Lovebird or Conure?

[Skittle68]

So I agreed to birdsit this bird for my mentally disables client's brother. It turns out his brother is also mentally disabled and is not capable of taking care of this poor, poor bird. It is very overweight, long nails, long beak (he didn't even know what a cuttle bone was), and the guy actually thought it was an African Grey. No idea where that idea came from. Anyway, now it is my bird and I am wondering if anyone can help me figure out if it is a Conure, or a Lovebird. He is 10-11 inches from the tip of his tail to his head, weighs about 110 grams (he was fed a seed diet and is pretty overweight. I'm transitioning him to a fruit, veggie, and pellet diet), he loves to be petted, and is pretty quiet- the only thing I have heard out of him so far is a squak now and then, and a "purring" noise. He is extremely sociable, and constantly seeks attention, and will put up with anyone holding him, but always has a definite "favorite person" out of whoever is in the room. The flight feathers I clipped are a beautiful meddley of dark gray, blue, and green, and his chest is a ruffled gray color, not pure gray like the pictures of lovebirds i've seen. I put a few pictures of him on here to show you what I mean. Let me know what you think. Thanks,

Katie

[jenseits]

Neither. It's a Quaker Parakeet. What a cutie!

So what are you going to do? Will you be able to guide him on better ways to take care of his bird and have him be able to follow through on your advice?

[MicahEspudo]

He is neither.

He is a quaker parrot (a.k.a monk parakeet)

They are sometimes called the poor man's african grey, because of their talking ability.
From the pictures he doesn't look overweight and his beak looks fine.

[dranger1108]

A Quaker Parakeet Information Center

[Skittle68]

Lol, a quaker parakeet? That explains why he thought it was an african grey, and why I couldn't figure out what the heck it was!! I am just going to keep this bird, not try to teach this guy how to take care of it. He does not have a stable place to keep it, and probably has fetal alcohol syndrome like his brother, which means he is not really capable of learning things, and he may understand how to do something one day, but not the next. I had an animal control officer out here today to make sure that if he wouldn't turn the bird over to me I could legally keep it, as it was being neglected. He agreed with me that he is overweight, and his beak actually is quite long. It has a big crack in it where it is about to break off. I'm hoping he can grind it down on all the stuff I gave him to chew. He did look pretty thin it that picture, but it is decieving lol. Here is a pic of his big new cage! The thing on top is a ladder made of cement perches. Oh, and the bird has been with us for three days and is already trying to learn the things we are trying to teach it!! (whistling, and "I'm a good bird" etc.)

[kmraviary]

As a former caregiver for disabled people, i am rather offended that you are claiming the disabled owner is not capable of learning to care for his companion, but rather you have taken it upon yourself to confiscate his perhaps only friend.

The bird looks to be in decent condition, and good size for a quaker. 110 grams is not overweight for a bird that ranges from 90-120 grams. Any shortcomings in general care can be remedied with a little education for the bird's owner or support system of family/friends/care givers. His beak looks well enough, not overlong. This is the normal length for quakers. If it has a crack in it and a bit about to break off, if it is near the tip, this is also normal....how do you think beaks keep theirselves short? They wear away or break away in small pieces. Long nails can be fixed with a little clip. Like we haven't had our own birds get a little too much length at times? If you yourself didn't even know what type of bird this is, you are not an expert in it's care or species acceptable weight, food, or condition either.

I have worked with quite a few children and young adults to help educate them in self-reliance, to live on their own, teaching living skills, public transportation use, and yes, even care for their pets. A disabled person has just the same right to care for another creature as you have, as long as they either learn to care for that creature, or have family/friends/care providers that can assist with the pet's care. many of my clients had pets, and would lovingly care for them, after learning the proper care. I feel it is very sad that someone has their fid taken away just because an outsider has made a judgement call based on a sterotype is what it sounds like.

Fetal alcohol syndrome does not mean inability to learn either. My first boyfriend had FAS, and yes had some stability issues with coping with high stress situations, but is a very sweet and caring man, will help anyone in need, and loves and cares for animals quite well.

Where are the legal guardians of this man? Did they have any say in this matter? If they were not consulted, you have no legal right to take that bird. this is called taking advantage of persons under guardianship, and almost everywhere have laws protecting their rights. Even if animal control gives you temporary guardianship of the bird, you MUST ask this man's legal guardian for permission. If he is as bad off in capability to learn or care for himself or anything else, then he will have a legal guardian. If he is higher functioning and is his own guardian, then he has the ability to learn how to care for his fid, and has the RIGHT to keep his friend as long as he has someone help him learn. His case worker can help set him up with learning bird care.

Oh...and he also has the right to feed the bird seed only if he so wishes. There are many opinions on the right diet for any animal, and your personal preference for pellets/veggies/fruits is just that, your preference. Yes, there are many studies showing these diets are the best, and I use a similiar diet for my own birds, but avian dietitians everywhere don't agree on the same thing. As long as the bird is of good weight and general good health, I don't see the problem with feeding seed.

But anyways, some education in diet options is also not such a hard task to teach this man. Perhaps nobody ever gave him a chance to learn, so he has tried his best to figure it out on his own? Give the poor man a chance, this is his friend you have stolen. Yes, stolen, because you think you have more rights to taking this bird than he has to own this bird, because you have the opinion that disabled people are not capable of doing anything that you are capable of. Shame on you for taking advantage of someone to try to gain ownership of a bird. I certainly hope animal control does not award ownership to such a person. If I knew who you were, I would call the local Ombudsman office(Government office which is set up to protect legal rights of disabled peoples) and report you, because you have done a totally illegal action in trying to seize custody of this bird.

[Xen]

Am I correct in thinking that you're assuming he has FAS... it's not a fact you know for sure? Did the owner put up a fight for his bird? While the animal control officer agreed with you did he actually take the bird from his owner and give it to you or was that not needed in the end?
I've seen animals in far worse conditions and even then it's not THAT easy for the RSPCA to just come along and rehome pets due to a long beak and nails. Then again I'm in England... is it really that easy over there?

From the photos and what people have said is an average weight of a quaker along with his beak looking fine (so many people think beaks have problems with length and cracks when it's sooooo normal and nails are easy to fix) it doesn't look like the owner is doing a bad job... especially being disabled.

Can you not just teach him on the aspects that he's not quite grasping? The fact that the bird is so friendly must show you that he's loved, even if some of his needs aren't quite met, but could be with a little help, no?
Maybe explain that he needed a bigger cage, he needs some fruit and vegetables along with his regular seed... help him set up a routine.
I'm sure you'll get refunded for the cage you just got and if the owner would rather buy his own bigger cage then you can buy your own bird to keep in the cage you've just paid out for.

[debblor]

This bird looks healthy and his feathers are in great shape. He does not have the look, and from what you have said, the behaviors of a neglected or abused Quaker. Believe me if he did, you would NOT want him, as they tend to get aggressive, bite hard, scream and even pluck if they are not happy. The fact that he is so tame is a sure indication that he feels secure and cared for.

So the owner thought he was an African Grey - You had no idea what he was either. And yes, it's good to offer a wide variety in the diet, but you have his cage surrounded by TOXIC live plants!! If he eats them he will die an agonizing death.

My point is, anyone with a pet needs to be educated about the pet's needs. Just because a person is handicapped does not mean anyone has the right to assume the animal is neglected. I have worked with birds of all kinds for many years, and have seen what abused and neglected birds look like and what it does to their behavior. This bird is not abused or neglected, and he is probably missing his owner badly, as they bond very strongly to their people.

What a shame!! Please rethink this situation!

Deborah
Certified Avian Specialist

[huntress]

I second everybody. I thought the bird looked pretty good. I have rescues and have seen great morbid situations. That not being one of them. The fact that research wasnt done to find out what it was either makes me question.... Quakers are so popular any pet store could have told you what it was. They are illegal in some states - check to see. He doesnt look a bit overweight at all and his beak looks fine to me.

[xafsmom]

Wow, what you did was take advantage of someone else. You assume he has a problem because his brother does. You have no legal right to decide for him whatsoever - regardless that his brother is your 'client'. Client of what? I employ a gardener, that makes me a client, doesn't mean he's able to decide for me; just my lawn.

Further, an animal control officer wouldn't turn a bird over to you unless you have legal guardianship over that individual. More than that, an animal control officer has no inkling about avian care of individual species as to pronounce it overweight or not. The feather condition of that bird is nice, everything about him looks fine. He wouldn't be seized at all. So, your story is suspect. Sorry.

As for being able to offer him advice? Hmmm... you didn't even know what the bird was - yet you decide he's overweight. You give him a cage that doesn't even have a single toy in it, and you situate him around foliage toxic to him. Who gives YOU the right to determine you're a better bird keeper? It's my personal opinion that you saw an easy way to get a bird free. You stole that bird. ...and how DARE you wing clip that bird? That wasn't your decision to make. I hope to hell he sues the pants off you. I certainly would.

Frankly, if the gentleman you took the bird from needs help, consider having HIM contact a local bird rescue who can at least check up on him and his caretaking of that parrot. Least they're knowledgeable.