wanna make a bird talk?

[Nervousings]

ok so i am really disturbed. the warehouse manager at my work just got a bird. its a "green parrot".... no idea what that means, or what kind of bird it is. im seriously guessing is a cockateil. well..he wants it to talk, and the man he bought it from suggested giving him a mix of TEQUILA AND CHILE POWDER. i got really upset when he told me that hes been giving his bird alcohol in his water bottle. im utterly disgusted right now and feel so bad for the poor bird.

 

[ChunkyChins]

Uh..... wow.... I have no idea what to say. I am speechless. Maybe he was just messing with you?

 

[Nervousings]

most definitely not... it really doesn't surprise me. im running to my house to give him a bunch of wood and chew toys and a lava ledge for the poor thing, since he only has the bottom of his cage to stand, and climbs up the bars to see things, and most likely get out of his poop. i feel so bad.

 

[Sesame]

hm... this is a bit disturbing.
I don't understand why someone would suggest that in general, but I thought that chili powder spice (the Capsaicin in hot peppers which makes things spicy) only effected mammals. I have heard of people trying to deter squirrels from bird feeders by putting chili powder since birds wouldn't be effected by it, but the squirrels would learn an aversion to the spicy feed.

 

[aznmexaggie]

It's probably some type of Amazon or conure... they have a lot of those at the flea markets... many of whom have been smuggled in across the border.

That's horrible. While many parrots enjoy spicy foods such as dried peppers, the alcohol is definitely not good for him.

 

[Jenn]

I have a quaker parrot, which is a "green parrot" that talks. There are so many forbidden foods for birds, just like all animals, and I can't believe anyone would suggest alcohol for any animal, and I surely hope this bird's new owner doesn't follow the advice! Makes me wonder what this poor bird had to endure with its former owner...

 

[caiti]

Chilli powder and alcohol? Jeez I can't imagine that not being corrosive to their innards...It's not like they can throw it up. The bird would probably talk because it was in pain and trying to get the alcohol mix off of its esophagus. I would go up to the guy who suggested this and threaten to call ASPCA and take all his pets away unless he aquires a brain somewhere.

I might consider hitting him too. Just a thought.

 

[caiti]

You should just take the bird if your manager isn't a responsible owner.

 

[Jazicat]

Very sad that that was recommended because tequila would be very bad for any bird. I also hate it when people want birds who have the novelty of being able to mimic them. I have a flock of birds that are supposed to be some of the best talkers and none do. We don't care because they are happy and singing.

You might want to recommend some brocolli and carrots (slightly cooked) as they have lots of nutrients that all birds can use. You can also use natural branches of trees as perches and this is very good for parrot feet since they aren't uniform. You just wash and bake them like you would for a chinchilla to chew.

Bless you also for trying to enhance the life of this bird.

 

[CJR]

As a bird owner for darn near ten years (I had parakeets and a cockatiel), this is upsetting. As a person, this is upsetting. As an animal lover, this is upsetting.

Where does this guy work again? *angelic face*

 

[Nervousings]

my family has had birds since i was a small child, so i really laid into him that this is NOT RIGHT.. it is in fact disgusting. i gave him a bag of cholla logs, some cuttle bones, a lava ledge, and a few hanging toys.
unfortunately i cannot take in a bird, my husband has horrible allergies, and goes into a sneezing fit when we go to my parents house.
i found out he bought the bird in the santee alley of downtown LA.. which really saddens me. there are daily busts for people selling exotic animals, in the worst, poop encrusted, crammed cages.
i told him that if he is not able to take care of the bird properly, i can see if someone on here would be willing to give him a new loving home, and of course re-name him since his name is "Puto".

 

[3CsMommy]

http://www.parrotcare.org/

I'd be so tempted to offer that "owner" a tequila + chili powder enema if he is, in fact, feeding that poor bird alcohol. God, I've never even lived with a bird and I know they don't learn language based on diet. Leave Sesame Street on if you want a talking bird; muck with their diet if you want a dead one!

 

[Nervousings]

http://www.parrotcare.org/

I'd be so tempted to offer that "owner" a tequila + chili powder enema if he is, in fact, feeding that poor bird alcohol. God, I've never even lived with a bird and I know they don't learn language based on diet. Leave Sesame Street on if you want a talking bird; muck with their diet if you want a dead one!

oh he is... in fact there is no water.. just a bottle filld with tequila. he said he isnt doing it anymore, but there is really no way for me to know. he wasnt even grateful for the stuff i gave him.. and i really doubt he will even use it. i am really upset.

 

[Jazicat]

This is very sad for the poor baby. If it's a small/ medium parrot and you could get it to Northern California I could take it. I have all the supplies including cage, lots of bird experience, a good avian vet and love any bird would need. I would consider rehoming it after a quarantine and vet visit but would wait until I knew the bird's personality as not all are good pets. Unfortunately many parrots are emotionally scared by bad owners and never get over it. I know I have a bird like this currently.

Ooh could you tell the guy that parrots need lots of baths in their first few weeks to get comfortable. I recommend a bowl in with him at all time

 

[Nervousings]

thank you. im sure he had no idea about that as well. the guy he bought it from told him only to feed it by hand...so basically he starved it until he came home to give him a few pieces of food.
i called him today to see what he has changed, and he told me he put the ledge in, and all of the toys... and he has fresh water in his bottle. im happy that hes changing, but i dont know if i believe him.

 

[Jazicat]

Have you found out what type of parrot this is? Let me know and I will look up a few links for you.

 

[Nervousings]

Have you found out what type of parrot this is? Let me know and I will look up a few links for you.

my best google image based guess is a green conure. he said it is bright green with an orange tail and darker head.
and thank you very much.

 

[Jazicat]

This looked like a good site but he's going to be disapointed when he learns that conures are not great talkers.

http://conurecommunity.com/index.htm

It also looks like bonding with the bird is what's going to get it to talk. Right now he should be cuddling and nuturing it if its a baby and if it's older earning it's trust. Otherwise he could end up with a biter on his hands.

Diet is also important and there are fruits and veggies they like/ need.

I forgot to suggest a well vet check up because poorly bred birds often are sick. Unlike chins there are many tests that can be done to make sure you have a healthy bird. These are usually around $300 for all the tests. Both my lovebirds came to us sick and one of them was contagious to humans.

We know this so instead of doing this :banghead: we should probably be the ones to take a shot of tequila. Instead I will go give my nesty, biting lovebird hen some love and be thankful I can make a difference in her life.



As I said before I will take this bird even if it takes a while to sour.

 

[Nervousings]

thank you so much for the info. i am going to compile a list of the most basic do's and dont's for now.. i dont want to overwhelm him. would you recommend getting its wings clipped? i told him he should do that asap since hes already gotten loose and they WERE USING A BROOM TO SCARE HIM BACK INTO HIS CAGE. im so disturbed.

 

[Jazicat]

Unfortunately yes. They will kill or loss the bird otherwise. Just have them be careful if the bird likes to walk on the floor.

It's the common belief that they all should be clipped to prevent bird from gaining speed and flying into a mirror or window. Birds with clipped wings are better behaved since they can't fly to far away/ escape. My lovebirds are small and in a space where there aren't these hazards and we choose to take great care in making a safe free flight space for them. Unless the person is extremely responsible or it's a type of bird that can't be I'd alway side on clipping just in case.