Im so sorry Oscar...

[ann]

hey everyone i write this with a heavy heart...i am rehomming my patigonian conure Oscar. some of you may know that i have been having trouble with him lately. When i bought him from the breeder, she said he was 7 months old, i never got to meet him. When we took him to get his wings clipped, the owner of the store (this guy really knows his stuff) said Oscar was AT LEAST 3 years old. he could be anywhere from 3 to 20 for all i know, the breeder lied...At first he was sweet, within 3 days he started showing problems. He is very bossy, bitey, and waaay to much to handle. I tried working with him but he's getting worse. I love him so much and I did my best but i feel like a failure. I feel like I'm letting him down. I also feel betrayed, the breeder lied about his age and temperament, as I'm sure they are linked. He occasionally accepts cuddles and we play a game where he makes a little peep, then i make a little louder peep and together we get louder until he goes EEEEEEEEK! he is a huge talker too, he imitates other birds, especially eclectus calls, and tries forming words. However this is when he is in the cage, once he is out he is a whole different bird. It has become next to impossible to get him out of his cage, he refuses to come out. He used to come out without a problem. And i cant get him back in withough it turning into a whole ordeal. He also hardly touches his toys and sits in one perch all day If you take the perch away, he sits on the cage bars where the perch was even though he has multiple other perches available. I was prepared for a parrot, but as a first time owner, i was not prepared for a behavioral parrot, this is not what i bargained for. I am giving him to the Priceless Parrot Preserve, where they can work with him, and they all handle them and interact with them. They also NEVER breed, sell, or adopt out any of their birds, they have a forever home . Almost every day i cry about this, i really love him and tried my best. I don't want this for Oscar, and never thought i would have to rehome a bird. I trust you guys and feel comfortable telling you, but i am somewhat embarrassed that i couldn't make it work and i feel so bad for Oscar. I'm so sorry Oscar.

 

[friedsoup]

Sorry to hear this ann I know you tried . Get out there and find you a fid that needs you and although he won't replace oscar he will help fill the hole in your heart.

 

[lene1949]

I'm just wondering whether you have discussed this with the breeder? The breeder should have first refusal..

I will always be the first port of call, if I ever rehome a pet to someone, and it doesn't work out..

I find it awfully sad that Oscar proves unsuitable after less than 4 weeks... It can take months even years for a parrot to be fully comfortable in a new home...

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Aww what a sad story, what the breeder did to you is terrible
This products might help you, they're both from bird tricks.com and they have a ton of great training information. The stop biting course is on sale for $47.77, I highly recommend trying this product before you re-home him. It has a ton of information and should help you with your conure.
BirdTricks.com Products

Please look into this before deciding to re home him, it has the possibility of completely saving your relationship with him. They also offer 180 day period for you to decide if you like it or not, you can return the DVD and they'll refund you no questions asked.

 

[GiosMom]

He occasionally accepts cuddles and we play a game where he makes a little peep, then i make a little louder peep and together we get louder until he goes EEEEEEEEK! he is a huge talker too, he imitates other birds, especially eclectus calls, and tries forming words. However this is when he is in the cage, once he is out he is a whole different bird. It has become next to impossible to get him out of his cage, he refuses to come out. He used to come out without a problem. And i cant get him back in withough it turning into a whole ordeal. He also hardly touches his toys and sits in one perch all day If you take the perch away, he sits on the cage bars where the perch was even though he has multiple other perches available. I was prepared for a parrot, but as a first time owner, i was not prepared for a behavioral parrot, this is not what i bargained for.

First off don't assume the Groomers statement about his age is correct. Contact the Breeder and ask, and discuss your concerns with her/him.

Also 7 months really isn't a baby bird. For 7 months this little guy had his cage and environment. He was comfortBle and then became uprooted. It could very well take 7 months to get him back to the sense of security. Even baby birds that are homed between 12-16 weeks...it takes time to adjust to their new parents and environment. And all birds are individuals...not all of them love being cuddled and handled. And this particular species of bird I'm not really familiar with, but it could just be they aren't the biggest fans of cuddles.

Being a first time parrot owner do you know what it is you want in a companion? And if your investing in a companion why would you settle for purchasing or giving your money for something you never laid eyes on? Would you buy a car without test driving it? Sometimes geography prevents parrot owners from meeting their new pet, but that's the risk they take. You don't know what your buying or getting, yet you have agreed to the risk by engaging in the purchase.

My advice is go back to the breeder first. If you don't get anywhere with her you can also attempt to seek out a certified avian spe******t who can help you with basic training .... I have one in my area who actually takes the birds and rehabs them. And I've seen it done. Not overnight! But with consistency and dedication. Good luck. Sorry to hear about Oscar.

 

[Wulfgeist]

That is such a sad story, Ann. There certainly was a time when I wonder if I had made the right choice with Jasper. He always bit me when I went to visit, he bit me after I brought him home. I was quite sad about this and wondered how I was going to keep this life-long commitment I had made to this bird when all he wanted to do was bite me. I'm not real sure what happened but just one day out of nowhere Jasper is lowering his head wanting me to scritch him. He doesn't bite me now and I honestly think if he did it would be for a rather special circumstance. He's a totally different bird.

I'm no expert but the things others have said I have heard and read. Some birds do take more time to get used to a home. Have you had him to a vet yet? I think I would take him and maybe even ask the vet if he/she has any idea how old they think the bird might be. I don't know the breeder so I'm not going to make any judgements on them but I am hoping you didn't get sold on a problem bird.

If it were me, I would give it more time. Don't let your frustration show, I had that problem when my gcc was being a beast and it only made things worse. Take everything at the bird's pace. If it doesn't want to come out of the cage, don't force it. If it comes out and won't go back in, make going back in rewarding by coaxing it with a special treat perhaps? Is there something in the cage that might be scaring the bird so it's only comfortable in that one spot?

I really wouldn't give up on the poor thing. It probably just needs some time and alot of patience. On the same note, it might not be the perfect match. Whatever choice you make I wish you the best for you and the bird.

 

[ann]

thank you all for the support.
fried soup- thank you :0)
copperarabian- i have looked into birdtricks but i have heard controversial information about it, i ill definately check it out though.
Lene 1949- i understand its early but he is getting worse every day. It seems the more he adjusts, the worse he gets. I also feel that it might be better, considering his issues, if i rehommed him sooner rather than later. I say this because i figure if he he is to be rehommed, than we should do it before he becomes too attached to me.
Giosmom- the groomer has written many books, appears as a pet consultant on TV, and owns an amazing pet store, plus i did some research and his information checks out. I askedthe breeder again and she said he was 8 months. When i researched how to tell the age of a patti, it showed she was lying. I researched parrots for years and patagonian conures for months before deciding to get him. They are the cockatoos of the conure world and are very cudddly. He used to sit in my lap and cuddle, but its been going downhill since then...In a companion i was looking for a gentle, playful, cuddly medium sized bird. Patis fit the bill. I made a mistake taking the risk of ordering him before meeting him. The breeder had great reviews and i did get to see a picture once. I completely agree with you on the fact that i did take the risk of purchasing him before meeting him, and i take the blame for that. I will definately call the breeder, she lives in alabama, i live in new york. I tried finding an avian spe******t in my area but i couldnt find any.
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My plan is to train and work with him untill i can find a place to take him (im waiting for a reply from the Priceless Parrot Preserve) and when i find a new home for him, i will decide if he goes to it or not by how much progress he has made. thank you again for all your support.

 

[ann]

That is such a sad story, Ann. There certainly was a time when I wonder if I had made the right choice with Jasper. He always bit me when I went to visit, he bit me after I brought him home. I was quite sad about this and wondered how I was going to keep this life-long commitment I had made to this bird when all he wanted to do was bite me. I'm not real sure what happened but just one day out of nowhere Jasper is lowering his head wanting me to scritch him. He doesn't bite me now and I honestly think if he did it would be for a rather special circumstance. He's a totally different bird.

I'm no expert but the things others have said I have heard and read. Some birds do take more time to get used to a home. Have you had him to a vet yet? I think I would take him and maybe even ask the vet if he/she has any idea how old they think the bird might be. I don't know the breeder so I'm not going to make any judgements on them but I am hoping you didn't get sold on a problem bird.

If it were me, I would give it more time. Don't let your frustration show, I had that problem when my gcc was being a beast and it only made things worse. Take everything at the bird's pace. If it doesn't want to come out of the cage, don't force it. If it comes out and won't go back in, make going back in rewarding by coaxing it with a special treat perhaps? Is there something in the cage that might be scaring the bird so it's only comfortable in that one spot?

I really wouldn't give up on the poor thing. It probably just needs some time and alot of patience. On the same note, it might not be the perfect match. Whatever choice you make I wish you the best for you and the bird.

thank you.
i understand what you mean about not forcing him out of the cage, but he just wont come out. he hasn't come out in days and I'm worried the more time he spends in there, the worse he will get. He is patient and bluffs allot but he seems to be getting worse. I am in no rush to give him up, so i will do my best until then.

 

[Wulfgeist]

Poor guy and poor you.

 

[Mare Miller]

I believe I read in one of your posts, Ann, that you are working very long hours away from your home. You being stressed about not being there enough for your bird, is just added stress on you and your bird. Correct me if I'm wrong, people, isn't it in the best interest for your bird, and you as a caretaker of that bird, to not be feeling guilty when you CAN find the time to be there? The more I'm around my birds, the more, and stronger, our relationship grows.

I know how hard this decision has been for you Ann, I'm sorry. I think you are making the right decision, personally. When your life slows down, I hope you can find the right bird for you.

 

[Rio Mom]

I think you're thinking of another member. Ann is around 14 years old I believe. Not working long hours just yet. ;-)

 

[Mare Miller]

OOPS!! Sorry...

 

[MacawGuy]

sorry to hear what has happen with you and your feather friends. god has did this for a reason. and there is a reason for every thing. i hope the best for you and your friend, best of luck

 

[ann]

Very good point Maremiller, but Rio Mom is right I'm 15 lol, but i completely agree about finding time for our birds.

 

[ann]

Right now he's sitting across from me in his cage making his little "badroop! badroop!" noises, im really gona miss him. At least the place I'm giving him to takes their birds on outreach events where i can visit him. I still want to work with him until the very end, so any tips to get him to come out of his cage for training. He sits like a rock on the same perch ALL day, no matter what. I entice him with treats, offer a perch, talk to him, leave the door open ect but nothing works. How can i get him out so i can work with him???

 

[MaraWentz]

Sorry ann about Oscar. People lie and it is terrible to do. Don't feel guilty you took in a bird and did our best, despite having all odds against you. My hubby and I took in a blue and Gold macaw named Oscar who was 21 years old. Very friendly, the first owner that he had for the first 20 years died and so he plucked him self bald and was depressed. He just needed love. A family with a college kid and elementrary boy, as well as mom and father had him the following year and they hated to see him go but the college boy was off to college and he was the one who took care of him. So my hubby brought him home. Boy was he a "interesting character". He was highly aggressive to begin with and more so to women. So that was a great lie to have found out. So I accepted the challenge and after about 4 months lost and rehomed him. Guess what happened? A couple came over and he stepped right up, even to the woman. Ugh all those months I tried so hard for nothing. ANyway, dont feel bad it will turn out right in the end.

 

[ann]

thank you, i just wish i could have met him first. I was so excited to get a parrot i guess i didn't think so much about where i was getting it from. Many times i feel he would be a very sweet bird with the right person, hopefully the place i intend to give him to will be that person.

 

[Rio Mom]

Have you heard back from the rescue yet? From what I saw on their site, they don't adopt out? Maybe there's a rescue you could take him to where he could be adopted out as a pet sometime? Just a thought.

 

[ann]

unfortunately, i have not heard from the rescue. I do want him to be in a home not just a rescue, but the Priceless Parrot Preserve (PPP) is run by a family who all handle and interact with the birds on a daily basis, in a home environment. I understand where your coming from, but i only want him to be re-homed once. I'm afraid if they adopt him out he might be passed around from home to home. Hopefully the PPP will be the best and last home for him

 

[MaraWentz]

This may or may not be a good option, but have you considered you're local shelter? I don't know their bird policies, but your local humane society or spca should take him in. I doubt he'd get put down like so many dogs and cats do because well the shelter isnt over flowing with birds. Call and ask. Put up an ad in the local paper or classifeds.