Breakthrough with Darwin!

[Terry57]

We got Darwin, our Hawkhead, back in the beginning of Oct. She is 22 years old, and was parent raised, and then used as a breeder for all the years leading up to her coming to us. When she arrived after her long flight, she was greasy & matted, and very scared.
With frequent baths & a good diet, her feathers are in beautiful shape, as is her crest, which had several broken feathers when we got her.

We have given her lots of time and done things on her timetable. It took a long time before she would allow us to even pet her, now she loves scritches.
I had read several places that they are very aggressive, but we have not seen that in her at all. Even when she bites, she has never drawn blood, nor is it even a hard bite.

She talks a little, and has the sweetest little girl voice.

She has been terrified to step up - she would do it with one foot, and hold on for dear life with the other to her cage. Well, last night, she took the plunge! She not only stepped up for my husband, but then sauntered to his shoulder where she snuggled with him. I was upstairs and missed the whole thing, and I would have given anything to have gotten a picture of that!

I did get a picture of her begging for scritches awhile back

With frequent baths & a good diet, her feathers are in beautiful shape, as is her crest, which had several broken feathers when we got her.

She raises her crest when she is happy, scared or mad, but you can usually tell the difference because unless she's happy it is accompanied by this growl that sounds like a dinosaur. Her screech is pretty earsplitting. It is a high pitched scream, almost like a tea kettle when the water is boiling.


We are thrilled with her progress and I just had to share
Thanks to Beth for giving me the idea to post more about her!

 

[thekarens]

I just love the pic with her crest up! Thanks for sharing

 

[MomtoPercy]

Oh my, but she is just gorgeous!! I looove that fancy crest

Well done on your progress with her!! It is amazing what love and kindness can can do.

 

[Joshuwaaa]

Awesome progress, that's so nice! She is stunning too!

 

[JerseyWendy]

GREAT idea to talk about GORGEOUS Darwin!!!

You've truly worked miracles with that pretty girl. She is SO stunning!!! Goes to show you what lots of TLC can accomplish. Terry, you and Reg have hearts of gold!!! :smile015:

 

[TessieB]

Wow! She's a striking bird!

 

[crimson]

she is golden Terry....such a stunning bird.
you and your husband have obviously put in a great deal of time, love and effort, now your reaping the rewards.
I love that head dress, wow.

what is the average life span of such a beautiful bird?

 

[Terry57]

Unfortunately it is not as long as for other birds her size. Depending on what you read,it is as low as 30 and as high as 50. I am praying for the 50. That was one of the reason that I was so upset by finding out she was older than I had thought. Losing that 5 years when she may not have nearly long enough was devastating

 

[Bundiibird]

Beautiful Darwin.

Terry she absolutely gorgeous. I love that crest. I am so glad that your hard work is paying off and that Darwin can enjoy the birdie pleasures of head scratches.

 

[Betrisher]

Oh wow Terry! My head knew that Hawkheads were pretty amazing birds, but my eyes didn't really believe it till I saw your pics of Darwin. She is GORGEOUS!!! Her colours are beyond stunning and that crest is just the icing on the cake. Please tell her that Aunty Trisha from Australia sends her compliments and reckons she is just the most beautiful girl. The Beaks and Dommie send respects as well.

I love the way you've patiently waited for her to come to you. That's what it's all about, isn't it? Just imagine how much better Darwin feels, now she's confident enough to come out to her family. It means you're her refuge and that's good for all of you. Next time she comes and steps up, just sit quietly for as long as she'll allow it and shovel treats into her (you know what I mean). I love those quiet moments when you just sit and 'be' with your bird - that's when the bonding happens, isn't it? Anyway, please keep posting about this lovely birdie - we'll all be watching with great interest as she progresses.

 

[Terry57]

Thank you Trish, I passed along your compliments to my sweet Darwin...she is very interested in meeting Dommie and the Beaks (I think Ekko may be getting jealous).

I tell you, it has been quite the experience with most of our guys needing special treatment. We have been kind of playing it by ear on how far to push, whether to stay back...it is so hard to know if you are doing the right thing. It is times like this that gives us hope that we are on the right path

Thank you all for your comments, your opinions mean so much to me

 

[RavensGryf]

That's awesome Terry!! Great job as always with your birdies. Darwin is just gorgeous! Interesting about her call. Now I want to hear a hawkhead scream just to see lol.

 

[Terry57]

I wish I could figure out the video on my camera. I am going to work on that, I am so tech challenged

 

[Allee]

Darwin is a real beauty. What you've done for her is amazing. Imagine what it must feel like to Darwin to trust humans enough to take that giant step. I'm so happy for you and for Darwin.

 

[Sudz1109]

Ooooh my! :11: How gorgeous is Miss Darwin?! Those colors and that crest are just so beautiful.

It sounds like you have done an amazing job with her. If I could have half that result with Paco in the future, I would be over the moon for both him and myself.

Do you have any "before" photos in your albums? I would love to see the change!

 

[Terry57]

I have one cruddy picture that my hubby took on his phone. I will try to find it. I just got my camera for Christmas.

 

[Terry57]

Found the pictures of her first night here with us

 

[RavensGryf]

Ooh Hawkheads are SO exotic and beautiful! I'd love one, but I hear particulars about their aggression. Maybe mainly males? Anyway, they're gorgeous parrots.

 

[Anansi]

Even though that before pic isn't the clearest, you can still see the improvement over how she was. You and Reg work absolute wonders, Terry! (Just had to mention, btw, that the first time I saw that pic in your signature of Darwin with her crest up, I thought it was a colorful bow of some sort you'd tied around her neck! Lol! Beautiful bird!)

 

[Terry57]

Lol...I have to laugh at the thought of tying ANYTHING around her neck..lol. I think she would not be impressed So glad she came with that decoration!