An Inadvertent New Parrot Owner

[malna]

So DH walks across the road to go bass fishing this morning, and sees a colorful bird drowning about 15 feet offshore. DH yells for me (naturally), so I wade in to the lake and rescue it. Um, I think it's a parrot? And yeah, it latched onto my hand while we were making our way back to shore. Ooh, those beaks are sharp!

Horrible picture, but the poor thing was still pretty stressed and I sure didn't want to stress it any more.

I've contacted the local vets and all the neighbors that I know, and no one has lost a "parrot".

We live in northwestern NJ, so it's not likely this is a feral escapee that has managed to survive this wicked cold winter.

So, my questions are:
A. What type of parrot is it? Or is it something else? I looked at a bunch of images but couldn't nail down a positive ID.
B. Now that he/she has dried off and preened a bit, there is a lot of teal on the back and top of the tail feathers. Yellow beak, red and yellow head, green feathers along the sides, and some white feathers in the wings. Sorry that I don't speak bird anatomy yet, but I'm thinking I will have to learn quickly
C. Makeshift cage for tonight, and he/she has eaten carrots, a piece of apple and sunflower seeds. Had also perched on the bamboo perches we made, and started gnawing (is that the right word?) on some fresh willow twigs. Off to the local feed store tomorrow to buy some parrot food.

Thanks for any help and advice you can provide. And, yeah, we're keeping him/her. He/she is already quite a fascinating addition to the family (2 people, 2 cats - they're both over 18 and are used to us rescuing chickadees, titmice and wrens, and quite used to birds in the house - and 2 dogs).

 

[sonja]

Aww, pretty little peach faced love bird. Thank you for swimming to his rescue!

 

[Terry57]

I am so thrilled that you rescued this poor baby! It looks like a lovebird to me. It is wonderful that he/she is eating fruits and veggies already! As far as seeds go, my lovebirds eat a mixture of cockatiel seed and pellets as well as the fresh fruits and veggies. Please keep us updated on his/her progress!

 

[TessieB]

What a story! I nominate you as an honorary member of the Parrot Posse!

 

[PetoftheDay]

Aww, pretty little lovebird! Bless you and your husband for rescuing it! I am sure it was terrified when it latched onto you, after all, it was in desperate straights! How is it doing now? Does it seem okay around hands now that things are settled down?

 

[malna]

Thank you all so much for the input. He/she is eating (a lot), drinking, pooping, preening, and chirping. Sure looks a lot better than the soggy, exhausted little baby from this morning.

It'll be interesting!

 

[malna]

...I am sure it was terrified when it latched onto you, after all, it was in desperate straights! How is it doing now? Does it seem okay around hands now that things are settled down?

Yes, the poor thing was absolutely terrified. I didn't blame it a bit - but wow, they sure can latch on. I think it's doing quite well - it sure likes it when we walk over, have a conversation and explain the idiosyncrasies of all of us different species that live here.

 

[MikeyTN]

What a pretty Lovebird!!!!

I would suggest a different cage option as that cage isn't safe for any parrot.....

 

[songlake]

What a pretty little guy/gal. If it was in the water drowning watch out for sneezes and a lot of ruffled feathers. it could be a sign of pneumonia.

Welcome to the forum

 

[Kiwibird]

Looks like you were destined to be a parrot owner Surviving all that is pretty amazing for such a tiny bird If you are going to keep it, have you thought about a name? Such a unique little bird needs a unique name, I think!

I would suggest a getting regular birdcage with narrow bar spacing (the kind made for small birds), some perches of varied sizes (a natural branch, rope perch and grit perch are a good 3 to have) as well as some budgie-size toys. Even little birds need toys and mental stimulation After the poor little thing has had a couple days to recuperate, you can start training him/her. Small parrots needn't spend their entire lives in a cage, are capable of learning and benefit greatly from social interaction with the family (and wearing a harness so they can't fly away and crash land in a lake!). Looking forward to hearing about this little sweetie

 

[Sheryl]

Awww precious little cutie. Must have fell out of the sky from exhaustion not finding a place to perch. I'm so glad you were called to the rescue! Yes, I agree a special name is in order. I know a rescue kitty named 'Freeway'. Yep -- her rescue Dad was flying down the "Freeway" and saw this babe by the side of the road. Turned around and came back. And I second the motion for nominating you Honorary member of Parrot Posse. Bless your kind heart.

 

[DanR]

Congratulations on the rescue! I always find it fascinating to hear about people finding parrots outside in random situations. I have never, ever seen a parrot other than in a pet store or a person's home (maybe twice in my life). I am pretty sure the local kids are going to lose their minds when I start bringing Tango to the park. Anyhow, well done and best wishes to you and your new fid

 

[Betrisher]

Years ago, I was leaving the local hospital, having been treated for a sudden summer allergy. As I skipped merrily down the steps, I tripped and rolled over myself. On landing, I found myself eyeball-to-eyeball with a little blue budgie. He promptly hopped on my hand and walked up to my chin! That was Kippie - my son kept him for years and years.

Another time, I was waiting for the kids to come out of their piano lesson. We were parked in the University car-park and I noticed a flock of Indian Mynas chasing after a pretty little blue-green budgie. They flew past the car and disappeared into the bush. Ten minutes later, I turned around and saw my kids poking a stick at something in the gutter. It was the budgie! Totally exhausted from being chased, it hopped onto the stick and allowed my son to pick it up while the Mynas strafed everyone with loud screeching. That was Merry. My son kept him for years and years.

The best one was the time I was making a chocolate cake and heard urgent alarm calls from the wild birds outside. Rushing out, I saw an Australian Goshawk flying over our block with a Peachfaced Lovebird in its talons! I didn't even think, I just threw my wooden spoon, cake batter and all, at the Goshawk. He dropped the Peachie in next-door's yard and landed on their roof, preparing to swoop again and seize the poor little baby. Bellowing for the woman next door, I waved my apron at the Goshawk until the woman came out and rescued the Peachie. She wanted to keep it, since it had landed in her yard, but by then I had retrieved my wooden spoon and waved it at her. That was Lancelot and yes, we kept him for years and years.

 

[malna]

I obviously have a bizillion questions - like what toys are good (I went bird shopping yesterday and the "toys" were made in China and looked flimsy and expensive)? They had yucky cages (even I could see that) so I'll probably need to go shopping online when I get paid next week.

Which forum/best place to post stupid questions?

In my spare time, I've been trying to parse through the wealth of info here, but it's a bit overwhelming. But I did figure out what a "fid" is!

Thank you all so much for all your input. Our new addition still hasn't found "the name", but we're trying some on for size. So far, none fit just quite right.

 

[mismi_struck]

I particularly LOVE the woven bamboo toys available for birds. They're natural and the bird can chew and destroy the living day out of them and you don't have the worry of them ingesting small parts. This is a link to one toy in particular, but any toys of this material are awesome.

Bird toys: Natural fiber pinata toy for birds at Drs. Foster and Smith

A lot of these toys look okay as well

Small bird toys DISCOUNTED

Many birds enjoy toys with bells - check to make sure your bird isn't amazingly good at removing the clangers of the bells - possible choking hazard there. I had a red belly who was amazing at it, and then he'd stick his head inside the bell and smack it with his beak to ring the bell with his head in it. Silly boy. Mirrors are found on quite a few of the "cheapy" toys, but sometimes a bird can fall madly in love with their reflection. I tend to avoid them personally, but all a matter of choice.

 

[Allee]

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story. Can't wait to hear what you decide to name him or her. No question is a dumb question when you need an answer. You came to the right place. Please post pics and updates of your special new friend.

 

[GW.Joe]

So DH walks across the road to go bass fishing this morning, and sees a colorful bird drowning about 15 feet offshore. DH yells for me (naturally), so I wade in to the lake and rescue it. Um, I think it's a parrot? And yeah, it latched onto my hand while we were making our way back to shore. Ooh, those beaks are sharp!

Hello malna, welcome !!

GREAT job saving that sweet baby !! (I imagine the water was very cold )

Someone is VERY VERY sad right now losing that sweet baby
You might also call a few local pet shops to see if they ever sold love birds or know of one missing
A note on craigslist would help too (don't post a picture of the bird so you can get the owner describe it to you to prove it is theirs)

You have no idea the pain of somehow letting your bird fly away

Millet is a GREAT tool for making friends

Please post more pictures of the baby soon (everyone LOVES pictures here)

Years ago, I was leaving the local hospital, having been treated for a sudden summer allergy. As I skipped merrily down the steps, I tripped and rolled over myself. On landing, I found myself eyeball-to-eyeball with a little blue budgie. He promptly hopped on my hand and walked up to my chin! That was Kippie - my son kept him for years and years.

Another time, I was waiting for the kids to come out of their piano lesson. We were parked in the University car-park and I noticed a flock of Indian Mynas chasing after a pretty little blue-green budgie. They flew past the car and disappeared into the bush. Ten minutes later, I turned around and saw my kids poking a stick at something in the gutter. It was the budgie! Totally exhausted from being chased, it hopped onto the stick and allowed my son to pick it up while the Mynas strafed everyone with loud screeching. That was Merry. My son kept him for years and years.

The best one was the time I was making a chocolate cake and heard urgent alarm calls from the wild birds outside. Rushing out, I saw an Australian Goshawk flying over our block with a Peachfaced Lovebird in its talons! I didn't even think, I just threw my wooden spoon, cake batter and all, at the Goshawk. He dropped the Peachie in next-door's yard and landed on their roof, preparing to swoop again and seize the poor little baby. Bellowing for the woman next door, I waved my apron at the Goshawk until the woman came out and rescued the Peachie. She wanted to keep it, since it had landed in her yard, but by then I had retrieved my wooden spoon and waved it at her. That was Lancelot and yes, we kept him for years and years.

I'm gonna have to start calling you the lost Parrot Whisper

Joe

 

[Sheryl]

I take every chance I get to tell parronts that King's Cages sells toys with zinc bells.

 

[Kiwibird]

I take every chance I get to tell parronts that King's Cages sells toys with zinc bells.

I am *so* paranoid about bells after hearing about your Bergie. I just bought Kiwi a new boing that has a bell, and I think the bell is going to have to go before he can play on it.

 

[Sheryl]

Absolutely remove the bell. Only trust them if you buy from someone that can prove they are stainless or nickel plated. Personally, I now have an aversion to bells. Just not necessary.