ALL the parrots together!!! The missing photos

[Kiwibird]

So, I thought I had somehow deleted or lost these photos I took last summer at a family BBQ of all 4 birds together at my parents house. Turns out they ended up on my hubby's computer (and thankfully he asked before he deleted them)! I know I talk about Lucy, Alfie and Barney a bit, but here they are in all their feathery glory I thought I'd put this in "amazons", since they greatly outnumber poor Alfie 3-1 lol. These are the only photos I have of everyone all together. Before anyone says anything, they're all in their travel cages, the outdoor cages are WAY to big/heavy to get up on the upper deck, and no one pick on poor old Barney. He's been like that longer than I've been alive, and he's pretty healthy beyond being bald- the vet says he just has male "parrot" baldness:09:

(Every try to get 4 birds to look at a camera at once? L-R, Barney, Lucy, Kiwi, Alfie)

(Who are you looking at? Kiwi & Alfie)

(Naughty cockatoo!)

(My mom may disagree, but Lucy is, or should be, MY parrot lol)

(Poor Barney. Part parrot, part buzzard and the most gentle soul of any bird EVER)

(And another. He's so cute in his own little way and normally scared of cameras, so these are rare photos of him)

 

[MomtoPercy]

Awww, your birdies are gorgeous! Thanks for the fab pics!

 

[d2page2]

I love Barney! He is definately adorable. Great pic.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I'm so glad you were able to find those photos because they are too precious!

You made me chuckle at your description of Barney (part buzzard). He has such sweet and gentle eyes!

Isn't Lucy the same Lucy you posted pictures of when you were still in a crib? You must have a very special bond with her!

Thanks so much for posting these.

 

[Terry57]

I am in love with Barney! What a sweetheart
Alfie is too funny with that key...Mom, can I borrow the car?

 

[Kiwibird]

I'm so glad you were able to find those photos because they are too precious!

You made me chuckle at your description of Barney (part buzzard). He has such sweet and gentle eyes!

Isn't Lucy the same Lucy you posted pictures of when you were still in a crib? You must have a very special bond with her!

Thanks so much for posting these.

Yes, she is the same Lucy who was in my crib. And Alfie is the same one who was sitting on my lap as a toddler. Not sure if my mom has pics of me and Barney as a child, he has always been very frightened of camera flashes. I was very sick as a child for a few years, and Lucy used to sit on my chest for hours every day and let me pet her (she NEVER let anyone else pet her) and she would make that amazon scent and coo at me. She is a VERY special bird to me

P.S. To put these guys ages in perspective-

Barney- Hatched 1973, been with my parents since a few weeks old (41 y/o)
Lucy- Imported as an wild-caught adult in 1974, been with my parents since (45+ y/o)
Alfie- Hatched 1975, been with my parents since a few weeks old (39 y/o)

Kiwi (my BFA)- Adopted 2008, hatched circa 1998-1999 (15-16 y/o)
Me- 25 years old (yes, they had those parrots well over a decade before I was born)

 

[RavensGryf]

Beautiful birds!
Barney is handsome even with his baldness Ever since meeting and handling a GCA last summer, I love them, they're gorgeous. Out where I live in CA, they're commonly called Mexican Red Headed Amazon.

 

[Kiwibird]

I am in love with Barney! What a sweetheart
Alfie is too funny with that key...Mom, can I borrow the car?

Barney is a sweetheart, no doubts about it. He is a little bald treasure. Alfie on the other hand....:54: That was his cage key, and he knows how to unlock a lock (he is the smartest bird I've ever met, and a little Houdini). Had to take that away before he let himself out

Beautiful birds!
Barney is handsome even with his baldness Ever since meeting and handling a GCA last summer, I love them, they're gorgeous. Out where I live in CA, they're commonly called Mexican Red Headed Amazon.

Barney is an ambassador to all parrots. Never bitten anyone in his whole life, quiet, and while I'm not sure he "likes" it, he accepts being petted and picked up around the body (and given many kisses on his little red patch:09. I've heard the smaller zons tend to have better temperaments than the bigger ones overall, but Barney is the only smaller one I've ever been around. Lucy and Kiwi live up to their "hot 3" reputations for sure though

 

[lisascannell]

How cute! Alfie is my favourite

 

[TessieB]

Aw, I have a special place in my heart for bald parrots. You have quite the crowd!

 

[RavensGryf]

To me, the GCA isn't small, but I know what you mean I had a Cuban Amazon who was super small for an Amazon, about White Fronted or Pionus size. She was gentle and not intimidating at all.

This GCA I handled, they told me he was an unsuccessful breeder and too tame, so he was selling as a pet. I was so proud of myself lol, usually I'm too chicken to hold a mature Amazon let alone a male. I don't know if I'll have that opportunity again, since mature zons usually scare the crap outta me haha. That guy was alright though and I'll never forget the cool experience

 

[Anansi]

Beautiful birds, Kiwibird! And Barney definitely has something of that "it" factor that just draws you in, despite the baldness!

Do you still have those crib and toddler pics mentioned earlier? I'd love to see them.

 

[Kiwibird]

To me, the GCA isn't small, but I know what you mean I had a Cuban Amazon who was super small for an Amazon, about White Fronted or Pionus size. She was gentle and not intimidating at all.

This GCA I handled, they told me he was an unsuccessful breeder and too tame, so he was selling as a pet. I was so proud of myself lol, usually I'm too chicken to hold a mature Amazon let alone a male. I don't know if I'll have that opportunity again, since mature zons usually scare the crap outta me haha. That guy was alright though and I'll never forget the cool experience

Glad you had the positive experience with a "big male" zon. I do get where the intimidation comes from, they don't give pinches like the little guys do, they can remove a good chunk of flesh if they want to. I'm pretty opposite with the fear thing though- I'm so scared to handle the little guys because I might accidentally hurt those tiny feet. My hands are pretty tough/scarred/desensitized to pain though lol. See, to me, Barney is a little guy, so is Alfie. Lucy is absolutely enormous for a DYH (she's like a small mealy) and Kiwi is a pretty big boy too, but still smaller than Lucy. I know I've posted this pic before, but this is the size comparison between Lucy and Barney-

 

[Kiwibird]

Beautiful birds, Kiwibird! And Barney definitely has something of that "it" factor that just draws you in, despite the baldness!

Do you still have those crib and toddler pics mentioned earlier? I'd love to see them.

Yes (now I'm blushing) Lucy always thought I was HER baby.

 

[Anansi]

Sweet! Thanks for reposting them! Those are some beautiful pics, Kiwibird! It's amazing how birds can become a part of your life for such a long period of time! How can you beat a bond like that?

 

[Flashback]

Love all of the pics.. very cool

 

[RavensGryf]

Such a cute/funny pic of Lucy and Barney

I guess when you've LITERALLY grown up with a large Amazon, I can see where it would just feel natural for you now. I had to introduce myself to birds when already an adult. My parents only liked dogs when I was growing up.

I have a question Kiwibird- are Kiwi and your family's zons very noisy? I know how "loud" they can be, but I mean how often they sound off. Also, Lucy being an older female, has she ever layed eggs?
My husband is wanting a bird of his "own" at least Raven's size, preferably larger. Maybe I could suggest a 'milder' zon species. I know what we can and cannot have in the house and with our lifestyle, and my main concern is I can't take over raising his bird especially a species I don't particularly want, and he's a novice with birds and keeps saying I want a ___ . Every thing he names it's something inappropriate for us. I don't know why I keep thinking Amazon?

 

[Kiwibird]

Such a cute/funny pic of Lucy and Barney

I guess when you've LITERALLY grown up with a large Amazon, I can see where it would just feel natural for you now. I had to introduce myself to birds when already an adult. My parents only liked dogs when I was growing up.

I have a question Kiwibird- are Kiwi and your family's zons very noisy? I know how "loud" they can be, but I mean how often they sound off. Also, Lucy being an older female, has she ever layed eggs?
My husband is wanting a bird of his "own" at least Raven's size, preferably larger. Maybe I could suggest a 'milder' zon species. I know what we can and cannot have in the house and with our lifestyle, and my main concern is I can't take over raising his bird especially a species I don't particularly want, and he's a novice with birds and keeps saying I want a ___ . Every thing he names it's something inappropriate for us. I don't know why I keep thinking Amazon?

Even if you didn't grow up around them, it looks like you've done a good job "introducing" yourself to the world of parrots I can completely understand not feeling comfortable around bigger birds too- I never had dogs or cats growing up, and I'm not real comfortable around large, overly friendly dogs to this day.

Lucy makes vocalizations constantly (she doesn't "speak"), but it's at a low volume level similar to us talking. Her noises are BEAUTIFUL, almost musical, not screeching or irritating. I think thats because she's a wild caught. She's never laid eggs, but she does do mating dances and gets hormonal. I don't think female amazons who have never mated typically have the same egg issues other species do. Barney makes no noise at all, unless you mention a walnut or pecan sandy (a type of cookie), then he squeals like a piggy until he gets his treat:09: Kiwi on the other hand, he has that dreadful, high-pitched, make our ears bleed screech they use in the videos to "deter" people from buying birds:52:. We've had to work vey hard to train that out of him. He's a pretty quiet boy now, and makes a lot of quiet clicks and whistles we've continuously reinforced since we got him. However, if he really gets a bug up his butt, you're left wondering if you shouldn't be having a roast parrot for dinner:54:

If you are not inherently an "amazon person" STAY AWAY from the "hot 3"- DYH, BFA and YNA. They have that reputation for a reason! Sure, there are individuals who are much more laid back, or people who aren't bothered by their naughtiness, but if you're intimidated by zons (and your hubby has no experience), those are not good "beginner" amazon species. I've hear the orange winged, lilac crowned and green cheeks are the calmest and best temperament of the small amazons. Coincidentally, the largest amazons, mealys, are actually known for being the most gentle and sweet of all the amazons (but they are huge). Amazons really are great birds, and like budgies, they seem to have taken reasonably well to living in domestic homes. In their native ranges, people have kept them as pets for hundreds of years. They have a huge following for a reason, and you hear of a lot more people who've had their amazon 30/40/50+ years than you have most other species of large parrot. Good luck finding one! I think you'll be surprised if you give them a chance

 

[RavensGryf]

Even if you didn't grow up around them, it looks like you've done a good job "introducing" yourself to the world of parrots I can completely understand not feeling comfortable around bigger birds too- I never had dogs or cats growing up, and I'm not real comfortable around large, overly friendly dogs to this day.

Lucy makes vocalizations constantly (she doesn't "speak"), but it's at a low volume level similar to us talking. Her noises are BEAUTIFUL, almost musical, not screeching or irritating. I think thats because she's a wild caught. She's never laid eggs, but she does do mating dances and gets hormonal. I don't think female amazons who have never mated typically have the same egg issues other species do. Barney makes no noise at all, unless you mention a walnut or pecan sandy (a type of cookie), then he squeals like a piggy until he gets his treat:09: Kiwi on the other hand, he has that dreadful, high-pitched, make our ears bleed screech they use in the videos to "deter" people from buying birds:52:. We've had to work vey hard to train that out of him. He's a pretty quiet boy now, and makes a lot of quiet clicks and whistles we've continuously reinforced since we got him. However, if he really gets a bug up his butt, you're left wondering if you shouldn't be having a roast parrot for dinner:54:

If you are not inherently an "amazon person" STAY AWAY from the "hot 3"- DYH, BFA and YNA. They have that reputation for a reason! Sure, there are individuals who are much more laid back, or people who aren't bothered by their naughtiness, but if you're intimidated by zons (and your hubby has no experience), those are not good "beginner" amazon species. I've hear the orange winged, lilac crowned and green cheeks are the calmest and best temperament of the small amazons. Coincidentally, the largest amazons, mealys, are actually known for being the most gentle and sweet of all the amazons (but they are huge). Amazons really are great birds, and like budgies, they seem to have taken reasonably well to living in domestic homes. In their native ranges, people have kept them as pets for hundreds of years. They have a huge following for a reason, and you hear of a lot more people who've had their amazon 30/40/50+ years than you have most other species of large parrot. Good luck finding one! I think you'll be surprised if you give them a chance

Thanks a lot

Even though birds are delicate, it does appear that Amazons are one of the hardier species. As you said, you hear of very old ones all the time, and many times in the same family. True, now that you mention it.
I would (personally, myself) stay away from the hot three, experienced or not. They're beautiful birds, but I don't want quite the challenge. I do like the GCA a lot. Lilac Crown is another I find beautiful and is recommended a lot too. A lady at the bird store said otherwise since she nearly had her face bitten off by a Lilac, but I realize that could be true of any bird. Maybe it was hormonal, maybe she didn't read the warnings, I don't know the circumstances there, so it's not a deterrent.
I love the Amazon independence! That trait is rare in larger birds. Also good to hear that if we got a hen, that the potential egg problems you hear about might not be as common in zons? He's not ready to get a bird quite yet, but he'll ask me questions about certain species and I'm sure I have an alarmed look about me as I tell him please don't even think about it haha. He loves Raven, my grumpy mini-Amazon (Pionus) lol, so if I can persuade him towards any of the species I would approve as acceptable for our household and lifestyle it'll be great Thanks for your input Kiwi's mom

 

[msdeb]

Unbeknownst to me my first parrot was/is one of the "hot 3". Charlie is a yellow Naped Amazon and he was treated very badly by some people for three or more years. Before that he must have been treated with love and affection. My best guess as to why he was given away- He hit puberty about the time the first owners were expecting a new child. So his years from onset of puberty to when I received him were not happy years for him. He has come so far and I think he is the sweetest, loving forgiving being I have ever known. I am not saying that he is always gentle with me, I have been bitten multiple times quite badly during Charlie's rehabilitation. My doctor, who treated the many bites on my hands and arms, advised me to stop working with Charlie as did family and friends. But Charlie is something special, I cannot describe why or how this bond formed from the minute we saw each other but Charlie is AMAZING. I did not learn about the Amazon Hot Three or how difficult these birds were supposed to be until much later when it had become a moot point. I guess difficult is relative because it just has not seemed that hard to love Charlie and have Charlie love and learn to trust me. I am so blessed by him.