Ok, I'm in trouble...

[StellaBlue]

I've been sorta kinda thinking about maybe getting another bird (y'all know about this, right?) I LOVE my birds each in their own ways. The two big macaws are really fun when it isn't springtime in the amazon. They like to hang out, play, and sometimes condescend to scratching, petting, and beak wrestling with us, but of course they are FAR mor interested in ech other. That's fine, and they are nifty members of our household when the hormones aren't too bad. The timnehs are older, the last of the imports from many years ago. They are interactive, fun, verbal, love head scratches and getting into trouble, but cannot be called cuddly by any means.

So then the severe (the Katrina rescue) comes along, and although she chews the crap outta me at every opportunity, she is so cuddly and friendly and playful with my husband that I'm frankly a bit envious.

So, hubby says, yeah, maybe it would be good to get you a cuddly, playful, fun bird, preferably one that doesn't savage ME the way my bird savages you (he's kind of a wimp that way ) And we talked about a larger conure such as a blue crown, a patagonian, or perhaps a mitred , a goldcap, or a cherryhead. Maybe even the right small amazon - a white front or a redhead, perhaps. No hurry, no rush, I'd just stay open to having a bird choose me.

Ok, so yesterday, we went to a shop to get a brush for the dog. (Isn't this just the way it starts?) My life was immediately taken over by a little handfed greencheek conure. He is obnoxious, pushy, playful, nippy, cuddly, and funny, and he thinks I'm the bomb. He alternated between being extremely cuddly, and throwing little tantrums - which stopped as soon as I picked him up, moved him to where I wanted him to be, and told him "stop". he is a brat, and I think I'm in love.

BUT I gotta say, I'm a little intimidated by his size. I know this sounds kind of funny, but he is so LITTLE! (He doesn't know this...) My "little" birds are Timnehs! Has anyone else had big birds, and gotten a tiny guy? Are these little ones as spicy as they seem? My husband handreared several clutches of GCC in a past incarnation as a pet shop manager, and seems to think I will adjust and enjoy him.

The store manager suggested I go to their other store, which has more birds, a larger number of bird specialists, and check out this guy's siblings and the other birds they have. I'm hoping to be able to tell if this is "Mr. Right" or "Mr. Right Now". What do you all think? Should I get the tiny terrorist or wait until I am chosen by a larger bird? While money is NOT a factor (unless I'm chosen by a Hy ) I AM intrigued by owning a bird whose toy bill is smaller than my paycheck for a change. (I just put in a big order for macaw toys - OUCH!)

Any advice?

[grandma]

Go for it but I would wait till the bird picks you. Just visit often.

[StellaBlue]

Originally Posted by grandma

Go for it but I would wait till the bird picks you. Just visit often.

Yeah, that's kinda the problem. This little guy clearly picked me, but he's not really what I planned on. It's a bit like going to look for a pitbull and getting picked by a chihuahua. But hey, I LOVE chihuahuas.

[Quito's Qage]

Chihuahua sized, perhaps. But like most Chihuahua's I've met, they have no idea they are that tiny. Judging from my Quito, they've got the cutest, fiestiest, cuddliest attitudes going. A whole lot of personality in a little package. I just love her to death, but then again she's only six months old, and the hormones haven't hit yet!

P.S. I'd be sure to carefully supervise with your larger guys. As said, GC's have no idea how tiny they are, and I think could get in serious trouble with a Timneh or larger bird really quick!

[MiniMama]

My vote would be to pick a bird that would fit in with your existing flock. This would probably be another macaw or an Amazon. Have you researched the red fronted macaws? They are really affectionate. Or any macaw, for that matter. (I have 2 mini's)

[Willow]

Good point, I know someone from another group and she has to keep her GCC in another room from all her other birds (large and small) because they are constantly trying to attack the others.

[candi4me]

Dave says he wants a green cheek as well. They look like awsome birds.
Candy

[Tiki]

Sounds like this lil GCC chose you! Just keep her away from the other birds.

[StellaBlue]

Ok, so Sunday afternoon we went to the other shop to see this little GCC's sibling. I'm thinking that maybe I'm just in love with all GCCs or any ol' baby bird this weekend. Maybe my biological bird clock is ticking.

We get there and go inside, check out the cool little caiques, and ask to hold the GCC. It's a perfectly nice little bird, a bit handshy. It crawls up under my chin, nibbles at my face, and is quite sweet. It is equally pleasant to my hubby. However, the angels just didn't sing. It was simply a nice little bird. We leave the shop, and hubby looks at me and says, "I think we ought to buy the little brat."

So we head to the other shop. As SOON as I walk within sight, the first little GCC starts going nuts. He stops eating and starts pressing himself against the bars. The shop manager says, "I KNEW you'd be back. I just KNEW it. You've come for the green cheek, right? He was really peeved after you guys left yesterday."

The little guy runs up and snuggles under my chin. I put my hand up underneath him, and he falls backwards into my palm and kicks my chin with his feet. I am weak. The angels are singing in 4-part harmony with a full blown gospel choir and it is so darn loud that I cannot hear a THING my rational self is saying. Hubby rolls eyes and starts hauling out the checkbook.

I had them hold him overnight, and I went home to evict the polish chicks I had been raising in my bedroom - it was time for them to go live outside with the big chickens anyhow. I cleaned and vacuumed and disinfected and generally made my bedroom ready for quarantine. I picked him up this afternoon, and bought a parakeet cage for quarantine, along with perches, toys, and a nice green bird buddy wooby which he loves. Once we figure out which room he will actually live in permanently we'll get him GCC palace. He may go in the dining room with the other birds (everyone gets removed to separate areas for out-of-cage playtime, and we segregate by species for playstand time.). If he pesters the other guys too much, he may stay in my room permanently - we'll see.

We are trying to decide on a good name. The shop named him "Sebastian", but I think it is both too large and too somber a name for my little brat. Top choices are currently Niblet or Squirt, Also under consideration are Gnat, Puff, Squiggle or Squiggy, Fanta, Wink, Pepsi, Napoleon, Pepito, and Zapata. He'll be The Brat no matter what, but that's a title, not a name

Other suggestions gladly entertained.

Gosh I'm a sucker. I'll have photos soon.

[Irish]

Niblet! I LOVE that name! And oh-so-appropriate for a GCC :-). Congrats on your new li'l family member!