Birdell, the DYH Amazon (warning....long)

[stlbirdgirl]

I went out to the bird store Saturday to pick up food and a few other things and someone heard me talking about my amazon, Peppers. We got into a conversation about my birds and then they asked if I would be interested in another bird if someone gave him to me...Turns out these people got a double yellow headed amazon from someone after her mother died. I guess her mom had the bird for about 15 years and then the daughter inherited him and couldn't handle him so the people who have him now got him because their friend (a woman I also met) works with the daughter I believe.

Anyway, he was there so I met him. His name is Birdell and he is gorgeous! He is big....bigger then Peppers I think and he was very nice to me... The issue that the people who have him now are having is that he is bonding most with their ten year old daughter. I met her there too and she is very good with the birds but according to her mom, she was raised around little birds and does not realize that the bigger birds, more specifically the zons, are not really cuddle birds and she keeps putting him right by her face. Her mom is worried that she is going to get bit bad and if they can find a good home for him, I think she is interested in giving him away and getting her daughter a smaller bird....There was a little parrotlet there that her daughter was really interested in....

I talked to both of the women for quite a while and they seemed very happy with me. Both of them have my number now. Even if I don't end up with Birdell, I think am going to end up bird sitting for the other woman and I think I met some pretty good bird crazy people today so that's always a plus!

Birdell seems great though... He apparently likes to say "bird butt" lol and I heard him say hello and a few other things too. He pretty much sat quietly on my arm for a long time. I didn't really try to pet him much because it was the first time I met him and he is older zon but I'm pretty sure I could have scratched his head if I wanted too. Did I mention he's gorgeous? I wish I had brought my camera with me!!!

I went out to see him again last night and I am having the absolute worst luck when it comes to getting you guys pictures of him! I had to just take them on my phone because Matt had the camera with him and then I couldn't find my cord at home, I thought I had one at work but I'm at work and, of course, I have every single adapter for my cord except for the one that I need for my phone!!

The situation with Birdell is a little weird. The people who have him now have only had him for a month and they signed a contract with the woman they got him from. According to his current owners the contract pretty much said that they would

1. Always keep him clipped

2. Give him back if they couldn't keep him.

3. Allow her to visit.

#1 and #3 there give me a little bit of trouble and I have been thinking about it all night... As far as the wing clipping goes, I don't agree with doing it unless it is absolutely necessary. I hope that this is something that we can talk over and agree or agree to disagree on.

#3 only bothers me because I feel that if he comes to live with me, I need to set a certain time period in which she is not allowed to visit so that he can settle in. I wouldn't mind if after a few months she came by once in a while but I really think that his Q time and the time right after that when he would get introduced to my flock is a very important time period and I would like to avoid him being any more confused then he probably already is. Does that sound unreasonable?

I'm sure that the previous owner will want to write up a new contract with me. She was told about me as soon as they met me. . . Basically I think that they told her that they were not sure if it was going to work out but they offered to help her find him another home. . . The previous owner was actually this woman's mother but her mother died and I don't think she really knows anything about birds. She just wants to make sure that he goes to a good home which is why she is coming over to meet me on Friday

As far as Birdell goes, he does like me, even with "his" girl in the room so I think that bodes well for me being able to work with him. He is stick trained as well which is a huge plus because it means that Matt can handle him too. He stayed with me most of the time that I was there even though he could easily hop off my lap and go back to his cage.


I wish that I had the chance to spend some time with just him but I doubt that will happen on Friday with his old owner there too...I might ask the current owners if they would mind not having their daughter in the room though. I've never seen him without her around either.

[Willow]

Hi, the cynical side of me says take the birdie and within a year, you will never hear from the woman again, and you can go about your business.

However, I think talking over the pros and cons of clipping and seeing if you can come to an agreement (I'm sure she is only thinking of safety and doesn't realize the many benefits of a flighted parrot.) I don't know that I would worry too much about the visitation rights. I suspect, once she is assurred he is in a good home, she won't visit. But that's my cynical side coming out again.

Best of luck and let us know what you decide!!

[DeguMom]

I totally agree with you, and think you are a great bird lady! I think it's quite possible the lady doesn't understand what good exercise (physically and mentally) flying is for parrots, probably just thinks keeping him clipped is safer. And I bet there's a good possibility Willow is right - she may never come to visit, or may come to visit once or twice.

Anyway, you have a great outlook, and are wise to discuss it with her ahead of time. He does sound like a dream bird, and it does sound like you're a great bird mom. I hope it works out for you both.

Bird butt? LOL He sounds like a nut!