Bella update 3 monts

[texsize]

So this marks 3 month’s since Bella has entered out lives.
Her feathers are growing in and looking better. I had been worried that it would not happen but I just had to be patient.





Bella has also destroyed her first toy this week (way to go BELLA). At first she did not even touch her toys so I see this as a real point of progress.

Bella’s vocabulary has not grown significantly since the last update. There are things she says that we can’t make out, it’s like she mumbles words. She is such a joy to listen to I know she will add new words and sounds on a regular basis, so there is nothing to worry about. I’m just glad she hasn’t learned how to cuss. I just can’t help coming out with a G.D. it or SOB every now and then.


The pet shop where I bought her would like me to take her back for a visit. I want to do this but I don’t know if it’s a good idea. All the shop workers grew attached to her while Bella was in there care. My fear is that it may cause a setback in Bella’s recovery. If I was in her place it would scare me to go back there and make me think I was going to be abandoned again.
What do you all think ??


On a different thread (Bella’s story) I mentioned that one of the things she would say (learned from the previous owner) was “I’m sick of you”.
So as requested I have uploaded a short video clip with her saying this. First thing she says is “going to work” , then “pretty bird” then at the 10 second mark comes “I’m sick of you”. You may need to crank up the sound to hear her. It breaks my heart to know someone said that to her often enough she learned to repeat it. Bella is the most good natured bird I have run across in a long time.


[ame="https://youtu.be/JhDn_zdYO00"]sick of you - YouTube[/ame]
texsize/wes

 

[GaleriaGila]

Ticks me off to imagine somebody saying that to HER!
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Kentuckienne]

I'm gonna pretend the PO was saying that to a human...Bella seems so sweet! I'd hate to take her back to the pet shop - what possible good could come to Bella from that? I understand the people want you o see how she's doing, but maybe they could just watch the videos. Surely she will remember the shop, what f it did remind her of being abandoned?

 

[LeaKP]

Yeah I gotta concur, she's recovering now. Stay away from the shop. You can show them pics if needed.


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[AmyMyBlueFront]

Yeah I gotta concur, she's recovering now. Stay away from the shop. You can show them pics if needed.


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I also agree Wes..no sense in it..and ya,Bella might think "oh NO! NOT BACK HERE!!!"

Golly...her chest clothes look FABULOUS!! And in just 3 short months! Major improvement buddy pat yourself on the back..you're doing everything right by Bella.
Right at the end of the video,she makes this "clackityclackclack" sound..lol..my Smokey made the same sound...must be a grey thing lol.

And I too...HOPE that "I'm sick of you" was meant for some hooman..and you're right,it must have been said quite a bit for Bella to pick it up...sighhh

Thanks a bunch for the update...keep 'em coming..and she is absolutely gorgeous!


Jim

 

[texsize]

Yeah I gotta concur, she's recovering now. Stay away from the shop. You can show them pics if needed.


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So far this is what I have been doing, showing them pics on my phone.
Bella does seem to be a bit more nervous of anything that moves too quickly than my Amazons. IF riding my shoulder in the kitchen and I move the trash can to quickly she heads for the hills. Taking her back to the pet shop for even a quick visit would likely upset her.
Thanks for confirming my gut feeling on this.
wes

 

[wrench13]

What a major improvement, Wes. She must really love her new home to relax and be engaged enough for this to happen. Got a laugh at the destroyed her first toy. Even for folks that get a baby, that first shredded wood, or paper toy is a memorable moment.

 

[LeaKP]

Yeah I gotta concur, she's recovering now. Stay away from the shop. You can show them pics if needed.





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So far this is what I have been doing, showing them pics on my phone.

Bella does seem to be a bit more nervous of anything that moves too quickly than my Amazons. IF riding my shoulder in the kitchen and I move the trash can to quickly she heads for the hills. Taking her back to the pet shop for even a quick visit would likely upset her.

Thanks for confirming my gut feeling on this.

wes

May I suggest not moving around with your grey on your shoulder. They are shy and if they get a fright while we're moving around with them it's easy to get our ears or face. I've heard of many bites by greys this way.

I hold Nigel on my hand when I'm moving around with him but when I'm still or sitting I allow him on my shoulder.


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[Billdore]

Thats so sad I hate to think of anything like that having been said to Timneh. Timneh was returned to the pet store after a year. Glad everything is working out for you guys.

 

[texsize]

leaKP.

Letting her ride my shoulder is something I don't do very often.
first because she is such a um frequent pooper LOL.
second I have to move verrrryyyy slowly lest I scare her into flight.

It's mostly due to taking my Amazons around on my shoulder. For them it makes them feel more secure. For me it is a closeness that is difficult to get any other way. After my Bingo bit me on my ear I have been much more reluctant for this type of "closeness".

I am still learning the differences between the 2 breeds of birds Amazons/African Grey.
Just because they are both "Parrots" does not mean they have the same reactions, needs and body language.
Because I am still learning advice is always good to have, thanks.
texsize

 

[plumsmum2005]

Congrats you are doing great with Bella!

 

[DRB]

Was the shop the place where she had bad care? If so don't go back there, if not and she was treated well there I say take her. Perjo enjoys going back to where the store where I got her.

Perjo loves my shoulder, and I walker her through the first floor often on my shoulder. Sometimes she gets spooked and takes off, but usually not, she's gettign used to the ride and the surroundings.

 

[texsize]

The shop that I got her from gave her the best care they could. It was the previous owners that caused the feather plucking.

Even with the best intentions a busy pet store is not a good place for a high strung (nervous) parrot.

They kept her for about 1 month before they were willing to sell her. They wanted to make sure she was healthy before selling her. In that time all the shop workers became fond of her.
I gave them my phone number and asked them to call me when they were ready to sell.
I was there the next morning as soon as they opened.
I knew she would not recover from her plucking at the pet shop and at the price they put on her I was afraid she would spend a long time there.

That's why I am sooo glad to see that she IS recovering. I know the shop workers would like to see how well she is doing but it's not worth it if it would cause her any distress.

I do let Bella on my shoulder for a little bit. She realy likes to exercise her wing up there (and boxes my ears at the same time). I just don't go around with her for any length of time. I can realy hear her little heart beating away after all the wing flapping.
texsize

 

[Scott]

Bella is doing amazingly well. What a difference with the right people, better food, and lots of love!

 

[jdlehman76]

Glad to see that Bella's feathers are returning. Just to warn you with my CAG, Bella, it has been three steps forward two steps back for two years with feather growth and plucking. Don't get discouraged if something happens and she back slides with plucking. Just keep working on keeping her engaged in the world around her and you will make progress.

As far as the "I'm sick of you" we all know if could be something said to her, but the reality is it could just as easily have been something they wanted her to say or a joke between them. Choose to look at it this way, it doesn't do you or her any good to imagine a horrible life for her before she came to you. (On a related note, I am working on teaching my "Bella" to say "Go Home" when she wants to go back into her cage. I'm am hoping this phrase comes out when we have company. This may have been the reason your Bella was taught her phrase.)

As far as the shoulder carrying goes, I understand the fear/thought about biting. I have carried mine on my shoulder from day one. I understand the risk, I always move slowly and pay attention to rooms I am entering. I would recommend that you do what works for you and Bella. If this helps get her out and about then allow it in the right situation. One alternative would be to carry her on your hand until you reach your destination and sit down. Then transfer her to your shoulder. One advantage to carrying her on your hand is that you can observe her reactions and body language.

Good luck.