Parrots As Pets

by Real Macaw Member, Laura Graf

 We've shared our home with many different creatures, Irish and English Setters, cats, hamsters, fish, parakeets and finches. The bird species seemed to be the ones that occupied the most space in our hearts and home. Who would have thought such a small creature could require so much space! Our finches were wonderful; they had more finches rather quickly and we would hear little peeps, and see the most tiny baby birds in the nest baskets. They loved insects and honey, a bird delight that sounded like it should be from Battle Creek. Soon, our friends (BB before birds) began to worry about us, and say they knew a lady who had 10 bird cages in her kitchen, and we were beginning to look like we were headed in that direction. Well, I soon began to purchase more cages, as each little bird needed their own separate space. We couldn't leave brothers and sisters together or we might end up with a strange deformed winged creature. We were trading finches for bird food, and giving them away to friends. We even had a little white one that would perch on your finger. We shouldn't have given him away; he was so tame. Soon, the birds we gave our friends began to have babies. Then, their finches beget more finches! Our friends wanted to know their relationship to rabbits.
 The only bad thing about all the pets we have had is that their life expectancy is so short. We have Parakeets buried under the rosebushes, Finches buried under the Peonies, Hamsters under the Iris..I was becoming sad, and a bit tired of having to be out with the shovel. When the neighborhood kids would see me outside, they would come over to the garden to see what was being planted. When I see my garden, and the flowers blooming, it brings me pleasant memories of all the creatures that have shared their life and lived with us.
 That brings us to parrots. I told Ken we could have a lifelong pet, or one that could live 50 years. As we did research, we decided upon an African Grey and set out calling shops and looking through the phone book. We found a place that had babies which the owner kept in discarded baby incubators. They all looked so cute and clumsy, with those big dark pools for eyes, and big feet. We picked out one that seemed to be very curious about the faces peering in. Dan had the honor of naming him. After giving it much thought, he decided he would name him Flare, because of the bright red tail under his gray topcoat. We would visit him several times a week and had the opportunity to spoon-feed him under their supervision. We purchased his cage and toys and couldn't wait to bring him home. He was about 11 weeks when we took him home and within two weeks he could imitate the microwave beeeeep. We thought he was a genius bird, two weeks old and beeeping already! Well, after the beeping episode, he didn't talk for over a year. Ken would say he's not going to recite the Gettysburg address, and all the while he would talk baby talk to him. Flare loved it and him. Soon after, he would start saying little things, all that Ken had taught him. To this day, he repeats Ken most frequently. Except for the Burp. Someone else taught him that, and we won't mention names. Flare puts his head into his cup so the sound echoes and then we hear the most gigantic Burp! This must be a pleasing thing to him because then he either laughs, or yells out Dan's name. Soon, he began to invent his own language, Dan-berry, do your homework Ha,ha,ha.! He loves to bark out orders like a little general, sitting on top of his cage, flapping his wings. Sometimes, his timing is remarkable, as the day I was consuming miniature chocolate candy bars from Dan's Halloween stash, and suddenly the sound of wrappers crinkling was broken by a screeching Laura lee! Eat a carrot! Ha,ha ha.! When we walk into the room after being out, its Well Hellooo, Flare. Quite the wonderful, outgoing, charmer he is.
 Our home needed more birds; one was not enough. We were bitten by the bird-bug, and subtle changes occurred. We acquired two parrots, from a dear friend who could not keep them. A wonderful Blue-front Amazon named Malachi. His feathers are the brightest green, edged in black, and he looks like he would be perfectly camouflaged in the rain forest jungle. This is a bird that seems to think anything you can do, I can do better. Is this an Amazon trait? If you sing, he will out sing you - much louder and hitting the high notes. His singing is similar to the lady in church who sings real loud, and usually is sitting behind you. We were not familiar with birds that had psychedelic eyes and we would naively put our hand into his cage to take him out. His eyes would flash yellow, to orange, to bronze and his pupils would dilate and constrict. Our fingers were soon crisscrossed with different size Band-Aids. Now that we know his signals and what messages those eyes really convey, everyone is fine. He now wants to come out all the time, and crawls up around the inside top of his cage to reach his favorite 'pick me up perch.' He loves getting his head scratched as he melts into a green puddle of feathers with his eyes halfway closed.
 Our other new member is a Black headed Caique. He looks like he is dressed for a formal event with little orange pantaloons, matching neck ascot, white shirt, with an emerald green coat, and a black cap to top everything off. We haven't the fashion sense to dress as he does! His middle name should be cute and colorful. He is a most playful bird and will entertain himself and anyone else who is lucky enough to be watching him, by just being himself! SassyByrd will hop after a ball, swing from his toes chasing his shadow in the sunlight, and chew his way through a block of wood in record time. For such a small parrot he has boundless energy. Each morning he looks forward to several small pieces of dried papaya to start his day. This is probably what starts his high-energy metabolism. I think the smallest bird may also have the largest ego. I know many small people who definitely fit that bill! He definitely wants to be in charge of everyone and everything. Ahhto be Top Bird! He loves people to hold him, and as he cuddles with you he rolls his head in the folds of fabric of your shirt, and eats a hole in it if you are not quick enough to give him something else. I have many new 'bird' shirts. He is either part termite or moth. Because he is so cute, it doesn't matter.
 The bird bug will probably bite us again. I don't think there is a cure. Oh, you've probably guessed by now that it is a contagious condition, and I don't think anyone is immune.

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