Choosing a Poi?

[SoCalWendy]

And thank you for all your responses, this past week has been really stressful and emotional for me. But during that time I continued my research and continuously read through your comments over and over again and settled in on a Senegal!!!

I'd love to meet one personally, but I'm still looking for a breeder. A shelter is out of the question because again, the only shelters are on Maui and the Big Island .

Senegal's are so much fun! They can be a little shy around new people and new surroundings, but the more you socialize them and take them everywhere, it will help. I got my female at 4 months, she is now 18 months. She can be super sweet and then turn in to BIRDZILLA. But we understand her and love her.

It took a good 6 weeks for her to really settle in. But more like 8 weeks for her to be comfortable around me, allowing me to touch her. Now I can give her scratches, turn her over, hang her upside down, and give her kisses and she is ok. She also allows me to touch her feet. She will not allow me to put a harness on her. Personally I think breeders should introduce harnesses when they are young. When I did try she got super scared, bit me very hard, and I had to cut it off of her in three places. It was really scary. Now she won't let a harness come near her.

Senegal's love to mimic, many talk (mine does), hang upside down, and explore. Most of her sounds are desirable. The ones that are not we just ignore. I like to play canary song and the songs of other bird species, so she can learn to mimic the ones I really like. And she does. It's fun to try and figure out which bird she is mimicking. Have fun in your search and keep us posted.

 

[SilverSage]

Yes, Caiques I was pretty bummed when I found out, too.

 

[EAI]

And thank you for all your responses, this past week has been really stressful and emotional for me. But during that time I continued my research and continuously read through your comments over and over again and settled in on a Senegal!!!

I'd love to meet one personally, but I'm still looking for a breeder. A shelter is out of the question because again, the only shelters are on Maui and the Big Island .

She can be super sweet and then turn in to BIRDZILLA. But we understand her and love her.

Have fun in your search and keep us posted.

I heard a lot of them become Birdzilla, thats the only negative of them I found but I'm ready and willing to work it through like you.

Haha I think another word is better than "fun" Its hard when theres not a lot of options


And to keep you posted: I had a conversation of a possible Red Belly--but Senegals are my no1, and I'm not rushing it, my plan is to find one by next year but if I need to wait longer its okay.
I also contacted a possible Pionus breeder with no luck yet

 

[thekarens]

Pois definitely have their birdzilla moments, but in my experience they get over that. They have bad days and good days.

 

[EAI]

Yes, Caiques I was pretty bummed when I found out, too.

I wish I found out sooner before going all crazy looking up info on them
Hopefully Vasa parrots won't get on the prohibited list

 

[SilverSage]

I'm not sure if they are or not. You can find the list on the Hawaii department of agriculture website

 

[SoCalWendy]

And thank you for all your responses, this past week has been really stressful and emotional for me. But during that time I continued my research and continuously read through your comments over and over again and settled in on a Senegal!!!

I'd love to meet one personally, but I'm still looking for a breeder. A shelter is out of the question because again, the only shelters are on Maui and the Big Island .

She can be super sweet and then turn in to BIRDZILLA. But we understand her and love her.

Have fun in your search and keep us posted.

I heard a lot of them become Birdzilla, thats the only negative of them I found but I'm ready and willing to work it through like you.

Haha I think another word is better than "fun" Its hard when theres not a lot of options


And to keep you posted: I had a conversation of a possible Red Belly--but Senegals are my no1, and I'm not rushing it, my plan is to find one by next year but if I need to wait longer its okay.
I also contacted a possible Pionus breeder with no luck yet

I've heard mixed things about red-bellies. They are a hearty bird, a little larger than a Senegal. They compare to a Senegal on shyness, but the good I heard is they are a cuddlier than a Senegal. They were my second choice, but I found a Senegal breeder who had 4 month old babies. You should check it out the red belly, and if you do please post some pictures. The only thing I know about the Pionus is they are pretty laid back, and not a hands on type bird. But I think with any bird, it depends on how they were raised.

 

[RavensGryf]

I've heard mixed things about red-bellies. They are a hearty bird, a little larger than a Senegal. They compare to a Senegal on shyness, but the good I heard is they are a cuddlier than a Senegal. They were my second choice, but I found a Senegal breeder who had 4 month old babies. You should check it out the red belly, and if you do please post some pictures. The only thing I know about the Pionus is they are pretty laid back, and not a hands on type bird. But I think with any bird, it depends on how they were raised.

My old man Robin is a Red Bellied, but he's a small guy at only around 115g. They're said to be bigger than Senegals, but that's a generalization.
I've never heard that Red Bellied are cuddlier, but that's really true with Robin. I do know the male Red Bellied in particular have a reputation of being nippy, and when sexually mature, they are known to go through vicious hormonal periods. That was the toughest thing with Robin. Now that he's 20 he might be mellowing some, but as much as he's my little soul mate now, if I knew that back when I bought him, I might have gotten something else. The female RB might be a little gentler, but generally speaking, all Poi are feisty.

If a Senegal is your #1 choice, I'd hold out for one. Once, a while ago, it happened to me where I was anxious to get a certain species (which wasn't available from the breeder at the time) but she had something "similar". Although I loved the bird and had quicker gratification, I could not get the one I REALLY wanted off my mind.

 

[EAI]

I'm not sure if they are or not. You can find the list on the Hawaii department of agriculture website

I did some late night browsing, and fortunately they aren't. YES !

 

[EAI]

She can be super sweet and then turn in to BIRDZILLA. But we understand her and love her.

Have fun in your search and keep us posted.

I heard a lot of them become Birdzilla, thats the only negative of them I found but I'm ready and willing to work it through like you.

Haha I think another word is better than "fun" Its hard when theres not a lot of options


And to keep you posted: I had a conversation of a possible Red Belly--but Senegals are my no1, and I'm not rushing it, my plan is to find one by next year but if I need to wait longer its okay.
I also contacted a possible Pionus breeder with no luck yet

I've heard mixed things about red-bellies. They are a hearty bird, a little larger than a Senegal. They compare to a Senegal on shyness, but the good I heard is they are a cuddlier than a Senegal. They were my second choice, but I found a Senegal breeder who had 4 month old babies. You should check it out the red belly, and if you do please post some pictures. The only thing I know about the Pionus is they are pretty laid back, and not a hands on type bird. But I think with any bird, it depends on how they were raised.

I keep hearing mixed things about both of them size/cuddliness. I'd really love to meet the red belly, but I got to find time :/
One of the reasons I chose Pionus's were because they're so chill haha, I really want a bird to just hang out, with maybe some occasional scritches.

 

[EAI]

I've heard mixed things about red-bellies. They are a hearty bird, a little larger than a Senegal. They compare to a Senegal on shyness, but the good I heard is they are a cuddlier than a Senegal. They were my second choice, but I found a Senegal breeder who had 4 month old babies. You should check it out the red belly, and if you do please post some pictures. The only thing I know about the Pionus is they are pretty laid back, and not a hands on type bird. But I think with any bird, it depends on how they were raised.

My old man Robin is a Red Bellied, but he's a small guy at only around 115g. They're said to be bigger than Senegals, but that's a generalization.
I've never heard that Red Bellied are cuddlier, but that's really true with Robin. I do know the male Red Bellied in particular have a reputation of being nippy, and when sexually mature, they are known to go through vicious hormonal periods. That was the toughest thing with Robin. Now that he's 20 he might be mellowing some, but as much as he's my little soul mate now, if I knew that back when I bought him, I might have gotten something else. The female RB might be a little gentler, but generally speaking, all Poi are feisty.

If a Senegal is your #1 choice, I'd hold out for one. Once, a while ago, it happened to me where I was anxious to get a certain species (which wasn't available from the breeder at the time) but she had something "similar". Although I loved the bird and had quicker gratification, I could not get the one I REALLY wanted off my mind.

Good thing I like feisty birds , I'd just be really nervous about their sexual maturity, hopefully we can both go through it lol.

My plan is also to get a Senegal next year, hopefully, so I can meet the birds I want, prepare the cages and toys, and go in depth in researching. If I find another bird in the time being I'll probably reconsider and go with that bird. But I really don't want to regret getting a bird that isn't my ideal and number one option bird.

 

[michoux]

Hi There EAI.

I know that all of you guys would die of jealousy if I told you how much I paid for Max my sennie! I got her at 6 weeks old, and I hand raised her myself. She cost me R600,00 the equivalent of $100. The price has not changed, that is still what one pays for a Senegal here in Cape Town, at the moment. Of course I had to get the cage, etc, as the cages I had here were not big enough.

As for personality and nature, Max has got the sweetest and softest nature of all my parrots. The only time she shows any form of aggression is when she is on my shoulder and someone approaches me. Although she has never bitten anyone, she immediately flies at whomever it is, beak open and wings spread out! I belong to her, and she does not share! She has formed a very loving relationship with one of my cats, and also been very gentle with my little lovebird Chippy. She is wary of Jake my GCC, with good reason, but still tries to chat to her and sit close to her, but only when Jake is in her cage. Jake is MEAN!

I have baby sat other sennies before, and have noticed that the males are a lot more boisterous than the females, and look much more masculine than the little females. My little Max compared to some of the males I have had here is very gracile and feminine. They do have a very annoying screech when they want attention!

 

[michoux]

I also forgot to add that with the several sennies that I have had to deal with, they have all had different natures, some bolshie, some sweet, but ALL were very loving towards their owners. They certainly liked me, and allowed me to deal with them, but once their owners were there, I was not even allowed a touch! OK, their parents are back and they are excited to see them, so I understand.