First Bird?

[Kelsih11]

That's true too. I've been looking into some rescue groups but most I've found have a statement on their adoption form/site that says they will not adopt any medium to large sized bird to a person who has never owned a bird before (experience doesn't matter)

 

[MyFlock]

I wouldn't let her put you off. I had owned one hen lovebird for years before I got another bird, I decided on a Green cheek. The Petco man who was helping me asked what kind of birds I owned and I said a lovebird, he proceeded to go into a tirade about how much more difficult a green cheek was and tried to persuade me to get a budgie/parakeet instead. When in actuality my hen lovebird was much more difficult then the green cheek I ended up getting and bit me a lot harder too.

My thoughts are that you can only learn by experience and you should get the bird you desire (within reason) and not settle for one you'd be less than happy with. I'd go to rescues and meet different types of birds, maybe a different species will catch your eye and capture your heart.

 

[Kelsih11]

I've met some pet store people like that and it is kind of off putting. But you're right. I need to find some rescues in my area that I can visit to see if any other species catches my eye. Anyone know any around Southern California? I've googled and googled but I'm kinda coming up empty

 

[Kelsih11]

So I found a website and they have a bunch of African greys advertised as "free to good home" or "minimal adoption fee". Would getting a bird for free be a bad idea? I'm just thinking of all the other costs associated with keeping the bird happy and healthy. I'm not sure how these people are giving expensive birds away. Other thought was what kind of health issues does this bird have? I've been looking into rescuing an adult bird more and more. Any thoughts/advice?

 

[Dinosrawr]

Those sites are often scamming sites that take your money and you never hear from them. Unless you can meet them in person, talk to them on the phone, or they have testimonials, I would avoid anything like that. Some rescues do help rehome, but again they generally do a home check and application forms.

 

[lj4rockpebbler]

Hi Kelsih11, I tried responding to your message but found out that I couldn't send you a private message cause I didn't have enough posts I guess. Nonetheless, my regent parrot is the best thing that's come to my family in a long time. That being said, they are not cuddly birds. You can touch them and play with them but you won't be able to caress and scratch them like other birds. As far as putting a harness on the bird so you can take them out of the house, it's not going to happen. This bird will never allow you to open his wing to try and put a harness on it. I've looked at all the how to videos and have even purchased a harness that I had to return cause my guy or any other rock pebbler will not let you put it on. They have sweet voices and will talk but they are considered quiet birds. These are avian birds so they love to fly so my guys wings aren't and will never be clipped. He flies around my apartment and loves it. As far as being ground birds, theyre supposed to be but my guy might try to hit the ground minimally. He does tricks and plays games but again, is not real cuddly. We feed him mostly organic vegetables with certain fruits along with Harrisons pellets and a little bit of seeds being that they're so fatty. Here are the dimensions of the cage I purchased for him on Amazon for about $160 bucks which suits him perfectly. Dimensions: 24 x 37.5 x 22 inches ; 50 pounds. I have a couple of videos on youtube with him being a little chatty, just type in midori uri in the search and you'll get to see a little of him. By the way, my son is in school to become a vet tech as well so good luck moving forward! Anyway, let me know if you get to read this post and if you're able to see the videos. Be well and good luck.

 

[Kelsih11]

UPDATE:

I bought a cage yesterday online after seeing it in store.
I bought this one:
You & Me Standing Parrot Cage at PETCO
It was 50% and its very sturdy! Can't wait for my new fid in the next few months!

 

[ZephyrFly]

beautiful cage! what bird did you settle for in the end?

 

[Mimsy01]

Thats the cage I have for my conure. Love it. It's hard to find one that large with the small spacing.

 

[Kelsih11]

beautiful cage! what bird did you settle for in the end?

still waiting on a baby but I am going to a bird fair this weekend so maybe i'll fall in love with a feathered baby then! if not, i have a pretty good size cage so when the time is right, I'll be ready! I couldn't let it sit there at that price!

 

[ZephyrFly]

goodluck, and just keep that bar spacing in mind when you go if you dont want to be buying a new-new cage

 

[Kelsih11]

Still waiting on my baby RP

 

[lj4rockpebbler]

Hi Kelsih11, from all the research I've done and from speaking to his avian vet, I prepare a veggie and fruit mix (Broccoli, butternut squash, peas, carrots, mangos, blueberries and sometimes corn. I chop them up in a blender and freeze about 2 weeks supply that I defrost for him in the mornings. In the afternoon he gets harrisons adult lifetime fine pellets(green label) and at night he gets a bit of a seed mix. Everything i give him is organic and i eat the bad stuff...lol. When I first got him, I was told that the harrison pellets he should have should be the High potency fine(orange label) and after about 6 months then he was switched to the green label. His seed mix should be about 5% of his diet being that they can be very fatty but sometimes I don't always do that being that he loves them so much. As far as toys are concerned, he has tons of them but doesn't play with them as much. His wings are not clipped so he spends his time following my wife, son or I around the house. I will recommend a rope perch for him to sleep with just so that he has more comfort when he sleeps but have different size perches in the cage which is recommended for good feet health. Rock pebblers are prone to having problems with their feet and sometimes eyes. Anyway, that's all I have for you but reach out whenever you want and I'll help as best as i can. If you go to youtube and type in rock pebbler midori, you'll see a few videos of him. Anyway....good luck!

 

[Kelsih11]

IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING!!!! I picked out my baby on Saturday and will be able to pick him up on July 2nd!!!!

 

[snowflake311]

How exciting. Do you have photos of the new baby?

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

Hi and welcome to the forum I wish you Best of Luck with your new baby Rock Pebbler and in your career too

 

[jkudywoods]

Thats really a great news!!

 

[Kelsih11]

He's here! We picked him up on Saturday, which was his 12 week mark. Saturday was a long day and yesterday we started bonding, so here is a picture from this morning! Meet Lil Pete! He is so clumsy and ridiculous the named seemed to fit He chatters away and loves attentions and pets. We are working on the nipping and the flapping, and we've made a lot of progress since Saturday. I've waited a year for him, and he was well worth the wait!