RobynnLynne
New member
- Jul 1, 2019
- 82
- 4
- Parrots
- Mr. Sunshine, a 15 to 20 year old Panama Amazon Parrot.
Hi I'm Robynn and I'm very happy to be part of this forum. I am a 61 year old widowed and disabled woman and live with my sweet service dog Taffee.
I have had parakeets and cockatiels many moons ago and enjoyed them very much. I was even lucky enough to buy a pair of cockatiel 'girls' that mated, lol! I didn't know much and didn't have the internet back then so I assumed the first eggs were not fertile. After a trip to the library I suspected I didn't have girls but a mating pair. I put in a mating box. They mated twice and we successfully raised 5 baby cockatiels. It was a fascinating experience I will never forget.
Fast forward to four weeks ago and my neighbor who works for the humane league asked if I would like to adopt a 12 year old double yellow headed african parrot. She told me she knew a little of Sunshine's history and he had not been out of his cage for at least 5 years if not more from a couple who surrendered him and had adopted him from a doctor's office. They said they never trusted to get him out of the cage and he was unpredictable.
Prior to that he lived in a doctors office for a few years until he got his foot caught in a toy somewhere between Friday evening and Monday morning when they were able to take him to the vet. They said he chewed his foot off to get free.
We know nothing of his history before then.
I then spent two weeks researching Amazon parrots and their needs to see if I could provide Sunshine a good home. I looked at all; the good, the bad, and the ugly. The worst case scenario being that I would not be able to tame him but could provide a good safe environment, stability and love. The best case that we could bond and we could learn to trust each other.
So, two weeks ago Mr. Sunshine came to live with Taffee and I.
He needs a healthier diet first. He lives mainly on sunflower seeds and peanuts. So making the switch to pellets, grains and fresh fruits and veggies is what I am working on now. And next to try positive reinforcement with the clicker method. I look at that beak and I really do not want to get bit. But I want him to trust me as much as I want to trust him.
I haven't stopped reading and learning. Last night I found this wonderful forum. I am very excited to begin this journey and help Mr. Sunshine have the best life I can provide him with. I have already gleaned very much from this site and didn't have to ask one question yet.
This morning was so rewarding. I open his cage door and leave it open for about an hour each morning after I do his cage while I do my chores. This morning he came right out, sat on the door and just scoped out his new home for nearly ten minutes before going back in. I think he's getting pretty comfortable.
Thanks! I look forward to getting to know you all!
I have had parakeets and cockatiels many moons ago and enjoyed them very much. I was even lucky enough to buy a pair of cockatiel 'girls' that mated, lol! I didn't know much and didn't have the internet back then so I assumed the first eggs were not fertile. After a trip to the library I suspected I didn't have girls but a mating pair. I put in a mating box. They mated twice and we successfully raised 5 baby cockatiels. It was a fascinating experience I will never forget.
Fast forward to four weeks ago and my neighbor who works for the humane league asked if I would like to adopt a 12 year old double yellow headed african parrot. She told me she knew a little of Sunshine's history and he had not been out of his cage for at least 5 years if not more from a couple who surrendered him and had adopted him from a doctor's office. They said they never trusted to get him out of the cage and he was unpredictable.
Prior to that he lived in a doctors office for a few years until he got his foot caught in a toy somewhere between Friday evening and Monday morning when they were able to take him to the vet. They said he chewed his foot off to get free.
We know nothing of his history before then.
I then spent two weeks researching Amazon parrots and their needs to see if I could provide Sunshine a good home. I looked at all; the good, the bad, and the ugly. The worst case scenario being that I would not be able to tame him but could provide a good safe environment, stability and love. The best case that we could bond and we could learn to trust each other.
So, two weeks ago Mr. Sunshine came to live with Taffee and I.
He needs a healthier diet first. He lives mainly on sunflower seeds and peanuts. So making the switch to pellets, grains and fresh fruits and veggies is what I am working on now. And next to try positive reinforcement with the clicker method. I look at that beak and I really do not want to get bit. But I want him to trust me as much as I want to trust him.
I haven't stopped reading and learning. Last night I found this wonderful forum. I am very excited to begin this journey and help Mr. Sunshine have the best life I can provide him with. I have already gleaned very much from this site and didn't have to ask one question yet.
This morning was so rewarding. I open his cage door and leave it open for about an hour each morning after I do his cage while I do my chores. This morning he came right out, sat on the door and just scoped out his new home for nearly ten minutes before going back in. I think he's getting pretty comfortable.
Thanks! I look forward to getting to know you all!
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