Dan69
Active member
- Nov 6, 2022
- 36
- 105
- Parrots
- Blue Crossover Quaker named Murray
He was brought into our workplace by my boss (who is very much an animal advocate). A friend of his had a life event that required him to give up the bird. Instead of letting him go to a shelter, my boss stepped in to foster him until he could find him a home, so he brought him to live at the office temporarily. Having 25 people around in and out of the office, he took to one or two people, but was aggressive to most, including me.
After he bit my nose and drew blood, I was determined it wasn't going to be like that. I pretty much let him know that we're going to be friends and he's going to like it. Honestly, it didn't take long. I gained his trust and now now we're buddies.
Since he was often disruptive in the office environment, and I was getting along with the bird at that point, the boss decided to put him in my office temporarily. Well that turned into months, and the bird has started to bond with me.
I don't like birds. They're noisy, messy, and annoying. But I was very empathetic towards him so I was giving him attention. He rides on the back of my neck as I walk around the office and even when I go outside, and he's content the entire time. I set up toys and games on my desk so he pretty much is right there with me most of the day.
My boss kept telling me to take him home but I was standing firm. No birds!!! I don't want the mess, the expense, or the responsibility! I'm a widower and I live alone (I do have a small dog) and I don't typically heat/cool my house to the temps most normal people do. I have to watch my budget and save on electricity where I can. In the winter, my house is usually cold by most people's standards... and warmer in the summer.
Unfortunately there are a few people in the office who don't understand birds. One or two (they know who they are) are just plain mean. They think it's funny picking on him, but they're just making him into a "bad bird". Teasing him, bopping him on the head when he nips, etc. Even after I admonished them and try to explain that it's traumatic to the bird and that he doesn't understand that form of discipline, they just continue to tease and taunt him. The bird now freaks out whenever he sees certain people. And, I can't control what happens when I'm not there. I've learned so much about birds and their behavior in the past several months and I decided it's best just to take him out of that environment. He deserves better.
So last Friday I texted my boss and said if I'm going to get a new roommate, he's going to need a few things... then I sent him a link to an Amazon list which included a larger cage and about $200 worth of toys and supplies. If you want me to take the bird, you gotta help me out. He agreed and he's also going to cover vet bills.
Supplies have been ordered and I have begun preparing his room (Yes, he will have his own room. It will be cheaper and easier to climate control one room than the entire house). As soon as everything's in place, in about a week or so, I will be bringing him home.
He was determined to be about a year old when he had a vet checkup shortly after he arrived almost a year ago, so he's about 2 years old now. He is what I believe to be a Quaker (thanks to PF members here to help me figure that out). I don't have any confirmation on whether he is a boy or a girl, but I've just been calling him a boy. There has been no blood test performed to make that determination. So for now, he's a boy.
His name is Snowy, but I never really liked that name. He makes me think of that song, "Snowbird" by Anne Murray, so "Snowy" will become "Murray" when I bring him home.
Stay tuned...
After he bit my nose and drew blood, I was determined it wasn't going to be like that. I pretty much let him know that we're going to be friends and he's going to like it. Honestly, it didn't take long. I gained his trust and now now we're buddies.
Since he was often disruptive in the office environment, and I was getting along with the bird at that point, the boss decided to put him in my office temporarily. Well that turned into months, and the bird has started to bond with me.
I don't like birds. They're noisy, messy, and annoying. But I was very empathetic towards him so I was giving him attention. He rides on the back of my neck as I walk around the office and even when I go outside, and he's content the entire time. I set up toys and games on my desk so he pretty much is right there with me most of the day.
My boss kept telling me to take him home but I was standing firm. No birds!!! I don't want the mess, the expense, or the responsibility! I'm a widower and I live alone (I do have a small dog) and I don't typically heat/cool my house to the temps most normal people do. I have to watch my budget and save on electricity where I can. In the winter, my house is usually cold by most people's standards... and warmer in the summer.
Unfortunately there are a few people in the office who don't understand birds. One or two (they know who they are) are just plain mean. They think it's funny picking on him, but they're just making him into a "bad bird". Teasing him, bopping him on the head when he nips, etc. Even after I admonished them and try to explain that it's traumatic to the bird and that he doesn't understand that form of discipline, they just continue to tease and taunt him. The bird now freaks out whenever he sees certain people. And, I can't control what happens when I'm not there. I've learned so much about birds and their behavior in the past several months and I decided it's best just to take him out of that environment. He deserves better.
So last Friday I texted my boss and said if I'm going to get a new roommate, he's going to need a few things... then I sent him a link to an Amazon list which included a larger cage and about $200 worth of toys and supplies. If you want me to take the bird, you gotta help me out. He agreed and he's also going to cover vet bills.
Supplies have been ordered and I have begun preparing his room (Yes, he will have his own room. It will be cheaper and easier to climate control one room than the entire house). As soon as everything's in place, in about a week or so, I will be bringing him home.
He was determined to be about a year old when he had a vet checkup shortly after he arrived almost a year ago, so he's about 2 years old now. He is what I believe to be a Quaker (thanks to PF members here to help me figure that out). I don't have any confirmation on whether he is a boy or a girl, but I've just been calling him a boy. There has been no blood test performed to make that determination. So for now, he's a boy.
His name is Snowy, but I never really liked that name. He makes me think of that song, "Snowbird" by Anne Murray, so "Snowy" will become "Murray" when I bring him home.
Stay tuned...
.
Anyway, here's Murray's new setup 
