Changing Names

[Doyle'sMommy]

Evan and I have been thinking of changing Ziggy's name. I don't know if this would do more harm than good though. When I asked the man that previously owned them if he knew his name he hit the cage and said "Yeah he knows his name like when I say Ziggy shut the hell up"! I was kind of thinking new name for a new start. Is it possible that he would have bad associations with his name if the guy yelled at him alot? Tell me whether you think it is a good idea to change his name? He is 3 years old btw and as far as I know this was his only owner.

[The Outlaw]

Many folks, myself included, make it a point to start fresh. All too often, as in Ziggy's experience, its been associated with too many negatives. However, if the bird was well loved and cared for, I usually will keep the name. All birds start off as Baby to the handfeeder, more of less. By the time we drag them home, they are usually on their second name.

[Freedomoflight]

I changed Mercy's name when we got her at age 16. She came with the name 'Prissy'- not only was it a less-then-suitable name for such a beauty, but it had bad connections. I have never had a problem changing a name with a bird.

[Valo's Moirana]

i think a name change would be good - your suspicion of a bad association with it sounds very reasonable (btw, from your brief descriptions, the previous owner was just an a**h***).
i can't tell you how glad i am that you got these 2 little fids.... i'm sure they're blown away by the fact that there's actually love for them in this world instead of just constant screaming and yelling at them (and that's just a guess, but if somebody is willing to trade his bird as a "bonus" to sell a jeep, it's a more than reasonable guess)
any ideas for names? we're still working on our sunny...

[Captain Jack]

I didn't change Seymour's name...It fit him well...However, I do not think there was bad association with his name...

~Amber

[Lisa B]

I love the name Seymour....always had...reminds me of a friend in high school!

[Rocko]

Sometimes you can come up with so many nicknames for your bird that their original name becomes lost! My 2 yr. old daughter can't say Pico, so she calls him Teepo. Or in the morning before i take his cover off his cage she will take a peek and say "te te boo" (peek-a-boo) which becomes another nickname. I don't think it would hurt a bit to change names. As long as Pico has food and entertainment he doesn't care what we call him!

[bustersbuddy]

We don't know what Buster's name was before we found her AND I was sure she was an immature he for a couple of months before her tail grew back in but she adjusted to "Buster" really quickly. Talk to him with his new name, especially when you give food and treats and other good things. Make that new name a real special thing and be sure to praise him for every little thing he does with the name. Encouraging voices and loving tones will go a very long way with a nervous bird. Of course, treats will too! Since he is a South/Central American bird, don't forget peppers and corn as treats since they are native to his part of the world and he should recognize them as good. Evolution trumps captivity every time!

[Tiki]

Tiki, Koro and Manu are all birds rehomed with me and I did change their names. Didn't faze them in the least and they all now respond to their new names. Go ahead and change it-fresh starts are best!

[mizbirdy]

I agree, the grey we have now, we've not found out what his name was with the previous owners. So I think we've finally decided to call him Piper (after the airplane).