Neighbor's CAG??

[June2012]

Abandoned CAG??

I live in a townhouse where there are others attached to me left and right, just not above and below thankfully! Anyway, the poor thing seems to be stuck outside 24/7 without anyone that interacts with it. I think it's a Congo African Grey, from what I know. It has bright red tail feathers and has a round head. It's feathers are also a lighter shade.

I can't judge on it's diet and if he (or she) is receiving a proper diet of pellets but is never outside of his cage. Even when the owners come home I still hear him making his noises and ringing his bells. I know this since each townhouse a front porch that's right next to each other. There's a wall between each townhouse for privacy but at the edge, there's a nice amount of space that you can look to either side. And what's crazy is that this house had cockatiels or budgies (I'm not sure, but I do know that they had a much smaller bird. A pair I believe), but now they have another bird... The tray below to catch seeds and droppings, from my observations, haven't been cleaned out in some time... It seems to be caked onto the pan (almost piled) and no, there is no newspaper or anything of that sort on the pan.

What's really depressing is that the bird clicks and whoops for my attention as what seems to me, I'm the only thing he's ever interacted with. I click back to him and have said, "Good boy" whenever he does a whoop for me. I feel horrible when I have to go back inside, and have even gotten stares from people... That's not my concern though as I really like this bird.

And with the above scenario, what should I do? He seems to recognize my glass screen door opening when I come out. Sometimes my grandmother comes out to tend to her plants and even then, he clicks and whistles. My grandmother doesn't really respond. He can't see us because of the wall and can't tell if it's me or her interacting with him.

Another thing I have to add: I haven't seen anything wrong with his feathers. No plucking of that sort, but it's been only what i guess a few months... Their parrots seem to fluctuate with time and I can't ever keep track. I only noticed him a week or two ago and he started calling for me (no interaction) on the tenth of this month.

I don't want this bird to be the next bird that's going to disappear. He's such a sweetheart and you can tell off the bat, he really is a baby at heart. What should I do? Call a rescue? Adopt him?! Help!

 

[labell]

I would go and meet the neighbors, maybe mention that you hear the bird and ask if they are interested in finding him/her a new home? The worst they can say is no.

 

[June2012]

Is there anything other than that? I hate to see the poor thing be alone outside -- can't even stretch his wings without his wings almost crushed against the bars. (He can only hop from side to side.)

 

[labell]

I don't know where you are located but rescues really won't/can't do much unless the owners offer to give up the bird. If I saw something like that I would ask for sure. I wouldn't get preachy at first but if they said no I would at least give them care advise (whether they liked it or not) and ask them to reconsider for the birds sake.

 

[gracebowen]

I would go over and talk to them. Tell them the bird has been talking to you and ask to see him. Take a paper with you and give it to them. Maybe ask if the bird could come over to play. This way you help the bird and maybe the owner too. By having it come visit if they let it maybe they will see the bird is better off with you.

 

[OOwl]

Oh gosh, being a Grey parent, reading that story just breaks my heart. Having birds, we always have an opportunity and responsibility to educate other bird owners who may not know or realize about proper and evolved care of birds (the way our grandparents kept parrots, in smaller cages and limited information on diets, has changed, obviously, but some bird owners just might not be aware of that. . . they do what they grew up with). I'm constantly engaging other bird owners in conversation. When I hear or see a problem in the care or treatment, I offer to loan a book (usually an older issue of Bird Talk or a parrot care book, which I pick up at the Half Price bookstore in duplicates, just to have on hand to pass out to people I run into). Talking to people about birds (in the workplace, at clubs, church, schools, even the grocery store) opens yourself up to constantly being asked to take birds people may have grown tired of (or inherited perhaps and not really want). Since I cannot take any more birds, I keep a list of reputable (e.g., non-flipper) rescue organizations to pass along so — at the very least — people have a resource. If I was you, I'd just approach your neighbor, one bird lover to "another," and then offer educational materials and wait for them to ask you for more information. I pray you can affect the life of that Grey. It's so sobering to know how many must lead similar existences. Good luck!

 

[June2012]

What do you do if you can't meet them? I hope to not sound serious or uncompassionate for this bird, as I truly am, but the owners are never home. We all share the parking lot and their cars are never there. I can never speak to them. They're nurses so if I want to even get a glimpse, I would have to wake up at 4 AM in the morning to talk to them. Should I write a letter? I'm so confused!

 

[LeaKP]

A letter might not be a bad idea. Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Re: Abandoned CAG??

God that breaks my heart! I just lost my TAG Friday after 27 yrs! She had heart problems. I'd KIDNAP that poor baby if it were me!

Jim

 

[OOwl]

I'd not even hesitate to write them a note and leave them a book, magazine, and list of resources. I know I couldn't stand to see that poor bird neglected like that. Nurses are usually very intelligent and compassionate people, so I think if you kindly educate them and provide them with a list of resources (heck, you wouldn't even have to sign the letter), they would likely do SOMETHING to improve its life. Poor bird. I gave my own Grey extra cuddles today, just thinking how many are not so fortunate. Good luck with your situation. That must be difficult to witness.

 

[June2012]

I'd not even hesitate to write them a note and leave them a book, magazine, and list of resources. I know I couldn't stand to see that poor bird neglected like that. Nurses are usually very intelligent and compassionate people, so I think if you kindly educate them and provide them with a list of resources (heck, you wouldn't even have to sign the letter), they would likely do SOMETHING to improve its life. Poor bird. I gave my own Grey extra cuddles today, just thinking how many are not so fortunate. Good luck with your situation. That must be difficult to witness.

What are some good books and resources to give to an older, but beginner bird person? Their first language isn't English, so something simple to understand? And they have a bunch of kids (I hope they speak English, but whenever I hear them outside, they seem to speak something else...), but still, something simple. The bird doesn't have any signs of plucking yet, which is great so far!

 

[June2012]

I hope the above image works! This was the only shot of the outside cage I could get. He only has a couple of toys which is very depressing, as he seems to be very intelligent.

 

[OOwl]

Well, honestly, that cage really doesn't look that small to me, and he probably likes seeing what's going on outside. I put my own birds in an outdoor aviary on my porch almost every day for a few hours. They enjoy just watching the outdoor life, birds, bugs, clouds, etc.

Is it possible they are taking the bird to his indoor cage at night and you're just missing it? If they're day sleepers, maybe he's outside so they can sleep.

Things aren't always what they seem. Frankly, I expected it to be worse from your description.

Every time I see Parrots for Dummies by Nikki Moustaki at the Half-Price bookstore, I buy a copy. I give them out to people that ask me about birds. Maybe you could give them the book and an inexpensive Grey-approriate bird toy. Good luck.

 

[June2012]

Well, honestly, that cage really doesn't look that small to me, and he probably likes seeing what's going on outside. I put my own birds in an outdoor aviary on my porch almost every day for a few hours. They enjoy just watching the outdoor life, birds, bugs, clouds, etc.

Is it possible they are taking the bird to his indoor cage at night and you're just missing it? If they're day sleepers, maybe he's outside so they can sleep.

Things aren't always what they seem. Frankly, I expected it to be worse from your description.

Every time I see Parrots for Dummies by Nikki Moustaki at the Half-Price bookstore, I buy a copy. I give them out to people that ask me about birds. Maybe you could give them the book and an inexpensive Grey-approriate bird toy. Good luck.

I doubt it, since I'm hearing the birds and it's cage 24/7. I like keeping my windows open all day and I FIRST heard it was at night when I heard it's bells. When out and saw the bird sleeping. I don't think they put him in at night...

Really? I saw him stretch his wings and it seems to touch the bars... Maybe I saw it wrong? Maybe it isn't so serious...

 

[Bandespresso]

The cage is a good size but being outside 24/7 its a little iffy. I would still have a conversation with them maybe make him some toys and open up a conversation about diet. If you approach the situation in an accusatory manner, it is more likely that nothing will change.

Not sure what part of Southern California you are from but, if need be, get your neighbours in contact with The Lily Sanctuary in Fountain Valley; they are all about educating parronts and are a great resource! I volunteered with them for the past year and it is where I got Espresso from. Feel free to tell them Brittany sent you

 

[June2012]

The cage is a good size but being outside 24/7 its a little iffy. I would still have a conversation with them maybe make him some toys and open up a conversation about diet. If you approach the situation in an accusatory manner, it is more likely that nothing will change.

Not sure what part of Southern California you are from but, if need be, get your neighbours in contact with The Lily Sanctuary in Fountain Valley; they are all about educating parronts and are a great resource! I volunteered with them for the past year and it is where I got Espresso from. Feel free to tell them Brittany sent you

I sure will, if I can grab a hold of them! Hope good things come forth to the sweetheart. ^^

 

[Doublete]

Did you ever follow up?

 

[gracebowen]

How about leaving a toy and a note asking to meet the cage?

 

[Katebrownb]

I just wrote a post about a neighbor so this caught my eye.

If you could, I would absolutely make yourself a available for bringing in the bird. You can write a letter, saying you're very knowledgeable, and have an open door for this little girl or guy.

You don't want to offend them in any way by suggesting they're a bad owner.. even though I'm sure nobody on this site will agree they're a good owner... You can even say it in a way that you've found yourself making a connection with this animal, and see if it's available to visit some time? Or that you're a real animal lover and would love to bring it some fresh vegetables... I would approach it slowly and politely, because you don't want to risk having them say "what a jerk, I'm not bad owner, what nerve" and closing you off completely.

Good luck! !