Better late than never!

[SolKale]

Howdy! I realized I never actually formally introduced myself.

My name is Taylor! I'm an biological engineering student who can't remember a time when I haven't been fascinated by birds. Large parrots take an interest in
me for no particular reason from time to time, but alas, I cannot take them home.

But, I have had many a feathered friend and I've loved them all dearly. I've included some pictures of various buddies I've made. I'm excited to learn more about everyone's birds and maybe strengthen my relationship with my own feathered friends along the way!

 

[Jen5200]

Welcome to you and your flock! Glad you are here

 

[Scott]

You are officially welcomed, nice intro and images!!

 

[ChristaNL]

Lovely introduction (and picts).
Welcome here

 

[Rozalka]

Welcome to you and your feathered friends!

 

[Allee]

Hello there, welcome to the forums. Thanks for the intro and pics, beautiful birds, please tell us more.

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to you!

 

[SolKale]

Thanks everyone!

Allee: the patagonian conure in the first picture (Bella) was never my bird, because I could not afford her, but she was one of my favorite birds at the exotics shop nearby. She ended up going home with a really nice couple, but before that she'd hop on my shoulder when I walked in and we'd walk around together. I'd never met a patagonian before that and I'm not sure where I'd find another one.

The little pineapple conure (Squeaky) is actually my mom's bird. She's an absolute mess but she's adorable. My mom got her in between one of my visits, and I remember coming home and saying hello to her, and she puffed up as big as she could and swayed at me... and then immediately stepped up when I offered my hand. Silly critter.

The cockatiel (Sol) was my first ever bird. We'd had a parrotlet when I was young, and after she passed I fell in love with a little bullied cockatiel at the exotics store back home and well, that was that. It was the funniest thing, that bird NEVER bit me once. He nibbled, and acted tough, and was the crankiest little turd, but he was always gentle. He passed around the age of twelve back in May due to kidney problems. I still miss him dearly.

The cranky looking gentleman is my Senegal (Koda). He's a recent addition to my home, and he's opening up more and more every day. He's probably the smartest bird I've ever owned. And the most stubborn. Big fan so far.

The little green bean was my green cheek (Kale). That story is a little more... tender. I took him home last November after Thanksgiving. Kale did not like me when I first met him. I ended up winning him over by chance at the store one day and spent two hours holding him and talking to him and he was stuck on me after that. But he loved all my friends. He would sit on their heads and demand kisses. I remember the proudest moment for me was hearing him talk for the first time. He said "what are you doing" quite clearly in his little garbly conure voice.

I lost Kale rather suddenly last month, a year to the day after taking him home. No signs, nothing. I just woke up and he was in the bottom of his cage. I still don't have any answers. I don't think I ever will, and that really hurts my heart. Kale was my first experience with a pet loving me like that. He would scream when I left the room, scream when I came home, he made kissy noises when he wanted attention, sometimes I would come home after a ****ty day and he'd come out of his cage and boop me on the mouth with his beak and make a kissy noise. He immediately tried to comfort me when I came home without Sol, like he knew. I don't think a pet death has ever rocked me as hard as his.

But... I try to take comfort in the fact that maybe things happen for a reason. I met Koda in the right place at the right time. He needed a forever home and I had enough room in my heart still to make that happen. He's been a big help.