Greater Vasa parrots?

[missModified]

I saw these gorgeous birds on a wildlife documentary not too long ago and thought they were fascinating, and the more I've found out the more interesting they become! They seem to very unique in the parrot world in a lot of respects and I've been a bit obsessed with researching them lately, whilst you can find a fair amount of information on them in the wild I've been fairly unsuccessful in finding information on them as pet. I know people do keep them as I found some adorable video's of one named Eve on youtube, but I haven't found much by the way of information on them in captivity.
I'd love to hear more about these birds if anyone here keeps them, or if anyone knows of any good sites with information on them, I just find them totally fascinating, the colour changes and the feather loss and the breeding behaviour, everything about them seems very unique to them. I'd love to hear owners accounts of what they are like to keep, and I can;t find information as to whether they are 'talkers' or not, though apparently they are somehow related to African Grey's so I would assume they might be?
Also, how are these not more popular in the parrot keeping community when they are so interesting,?! I wonder whether they are prone to aggression or whether people just don't like all the changes they go through in the breeding season?
Lets have a good old chinwag about these gorgeous birds!

 

[Julianna]

This link has some information on what they're like as pets:
Greater Vasa Parrot Birds

They're super cool birds! I'd never heard of them before you posted this, but I'm looking forward to doing lots of research on them. It seems like they're just not kept as pets all that often and that's why there's not much information. Very cool species!

 

[Julianna]

Just found this...it has even more info for keeping them as pets: Vasa Parrots as Pets

 

[missModified]

Thanks very much for the links, they're so interesting aren't they! Very unique in so many respects I'm off to do more research, If I remember the name of the wildlife programme I first saw them on I'll post it up ^^

 

[Jayyj]

Was it the David Attenborough Madagascar doc?

There are a couple of breeders in the UK that I've come across, one of them on the Isle of Mann and the other I think somewhere out Derbyshire way. They both show up in the Bird Trader type classified websites if you browse through them. I really like the idea of them and for a while I considered getting one but in the end I didn't want to go with a species I couldn't send time with before committing, particularly an unusual bird such as a vasa. Lovely looking birds though.

 

[missModified]

Was it the David Attenborough Madagascar doc?

There are a couple of breeders in the UK that I've come across, one of them on the Isle of Mann and the other I think somewhere out Derbyshire way. They both show up in the Bird Trader type classified websites if you browse through them. I really like the idea of them and for a while I considered getting one but in the end I didn't want to go with a species I couldn't send time with before committing, particularly an unusual bird such as a vasa. Lovely looking birds though.

It was yes! I noticed a breeder in Derby when I was browsing looking for info on them, but other than that when I've browsed through bird for sale I've never seen them and I can't help but wonder why they aren't more popular...!
I wonder if they show up at birds shows very often as I'd love to meet one. They are very striking looking and seem to be very playful from the video's I've seen.

 

[Jayyj]

I think when most people imagine getting a parrot they have vivid greens, blues and reds in mind - so something that looks like a goofy cartoon of a turkey vulture might not necessarily resonate with the average parrot fancier! Personally I think they look great - even the bald thing doesn't bother me particularly. They also seem to have a reputation for being sweet, easy going birds and being pretty quiet for a parrot, so they could be an interesting prospect.

 

[missModified]

I think when most people imagine getting a parrot they have vivid greens, blues and reds in mind - so something that looks like a goofy cartoon of a turkey vulture might not necessarily resonate with the average parrot fancier! Personally I think they look great - even the bald thing doesn't bother me particularly. They also seem to have a reputation for being sweet, easy going birds and being pretty quiet for a parrot, so they could be an interesting prospect.

Ah yes I suppose, I hadn't thought of that, Im not particularly a fan of really bright colours (sun conure's for example are eye burningly bright as far as I'm concerned XD) so to me they are stunning; and the colour change aspect is very interesting!
I read that they tend to be very quiet until breeding season, but that some are very good talkers, almost as good as Grey's apparently?

 

[noblemacaw]

Back in 2004 I met a Greater Vasa parrot. He was a young parrot and was very friendly even though he had never met me before. I really liked his personality and considered getting one myself because I really liked what I learned and from Gaget's person and the research I had done. What changed my mind?

I wanted a male Greater Vasa but when in "season" they develop the hemi penis which shows outside the body. Now I don't have an aversion to reproductive parts showing but I use to do a LOT of public speaking and pet therapy work with my parrots. I know people would probably be uncomfortable with male reproductive organs "showing" and from what I have seen this is not a small organ that just peeks out. It is very noticeable and most people would know what it is. I would have to leave my poor parrot at home until the season was over. My friend did offer to make him little pants for when in season but I decided for what I was doing with my parrot a Greater Vasa male was not in my cards.

I find them very affectionate, intelligent (they rival my RFM for taking apart stuff) interesting and endearing. When they are comfortable and liking you they make this very cute sound that is uniquely their own little sound of pleasure and contentment. I was very close to getting a GV during that time.

 

[missModified]

Back in 2004 I met a Greater Vasa parrot. He was a young parrot and was very friendly even though he had never met me before. I really liked his personality and considered getting one myself because I really liked what I learned and from Gaget's person and the research I had done. What changed my mind?

I wanted a male Greater Vasa but when in "season" they develop the hemi penis which shows outside the body. Now I don't have an aversion to reproductive parts showing but I use to do a LOT of public speaking and pet therapy work with my parrots. I know people would probably be uncomfortable with male reproductive organs "showing" and from what I have seen this is not a small organ that just peeks out. It is very noticeable and most people would know what it is. I would have to leave my poor parrot at home until the season was over. My friend did offer to make him little pants for when in season but I decided for what I was doing with my parrot a Greater Vasa male was not in my cards.

I find them very affectionate, intelligent (they rival my RFM for taking apart stuff) interesting and endearing. When they are comfortable and liking you they make this very cute sound that is uniquely their own little sound of pleasure and contentment. I was very close to getting a GV during that time.

They sound like they are very affectionate birds (obviously every one is different and thats a generalisation, but from what I've read I mean)

I have seen a few photo's of the males in breeding season and my first thought was 'ouch!' it looks so raw and swollen, and I wonder if they can perch and land comfortably with it? Also, I wonder how long they are 'stuck' like that bless them! The idea of a parrot in a little pair of pants did make me giggle though!

Do you think if you did less public speaking you'd have taken the plunge and got yourself one?

 

[noblemacaw]

Honestly I really did want a GV parrot back then very badly. It was shortly after I had flown out to San Diego to get my Illiger's macaw and that did bring me up to three parrots. Three is my limit and I came very close to moving forward with the Vasa even though I had enough parrots.

What stopped me was mostly the price back then. I could not afford the price they wanted for one. This was also the reason it took me until last December to get my RFM. Back in 1997 they were 3 grand. A RFM is lower in price now.

I don't know how much a Vasa costs now. Not many breeders have them or breed them. They have a very short neonate to fledgling and I know that saves the breeder a lot of raising up time. Vasa's are very unique parrots and for my current flock and family are no longer a good fit even though I don't do a lot of public speaking anymore.

 

[Jayyj]

The UK dealer I loved at was selling for the equivalent of $650! I don't know if they were hand reared though, he or she mentioned preferring to sell as a pair.

 

[missModified]

The UK dealer I loved at was selling for the equivalent of $650! I don't know if they were hand reared though, he or she mentioned preferring to sell as a pair.

I've only seen one person selling them in the uk (though I'll admit I've not been looking long and it was more out of curiosity to see if you could get them in the uk) but the price was around the equivalent of $260, and I've got to admit I was stunned as I expected them to be around the same price as a macaw!

 

[missModified]

Are there many members here with Vasa's, I'd love to pick their brains about them and their peculiarities!

 

[Jayyj]

There's a breeder in Newark who has just posted having baby Vasas available at the moment for £395. I know someone who has bought birds from him before and speaks highly of him. Might be worth getting in touch, especially if you're moving to the Midlands.

 

[Jayyj]

Sorry, a link would have been helpful!

Baby Greater Vasa Parrots For Sale | Newark, Nottinghamshire | Pets4Homes

 

[missModified]

Sorry, a link would have been helpful!

Baby Greater Vasa Parrots For Sale | Newark, Nottinghamshire | Pets4Homes

Thank you very much for the link! I wonder if he'd be open to having his brains picked about them...? I've found a group on facebook dedicated to them as well, and lots of video's!

 

[Jayyj]

Definitely, if you think they're a possibility for you then I'd just phone up - he seems to breed a lot of different species so he should have a good impression as to how they compare to more familiar species.

 

[kq_fan]

Wow, I just looked them up and even though they aren't as bright and colorful as the Sun Conure or the Ruby Macaw, I think they are just as beautiful!!! I hope you are successful on getting one!

 

[missModified]

They're very striking aren't they! I have sent an email to the breeder in the midlands to see if he'd be willing to chat about them, and I've joined a facebook group where I've asked if anyone would be willing to chat, so fingers crossed...!