An old man Amazon is pulling on my heartstrings......

Bird Mann

Member
Sep 27, 2023
55
84
Maple Ridge BC
Parrots
I care for and manage a bonded pair of Parrotlets.
So, for the past four years I have enjoyed my pair of parrotlets, learned lots and continue to do so! :)
Every year, I give a donation to Greyhaven Bird Sanctuary, they are fantastic!
they have this old man Amazon, he's 40. His name is Nelson. He was in one home for 40 years.... Time at the sancturary I think three years. I am surprised to see he is still there. I loved him when I first saw him, my heart
breaks thinking about his loss. He is in a fantastic caring place, and gets daily cuddles and excellent care. But my heart is broken for him.
He can be viewed, there is a video of him. https://www.facebook.com/GreyhavenB...d-poor-vision-and-so-is-easi/835629781453902/

IF I was to decide to apply............what would I be getting into?
He's 40. Has cateracts and some vision loss. (which I understand) and another question
do older birds get hearing loss? anyone know?
I can provide for all his needs and he would be in a stable home as long as my health holds out,, how long do you think
he has left in life? would his energy level be lower than a young bird? if so that would be fine with me. I had a brief chat with one of his carers and they said he prefers women.

He is getting the best of care I am not concerned with that, it's just ...his loss of his carer and lifestyle is breaking me. Not a place for the golden years imho. no matter how great....

Woe is me! oh my heartstrings!
if the link does not work he's on their website Greyhaven bird sanctuary (BC Canada) His name is Nelson.....and they have several very beautiful
Amazons, but this guy seems so gentle and lovely and wise........

I do have a wonderful avian vet, the same vet the sanctuary uses. So she
would still see Nelson. IF I go through with this :unsure:

Opinions? can you check him out and share your thoughts?

I am retired, home all the time, with my human old man lol.
thanks,
Laurie
 
Don’t refer to a 40 year old parrot as an old man! 😜 I am the proud parront of a 54-ish B&G macaw (I have owned him for 50 years—age uncertain as he was a wild-caught adult when he came into my care). I hope we have another 50 years in us! My bird does not have cataracts or any other health issues and he climbs up and down stairs like an Olympic athlete (faster than me—and I am fit), but he snoozes more than he used to. Nothing wrong with that! With age comes mellowness. We are all slowing down together. I say adopt that Amazon that you have a crush on. A friend for life is a fabulous thing!!!!
 
Another added bonus of a more mature parrot is that if he is like mine, he will put himself to bed when he is tired. I remember my bird’s younger years when I would have to get on a step stool to reach the top of his dome top cage in an attempt to coax him into his cage to go to bed. Now it is so, so easy! The only thing he doesn’t do is lock the cage door behind himself. 😜 Please let us know when you adopt Nelson.
 
Dude!
I'm crying here!
If you can manage it... omg... please do it... and keep us informed here of your journey.
You might be a saint to this darling!
And an inspiration to us.
 
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Thanks, crush is a great description! how are your birds hearing? I wonder since they say he can be easily startled. I guess I will have to visit and chat
with the people who care for him.
Lots of thinking to do, I would love a cuddly gentle bird, my Parrotlets were parent raised failed breeding birds they have come miles but will never like to be handled, and as a pair it can be tricky not to cause jealousy between them.
thanks again, :)
 
To me, if you have the time, means and love to care for this guy, why not? Amazons are definitely not the same as parrotlets, so you'll learn even more as you go. Honestly, if he's been relatively well cared for, 40 is more like middle aged, so even then, he could still outlive you. My YNA is in her mid 20s now, so she'll likely be cared for by one of my kids long after I'm gone. My sweet little grey is believed to be 50+ and he doesn't act any different than what I would expect of a teenager. He still learns new sounds from around the house, as he's only been with me for a year or so. I love the older ones. You know what you're getting with a fully established personality. If this guy likes you, you're golden, regardless of perceived preference for male/female. He sees you for YOU. At that point, your gender is irrelevant to him.

Aaaaaaaand the moral of the story, if he's in good health, his golden years are still quite a while away, so I wouldn't worry about that.

Please keep us updated :)
 
Thanks, crush is a great description! how are your birds hearing? I wonder since they say he can be easily startled. I guess I will have to visit and chat
with the people who care for him.
Lots of thinking to do, I would love a cuddly gentle bird, my Parrotlets were parent raised failed breeding birds they have come miles but will never like to be handled, and as a pair it can be tricky not to cause jealousy between them.
thanks again, :)
My bird has great hearing. He gets excited when he hears the electric garage door open and his dad is home! If you have a relatively calm household without young children and dogs and cats running around, I don’t see why you couldn’t care for a parrot with slightly special needs. He will love you for it!
 
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My bird has great hearing. He gets excited when he hears the electric garage door open and his dad is home! If you have a relatively calm household without young children and dogs and cats running around, I don’t see why you couldn’t care for a parrot with slightly special needs. He will love you for it!
Good to know., and yes we have a calm house just us and our two parrotlets.
 
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To me, if you have the time, means and love to care for this guy, why not? Amazons are definitely not the same as parrotlets, so you'll learn even more as you go. Honestly, if he's been relatively well cared for, 40 is more like middle aged, so even then, he could still outlive you. My YNA is in her mid 20s now, so she'll likely be cared for by one of my kids long after I'm gone. My sweet little grey is believed to be 50+ and he doesn't act any different than what I would expect of a teenager. He still learns new sounds from around the house, as he's only been with me for a year or so. I love the older ones. You know what you're getting with a fully established personality. If this guy likes you, you're golden, regardless of perceived preference for male/female. He sees you for YOU. At that point, your gender is irrelevant to him.

Aaaaaaaand the moral of the story, if he's in good health, his golden years are still quite a while away, so I wouldn't worry about that.

Please keep us updated :)
yes, it really is up to the bird whether there is a mutual like, and I totally get
the developed personality thing. You know what you are getting. No surprises.
I really like that part. We'll see. :) thanks
 
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Just look this! oh my goodness! I will just have to go see him. What is not to
love........they only adopt out locally, and I am local.
He loves cuddles,

 
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