[Lisa B]

How did you become involved with Birds?

My first ever memory is my nana took me to a pet shop to buy a bird for my 3rd birthday. I could have any bird but as soon as I stepped in the door a cockatiel flew onto my shoulder and would not leave me the whole time I was there. That was it. I named her Daisy. We later found out Daisy was a he but it was too late.

What made you want to share you life with birds?

My mum. She used to care for wildlife when I was little and I was in charge of the wild birds.
She saw how I was with them and asked one of my grand parent’s friends (who bred birds) if they wanted me to tame their baby cockatiels. They were parent raised so I started from scratch with them. I was given 4 cockatiels in a cage at a time and got $10 for every cage I tamed. I was about 8 years old then.

How long have you been an avian caretaker?

We’ve never bred birds but I don’t remember a time when I haven’t had birds in my life. We have had our pet birds which included our 2 cockatiels, a Galah and 4 ducks. We’ve cared for lots of birds. We’ve had doves, pigeons, minors, lorikeets, tawny frogmouths, silvereyes and more. We've had a few ducklings at one stage too. We have looked after peoples birds and also had an aviary with love birds and budgies in it.

What species do you currently care for?

At the moment I only have my Alexandrine Matches and my Green Cheek Conure Beetle. Matches is about 4 and a half months old and is so friendly and smart. I only just got Beetle and she is about 6 months old but wasn’t hand raised and hasn’t been handled much. She is coming along great; it is hard to believe she was an aviary bird.

What do you love most about your birds?

Haha, well, I love how they can make me so crazy angry that I can’t even stand to look at them and then in the next second do something to make me laugh hysterically. I love how the first thing I see when I come home from work is Matches waiting for me to let her out to play. I love how they take your mind off everything. I love their different personalities and how everything is theirs and never yours...especially dinner.

Do you have a favourite bird book and why?

At the moment, no. I mostly get my information off the internet. I go to at least 3 different sites when researching a bird to make sure the information matches up.

Which bird magazines do you buy/subscribe to?

None at the moment but I do have one at home (I don’t remember what it’s called) that I find interesting and may think about subscribing to it.

Do you belong to any bird clubs?

No but I’ve talked to the Parrot Rescue Centre about volunteering and getting information on courses I would like to do.

Do you have a special story of a feathered one you would like to share?

I have many but one that stands out is the story of Fang. When I was taming cockatiels, I would have been about 10 years old, we had the cutest little boy …looks can be deceiving. He would draw blood to anyone who put a bit of skin near him. No one would touch him. So finally I got out the gardening gloves (I know not a great plan but it’s all I had left at the time) and got him out. After two weeks of full on handling with gloves he calmed down a lot. When I finally took the gloves off he still got in a few good bites but eventually nothing. He became the tamest bird I have ever met just because he had so much full on handling. Not that big a story but I felt great after I had done it.

What is the best piece of advice you can offer new parronts that you have learned through trial and error?
RESEARCH!! Lots of research. Before buying a bird read up as much as you can on it. Talk to people that own them and breeders. Also when something says a bird is known to be noisy…they probably will be, if a bird is known to nip, they probably will. Always assume your bird will bite…they have a beak, they will bite. I have been bitten by a lovebird and a budgie through to a Blue and Gold macaw and a pelican and they all hurt!! Also don’t give up on your bird, they can be grumpy and angry at times but then again so can we.

Care to share who else shares your life? Pets/Family?

I live with my dad and brother.
At the moment there is just a fish who likes to kill other fish so we have given up on a friend for him. In the past our pets were: poodle, Labrador (we did seeing eye dogs and his hips failed him), hermit crabs, fish, Mexican walking fish, turtles, guinea pigs (bred them), frogs/tadpoles (bred them), plus the ducks and parrots. Plus the wildlife and foster puppies we have had.

Any closing thoughts?

I just wanted to say a big Thank you to everyone on Bird Board. I have learnt so much and have had lots of help here and I hope I have helped some of you. Also Thank you to the Mods for making such an incredible place for all us crazy bird people. I have had a great time since the moment I have joined. Thanks!
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