Adopted a senegal!

[Kiwi08]

Yesterday I adopted a 5 year old male senegal parrot! I wasn't positive I was going to take this bird (I have been emailing the owner about him for the past couple weeks) and finally was able to go visit him today. I feel like it was very good timing as I have been thinking about getting another bird. I didn't want to get a baby from a breeder because I know there are so many birds out there already who need good homes. I didn't think this bird in particular was in dire need of rescuing though...but I was proved wrong! When my husband and I got to their house today the sennie (Marvin, and yes, we have already re-named him that) was sitting in a cage outside in full sun without food or water or toys. When we walked over to him his owner opened the cage door and held a stick in to get him out. She explained that he used to be her daughters but she went off to college last year and left him behind. She said he used to be very tame but he hasn't had much interaction over the last year. She warned me not to have him step up because he would bite. As we talked more she showed me where he had been staying (in her garage! ) and he had been eating seeds.

Well, by that point I had to take him. He seemed in good health and temperment for not having been given much attention over the last year. I took him home, promptly gave him fresh food (pellets mixed with seed, to wean him, although so far he has preferred the pellets over the seeds!) and water. He seems to love out attention, moving as close to us as possible at the cage side, and not showing any aggression. I opened the cage door and he came right out. He steps up easily and eagerly, with absolutely no sign of aggression/fear! He also lets us pet him without a problem. So far (and I realize I've only had him for a day) he is a very sweet, good natured bird, who apparently will step up for people he likes/trusts. I hope he can sense he is in a good home now, where he will get ample amounts of attention and love! And this morning he has been calling for me constantly (he is staying in the bedroom for now)...he just loves the attention!

I did notice that under his wings were chewed on. He hadn't actually plucked the feathers out, but chewed them a lot. He cant fly at all, just drops to the ground. I am taking him to the vet soon.

Anyway, I am so happy I could help this beautiful bird! I can already tell he is going to be a great addition to our flock.

[Tobysmom]

congrats on the new senegal and taking in a rehome

[Michelle & Fids]

Congratulations on the new addition and thank you for offering him a real chance at life!!!

[Poicephalus girl]

Congrats on the new addition! :)

[sjivani]

Way to go!

[Kiwi08]

Thanks! I have had him a week now and he is doing great! Still hasn't bitten once or shown any type of aggression. He is so sweet and steps up and lets us give him scritches...very good boy! Also, he surprised us by suddenly laughing one day! Haha, it is the funniest thing, he does it a lot now because he knows we like it. He also is completely converted to pellets... it was so easy, which was surprising to me.

[Kiwi08]

Here's a picture!

[Pepper's Pa]

I'm glad things are going well with Marvin.

After looking at the image you shared I can tell why Marvin can't fly and why he drops to the ground. He has a very severe wing trim. Also, it may just be the angle of the image, but does he have any tail feathers?

Sorry, I may be assuming he had a severe wing trim. You said under his wings show signs of plucking, are his flight feathers trimmed, chewed or plucked?

When I first brought Pepper home he had a severe wing trim. He took some very hard falls and I learned that for his safety I had to keep soft towels fluffed up around the edges of his play gym. His next wing trim was much less severe, but still not to my liking. He has been untrimmed and fully flighted for over two years now and unless a safety concern arises, he'll remain fully flighted.

Good luck with Marvin.

[Kiwi08]

What I believe happened with Marvin's wings is that they were probably severely cut at one time and he didn't like it and chewed all those feathers underneath his wing. When he lifts his wings he actually has very short flight feathers still there, but they are very, very chewed and ratty looking. Many of the wing feathers do not have the "feather" stuff on them, just a stick (sorry, my terminology is terrible!) So yes, thats why he can't fly. I am hoping that since he didn't actually pluck out the feathers, just chewed them, that once he molts next those old feathers will fall out and new ones grow in. I have not noticed him chewing or plucking at all with us yet...

I do try to be careful to not keep him up too high and so far he's been fine. I think he knows he cant fly, because whenever he wants to go somewhere he flaps his wings lightly and leans in a direction, lol. Then we'll pick him up and try to figure out where he wants to go :)

Thats great that Pepper is able to fly now! If Marvin does get flight feathers in I hope he will be able to remain flighted (or a mild trim). I keep all my budgies flighted and my quaker only has a mild trim, since our apartment is small I don't want him to be able to get up too much speed.

[Kiwi08]

Oh and yes, he doesn't really have tail feathers right now, but they are growing back! They are about an inch long.