Day at the rescue

[Nina_W]

Today I went to Brainy Birds rescue center, to volunteer, to learn all about taking care of parrots, and hopefully, to meet a few parrots that I can consider for adoption.

I arrived at about 10:00, and was given a tour of the facility. They have several large outdoor aviaries, and many rooms where they keep cages. These rooms are sorted - smaller parrots, cockatoos (three large rooms!), african greys (two rooms), macaws, parrots that don't fit elsewhere well, and then away from the rest a hospital room and an isolation room for quarantine.

Many parrots were out and about on various stands, clambering about on ropes, beak wrestling or simply chattering away to whoever was nearest.

The lady who runs the rescue says she looks for two things before she suggests birds for someone to take a closer look at - the person must be capable of handling the bird, and the bird must show an interest in the person.

Then, I was swept up in cleaning cages, washing bowls, chopping up food, dishing out pellets, and meeting every single one of the little-over 200 birds in their care.

They have, as you might have guessed from the room listings, a lot of cockatoos, and a LOT of Congo African Grey parrots. Then, they have about five sun conures and several other conure species. Some ringnecks, some ecklectus (variously recovering from plucking), a whole flock of lovebirds and budgies, and a few amazon parrots. They have only one pionus parrot (a white front pionus).

I spent more time in the small parrot room, having beforehand ruled out large parrots like macaws, larger amazons and african greys as likely being a bit too much bird for me. I also did not particularly fancy the really tiny birds. But, of course, things happen. And in the small bird room, amongst the conures and the ringnecks, budgies and lovebirds, cockatiels and one galah cockatoo (that had been adopted very recently), was a bright eyed Timneh Grey, who watched and watched and watched me as I worked and chattered away at all the birds.

At some point the rescue-owner came in and must have noticed mr. Timneh watching me (I certainly had, it's quite different from the fear/indifference most of the other birds displayed), because she opened his cage door for him, and he hopped on to her hand, flapped himself on to the floor (he's clipped, but not harshly, he can pretty much fly, but with some effort), and came right up to me.

I offered him an almond, which he very happily took, clucked like a chicken, and munched away. Then I picked him up and we went and sat outside and played with a straw toy for ages. He learns super quickly, I was trading him nut pieces for bringing me a specific bit of straw and he caught on right away. At some point he walked up my arm, wiped his beak clean on my shoulder, and began preening my hair. It feels so lovely!

Then I offered him a nice rope arrangement to climb around on and went to finish up cleaning and feeding and watering. Later, he was happy to eat another nut from me, and for me to take him back to his cage.

He's not a young bird - they estimate around 30. He has a leg band so we should be able to find out his age that way. Also, I'm calling him 'he', but he has not been DNA tested. He may well be she.

I'm going to go visit him again next Monday, and likely a third time also to see how things go and for me to get to know him better. Hopefully he doesn't change his mind about me in the meantime. I'm more than a little bit in love - but this decision needs making with thought and heart, so it's good there are a few weeks to go yet.

There are other good choices, a much smaller green cheeked parakeet and a powder blue ringneck were also happy to meet me and happy to hang out - the potential for a bond is there, though it wasn't quite like with the grey.

What do you guys think? Time to go reading all about Timneh greys.

Enough talk. We need pictures! Here's little timneh grey on my hand, by the staw toy.

And here he is sitting on me.

He doesn't currently have a name, which is a bit sad. I'm wracking my brain for the right name.

 

[SailBoat]

Congratulations on your successful visitation!

IMHO, it is the best way to meet and greet with a cross-section of Parrots. Being totally opened to being chosen has really strong foundation to developing a strong relationship and grow a life long bond.

May your visits continue to be as enjoyable.

The Name: Just let you time with the Parrot that chooses you help to find that special name! At this point, a bit early!

 

[Scott]

You have been chosen! Perhaps the rescue owner can share some history, particularly whether this timneh has had similar interactions.

Assuming you are interested in just one bird, be patient and remain open minded. Some birds require multiple visits before they emerge from their shell of captivity.

Might ask if the rescue offers vaccinations against MBS. Effectiveness not guaranteed!


MBS = Multiple Bird Syndrome!

 

[texsize]

congratulations, sounds like you two really hit it off.
I hope everything goes well for you.

greys are amazing.

 

[Soyajam]

Awesome, it looks like your time at the Rescue was useful, then
I loooove greys. They are so gosh darn expensive in Australia

He looks mischievous. Perhaps a suitable name will match that demeanour? If you aren't planning on a DNA test any time soon, perhaps a name that could be either male or female will be helpful too.
(I keep thinking "kiwi" when I look at your pictures!)

I hope your subsequent visits go well. There's no rush, you know he's got a good home in the meantime and you have plenty of time to get to know him/her before you make a decision.
Get aqcuainted with all those bird chores too - that'll become part of your life too. (Getting poop off fabric, anybody? lol)

 

[kq_fan]

Wonderful, I really hope this works out for you two! You are so smart about this adoption process and research. I know you will be a great bird owner for whichever bird you get to bring home.

 

[Nina_W]

Congratulations on your successful visitation!

IMHO, it is the best way to meet and greet with a cross-section of Parrots. Being totally opened to being chosen has really strong foundation to developing a strong relationship and grow a life long bond.

May your visits continue to be as enjoyable.

The Name: Just let you time with the Parrot that chooses you help to find that special name! At this point, a bit early!

Good advice. I'll see him again Monday, get to know him a bit better. I'm really looking forward to seeing him, I'm making some toilet roll balls to take to him - he strikes me as a playful sort, I have a feeling he'll like them. And if I'm wrong, the rescue always, always, always needs more toys, especially ones you can use as foraging toys.

Also, I'll spend time with all of them again, because patience is the way here. It could well be that little timneh grey likes everyone, and that I wasn't so much 'chosen' as available (and with a pocket full of almonds). Better to take it slowly.

...though, if it's up to us humans, I'm happy to choose him.

They have very little of his history, and they haven't yet told me how he came to the rescue, which is odd, since nearly all the rest they immediately told me heaps about the birds.

The green cheek parakeet is called 'Chips', and is quite happy to tell you so. Apparently he likes to eat them too, though he almost never gets any in his new life at the rescue. He's very small, small even for his own species, smaller than all but the love birds and budgies (and the one really old parrotlet that's in hospice care, and whose people come and visit daily). He'd be hard to rename, given his love for the word, but would be a cute and busy little companion. His chirps are endearing, for sure. He still has a bit of feathers to fully grow in, they're coming back - he was plucked by a cage mate, but he'll be gorgeous in no time.

The soft blue ringneck boy is called Sapphire. He's a rehab from almost no feathers on his little body at all, to looking downright amazing now. He's not very tame, though keen to interact with me also. He adores grapes, which I've been warned is a bit too sugary for an everyday food. They warned me that many of their birds (nearly all) have fatty liver disease from eating sunflower seeds for years. Sapphire is one of the few who definitely does not have it. He was housed at a nursery school, and was extremely stressed out by it, and so came to the rescue facility.

You have been chosen! Perhaps the rescue owner can share some history, particularly whether this timneh has had similar interactions.

Assuming you are interested in just one bird, be patient and remain open minded. Some birds require multiple visits before they emerge from their shell of captivity.

Might ask if the rescue offers vaccinations against MBS. Effectiveness not guaranteed!

MBS = Multiple Bird Syndrome!

Sounds like MTS - multiple tank syndrome - amongst the fishkeepers.

It's odd that they told me little of his past. Maybe they don't know either?

This little timneh is a real heart-thief, but I'm going to keep an open mind and heart. I wrote above about the little parakeet and the ring neck, but there's a senegal too that showed similar interest in me as the little timneh, but was too shy to approach at this time. It will be worth spending time with him too.

Seems I'm drawn to the stockier parrot types, the long tailed elegant birds don't seem to capture my attention in the same way, even though, objectively, they're wonderful birds. I like the senegal and the timneh more than the parakeet and the ringneck. So it goes

I'm definitely drawn to a certain 'look' in their eyes too, an intelligence, perhaps, or maybe, more accurately, a kind of reasoning going on in their heads. The birds that look at me and seem to try and understand me, and not just react to my presence. It seems the stockier birds do this more than the long tailed birds. Anyone else have this experience?

Awesome, it looks like your time at the Rescue was useful, then
I loooove greys. They are so gosh darn expensive in Australia

He looks mischievous. Perhaps a suitable name will match that demeanour? If you aren't planning on a DNA test any time soon, perhaps a name that could be either male or female will be helpful too.
(I keep thinking "kiwi" when I look at your pictures!)

I hope your subsequent visits go well. There's no rush, you know he's got a good home in the meantime and you have plenty of time to get to know him/her before you make a decision.
Get aqcuainted with all those bird chores too - that'll become part of your life too. (Getting poop off fabric, anybody? lol)

I wish I could fly you here magically and have you meet the greys. They're so popular here to get, but people just are not equipped to care for them and so they quickly become unwanted. Typically right in the teenage years. There's probably a good fifty of them for you to choose amongst at the rescue. And, about five timnehs, not counting the little guy in the small bird room that I met. Maybe, if they're really that expensive, you can have one imported in stead. Come and have a nice holiday in SA, and then take home a bird. The rand-Australian dollar exchange rate is certainly in your favour!!

For me, he seems like Magic, or some kind of cloud deity, or maybe even Falstaff, from shakespeare... he certainly is a bit ... beefier than he probably should be. Not obese, but not slim and trim either. He has that regal thing about him that I think many parrots have, but especially the greys, and like you point out, a mischievousness. Star would also work. Anyone else read Robin Hobb? Fitz (Fitz Chivalry Farseer, full name), or Sooty (the horse with banked fire in her heart) would both suit. And, since meeting him, Pictures at an Exhibition has been playing in my head - somehow condense that into a word, anyone? I knew it was written by Mussorgsky - what I did not know was that Mussorgsky's first name is Modest. Maybe Modest? I'm going to keep thinking this week, grow my list, and go ask little timneh what he thinks.

Much of my time at the rescue was working. Cleaning, feeding, switching toys, bathing. Checking latches on houdini-bird's cages, moving birds from inside to outside play places, or from outside play to inside cages, or from aviary to vet container. 200-odd birds are a vast amount of work, it feels like as soon as you've cleaned the last water bowl you need to begin cleaning on the other side again. And so many of them pluckers or screamers, and all of them biters, all of them having some or another thing worked on. For many it's just 'not all humans are evil, here have a pine nut'. For some it's 'follow this target stick'. For those closer to 'ready for a home' it's step up, come outside, socialise and play.

Where does the quote come from? Jerry Macguire? "You had me at hello"
Certainly, for little timneh grey, he had me at his softly spoken "hi".

 

[bigfellasdad]

Oh FANTASTIC, ive only seen one Timneh but must agree they are a fabulous sized parrot. If he's clucking he's happy, very happy. Personally i would not let his age put you off as indeed he has matured and likely more stable.

Ive got a 13yr old CAG, so its very saddening to see that so many are abandoned, id hate to see Enzo without a home and companion as she is so loving (also a total PITA sometimes!). Keep the visits going, learn,learn and learn some more.

Well done to you

 

[Scott]

African Greys, by dint of their intelligence, are more parrot than many can accommodate. So sad, they truly belong in the wild and often have difficulty acclimating into a closed environment. The best chance is for folks able to give them a loving and stimulating home.

 

[Nina_W]

African Greys, by dint of their intelligence, are more parrot than many can accommodate. So sad, they truly belong in the wild and often have difficulty acclimating into a closed environment. The best chance is for folks able to give them a loving and stimulating home.

And there's the rub, folks. Am I a good, stimulating home giver? Am I getting in over my head? I have no idea, having never had any kind of bird... on paper I tick many of the right boxes for a little grey parrot.

So the question really is, knowing that I am unprepared, that this is a lot of parrot to take on, that this is a lot of parrot for even experienced parrot people ... am I willing to commit to making it work, mistakes and lack of knowledge and all? The crux of the matter.

While my heart screams yes, my head sends me back to read "So you want to get a parrot" one more time. To write down how I would react if little grey bird doesn't like the dogs, and I have to keep them separately (not something I am willing to do long term, so also write solutions - training, appropriate gates, and so on). What will I do if little grey bird hates my significant other, and can we live with that also?

I'm glad to have these weeks of patience enforced by the rescue. I can completely see how, charmed by meeting a friendly parrot, birdy comes home right away only for the "what have I done" to kick in over the next few weeks. Nope, patience is best.

 

[bigfellasdad]

Nina, prior to re-homing my Enzo a 13yr old African Grey I have had 1 re-homed and flightless cockatiel for the last 4 years, I also had 4 budgies when i was a kid. My prior fids had not prepared me for Enzo apart from maybe attitude and a real love for birds. Its a big step to take and believe me I had a few months to think about it, im so glad I did though as Enzo is simply amazing and apart from my children I put her top of my list.

You sound like you are bright and doing your homework as you are clearly putting a lot of thought in to your decision of taking on a parrot. The timneh (you need a name, even temporary!) clearly picks up on you as he would not befriend you if you didnt have the right aptitude (calm, kind and friendly). The question you should ask is do you have the time and patience as the more you put in, the more you get out. Can you deal with having a bird with a 3-4 year old's intelligence and inquisitiveness for a VERY long time?

Ive no regrets in being a new parront, it is causing issues with my new relationship but that will hopefully resolve itself once trust has build between Kelly and Enzo.
This forum is great for advice which at present I cant give but at least i can share my experiences.

One thing I was thinking earlier is, I find with Enzo, when she is excited and unruly I have learned to not react but simply to back off a little, giving us both room and 5s to relax which is often all it takes to bring calm to a situation. This maybe a useful tip whilst at the rescue.

HTH

 

[Soyajam]

I wish I could fly you here magically and have you meet the greys. They're so popular here to get, but people just are not equipped to care for them and so they quickly become unwanted. Typically right in the teenage years. There's probably a good fifty of them for you to choose amongst at the rescue. And, about five timnehs, not counting the little guy in the small bird room that I met. Maybe, if they're really that expensive, you can have one imported in stead. Come and have a nice holiday in SA, and then take home a bird. The rand-Australian dollar exchange rate is certainly in your favour!!

I'm not surprised greys are regularly adoptees, particularly in south africa. They'd be common pets (thanks to your vercinity to their natural habitats). Greys, thanks to their insane intelligence, can easily become neurotic if they don't get proper enrichment. People get them because they're cool or cheap and inadequate care can quickly turn them into nightmares :-(

In Australia the most common birds in rescues are Sulphur-crested cockatoos. They're everywhere in the wild and there are tonnes of birds in the pet trade, meaning they're very cheap to buy. Unfortunately their price does not reflect the level of care needed (as many people here know!) So as soon as their screeching and chewing start (all natural wild behaviours, mind you!), they're back in a rescue.

The reason greys are so expensive here is that Australia a few decades ago became very strict with the laws on importing exotic birds. For most people it's exuberantly expensive to import birds here.
As a result, the population of birds like greys, amazons and macaws in Australia for the pet trade is really small, and to prevent in-breeding, paperwork, DNA certification and licencing is required to breed and sell them. (Makes sense to me - you don't want inbred birds...). All that converts to very expensive adoption prices. I'm talking over $5000 AUD, depending on where you go.

So I'm afraid I'll have to observe them from afar. You never know, I might come across a grey who needs a home here, but I don't think it would be likely.
(Besides, the thought of more birds makes my blood run cold... I'm barely managing this one...!)

 

[Scott]

African Greys, by dint of their intelligence, are more parrot than many can accommodate. So sad, they truly belong in the wild and often have difficulty acclimating into a closed environment. The best chance is for folks able to give them a loving and stimulating home.

And there's the rub, folks. Am I a good, stimulating home giver? Am I getting in over my head? I have no idea, having never had any kind of bird... on paper I tick many of the right boxes for a little grey parrot.

So the question really is, knowing that I am unprepared, that this is a lot of parrot to take on, that this is a lot of parrot for even experienced parrot people ... am I willing to commit to making it work, mistakes and lack of knowledge and all? The crux of the matter.

While my heart screams yes, my head sends me back to read "So you want to get a parrot" one more time. To write down how I would react if little grey bird doesn't like the dogs, and I have to keep them separately (not something I am willing to do long term, so also write solutions - training, appropriate gates, and so on). What will I do if little grey bird hates my significant other, and can we live with that also?

I'm glad to have these weeks of patience enforced by the rescue. I can completely see how, charmed by meeting a friendly parrot, birdy comes home right away only for the "what have I done" to kick in over the next few weeks. Nope, patience is best.

I believe you will make an educated decision when the time is right. Far too many folks make impulsive acquisitions and initially feel vindicated. Once the "honeymoon" period passes, buyers remorse can sting.

My Grey experience is limited to a pair of Timnehs producing two offspring. Sadly, only one remains, and he doesn't particularly like people. Living in a room filled with cockatoos (all uncaged) at least provides the nearness of avian companionship if not closeness.

 

[Nina_W]

Nina, prior to re-homing my Enzo a 13yr old African Grey I have had 1 re-homed and flightless cockatiel for the last 4 years, I also had 4 budgies when i was a kid. My prior fids had not prepared me for Enzo apart from maybe attitude and a real love for birds. Its a big step to take and believe me I had a few months to think about it, im so glad I did though as Enzo is simply amazing and apart from my children I put her top of my list.

You sound like you are bright and doing your homework as you are clearly putting a lot of thought in to your decision of taking on a parrot. The timneh (you need a name, even temporary!) clearly picks up on you as he would not befriend you if you didnt have the right aptitude (calm, kind and friendly). The question you should ask is do you have the time and patience as the more you put in, the more you get out. Can you deal with having a bird with a 3-4 year old's intelligence and inquisitiveness for a VERY long time?

Ive no regrets in being a new parront, it is causing issues with my new relationship but that will hopefully resolve itself once trust has build between Kelly and Enzo.
This forum is great for advice which at present I cant give but at least i can share my experiences.

One thing I was thinking earlier is, I find with Enzo, when she is excited and unruly I have learned to not react but simply to back off a little, giving us both room and 5s to relax which is often all it takes to bring calm to a situation. This maybe a useful tip whilst at the rescue.

HTH

Thank you for writing this. This helps.

 

[Nina_W]

I'm not surprised greys are regularly adoptees, particularly in south africa. They'd be common pets (thanks to your vercinity to their natural habitats).

This has been bugging me since I've read it.

West Africa is more or less 9000 kilometers away.

Perth, Australia, is only 8300 kilometers from where I'm sitting.

Salvador, Brazil, is 7000 kilometers away.

By that reasoning, macaws and Galah cockatoos should be just as popular... they are, in fact, closer.

Or Senegal Parrots... or brown headed parrots (that I've seen in the wild), or Cape Parrots (even endangered as they are) and yet they are not.

Africa is enormous.


I'm not sure why that was bugging me like it was, but I feel better now.

 

[Soyajam]

... I'm not sure why that was bugging me like it was, but I feel better now.

Well OK. You got my complete lack of understanding about distances between countries.

But I hope you understood what I meant?!

 

[Nina_W]

... I'm not sure why that was bugging me like it was, but I feel better now.

Well OK. You got my complete lack of understanding about distances between countries.

But I hope you understood what I meant?!

I did, yeah, and I didn't mean to be nasty about it at all, I'm sorry if I came across as snippy.