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Sandy and Hank Krinner have a 9-month old Senegal named K.C. K.C. was accidentally dropped when being handfed as a baby and suffered a broken leg, which was not recognized, nor treated by his breeder. K.C. also appears to have displaced hips. However, this sweet little Senegal doesn't let his problems keep him from leading a happy life. His mom says his name should be Cuddles because he's such a cuddlepuss. The Krinners also have a 2-1/2 year old male cockatiel named Banjo. Banjo and K.C. have a big time sibling rivalry going. K.C. is a human, or we should say, avian garbage-pail and like to eat chicken, fish and chopped liver. Banjo favors pasta and mashed potatoes. Banjo is a "watchbird"; he screams when he hears Hank's car in the driveway.
Donna Sleight was bird-sitting Mark and Tracy Wolfson's African Grey, Talon recently. I should mention that the Wolfsons own a gift shop in Paramus. Donna's Orange-wing Amazon, Pepper rings like a phone and upon hearing that, Talon said, "Hello, Gift Corner." Not to be outdone, Donna's African Grey, Chukeigh added, "Do you wanna buy a turtle?" Donna's birdroom is an entertaining place. If you laugh, Chukeigh does her Howie Mandel imitation with "Well, what would you say?" When Donna pulls up the blinds in the birdroom in the morning, Chukeigh says, "Look, there's Mommy's purple car." Pepper puts in her two cents with, "Park the car." Pepper also says "Be quiet" and "Are you all right?" Bizzi, the Green-cheeked Conure says, "Hello," "Pretty Bizzi," and "Bizzi Boo (bird)." When Donna brings Chukeigh near his cage, Bizzi says, "Hi, Chuk!"
Leo and Lucille Riccio have an Umbrella Cockatoo named Crystal who says, "Hello," "Crissy," and calls the dog. She eats lots of people food. Blue-fronted Amazon, Bingo talks up a blue streak unless a stranger comes in; then he freezes up. Bingo likes to talk on the phone. The Riccio household also includes a canary, 3 sun Conures, a cockatiel, a cat and a new Chihuahua puppy named Tootsie Roll. Tootsie love the birds because they drop food for him.
I was at Annette Sherman's house recently to look at shih tzu puppies and Annette kept glaring at her African Grey, Sterling and saying, "Don't you dare!" I soon found out what she was talking about. As I cooed over the pups, I heard Sterling mutter, "A--hole." An embarrassed Annette explained that her son had recently taught him that.
Arlene Jacobs recently adopted a Mexican red-headed Amazon through the adoption program, Toucan Live As Cheeply As One. Cato is a 4-year old male and is as friendly as a Cockatoo. Arlene says he has an incredible vocabulary, especially for a Mexican red-head, as they are not noted for their talking ability. Cato also has a loud scream, but he doesn't scream constantly. When Arlene is getting ready to leave the house, Cato says, "You be a good birdy!" When Arlene comes home, he says, "Were you a good bird?" When someone sneezes, Cato says, "Tissue." Arlene seemed incredulous that anyone would give up such a great bird. She also has Zac, a 4-year old female Mexican red-head that she has had since it was a baby. When I asked Zac's reaction to Cato, Arlene said she puts on a typical Amazon exhibit: puffed cheeks, flashing eyes and spread tail. Zac keeps at least 3 inches away from Cato at all times. Cato wants to be friends, but Zac is not ready. Arlene is hopeful that they will eventually form a friendship and maybe even "get engaged".
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