Oranged-Wing Amazon - Need advice

[asulli]

My daughter just called me and told me that her friend has 1 year old oranged winged amazon (she) who is trying to find a home for. He is getting really into the rescue thing and he also has the Amazon, a Macaw and a Quaker and feels that he cannot give Baby the attention she needs.

He has met me before and really wants me to have her. She was vet checked (although I would take her to mine) about 4 months ago and he has all the paperwork.

The only thing he is asking for is a "donation" of $325.00 so that he can put in the rescue fund.

I was really not ready for another bird, but my husband has this huge cage and he had been wanting an amazon.

He said she has never bitten (hand reared) and my daughter said she is a real sweetie who goes to anyone.

Any suggestions or advice or anyone saying NO DON"T DO IT?

I mean I have Shakti and little Dharma -----

P.S. She is very fond of the quaker. They are buddies.

[Beardiedawg]

I think if you are getting into the "rescue business", you should be able to take care of the animals that you have, not place them so you can take in more.

[nanmadpad]

If you feel ready to take on another then go for it. Especially seeing how you already with a extra cage just waiting for a new fid. You could get it as a gift for dear hubby. He would be so pleased with you buying it for HIM.

[LovelySydney]

I think that if you have the room, time, love and funds than you should do it. I dont think that this person asking for a "donation" is a bad thing. Its the same things that animal shelters do when you adopt an animal. The donation helps take care of costs that occur when you are taking care of the animals. Also, if this bird HAS been vet checked and they have all the paperwork to prove it was done, I think thats great.


If you can, I would set up a meeting to see the bird and try to interact with it some. See how you like being around it and how it likes being around you. This can tell a lot about the relationship you may have!! I say go for it. If the circumstances are right and you feel in your heart it is right than by all means, bring that baby home. Only you know if you are ready for it or not.


Keep us posted!!!

[RockysMom]

I think you and your husband should sit down and talk about it together like LovelySydney said if you feel you have the time, funds, love, and room to give another bird then go for it! Go meet the bird first before you make a decision though that will help a lot, and of course you have to think about your other fids to and how they might do with a new birdie in the house. As far as amazons go I have never had one, so any specific things about amazons I couldn't tell ya, but hopefully the members with amazons will chim in about there experiences! I wonder though if she is bonded with the Quaker would that upset her to be in a new home without him, I guess it depends on how bonded they really are? I would think though if they are that close to each other it might stress her out to bad, but I don't have any experience with that either. I wish you luck with your decision and hopefuly someone with more experience will chim in and try to answer your questions better then me :)

IMO I think there are two types of rescues, those people who rescue birds and keep everyone they rescue and those who rescue, rehabilitate, and find good forever homes for birds. If you classify yourself as a rescue and decided to keep everyone you rescue there is a limit to how many you can keep. There is no way you could keep a very large number of birds, unless it was a sanctuary, you have to think about money, there is a huge cost with food, toys, vet bills, cages. An what about time if you and maybe a couple other people are the only caregivers and you have a large number of birds how are they all going to stay tame, you couldn't possibly have enough time in the day to spend with each of them. Those rescues who adopt there birds out are doing a good thing, because if they are a good rescue there birds aren't just going to anyone, they take the time to make sure the new owner is ready and knows what they are getting into. There are a couple ladies on here who own a good number of birds, one of which I think does rescue also if I remember right and they will tell you I have read it before, how hard it can be on all levels to care for that many birds at once and rescue, but it is also very rewarding. Lord knows I couldn't do it at this point in my life. In short I don't see anything wrong with rescues who rehome birds and take in new ones, if done right many birds can find great loving homes to spend the rest of there life in, but there has to be some profit involved for the rescue, that money goes to food, vet costs, toys, cages, playstands, etc.

[hollyhawkz]

Hey Alina,

Your hubby has wanted one for a while and seems like he is ready with the cage and all. At least you are a huge step ahead finacially by having a cage.

I hate to give advise.... If I could I would have too many fids!

The zon sounds like a wonderful fid, and it seems like a good opportunity.

[Beardiedawg]

Just to clarify, I'm not knocking rescues. Gosh, I couldn't do it. I just assumed by the OP "he cannot give Baby the attention she needs" that it was his bird. I think I'm just seeing the worst in people instead of the best.

[Tom Lawless]

I work with a woman who has had an Orange Winged Amazon for 25 years. She loves him to death. I have heard great things about OWA's but you don't really see a lot of them these days. If you think you have the time and finances to take on a third, then visit the little guy. You've got the cage and it sounds like a wonderful bird. The other side of the coin. He sounds like a wonderful bird and will get a good home so don't feel like you have to save it if, after thinking about it, you don't feel like you can give another bird what it needs and still enjoy it.

I'd definitely go see it though but I just got a six year old BFA that I never planned on getting so I may not be the right one to give advice!!!

[FoxersArtist]

Orange wings are one of the best in my opinion. Many of them can be stubborn, as with all amazons but they seem to have a bit of a gentle nature about them that is unique and special. They can be quite loud - most amazons can, but our orange wing can really rattle the roof when he wants. Girl amazons are usually an added bonus because some of the time they are not as aggressive as males.

As with any situation, I would urge you to let the bird choose you. If she doesn't really hit it off with at least one member of your family, maybe you should pass on her and give her the opportunity to find someone she is crazy about!

Please keep us posted. I am eager to hear if she will be a very lucky little fid to be joining your flock.
-Anna

[Chief's Mom]

Our OWA, Kiwi, was one of our best *quick* decisions ever. She's wonderful. She's in love with my husband, but tolerates everyone else. When upset, I would say her bite is gentle; however, I realize that its relative to the other creatures I'm being bitten by regularly She does have the stubborness that Anna mentioned, but it's definitely tolerable. She just oozes with personality! She can be a bit of an attention hog, but what bird really isn't? I have to say that if you have the time, funds, space, etc., I would definitely consider 'adopting' this bird. When we met Kiwi, it was obvious that she was quite comfortable with us, although it took a few weeks for her to really fall in love. Sounds like a *meet and greet* is in order