Better than what I could have done!!!

[Baby5566]

Yay! We're going to see them some time this week or next.

[Monica]

I don't really know how they started getting fed in the park... but as the weeks go by, they certainly do get friendlier! Indeed, the all green ones are babies! Mark thought that they were white-eyeds but learned later that they are just youngin's!

As for how trusting the birds are, I don't think any are interested in anything such as cuddling or being grabbed.... but on a side note, when I was there last, one of the cherry heads was sitting on my hand, and kept biting me. I got frusterated, grabbed him (without thinking), somewhat held him against my chest (with his back against me), told him to 'stop biting', and let him go. Yeah, I don't think he was all that happy about it!!!

These conures first learned to trust Mark, and he explains how he gained their trust in his book and movie. Over time, the birds have learned to trust other people as well, in the park that they frequent. The only issue is that yes, it may entice people to try to grab one and take it home... but on that note, the flock is suffering from worms, mainly in the younger adults/fledglings, and for any that are found, they are handed over to Mickaboo (directly or indirectly) to be treated, fostered, and rehomed.

The majority of the flock is consisted of cherry heads, and cherry head/mitred hybrids. Being that I own both a cherry head and a mitred, I can definitely say that the mitred is much more human orientated than the cherry head.... however, the cherry head has had quite a dramatic past so I can see why she's not so trusting, but we have our own special bond.