Hello from Utah!

[Odysseus]

Hey hey,

Over the next few weeks he/she will be weaned through my wonderful breeder and I will be the proud buddy of my first Peach-faced Lovebird!

I have second pick of a clutch of three babies that will actually be white faced and lightly colored with even violet depending on the light. I am not sure totally how my buddy will look, but that doesn't matter. I am very excited for him, and just enjoying making myself a Lovebird expert on the basics of care so that I will ensure a wonderful, fulfilling, long life! Thanks for having a bird board to join where I can post pictures, brag, complain, and ask questions that will help me be a better bud to my bird.

As soon as I can I will post pictures and keep any other Lovebird enthusiasts out there up to date on my adventures!

[4HAND]

Welcome to BB!Will this be your first bird?
Tena

[Odysseus]

P.S.

I am a 26-year old, married - no kids - guy living in Utah where my wife grew up going to school some and working at nights. My wife and I just got back from living in the Netherlands where I had an opportunity at Leiden Universiteit. I loved it and would have stayed the full five years had the Residence Visa been issued. (The Dutch Gov't was pretty strict with the application and a simple typo of '07 instead of '08 confused them and when no response from my School's international office came...I was denied a visa.) ((Unfortunately, no one TOLD me I was denied until a court summon arrived and they kindly requested me the illegal immigrant to leave the Country in 14 days or leave by force.))

So, I was going to stay GLADLY for five more years until that happened...but the truth is my wife is DELIGHTED to be back in Utah with her family and settling down in one place for awhile.

Life is good, student poor, spoiling myself with a new buddy buying this Lovebird, but we both look forward to having pitter patter of tiny feet around without having to commit to becoming human parents quite yet. (Not that we are saving ourselves from the responsibilities and cost by getting a Lovebird...but) We are quite happy adding to the family with such a promising companion.

[Odysseus]

No, but this will be my first WELL taken care of bird.

As a youngster I efficiently gave a Budgie a loving but in reality slow death. Not painful...I didn't change the water dish like I should have or take care of excrement quick enough and likely that was the cause of my birds death after only a year.

It was a petstore budgie that would be handled by me enough, but didn't live very long.

I am excited to be an adult and MUCH WISER now ready to really give a bird the best home it can have. Plus, I am getting a handfed baby Lovie that will be so tame and friendly I will be the one spoiled.

I always wanted a Parrot but I need a secure HOME, my OWN home, before I get the parrot I have always wanted. I just need to make the decision at a good time so my future parrot won't outlive me I guess. :D

For the next 10-12 or more years though, my life will be dedicated to this upcoming Lovebird. :D

[Kevin]

Welcome to BirdBoard Where abouts in Utah? I havea friend in Cedar City and know a few in St George...

[Odysseus]

P.P.S.

Thanks for the welcome and for anyone thinking I am confused...I realize a Lovebird is a Parrot. What I mean is the larger varieties of Parrot that can outlive me if well taken care of. The type that can speak but not that I will buy it expecting it to win any spelling bees for me. ;)

For now I am a GREATLY ENCOURAGED Lovebird enthusiast.

[Odysseus]

I am in Orem. Going to school at UVSC next January to transfer into BYU so, will be in the Provo/Orem area for the next 6-10 years likely. Cedar City and St. George are really nice places, I am sure your friends love it there. I try to convince my wife to settle there eventually since I hate the absolute cold...but she still is convinced Northern Utah or Idaho is where she wants to raise the future chillens.

[4HAND]

You may want to avail yourself of the search option above.The list of common household things that are toxic to birds is long and includes things you may not have thought of.Diet will be another important issue as fresh produce plays a vital role in a birds health.It's great to see you doing this research before bringing your bird home.
Tena

[Odysseus]

Thanks for the heads up Tena.

You must have great experience because those types of lists and future inquiries are why I am here. I have studied greatly the diet list and plans for my bird and feel that this is going to take such great effort and worthwhile attention to detail...that I think I will try to discipline my OWN diet.

I keep reading what my bird needs and I nod and affirm how great a point the author is making for the best interest of my bird...then I take a swig of Coke and eat fun size Crunch bar thinking, wow I NEED THIS TOO! :D

Also I will certainly make use of the searches so I don't add unnecessary repeat threads to the forum. I am sure all my basic beginner questions have been discussed many many times before.

On toxic foods and plants...wow. You aren't kidding. There are loads of things I never would have thought of. "Amaryllis bulbs" Now my christmas tradition will either be axed or much differently handled to keep the bulb from my buddy.

[Odysseus]

BTW,

This is as good a place as any I suppose to ask this:

I noticed Jim Pierce's avatar...lol...well it's friggin' hilarious with him in the cage and I wondered how can I put a piccy for my avatar? I notice on USERCP I can place a pre-designed avatar up but don't see where I can link to an off-site pic or load one from comp.

Any advice?

Profile picture I have uploaded...but that is different from the avatar.