saved. We were right and she had an e. coli infection so bad it could have only come from neglect. Thankfully the breeder was getting out of lovebirds and she is in a home that loves her as she is.

If I ever get a larger parrot I will definitely be adopting an older bird. With the life span some of them have they could still out live me and I'd know the personality to a point. However there are things I want to do before I take the responsibilities of more pets.

Also from the pictures of your guys they look full of personality and are beautiful!
 
I love seeing everyone's pics of birds. I think companion parrot ownership is a different and special thing.
Years ago, I used to raise lovebirds. Some of the worst bird bites ever came from a female lovie. She would wait for anyone to open the door and then nail them! I don't miss that, LOL. Then when you have a total sweetie(most often a male lovie) its worth it!

My congo african grey passed away several months ago, and I am finally able to start thinking and considering another parrot with out getting upset. I just am not sure what I want yet and am in no hurry. I'm trying to find some good breeders in Missouri to start talking to, if anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them.

Heather
 
What type of love birds did you raise? I started off with peachface, got addicted to the genetics and then went to Fischers,masks, and some of the more rare species of lovies like Black cheeks and Abyssinians. Our old guy just passed away last yr after almost 13 yrs. I sure miss the little noises they make!
Are you looking for a talker, or a sweet mild mannered bird that is quiet? Pionus are a great bird! I have a pair of blue heads, and the female is the sweetest thing ever! OF course unless she's on eggs, then she's nasty as heck! It's been almost 3 years since they have had babies.The male on the other hand is entertaining. He gets all jealous and fans out his red tail, which is so pretty against the blue. As he is trying to bite me, he keeps asking What ya doing?
I do have to say the Umbrella's are the sweetest birds out there, but if you have allergies to dust, or live in an apartment you'd want to pass up on them!
 
Enchanted Chins said:
I love seeing everyone's pics of birds. I think companion parrot ownership is a different and special thing.
Years ago, I used to raise lovebirds. Some of the worst bird bites ever came from a female lovie. She would wait for anyone to open the door and then nail them! I don't miss that, LOL. Then when you have a total sweetie(most often a male lovie) its worth it!

My congo african grey passed away several months ago, and I am finally able to start thinking and considering another parrot with out getting upset. I just am not sure what I want yet and am in no hurry. I'm trying to find some good breeders in Missouri to start talking to, if anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them.

Heather
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You might want to try attending a couple of bird fairs in your area and talking to people there. I don't know where you are in MO, but there's a bird expo in Kansas City next Saturday. You can find information here: http://www.beaknwings.org/index.php...l-spring-pet-bird-expo&catid=39:fp-rokstories
 
No bigger birds for me, have always been nervous about the big beaks! Then of course we can't forget the bigger cages, toys, mess, etc. While they are beautiful, I know my limits. LOL I currently live in a duplex, and I know the neighbors would hear and complain. I cannot do another grey, samson will be the only. I cannot replace him and don't really have any interest in another. When I see them, it reminds me of him and makes me quite sad.
Its funny because I can list species of birds I don't want easier than those I do. I am picky, but it has to be the right fit!

When I did lovies I did peachface- dutch blues, normals, lutinos, and I'm sure some others but that escapes me at the moment.

I am thinking about attending that bird fair. We'll see:)
 
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