Orange wing amazon anyone?

[Buzz2537]

Hi guys. I'm mom to a little Hahn's Macaw who we adore. I have been offered or asked to take in a four year old Orange wing amazon. I have to admit upfront I am not savvy with or knowledgable with amazons. Our Hahn's is the first I have had outside of our loving cockatoo that unfortunately I had severe asthma to. The orange wing from what I know is not liked by the hubby so it knows a few not so nice words and it's not out of the cage much also on a seed diet. Diet I can fix with some time , vocabulary well if the words aren't said anymore I am sure eventually that will stop. My concern is am I biting off more then I can chew. I've done Yorkie rescue abused Yorkies . I take in and work with abused and hard to place Yorkies but I have never worked with a parrot. Anyway input from this knowledgable group would be appreciated. We have our Hahn's on a no seed diet. She gets pellets fruit veggies etc and safflower as a treat. I do a lot if home cooked mixes for her. Thanks

 

[Terry57]

I love our OWA. He also has quite the R rated vocabulary, but it is starting to drop off.
He is so smart, learns new things every day. He tolerates me, but absolutely adores my hubby. He eats a seed/pellet mixture, as well as fresh fruits, veggies, birdie bread, and other things I can think of to cook. Slater loves to come out and sit on his cage, and he is not aggressive with our other birds. He does love his toys. I do not regret getting him at all, he is a great guy.

 

[BirdyMomma]

My opinion may be biased, because I was fortunate enough to be the mom of the sweetest, smartest, cutest baby Amazon ever. But I just LOVE Amazons. I have a YCM, and we got her when Bacci, our Amazon was still alive. It was more work, but it's also more awesome Birdy time!
In my experience, Amazons enjoy interaction, but are more independent than macaws. Where, if I am in the room, my Macaws want me to be focused on them, an Amazon may or may not want to interact with you. And they're clowns, and they like to sing.
I think you should do it. They're such awesome birds.

 

[Buzz2537]

Thank you. I am nervous but willing. Lol. They used the words first come first serve and that upsets me. That leaves the bird to end up in anyone's hands willing to pick it up quick and get it out of their hair. I felt at the worse if it did not work out at least I can get it I. A better diet and socialized and find the proper home rather then just anyone . That makes me not only sad but angry. We owe it to our animals to do right by them

 

[getwozzy]

If I were in your shoes, I would go get him ASAP. First come first serve?? Yikes!

Amazons have a bad rap with being bitey, but whatever efforts you put forth into that relationship, you will be rewarded ten fold. These guys are amazing and you will not be disappointed.

 

[Terry57]

If I were you I would go pick up that little guy right now...you won't regret it!

 

[OrangeWingedKiwi]

My OWA is very cuddly and affectionate and she doesn't bite at all... she pinches but never bite me to hurt me and i had her for a year and half now.

She's 11.

 

[Buzz2537]

I told the person I could come tomorrow after 4 or Monday when I'm off. I will know more in the morning. Thanks.

 

[Buzz2537]

Oh another question. I know you want to quarantine the new bird but what is protocol like how long and also should I bring it to my avian vet for blood work etc or only if there is a reason during the quarantine . Hahnna has been vaccinated . I've never done this so I appreciate the input. I'm just trying to help a bird in need. Thanks.

 

[getwozzy]

Quarantine for a minimum of 30 days and a vet visit ASAP is best.

 

[Buzz2537]

OK Thank you. I'm sure this is not going to be the last time on here looking for help. And, I sincerely appreciate any and all help. It's relatively easy sailing when you bring home a baby parrot but different brining in an older bird that may not have had such a great life. I toyed with taking in a rescue bird even if just a foster so I'm looking forward to the challenge. It's so rewarding seeing the difference you make. Our last rescue a Yorkie probably about 6-8 years old that was hit or thrown from a car and left to die, then we found she was also badly mistreated. She was probably the worse I've had, but turned out to be the best. We decided to keep her and have had her now two years. She still has some quirks but even now she is still learning new things. Like just the other day, for the first time she mixed in with our other Yorkies when they came to kiss me. Usually, she would just stand back by herself and watch, this time she joined in. And, like the first time she kissed me. She does not kiss too much. I get one tiny lick on the nose every morning then that's it. it's just warming to watch them make progress.
Things so simple we all take for granted, that to an animal that has been abused is such a huge milestone. Thank you all again.

 

[henpecked]

I hope you get the OWA. i think you'll find them to be great companion birds. They get along with other birds and will eat just about anything. I have a whole flock of them,LOL. Rod and Reel, Marlin and Mahi are my OWAs. Quarantine should be as far away from your other birds as possible, becareful of cross contamination from hands,clothes,food dishes etc.

 

[lucy1]

I'm (very) biased but love OWA's and would say if you can work with rescue dogs then go for the OWA! For some reason Orange Wings are very underrated birds. They are usually (no promises!) less boisterous and less demanding than other Amazons are usually known for and seem to get overlooked. As a general rule if you can work with dogs and/or children you can cope with a parrot, and if this poor bird is being offered "first come first served" then he/she is destined to be sold on several more times I have worked with several foster/rescue OWA's and loved every one one them
My current OWA is strongly bonded to my Red Lored and is basically wild, but I have promised her a forever home and she seems happy enough without my interaction. A bird doesn't necessarily need to be bonded to you or another bird, just knowing you have taken them out of the "best offer/ first come first served" loop can be reward enough for you both...

 

[Buzz2537]

Thank you. I spoke to the woman tonight. She stated that he is almost 5 and she has had him since 4 months old. He is on a parrot seed she gets at Walmart (ugh) and that he has been caged for the most part and that he is scared to come out of his cage so you have to fight with him to get him out. That he has never bitten and says shut up bird and f you and f that. Rolling my eyes. What is even more upsetting is that this woman has a job at an animal shelter. I tried to make a time to go over and meet him but she said she's really busy and doesn't know when she can but seemed more than willing to drive over with him and his cage and drop him off. And he only has one toy on his cage that's always been there but he doesn't play with it so she does not give him toys. I will probably call her tomorrow and just tell her to bring him over. I was at a loss tonight. I really wanted to at least meet him rather then just have him at my door with no official meeting. I guess when she first suggested that it quite honestly scared the pieces out if me but I just can't let him sit in this type of environment us she smokes so for five years he's also been subjected to that although something says that was the least of it. I will keep you posted but hopefully I can get back I touch with her tomorrow. She literally is five minutes from me. It just seems so sketchy for her to just want to drop him here.

 

[getwozzy]

That seems pretty sketchy- I could understand her wanting to know where her bird is going...but If you don't feel comfortable with her doing that, then insist you pick him up from her place... Or if she does end up on your front doorstep, make sure you're not alone and I'd be very cautious about letting her inside your house.

 

[henpecked]

Let me know if he has an AFA band, could be one of my babies.

 

[Buzz2537]

Let me know if he has an AFA band, could be one of my babies.

He was bought at Fin and Fang Pet Store in Bayville, NJ

 

[Buzz2537]

That seems pretty sketchy- I could understand her wanting to know where her bird is going...but If you don't feel comfortable with her doing that, then insist you pick him up from her place... Or if she does end up on your front doorstep, make sure you're not alone and I'd be very cautious about letting her inside your house.

I've done rescue 18 years I would have more respect for her if the reason she wanted to bring him to me was because she wanted to be sure of the home he had but I can tell you without hesitation that she could care less. To me it seemed like the quickest way to get rid of him. I at least wanted to meet him so I knew a little bit of what I was getting and know how to prepare. Another words, does he look sick, then I would shoot him right to the vet from the house, is his cage good otherwise I will have a bigger cleaner one set up ahead and not even take this. Ya know what I mean . I was up all night and will call this morning and just tell her drop him off. I'm not the most experienced and admit I'm very nervous but I have to be better then what he has so the only way it can go is up from here. I can't see him getting worse. Will keep you all posted.

 

[henpecked]

Let me know if he has an AFA band, could be one of my babies.

He was bought at Fin and Fang Pet Store in Bayville, NJ

Nope, doubt he's one of mine. thanks

 

[Buzz2537]

I called the lady today and she said she got someone last night to take him. An animal control officer. I did not need another parrot. Hahnna and I are pretty bonded but I am sorry that I did not just let her drop him off to me last night. I was nervous just having a parrot dropped off, but could bot sleep all night so called to say it is fine just drop him to me, but was too late. I hope he has a good home.