Latest potential foundling fid is a half tame 2 y/o senegal

[bug_n_flock]

OK guys. Some of you may know I have been looking to adopt avian numero tres for a few months now. Scam and misadventure and terrible shelter and no-show after no-show after no-show and I was almost fed up and almost to the point of giving in and trying to find myself a good breeder and spoil myself with a well adjusted and psychologically healthy baby something or other. Nearest bird specialty store is a few states over now, so was also looking for gun shows in that area or really just any excuse to interest my companion and justify making a weekend trip across the bay. But I answered a craigslist ad this morning that does not seem to be a scam so far. 2 year old male senegal with "a little food and medium cage". "Roommates want it gone" is the story, but the ad says the bird does not like to be pet and will step on to a stick, so I'm thinking that may play a part also. "GIVE ME A PRICE" .. I offered 200$, which the person immediately accepted. I expected at least a little negotiation up from that low price, but hey I'm happy. Will need a vet check and a new cage and toys right away no doubt, so probably wont end up staying a "bargain bird"(they never do) for long.

Will be picking the bird up in person some time between now and Tuesday if all goes well.

I've never had a senegal, but worked with a few at the bird shop, and also my mom fostered one for about a week(she couldn't take how loud "Rocky" was, so couldn't foster him longer than that. :/ )

What kinds of toys and things do your sennies like? Going to start putting together a toys etc order(won't actually place the order till I pick the bird up though) and would love pointers. Any advice for cage types or anything like that? Latch types that do or don't work? Any kinds of tips and tricks from sennie owners would be swell. Trying not to get too excited, but actually getting a pretty good vibe in this case.

The little bit of the cage that is showing in the photo on the ad makes me kinda sad, though. 100% sure that my budgie has a bigger house. But hey, not for long, right? If I get the birb, he will have a nice proper big house soon.

 

[SailBoat]

Senegals are one of nature's test birds. Amazon size head on a mid size Parrot's body! The great news is that you can target an Amazon sized cage and not have to worry about the head getting caught in between the bars. This really opens up the cage options! I like Bird Cages 4 Less. Assure that you are on their site as near every competitor will pay to be above the line when you search for them. NOTE: I target around 1/2" (13mm) bar spacing.

At the current moment, their site is down for maintenance, so sadly, I cannot provide you a recommendation regarding the cage. They have a 23" deep, 33" wide and like 60" tall cage with a 'full' height front door!!! Its normally like 350.00 USD with shipping include and includes a play top! I currently have two and if I needed another, I would order it. Insider review, the Parrot Forums own, World Famous, RB has one.

I like Bird Cages 4 Less because cages represent like 85 percent of the Business Model, which means that the shipping department knows what boxes to send with what cages.

Senegals can be sweethearts and much like Amazons can easily find their way back into a loving relationship. Just takes a bit more time, working at their pace. They tend to be on the quiet side, so if you got a screamer, its likely an issue of long unanswered contact calls - they really like to be in the center of things and when they are not, they will (as near all Parrots) start calling. If you keep-up a fairly active gabber with them, they are happier. Being clear about when you are leaving and when you are back sets in quickly with them.

Toys are difficult. You will likely need to start from the ground-up, since your Senegal has likely not had many, if any! Look at hanging toys that you can use on the inside and outside of the cage to create a hiding place (sleeping area). The outside ones would hang on the cage sides with the inside ones hanging from the top.

Although, they have a good size head and Beak, I am not sure how strong they are, so select your wood toys in white pine, commonly known as trim wood. Keep it thin at first. Test for softness, if you can indent it with you finger nail, that what you are looking for.

Hope everything works well!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Congratulations, and...
What Sailboat said!

 

[JamesC]

Congratulations and thanks for giving the little guy a shot at a better life!

Senegals have powerful beaks and soft wood toys are quickly turned into toothpicks. Those "Bird Kabob" toys (birdkabob.com) would be totally destroyed in under half a day when Sidney puts his mind to it. So I give him bigger parrot toys with harder woods. Even those he can demolish in a few days. Shreadable toys also follow the same pattern though he does not like those as much. I'd try some harder woods and bird safe leather toys. And puzzle toys. They are intelligent and Sidney usually figures new puzzles out fairly quickly.

 

[Sandy19]

My Senegal loves those little hanging sneakers. She destroys a few of them a month, but I keep buying them for her because they seem to be her favorite toy. She never gets bored with them like the other toys.