DYH owners?

[debbielabella]

DYHs are so beautiful, they always seem so friendly too. Are they very moody? How are they with other birds? Do they tend to wander off their playstands? Are they very active? Just curious, always admired these birds. I would love to hear from DYH people, what are your birds like to live with? Do they like hands on attention or shoulder rides?

[birdiemommy]

I have an 2 year old male DYH. They are one of the hot three, so you need to take that into account. Mine has never been a head scratch kind of guy, unless it's bedtime, then every once in a while he'll let me.
I would never allow a DYH on my shoulder, I just am not willing to take that chance. He is a great talker and a ton of fun, very active on his stand and playing with toys. He loves to yell at his toys as he beats them up. He is my favorite fid in the house.

[debbielabella]

thanks birdie momma. I have always stayed away from the hot 3 because of their reputation. I have my hands on birds that need scritches, but really like the personality of the DYH, so the fact that they don't want a lot of hands is fine. Their personalities are so friendly and funloving. Does yours like dangling off of hanging toys and climbing?

[birdiemommy]

I actually have yet to meet a another friendly adult DYH, ever..... Tigger is definetly a one person bird. He will step up on a stick for my oldest son, and hubby, but that is as friendly as he gets!
He does love to hang off toys and swing around. He does have a fun loving, funny personality, but is not what I would call friendly. He did start talking while I was still hand feeding him, which was cool!

[debbielabella]

I met one at a bird store, he is a 'store bird', and he is very friendly, I think it must be because he has many people who give him attention. He's over 10 yrs old and gets let out of his cage at least 3 hours everyday. I visit with him often and he seems to really like me. I was hoping they would let me take him home because in my mind he would be happier with a family, but maybe I'm wrong about that.

Does Tigger appreciate verbal interaction with different people, is it just touching that he's standoffish on?

[Newticus]

Chester is just over 2 and he is a great!
He is cuddly at times, but more playful. He absolutely LOVES to play fight (chew on my hands and fingers while I scritch his head and face) which for me is also tons of fun.
He is not aggressive with other birds unless they bother him first. He will step up for anyone as long is he is stepping up off of me. He is not crazy about other people but me in his cage trying to pick him up.
He talks up a storm and learns words real fast. The only thing is Chester usually won't speak if someone is in the room with him.

He is the best bird for shoulders cause he will just hang out with me. When he is really sucky he will fluff up his feathers and rub his head on my face and neck (very cute!)

This is my handsom bird



so not many birds beat the DY for beauty. He has bright red shoulder patches too (can't really see in this picture)

My g/f is also raising a wonderfully sweet DY at her work, Charlie. He LOVES head rubs and his food.

Lots of thought needs to go into choosing a DY. My suggestion is to go out and meet a few. If one is sweet on you, usually you can weather the hormonal storm.

Good luck

Melanie

[debbielabella]

thanks Melanie, that's great advice! They are really beautiful in person, pictures do not do them justice. Chester sounds like a great bird, I'm sure it has a lot to do with your interaction with him.

Tiki is a very cuddly hands on amazon who likes lots of attention, not sure if all panama's are like that or if I just spoiled him, but he does have a jealous streak so I'm worried he may get PO'd if I bring home another zon rather than welcome him as a friend. That's the main thing holding me back right now because I'd love to get another zon, that and, as my son loves to remind me, I'm in my mid-forties and Tiki will likely outlive me and it's not fair to leave behind a bunch of aging birds.

[becca623]

I've met some friendly dyh. I adore all zons. I'd love to someday have enough room for one of each species. Since I have a female I will only get females.
Panamas are great. The ones I've met have been very affectionate for amazons. They and the lilac crowns are such sweethearts but I wouldn't trade my baby doll (bfa) for anything.

[debbielabella]

Originally Posted by becca623

Since I have a female I will only get females.

Tiki is a male, wouldn't I be asking for trouble if I got another male? Or should I be concerned about him getting hormonal if I get a female? My thought is he would get along better with a female, be less threatened and territorial?

[becca623]

I was told to stick with one sex when it came to zons. Actually when it comes to parrots at all but especially zons. The theory is that they will be less hormonal if you don't mix sexes. Since I only have one amazon, I can't say from experience only what I was told by a large breeder and several owners.