Need Help Fast

[Gypsy]

Hello! I've been looking for the right parrot for quite some time now, and think I may have found the perfect one, but I need some help on this.

This will be my first larger sized parrot, but I've done my research and babysit for the worlds most annoying (but so darn cute) Umbrella Cockatoo.

I found someone looking to find a home for a female Red Lored Amazon. She was rescued from a neglectful breeder, and was in pretty bad shape. She's missing toes on her left foot, its pretty much a stump, and she had plucked most of her feathers. The feathers have grown back a bit. This is what the owner said about her:

"This girl was a rescue & was then adopted by my friend. Unfortunately my friend needed to move & could only find a place that didn't take any animals. I have had her for the last 3 months & she is such a lover girl! She steps up great, talks, whistles & doesn't get into trouble. She is allowed to have her cage door open at all times & does not go off her cage/playstand. She would do perfectly fine in an apartment as she is a quiet bird. She prefers to be in the room with the most chaos! She loves watching everything that goes on! She used to be a plucker when she was at the rescue, but she hasn't done any plucking anymore! She receives Black Oil Seed & vitamins in her water. She is missing all but one toe on her left foot from either birth or her breeder mate, but she has NO problem getting around. You just need to be slower with her & she enjoys sitting around. She will come with everything she needs."

The currnet owner has 4 children and just doesn't have time for another pet. I've talked with her over the phone and learned more about the bird and she seams really great. The main problem is that my roomate works third shift and sleeps durning the day, so he can't be kept up by a super noisey bird. She's assured me that the bird never screams, just mumbles to herself and whistles songs to herself. They think she's an old bird, and being a breeder shes ok being on her own a lot. I go to meet her tomorrow. Does this sound to good to be true, or do you think more problems with arise? What are peoples takes on this?

This is the picture they emailed me:

She looks so beat up it breaks my heart...

 

[apatrimo94]

I believe that this is a good deal. One because they provided you a picture and given you the bird's past. And second, the person was willing to talk with you and is giving you all the information you need.

However, if you're still doubtful, ask her if you could visit the bird a few times (if they're nearby) before you adopt her. Go and see how the Zon is like, and how she's like with you. I think she's a sweetie. The picture of her is so saddening but at least she's a lot happier, and might be even happier with you.

Let us know what happens!!!

 

[Gypsy]

They live almost 2 hours away from my house, so I can't really visit a bunch, however after talking to the owner I feel that she would take her back if it didn't work out. They aren't at all concerned with making money, just finding her a good home. The lady has FOUR small children, and she says the bird just watches all the caos going on around her without a peep, and will let the kids hold her. She talks a bit, and says "Come her!" if you have something (mostly food) that she wants. The lady said bird will step up for anyone and let people she likes pet her head, but if you pet her too much she'll grap yout hand in her beak and push it away, but doesn't bite down. If she was just a breeder originaly so I can understand why she wouldn't be super affectionate. The owner said she has a hard time getting around so she's content just to sit and watch everything. She's not playful or active like most other Amazons. I think after I meet her and see her in her environment I'll know if she's the right match. Hopefully. I work at an animal rescue, so I'm always drawn to animals who need rehabilitation.

Oh! Did I mention that the owner only wants $200 for the bird, her cage, her playstand, and all her things??!

 

[apatrimo94]

Well, I think this is a good deal, and if I were you, I'd go for it!!!

But I'd let other members share their opinions just in case I could be wrong.

 

[Gypsy]

I think with my heart, not my brain, so it's best if I get other opinions sometimes lol. The way I see it is, what do I have to lose? If it doesn't work out, I could always give her back, and if they wont take her back, I could find a home for her through my rescue, its not like I would be losing a ton of money...And of course if it works out, I'll have the bird I've always wanted (minus a few toes and feathers lol) and will have extra money to spoil her with

 

[Crazy4Birds]

She sounds like a real sweetie. I would definitely take her home if I were you. Keep us updated on your decision!

 

[SharonC]

It does sound like she needs a good place to go, permanently.

The only thing that I find worrisome is the fact that you need her to be quiet during the day....Amazons are quiet sometimes, but when they want to be heard, they will be loud. Freddie is seldom loud, but when he is, he makes sure we can hear him!

 

[Ozzy]

It does sound like a good deal. With any bird please make sure you are providing her a permanent home, this is especially true for rescues who get bounced around and around. My amazon Ozzy is a rescue as well and he has taken work but it is so worth it. He is a very quite amazon and rarely screams but he does have his moments where he insists on being heard, this is usually around sun down.

She looks very cute Good luck

 

[Beilana]

She is a sweetheart! I would also be a bit worried about the noise if your roomie is sleeping during the day. Even Chia climbing around in her cage, chirping and making little GCC noises wakes me up lol.

Also even though she may not seem quiet now, once she is in a home she feels totally safe and comfortable in she may start feeling more confident and vocal.

Just something to think about I hope everything works out for you!

 

[Gypsy]

Sooooo...........


I brought her home tonite! I couldn't help myself. Her name is Baby, and they think she's about 20 years old. I was happily surprised to find that she had just been to the vet in April. She was a lot louder then I thought she would be and the lady said "Good, I'm glad you get to see her a her worst, so you'll know what you're getting into." So I'm not as worried now, since she wasn't really that loud, and you could tell she was completely excited and freaking out, bounching all over the place.

She didn't like me at first, but I think it was the ladies fault, because she asked me to take Baby from her hand, and what birds gonna like being taken from her mommy's hand by a complete stranger? She nipped me pretty good, but it didnt discourage me.

All the stuf she came with: A cage thats way too small, a table top playstand, a carrier for traveling, a birdy backpack carrier, bag full of 10-20 toys (and not the cheap kind), about 10 spare perches of all types, about a dozen food bowls, a new bag of her seed, 1/2 a bag of birdy litter, the newest issue of the magazine where the lady orders her bird stuff, vitamins for her water, an extra tray for her cage, and extra hooks and pieces for her toys.

I will post the full back story I got about her tomorrow when I have more time, but to start off, she was a completely wild breeder bird, missing toes, fully plucked, and without a mate when this lady found her and took her from the breeder (I think threats were used). I'm shocked she's come this far, the lady could swing her upside down and lay her on her back with no problem.

She got me pretty good at the ladies house, made me bleed a tiny bit, however... She jumped right out of her carrier unto my arm when we got home, made baby bird noises, and bumped her head into my hand to get it scratched. I think we are off to a good start

 

[Beilana]

Congrats!!! She sounds awesome and she sure came with a ton of stuff I can't wait to hear more about her, oh and post some pics!!!

 

[SharonC]

Congrats and enjoy!

 

[Crazy4Birds]

Awww! It sounds like she is gonna be so much fun! I am so glad things seem to be working out so far.

A birdy backpack! Haha I would take my birds everywhere if I had one of those lol!

 

[Gypsy]

So far everythings going really well! She steps up everytime I tell her, and loves head scratches. She doesn't give me any problems coming out of her cage. She hasn't talked for me yet that I could understand, but did the pretty girl whistle back to me today. She loves to be cuddled and to get attention, and loves to get and give kisses when shes on my shoulder. I would have thought a bird wouldn't like having its beak kissed, but she'll sit with her face a half inch away from my eye until I give her a kiss. :smile015: Right now she keeps pulling my figers off the keys so I'll pet her head lol.

I've brought her with me to work the past 2 days and everybody loves her. She won't let anybody but me touch her, but I think that it will take time for her to trust strangers. She just sits and watches everything going on, doesn't make a peep. I think shes just nervous. Shes been on a horrible diet, all seeds, with only some fresh stuff. She wont eat any fresh fruits or veges in her cage, but will eat a few bites of whatever your eating, so I guess I'm gonna be eating better these days too. Does anyone know how good this food is? http://www.kaytee.com/products/natures-benefits-parrot-conure-daily-diet.php Its all natural with no added preservatives or additives. All the other foods I found were high in sunflower seeds and fillers and all the pellets were full of artificial coloring, which I don't like to feed my pets. The only other food I found that looked ok was this: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3202508 but I dont know if an Amazon can handle big bites, and the pellets were full of coloring, but if anyone thinks this would be better for her I will get it instead. I also got her some of the Nutriberries that everyone seems to talk about, and a bunch of different fruit and vege treat mixes.

The only problem is she wont eat it lol. She tossed out all the granola clusters and pellets, even the nuts lol. She wouldn't touch the Nutriberries, but ate them once I crushed them up and hid them in her seeds. I've been mixing her old food with the new food, and will start decreasing the seed once I see that she's eating the good stuff. She ate a bit of a banana with me yesterday, and a couple bites of a carrot today, so I'm gonna go to the store and buy everything I can find that she can eat lol. Sorry mom, I didn't get you anything for Christmas this year, because all my money went into my birds stomach....

Oh, and I found about 8 down feathers in the bottom of Baby's cage, is this normal??? Or is she plucking again???

Ok, so does anyone have any ideas about what kind of cage I should get her? She has a really hard time getting around, so it can't be super big or tall. It needs to be longer rather then taller I think, but I've never had a disabled bird so I'm not sure. Her cage right now is so small its not even funny. The lady said its the best kinda cage for her, just leave the door open all the time, but I cant keep her in something this small. As a travel cage its perfect, or as a sleep cage, but not as a permenant home. I snaped this pic quick, but its dark so its not the best, but you can still see how big the cage is.

Any tips or advice is welcome!

Oh my god! My dog just growled at someone walking by out the window, and Baby started growling too!!! Its the cutest thing ever!!!

She looks a lot better then in the first pic huh?

 

[Spiritbird]

You will not find any healthly foods at pet stores. Yes, they are full of fatty sunflower seeds and peanuts. Vets usually suggest Harrisons because it is all organic but costly. I feed only the best to Rosie. If the cage in the photo is her primary cage she really should be in a larger cage. She may be a tad nervous still and pulling out some feathers. If you find bald patches she is plucking. If not bald patches she may be starting a molt and that is another story alone. Good job with her!! I just bought the usual 5 pound bag of hi potency Harrisons pellets here.
http://www.birdsafestore.com/harrisons.aspx?gclid=CPPzrNyGgaYCFaE65QodLmt0ug When you take her to the avain vet for a baseline health exam ask them what pellets they suggest. They may even sell them there.

 

[Gypsy]

Ok I will look into it. Do you have any ideas for the kind of cage? I want something on a stand of course, and with a playtop, but everything I keep finding is too big, or really tall and skinny. She can't climb very good at all, so a tall cage wouldnt be ok. She only poops in her cage, but does poop over the sides sometimes, so seed guards would be nice.

 

[Ozzy]

If you cannot get your hands on Harrisons right away go to your local petstore and pick up some zupreem (the sell a natural one with no added colors) or some Roudybush and try those. A pelleted diet is a lot better than a diet of pure seed. Many people suggest Harrisons on this forum, as it is a really great food, but my Amazon refuses to eat it and sticks to his Zupreem fruit and natural. Its important to find what pellet your bird will eat and then supplement with the fruits/veggies etc. Its great Baby will eat what you are eating and you should encourage her to eat healthy foods as much as possible. You seem to be doing a great job with her and she is very cute!!