what did you learn about birds

[felisdomesticus]

after getting your first one?

I learned that they do NOT eat just seed. Silly me, I had these visions of just filling up a bowl with seed mix like I fill up the feeders outside. My birds get almost no seed whatsoever.

I learned that they are much hardier than I had been taught. Many people warned me against getting Scarlett because they said that she'd be killed by a draft, I'd have to keep the temperature of my house at 80 degrees in the winter, and that generally they are just super-fragile. The temp. at night drops down to 62 in the house and the birds are just fine with that.

I learned that they really do know what they are saying--or at least they make an association between events and phrases. What comes out of their little beaks is not just random stuff.

I could go on and on..... what did you learn?

[Miro The Macaw]

Let's see... RIGHT after I got my First bird, I learned-

-Avian Vet visits are EXPENSIVE. REALLY expensive. Even for a healthy bird!

-There is a lot of information out there- on the net and elsewhere- and much of it is good- But there is a LOT of bad information out there, too!

-Birds 'advertised' as fully weaned aren't always exactly so

-Not to panic when you see red droppings- Until you think back and remember that the bird just ate cherries

And, of course, Much much more....

-Andrew

[Irish]

That they are the messiest "pets" I could ever hope to be owned by.

They are also the most intelligent.

That they are incredibly expensive to maintain properly.

They take up a lot of space.

They take up even more time.

They CAN be even noisier than I thought possible.

That I could overcome my fear of large beaks.

That, given loving care, they are absolutely unbeatable companions.

That if you trust them, they'll more than likely trust you, too.

That true love knows no bounds (which is how we ended up spending the equivalent of many peeps' annual salary on birds and supplies in only one year--Z refused me nothing :-).

It's early--when I think of more, I'll make this post even longer :-).

[The Outlaw]

I learned that buying any bird on impulse is just plain nuts. I learned that MY home is a virtual land mine for them. I learned I could live without candles, teflon and a miriad of other stuff.

I learned that antiques could be relagated to old used furniture after just one hour with a bored macaw.

I learned I love parrots more than a lot of humans. And I learned that I really love people who "get it".

Happy New Year

[gbird]

I learned that until you've been snuggled by a bird, you don't know snuggling.

I learned that no means yes, and mine means his

I learned that corn & eggs, bring on "happy noises"

I learned what it's like to have a child.

I learned patience

I learned that poop is so important, I notice bird poop now even when it's not from my bird.

I learned trust & love

I learned I have so much more to learn.

[jmphysics101]

I learned that weighing our birds frequently eliminates much anxiety and that I will be cleaning for the rest of my life

[Doyle'sMommy]

I learned that being pooped on doesn't bother me.

I learned that nothing makes me happier than when Doyle is feeling snuggly.

I learned that once you spend so much time caring for one bird (cleaning, making food, and giving scratches) that two more are no big deal.

I learned that I really don't miss TV (I don't have time to watch it).

I have learned that every wobble or not normal movement puts me on edge and I worry about them getting sick all the time.

I learned that reading about someone else's bird passing on makes me cry because I can't imagine losing my birdies.

I've learned that even if we can't have kids that we will be all right because my birds will fill that void in my heart.

I've learned that apples is the ultimate comfort food.

I've learned that not everyone thinks birds are as wonderful as me and I appreciate those who do so much.

I've learned that to maintain a bird it is very expensive.

I've learned that is almost impossible to ignore a bird in need.

I've learned that everything I am eating is fair game.

I've learned that there are regular clothes and there are bird clothes.

[GingerR]

My first bird was a wild caught Mitred which I was given as a gift in 1986. I had only had my parents canaries prior to that. There was no internet and books were sparse and often filled with misinformation.

From him I learned:

-patience
-that trust begets trust
-how to 'speak bird'
-how wonderful it is to have a bird love you
-that birds offer up so much of themselves, yet expect as much in return

I learned that birds, IMO, make the best pets out there if you have the right temperament. If you meet them on their terms, they are better than most people. If you try to force them to be something they're not, expect to lose chunks of flesh.

Given how little I knew about birds at the time, I'm still amazed I managed to do so many things right.

[Tiki]

Originally Posted by Doyle'sDaddy

I learned that being pooped on doesn't bother me.

I learned that nothing makes me happier than when Doyle is feeling snuggly.

I learned that once you spend so much time caring for one bird (cleaning, making food, and giving scratches) that two more are no big deal.

I learned that I really don't miss TV (I don't have time to watch it).

I have learned that every wobble or not normal movement puts me on edge and I worry about them getting sick all the time.

I learned that reading about someone else's bird passing on makes me cry because I can't imagine losing my birdies.

I've learned that even if we can't have kids that we will be all right because my birds will fill that void in my heart.

I've learned that apples is the ultimate comfort food.

I've learned that not everyone thinks birds are as wonderful as me and I appreciate those who do so much.

I've learned that to maintain a bird it is very expensive.

I've learned that is almost impossible to ignore a bird in need.

I've learned that everything I am eating is fair game.

I've learned that there are regular clothes and there are bird clothes.

Tiffany, I love how you put that! I completely agree!

In addition:

I learned that it is very important to acquire certain skills so you can medicate your bird if needed. In most cases, an avian vet will prescribe a medicine that the bird needs twice daily over 7-10 days. The best way to do this is with a crop needle. I will never be able to thank Joel enough for teaching me this skill. I used it twice this last year-Tjinimin's megabactera and Maui's injured foot. Both birds got their prescription correctly and both made full recoveries.

I would encourage everyone to please get an avian vet or experienced breeder to teach you this skill.

[Casa Amazona]

I've learned that Amazons give off the most wonderful "happy" puffs when pleased.

I've learned that there is a community of parronts who are as generous with their help when needed as they are opinionated on the best approach to things avian.

I've learned that when conures vocalize they can rearrange the molecules of your spinal column.

I've learned that the fact that a human wants to sleep a bit later means nothing to a parrot.

I've learned that the sound of little birdie feet coming across a hardwood floor can make your heart melt.