New Baby Announcement...

[mabird]

Hi. I've had birds since I was about 15 (I'm 39, now) There was a time in the middle of that span that I was birdless (Caesar, my cockatiel had died of old age) I was heart broken, I mourned the death of Caesar for years.

Then life happened... got married, had the boys, etc. I'd always told my husband once the boys were a bit more independant, I'd have birds again. I had 4 dream birds... an Umbrella Cockatoo, an Indian Ringneck, an African Grey, & a Rock Pebbler. Well, I've got 2 out of 4 so far... not too shabby since I've only started having birds again for about a year. Also, I think I've decided to not go for the Grey , at least not now,as they seem so temperamental & I am afraid with the noise and chaos of our home, perhaps one wouldn't be happy here. Perhaps I'll adopt an older Grey in need, once the fleshy boys leave the nest .

At any rate, I have been searching for & researching Rock Pebblers for quite some time now. I found a breeder & she called last week to say the eggies have hatched! There were three eggs... Woo-hoo! I would like a male, and she is willing to have them dna'd. The youngest of the brood is still quite small, therefore is rooming with a couple of red rumps. The two larger babies below (the greyish ones) are the two older Rockies.
I'm so excited!!





Now, I've done more than a lil' bit of research on these beautiful little guys, so here it is in an eggshell:

Male Rock Pebbler (aka Regent Parrot)



Female Rock Pebbler (aka Regent Parrot)



Juvenile male Rock Pebbler (aka Regent Parrot)




Aren't they gorgeous?!?!?!??

I don't know what it is... there is just something about them... they just appeal to me. THEN, I read their description & they had me!



I truly only know what I have read... I've never even so much as met one. (Now that I've got you thinking I'm nuts...)


Ok, here is pretty much what I've found to be said about them every where I've read:

First of all, every where I've read up on them clearly states that the males make the better pet.

All members of Polytelis are probably one of the most underrated bird kept as pets. Fairly hard to find, they can sometimes be found at bird shows/expos/marts. They make fantastic pets when acquired as handfed babies. All members of Polytelis seem to be fearless, gentle, quiet, and most possess a fantastic speaking ability. Even wild ones are docile and friendly, especially the Princess of Wales. Probably the Rock Pebbler possesses the most sought-after qualities. The Barraband is the least outgoing but also makes a great pet when acquired as a handfed baby.
They are highly prized by their owners and rightfully so. They are also make wonderful aviary birds.
These birds need to be kept in a large cage because of their long tails. Sexually dimorphic, they can be visually sexed at around 2 years old. Before than they need to be either DNA or surgically sexed.
Rock pebblers are very easy-going birds. I (author of this quote) own a rock pebbler and I find him to be the gentlest of all my birds. He gets along with all my other birds and never fights. 3 years old, Rocky possesses a large vocabulary. Since he goes to shows with me he tends to talk to anyone who will talk to him. He can now tell people that he is a Rock Pebbler, he is from Australia, and he is 3. Rock pebblers are not screamers, their voices are sweet and soft, and they prefer talking to making other noises. He loves to eat and will attack the food. Contrary to everything that I have read on them, he loves to bathe. He demands a pan of water to frolick in. He does not stop until he is soaked. He is outgoing and enjoys people. However, as sweet and affectionate as he is, he is slow sometimes and it appears as if he is intellectually challenged. It took him a week to realize when he was on top of his cage if he continued walking he'd fall off. Full adult plumage is not reached until at least 15 months of age. They are not destructive and you don't have to worry about them destroying your furniture. Though they seem to enjoy toys many rock pebblers do not play with them the way other species do. Their heads and beaks are small in comparison to their body size and this makes them less intimidating than other birds their size. A friend of my refers to Rocky as the green pigeon. They are not cuddlers, instead they prefer to sit on your shoulder. They are hardy birds, and as long as they receive proper care, good nutrition, and exercise, they will live a long time.
They are around 15-16 inches in length and weigh around 170-180 grams.

I'm not so sure, but from what I've read I've also come to realize they may be a good semi-beginner bird and one for a home that cannot have an extremely loud bird.

At any rate, I'll keep you all posted. The above baby pics are from a week ago, so I should be getting some new ones, SOON!

Thanks for reading.

[becca623]

They are cuties! How exciting! I hope one is the male you are wanting. The adult birds are very beautiful. Congrats!!!

[Abby]

Congrats on your new upcoming baby. They are a gorgeous bird. I have a pair of Princess parrots (same family) and the main time I hear out of them is when the male is flirting outrageously with the female. It's like mate, take a breath.

In regards to the grey....

Don't write it off too soon. I'd lusted after a grey for something like 20 years. Here in Australia they're around the $4000 - $5000 mark for a young handraised. Daddy wouldn't buy me one as a teenager (yep I was a spoiled brat princess) but in retrospect I'm glad he didn't give into my tantrums. Similar journey to yourself during which time I would not have been able to give a grey what it needed. At 36yo the money came up (well hubby bribed me 'cos he wanted a new motorbike) and I decided that I was going to take the plunge. My baby was hatched, weaning, cage was ordered then I had a panic attack. I have 3 boys in this house who at that stage ranged from 5yo - 11yo. OMG how would my baby cope, was I going to end up with a complete disaster on my hands. A good friend (you know who you are ) talked me through things and 17 months later I have a 21 month old CAG who copes with a busy household, dobs the kids in for swearing, and is a real part of the family. I am so glad that I did go through with the choice.

I'm just writing this little story to let you know that it can work out and quite honestly I think if you go down the path of getting a grey then my advice is to get a young one who can grow up used to the chaos from day dot of entering your house.

Once again, congrats on your upcoming new family member.

[Andie]

What a pretty bird! I am always amazed that those fuzzy, spiky babies grow into smooth, elegant adults.

I agree that they are good semi-beginner birds (and good expert birds!!) but it needs to be a good bird parent because they need a big cage with their 35-45cm tails! The actual bird is not much bigger than a cockatiel!

The description of the Rock Pebbler you posted is just like my princess' temperament. She is content just to sit on my shoulder while I watch tv and occasionally givers her opinion with a little chirp.

I say GO FOR IT!

[expressmailtome]

Congratulations! You are so lucky to now be having three out of four of your dream birds.

Matt

[mabird]

Originally Posted by Abby

In regards to the grey....

Don't write it off too soon. I'd lusted after a grey for something like 20 years. Here in Australia they're around the $4000 - $5000 mark for a young handraised. Daddy wouldn't buy me one as a teenager (yep I was a spoiled brat princess) but in retrospect I'm glad he didn't give into my tantrums. Similar journey to yourself during which time I would not have been able to give a grey what it needed. At 36yo the money came up (well hubby bribed me 'cos he wanted a new motorbike) and I decided that I was going to take the plunge. My baby was hatched, weaning, cage was ordered then I had a panic attack. I have 3 boys in this house who at that stage ranged from 5yo - 11yo. OMG how would my baby cope, was I going to end up with a complete disaster on my hands. A good friend (you know who you are ) talked me through things and 17 months later I have a 21 month old CAG who copes with a busy household, dobs the kids in for swearing, and is a real part of the family. I am so glad that I did go through with the choice.

I'm just writing this little story to let you know that it can work out and quite honestly I think if you go down the path of getting a grey then my advice is to get a young one who can grow up used to the chaos from day dot of entering your house.

Once again, congrats on your upcoming new family member.

Thanks much for adding the hope of a grey being in my future. I just know we'd be great together, especially with all my current fiddos have taught me. I had the chance to get a 4 month old, all her toys, tons of food, her cage everything for $800... I wanted to do it SO badly, however with still being laid-off (Since January) I just couldn't rationalize spending that kind of money. My heart aches for that particular bird, because her current family just wants her gone. I don't even think they care where she ends up, as long as they get their money. So sad.

[Ringneckmom]

Congratulations!!

The description you posted does sound really great, I can see why you are taken with them. The people I know that have the Princess' really love them.

Can't wait to see more pics!

[Eliza]

Oh, how PRECIOUS!

One of the stores near me has a Rock Pebbler. I might check it out tomorrow b/c I've never seen one up close :)

Best of luck!

[mabird]

Originally Posted by Eliza

Oh, how PRECIOUS!

One of the stores near me has a Rock Pebbler. I might check it out tomorrow b/c I've never seen one up close :)

Best of luck!

Oh, if you do go see it, please take pictures and either send them to me or feel free to add them to this post (I didn't want you to think I'd be offended) I'd just love to seeeeeeee! I'm so anxious that pics of any rockie will do!

[Eliza]

Originally Posted by mabird

Oh, if you do go see it, please take pictures and either send them to me or feel free to add them to this post (I didn't want you to think I'd be offended) I'd just love to seeeeeeee! I'm so anxious that pics of any rockie will do!

Will do :)

Hey -- You're in NH? I have friends in Exeter. I was up in Sept. We drove up to Paugus (sp?) Bay to visit with her parents before I left. BEAUTIFUL!