I'm getting a baby B&G!

[Stizby]

Well, Rue, like people, each bird has a different personality. Stella, my YNA, is smart, sometimes clownish, and downright sassy. But she has a real tender side as well and enjoys a good headrub before going to sleep at night. She also likes to press her press her cheek up against mine whenever she feels especially lovey.

Izzy is my U2 and she is a real charmer. She and Stella are the best of buds, and will frequently hang out together if put in the same area. I find it quite touching that Izzy allows Stella to preen her every evening. Now, this does not mean that there are not sometimes squabbles because there certainly is. But in general they play well together and they have various contests they engage in nearly every evening on their playstand. Izzy is very capable of playing on her own and frequently does. Is is my messiest bird by far and my biggest chewer to date (waiting to see if Cooper outdoes her)! I have so many stories of all that she has destroyed in the time it takes me to go to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. It did not take me long to learn that she must never, never be out of my sight or something will be wrecked!

Gabby is my CAG and she is the baby of the group (until I bring home Cooper). Gabby will be 1 year old next month and she does not speak as of yet. But she has no problem communicating with me in her own way, if you know what I mean! I got Gabby last November. I work on introducing her to new situations as much as possible so that she will not become phobic over change. Last night my sister had a few relatives over for dinner and I took Gabby with me. I live alone and take opportunities to introduce the birds to others as much as possible. Gabby was passed around from person to person last night and she did well except when my sister tried to remove her from my shoulder. She pinched her finger pretty hard then. But if I hand her over to others she seems much more accepting of that. Gabby is potty trained and is generally a perfect guest in other's homes.

Charlie is a bird I bought from a pet feed store who had a very rough start in life. He was placed there on consignment by a breeder after the shop she first placed him in sorely neglected and abused him. (Due to my tender heart and inability to house every animal with a sad story, I now prefer to buy my bird supplies on-line or directly from Cooper's breeder.) Charlie has issues that I work on every day. When I first brought him home he was a terrible biter. He would bite and twist with his beak and break flesh doing so. He even one time broke a blood vessel in my middle finger from one of his bites. He has successfully gotten over biting although he will now and then lunge when feeling territorial about his cage. He had a grossly overgrown beak when I got him that the vet ground down at his first checkup. It was so overgrown that the vet felt that it was impairing his handling food properly. Charlie is the neatest bird I have -- not one crumb of food hits the floor. In fact, he kind of hoards his food and keeps all of it contained in his bowl. As a consequence of this behavior, I am quite certain he was starved or certainly went hungry at the first shop. This is not to say that Charlie does not eat -- he is probably the most voracious eater I have. As you may know, ekkies are reputed to be gentle souls and extremely smart. Charlie has made me see that he fits that description as well -- at least once I got him over the biting thing! I am posting below some before and after photos of Charlie for you all to see how bad his beak was.

My next challenge will be incorporating Cooper into my established flock. I am sure that I will have many tales to tell once he comes home.

Thanks to all of you for your well wishes.

[Rue]

Thanks for your post! I really enjoyed that - esp. rescuing Charlie...he looks like such a sweetie!

And other than Charlie...is there any reason you wanted these specific breeds?

For example, I deliberately selected my Pi - they're an all-round wonderful parrot, but my Amazon was a rehomed bird - I would have 'rescued' almost any species at the time when we brought her home (and I have NO regrets...she's terrific!!! We really lucked out!!!). I also get a real kick of comparing the different personalities of the different species, which is why I'd rather have birds of different species than all of one type...

...but I've now met/spoken with some people who have 4 greys, or only 'toos...etc....

[The Outlaw]

I'm quite impressed with what you breeder provides. It proves once again the advantages of purchasing from an experienced and reputable breeder. I also have an Ekkie hen (hybrid Grand/Redsided) and understand just what you are describing about your male. However, I'd rather go toe to toe with a male ekkie any day.

I have never before seen an ekkie with an overgrown beak. Was this bird not provided any wood to chew on? They are usually excellent eaters and do require a fresh, unpelleted diet.

I will tell you this, however, about ekkies and macaws: the macaws really irritate the Ekkies. I think they give them headaches (LOL). I have my four BGS and a Severe and my Ekkie can't wait to get away from their noise. She's so aggressive with all of them that they leave her alone, but she just has that look of "Geese, Louise, would you please just shut up!?" In fact, I'm seriously considering rehoming her because of their personality conflicts.

[Stizby]

Jodi, no offense taken. I just wanted to head off any concern that I was not taking the necessary precautions.

Outlaw, I know exactly what you mean about the ekkie being annoyed by loud and raucous birds. Mine has the same kind of attitude when my 'too gets to feeling her oats and really belts out a scream. This of course only provokes my amazon to sound off and then I swear I can feel my roof shake as the whole gang takes off. Even Charlie will sound out then, but in a rather dignified, ekkie kind of way!

Because of my perception that Charlie likes a quieter environment, I will frequently have him on a swing or perch in another part of the house when the traditional times for the birds to sound off comes around. I think Charlie has developed into a fairly serene bird and I have enjoyed his bond with me, although it is on his own terms.

As for his overgrown beak, you are right. The poor baby was given nothing to chew on for the first 9 or 10 months of his life. Cruel! And as I indicated before, I am pretty sure he went hungry quite a bit. But my god, I swear he is a pig with wings! What a little porker!

I think ekkies like a somewhat more subdued environment than I will have with both a 'too and macaw. Not to mention the sometimes rather loud amazon. But I have no little children running around and except for a couple times a day when the birds sound off, the house is fairly quiet. And frankly, I really hesitate to rehome him as I think that would really traumatize him after all that he has been through. But I absolutely understand completely where you are coming from on the personality differences between macaws and ekkies. In my humble opinion, I think they are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Well, I am heading off to the breeder's now. I will post an update when I am back.

[The Outlaw]

Cooper is outstanding. He really is. Its not at all uncommon for BGs to take 5 months to wean. Some have even gone longer. I'm sure, that much like me, with a houseful of larger birds, you'd probably rather not have to handfeed. So, just let the breeder do their job and enjoy your visits. After all, you'll have Cooper for the rest of your life.

I am so crazy about the BGs, that I've been accused of trying to put one in every home in America.

And, for the record, I think I totally agree with you about the Ekkies being on the opposite side of the spectrum of macaws and toos. In fact, I think they were an experiment. Its like God decided to make one more bird, brightly colored, very smart and with a lovely voice that was serene and at peace. I think he crossed the greys with the zons and Viola!

I'm curious as to how you decided on your BG? Was it anything I said (LOL ).

[TooLover]

Originally Posted by The Outlaw

I am so crazy about the BGs, that I've been accused of trying to put one in every home in America.

and trust me, she has done her best on this board! LOL

Congrats on the new addition - what a beauty.

[Stizby]

I'll tell you what, Outlaw, I'll give you credit for my decision to get a B&G if you will take the blame for all the trouble he gets into when he finally comes home!

I just got home a few minutes ago from the breeder's after spending 2 hours with Cooper. What a good little boy he was today. I first played with him with some foot toys on the floor and then put him on a T-stand and practiced his step ups. He performed beautifully and really seems to have learned his manners -- didn't poop on me even once! Given the number of times he has blessed me with his droppings, I have gotten to calling him "Cooper the Pooper"!

The breeder reports that he is back to eating no formula. She said that she is going to offer it to him again tonight but that if he does not take it, she will not offer it again unless he begs. She says that he is eating very well in the outdoor aviary but still not good about eating in his cage. She said that his eating improved greatly once she moved the other baby B&G to a whole other room, far away from Cooper. She said that by doing that, the 2 do not try to call to each other and adjust better to being separated.

Due to the little setback in Cooper's weaning, the breeder now thinks he won't be ready to come home until near Labor Day weekend. I've got to tell you all, I think patience as a virtue is way overrated and I totally stink at it!

When I said good-bye to Cooper today, I told him to be a good boy and eat really well so that he can come home with me soon. Let's see if he listened . . . By the way, here are some photos of Cooper.

[Soda Pop]

You are so lucky!!! He is so gorgeous!!!! Its not looking like Im goping to get to bring the lil girl home that I want so desperatley. I guess its just not to be right now. Ho Hum.
You have fun with your cooper. Did I say he is gorgeous???
Angel

[Stizby]

Sorry, Soda Pop, to hear you won't be getting your baby macaw now but I am sure one is still in your future. Keep looking and I am sure you will find the baby for you!

[Soda Pop]

ahhhh man, you gonna get her if I cant???? Well at least I will get wanna be mamma visiting rights????? PULEAZE!!!!!