Sweet, unusual conure in MI (can travel to NE?) needs home

[Scritch]

Hi guys -- long time no type :) I've been busy and mostly offline. But I might need your help. My sister has a slender-billed conure, I will tell you about him, and he needs a new home.

First, yes, a slender-billed conure -- they are very rare in the US and pretty unusual looking. Non-bird people don't think twice, he's just a green parrot, but parrot people always do a double take when they see him -- what is THAT?!

There's a webpage here (not mine) that has a pic of Slim partway down:
Slender-Billed Conure
... and lots of other info on Slender-bills, too, the only webpage out there.
That pic's rather old, I'll try to get some more recent ones also.

He's about 13 years old. I got him 5 years ago from a girl who'd had him 7 years, and originally bought him as a baby from a pet shop. She got too busy with life and he had to go... I thought I'd be his forever home, then my sister took him and well... unfortunately he's in the same situation again, my sister is just too busy. She recently moved out of my mom's, working full-time, going to school... she loves Slim but knows he needs more. I could take him back, but having had him before, I know him well enough to know he just wouldn't fit in here, and I'd end up rehoming him anyway. I'm willing to do that, right now I want to keep all options open and find him the best possible situation... it doesn't seem like that's going to be with me or my sister, at this point, so we're looking elsewhere.

He's a very nice bird. I believe due to his unusual beak, he does *not* bite hard even when he tries, and he rarely tries. He can be slightly cage territorial depending on his mood, but will come out of his cage on his own whenever he's given the opportunity. My sister says he can be a little jealous of her boyfriend sometimes, but otherwise steps up for anybody, any time. That was always the case when he was with me, too. He likes new people and he's even been great with all the kids he's met. He would be a better family bird than most, I think -- because he loves lots of attention from different people. He's very used to dogs and always got on well with my other birds, not overly aggressive. He's quite a social little guy even though he has not had much socialization in recent years -- I'm sure if he were exposed to more people he would only get better.

He's not a big cuddler, he doesn't seem to enjoy getting scritches, but likes giving them -- preening hair etc., and just being near his people. He loves toys, and has a bell he likes to wear like a hat. Really! He says a few things, nothing too clearly, but is very "talkative" with his parrot noises. He is a conure, so he can be a bit noisy, but he's not a problem screamer or anything -- just usual conure squawky-talky stuff. He eats anything, loves to share meals, and must go to someone able to give him a varied diet.

Honestly, he's just a really great bird, one of the easiest birds I've ever had. He loves attention but isn't overly demanding, gets along with just about everyone, doesn't really have any issues at all. He's fun to have around and easy to keep happy with minimal effort. Of course, I'm sure there will be a settling-in period in his new home, but I think he'd fit in well with just about anyone able to give him the care and attention he needs.

What I want for him -- someone who knows birds. He's an easy keeper as parrots go but his new owner *must* understand what an enormous and long-term responsibility these animals are. It'd be great if he went to a home with other birds, because he enjoys their company, but not necessary, and I won't let him go to someone who has more birds than I think they can handle. I've been there! He needs a genuine parrot lover who will dote on him like he deserves. That's why I'm posting here, of course.

This bird is part of my family and neither my sister nor I want to "sell" him. Frankly I feel very uncomfortable even asking for an "adoption fee" so, he is free, but we will be screening intensely, and will have a contract. He does come with all his supplies. Eventually he could use a larger cage, but he's lived in the one he's got for years now so it's not an immediate issue. Of course, we would both prefer he go to someone who will keep in touch and let us remain a part of his extended family.

My sister in in SE Michigan. I'm sure she'd be willing to travel some. The other possibility is bringing him here with me to Vermont and finding someone in the New England states -- I'd be very willing to make a special trip, if I found someone in this part of the country that is right for him.

Anyhoo... please let me know if you're interested, and feel free to pass this on if you know anyone who might be. Probably best to email me, I'm going to try to get back to this board but no guarantees.