Pionus Possibility

[ParrotletLover]

**********,

By now most of you know I passed on the Quaker baby. I did not want to support someone like that, and I also realized I didn't totally, wholeheartedly want the Quaker. (I'm glad I realized that before he was here!)

I talked with Ellie and Danforth about what species they feel would be a good match for me. Both suggested a Pionus!

I have been reading about them for over a year, but just in casual reading. So I consulted lots of webpages and even a breeder in Chicago about them. I think its a match!

I'm not too comfortable with the breeder in Chicago, though. She didn't seem like a bird person, and was more in it for the money. That certainly may not be the case, but I'd like to look at other breeder options first.

I just found Aves International. I had known about them for a long time, but never really thought about purchasing from there. Does anyone know anyone who has done business with these people? I've read some reviews and they sound great, plus their website, although a tad messy, is quite informative (www.avesinternational.com).

The bird would have to be shipped to either Midway or O'Hare (in Chicago, IL). I would rather not ship, but if they are the only breeder I "click" with, I'll be OK with it. I'm just nervous about the bird being put on the wrong plane, it being overly stressed, the hour car trip, traffic, etc..

What are your thoughts about Pionus, Maximillian's especially? Also, what about Aves Int'l? I'd really appreciate everyone's opinions.

And also.. do Pionus have the capacity to learn tricks and behaviors, such as "pretty wings", playing dead, wave, etc.? Lily wouldn't stand for any trick training, but I'm hoping whatever comes home with me wouldn't mind.

Blake

[Skyebirdsmom]

I'm not being nosey, but I'm curious as to what about a Quaker made you think maybe you don't want one? And why would you not want to adopt a Pionus instead of buying a new baby? Just wondering as there are so many being bred and I think it would be so wonderful for people to adopt and give another chance rather than buying a new baby. Was just wondering if you'd thought about it.
Linda & Skye~

[ParrotletLover]

Linda,

I had never thought about the prospect of adopting a Pionus. I'm having a hard enough time finding a breeder - I can't imagine finding one for adoption (but I'll look, right after I post this).

Also, I decided against the Quaker because of 1) the noise. And 2).. I just decided I didn't want one. I have no idea why. Just one of those feelings.

______

Linda,

I just ran a nationwide search on Pionus available for adoption (from www.petfinder.org) and found two, in the whole United States - one 200 miles away in Wisconsin and one in South Carolina.

Neither will ship, and I'm afraid I won't be able to make a 200 mile drive anytime soon.

[basketbagley]

Blake,

You can also check your local humane shelter or ASPCA if you are serious about adopting a rescue bird.

But I'm of the understanding that they aren't for everyone, so please think hard and research about rescue birds, especially talk with Nancy she has quite a few. Although of course it depends so much on the bird, you may go and see one and both fall in love!

Not that being 14 is a big issue if you know how to handle birds, but you have to consider the other members of your family and the time you'd have to spend with it. Since you'd be at school so much, you may be better of with a baby.

Just food for thought, not necessarily an opinion. want you to be happy with your choice/descisions!

[ParrotletLover]

Originally Posted by basketbagley

Blake,

You can also check your local humane shelter or ASPCA if you are serious about adopting a rescue bird.

But I'm of the understanding that they aren't for everyone, so please think hard and research about rescue birds, especially talk with Nancy she has quite a few. Although of course it depends so much on the bird, you may go and see one and both fall in love!

Not that being 14 is a big issue if you know how to handle birds, but you have to consider the other members of your family and the time you'd have to spend with it. Since you'd be at school so much, you may be better of with a baby.

Just food for thought, not necessarily an opinion. want you to be happy with your choice/descisions!

Tracy,

Our Humane Society only has dogs, cats, and rabbits (sometimes guinea pigs). I called them once and they said they won't take in birds. There is no other shelter (or bird club, even) within 60 miles of here.

In this case, I would prefer a baby - I don't know if I have the skill to tame down, train, socialize, etc. a fully grown, previously abused bird. And even if I could, finding one would be difficult. Like I mentioned above, there were only two Pionus in rescues.

My family does help handle my bird (they helped when Mango was alive, but now I only have one bird...), and that is why I wanted a sweeter, gentler parrot. I have a three year old cousin who comes over and always tries to help with Lily, but she would be ripped apart by her little beak.

I e-mailed Aves International, and I hope to learn more about themselves and their establishment. Pionus breeders are pretty hard to find!

Blake

[danforth3]

Blake,

Went to the website you posted and the place looks legit. Websites can fool you. The old adage don't judge a book by its cover comes to mind. Based on the pictures in the available section, it looks clean and nice.

You should contact them, sell what they offer for the price. Will the bird be socialized, step up trained, etc.? Also find out what their policy is for vaccinations and meeting interstate transporrt standards that your state may have for the import of exotic birds.

Pionus can learn tricks, to talk, etc. If you are willing to make the effort to each it, most birds will learn what you try to teach.

The thing to remember about breeders is that this is a business and they are bird people, they just understand the bottom line. She has to make a profit in order to support her breeding. Don't discount her because she seems business like. Frankly, I prefer dealing with a business like person. They understand the virtues of good care, good service and offering you the best product, in this case a beautiful bird, they can. Good-will and a good reputation are important. Ask the person in Chicago if they can give you the names of some customers to contact.

[felisdomesticus]

I adopted my Eclectus from a local bird rescue. She is my first bird ever and landed in rescue at 18 months old with some baggage. Apparently she was bought as a baby and never handled or handled extremely rarely until she became unhandleable. She was surrendered and spent 6 months with a special-needs foster who still has a scar from her.

Sometimes it's hard to take on an older animal--especially when they wind up in rescues or shelters because of behavior issues. More often, though, at least in my experience owners just become bored with or don't have time for their formerly beloved pet. They come into my home and are an absolute pleasure--already trained, housebroken, etc. I don't know if the same applies with birds. Cats and dogs are a dime a dozen while one could probably sell an exotic bird.

I know that I've met dozens of people who are interested only in kittens and puppies "the younger the better" because they feel like you can only bond with a baby and they will somehow avoid temperment/behavior issues if they have the animal from babyhood. I don't know a lot about baby birds but I do know that young kittens/puppies are a lot of work and make a lot of MESS! The 3 hour increments of sleep in between puppy potty breaks during the night are tons of fun too. Not a lot of people have the patience for the work involved and, sadly, that's when they give up on their pet and condemn it to a life outside in a kennel or on a chain.

I'm not exactly sure what my point is other than that I don't subscribe to the belief that you have to have an animal from it's very young stages in order for it to be a good pet. I could never buy a pet when there are so many in shelters and rescues who need homes. This obviously doesn't apply to exotic birds but there are still many that wind up in rescue. I was pre-approved and on a waiting list for a bird for almost a year until a suitable one was available.

Scarlett still gets fresh sometimes and wants to nip at me but, now that I've learned her history, I understand that it isn't because she doesn't like me or because I'm a bad owner--she's just still learning how to be handled on a regular basis.

[Rue]

I have a White-cap baby...he's 6m old now...and he's wonderful! I can't say enough good things about him. He's personable, game for almost anything...loves to cuddle, but also very happy playing on his own, both inside and outside the cage...

...he can be loud, but it's certainly not bad at all...doesn't last long, and the rest of vocalizations are pleasant and cute. He's not a big talker, very few Pis are, but he says his name and mimicks others sounds (like the cockatiels, the budgies and recently, the Amazon).

Both my baby WC and older Amazon were shipped to us. No problems at all. No signs of undue stress. Both ate and drank as soon as I let them in their cages and proceeded to settle in without incident. I wouldn't let shipping concerns stop you from procuring a bird. Just make sure that everything is in order before the animal leaves the breeders. Breeders should select the airline that best handles animals, shouldn't ship if the weather is too hot or too cold, make sure there's some food and something 'wet' in the transport cage (ie. apple or orange), and supply (usually at your cost) an appropriate shipping cage. A modified cat/dog carrier is usual, or a homemade wooden shipping box.

A short flight or a long drive. Both are going to be stressful in different ways. Frankly, I can't see one or other being 'better'.

Have fun shopping for your bird!

[Skyebirdsmom]

Well it's very commendable that you tried anyway! (((((hugs)))) and as far as the 'noise' goes with the Quakers, well, yep, you're right there!!! LOL And it's always best to go with those gut feelings.
Good luck with your search,
Linda & Skye~

[mamalovesrico]

Blake, I must have missed it on why you didn't want to support the woman that was going to sell you a Quaker. What happened? I can't remember what the name of that thread was to go back and look at it.