Our First Year: A Tribute To Rickey
by Real Macaw Member: Mina Hart
Actually, the whole thing started well over one year ago. Why, I don't know, but for some reason, I took a fancy to the idea of having a bird. Maybe, because of having only one dog left of the three we raised, the house felt kind of empty. Whatever the reason, the desire for a bird remained in my thoughts.
It was the Christmas of 1994 that my husband, Ken, found an easy way out of the gift buying frenzy. The answer: Wrap up a picture of a bird cage and state that it was up to ME to choose which bird and cage I would like for my Christmas present.
So, it all began. For years, I had thought about having an African Grey, but I knew I was not ready to start off the bird experience on such a large scale. But what WOULD it be, a cockatiel, a conure? Maybe a parakeet or a budgie (are they the same bird?)? No, definitely a conure. No, a cockatiel. And on, and on it went. With each potential candidate, a new book was purchased to investigate that species. Then the thought turned to small parrots. The books that were purchased really put fear into our hearts. Were we really in our right minds to be considering this? The work, the time, those terrible twos we read about. And.....attitude problems? PALEASE!!!
Well, after a few trips to a bird store, I was still unsure. Finally, off we went to a new shop that someone suggested, and the decision was made. The little creature made HIS (?) choice.....So THIS is a Senegal.
Convinced of what HE wanted, each time I entered his bird room to look around, he came running across his cage to greet me. Basically, he took charge, and so, the deal was done. We named him Rickey, as in Lime Rickey. Two weeks after the decision was made, on April 28, Rickey came home to his gigantic cage, all properly furnished (we call this the penthouse) and a large cage in our sun room (this is his summer cottage). Since Rickeyís arrival, we have all entered a new learning experience (bird, dog, and humans). Rickey is learning to be a responsible parrot, we are learning our responsibilities as human flock members, and Pepper, our Siberian Husky, is gradually coming around to tolerate Rickey. However, Pepper still insists we are a Pack.
The first few months were spent reading our books and magazines and applying what we read to the situations that arose. It was certainly a trying time for all of us, but thankfully, we each survived our tests. Before we knew it, it was September and our vacation was upon us. I had little problem with boarding Rickey, however, Ken could not handle the thought: We won't send our dogs to a kennel, so why must we board Rickey? He may think he has been abandoned and the emotional stress could change his whole outlook. One of the most impressive facts that we learned since Rickey's arrival is that birds are so intelligent and emotional. As Rickey is with us longer, we become more and more aware of it. Well, Ken insisted that Rickey make the ten day trip to Maine with us. What a sight! Off we went, a Siberian Husky that is perfectly happy in freezing temperatures, a parrot that requires a warm atmosphere, and us. Bird and dog in the back seat. Rickey riding in his little travel cage perched atop a tool box so he could see the sights as we drove along. His first half hour was difficult, but he calmed down rather quickly and seemed to enjoy the passing motorists just as much as they were entertained by seeing him. Pepper just made believe she was alone in the back seat. If she didn't look in his direction, then he wasnít really there. Everyone survived the trip and Rickey actually seemed to enjoy his vacation. I now wonder if he would have had second thought about the return trip had he known he was riding on top of a box of cold packed live lobsters. It is nice to know that we now have another seasoned traveler in the family. Wonder where Rickey's travels will take him next?
The next big event to arrive was Rickey's birthday. We know he was hatched just a few days before Christmas in 1994. So, we sang Happy Birthday, gave him several new toys, and made him a special dinner with his favorites. Rickey's absolute favorite is corn on the cob. I am pleased to say that my attempts to teach him to talk began to pay off shortly before his first birthday. What a wonderful birthday present he gave us. He is saying "Pretty Rickey" very clearly now and has repeated "Come, come" when I have called him to me. More recently, I can also tell that he is practicing " How are you? ", "Tub-tub" "Gimmy kiss" followed by kissing sound, and "Yum-yums" followed by munching sounds. Since he somehow knows that the beep of the microwave means his food is ready, he has begun to imitate that. He truly seems to enjoy the idea of talking. There are also some sentences he blurts out to us, but we're afraid to even guess what he is trying to say.
So far, 1996 has been going along very smoothly. We have all seemed to find our little niche in this new flock that has developed, and hopefully, the future will hold many more memorable experiences for all of us and the pleasures bestowed upon us by this little Senegal will continue to enhance our lives.
We continue to marvel at the capabilities, both mental and physical, of the members of the parrot world. Rickey is such a sweet bird and just seems to get sweeter as he grows up. He enjoys sitting on fingers and shoulders and seems to be a very contented companion. He also seems to be an extremely happy bird. We are trying very hard to encourage this behavior and hope nothing will cause him to change. We pay tribute to Rickey, one year later. And, thank him for deciding on us to be his human Mom and Dad. I think he made the right choice. To think, I spent so much time trying to decide and he knew immediately what was best for all of us. They truly are an intelligent being.
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