Setting a pet parrot free in its natural habitat?

[Betrisher]

I think it would be a huge shame for you to give up Peeko after the progress you have made with him! I also think it's not fair to call yourself an inexperienced parrot owner. You appear to have gained valuable experience with Peeko and it's working for you. I'm wondering if the following might be useful?

'Dad, I know the bird is an inconvenience to you and Mrs Blodgett. I'll do as much as I can to avoid problems for you both. However, he's a work in progress and I'm trying very hard to make him into a worthwhile pet. This has become very important to me and I'd hate to quit in the middle of the project. Can you think of any way I can continue this work without causing too much conflict? Please Dad! It would mean a great deal to me as I really want to see this project out to the end.'

In addition, work really fast to teach Peeko some cute, clever tricks like 'fetch' or 'spin' or 'put it away'. If your parents can see the bird improving and becoming engaging because of your fine work, it might sway their opinion. Also, you need to work specifically on his biting problem (that's not cute and it's hard for parents to love a bird that attempts to eat them). When you offer him your hand (Peeko, not your Dad), ball your fist and stretch the skin tight and offer the back of your hand. It's harder for him to bite that. With practice, you can get very good at avoiding a bite that way. Once Peeko learns his bite doesn't work, he'll eventually forget to do it. It takes a little while, but it works. You can also offer him a stick (eg. chop stick) to fill his beak with so it won't be full of your flesh. If you can get him used to sitting on your hand and being shamelessly fed treats (bits of sunflower seed or dried papaya etc), he'll learn very quickly not to bite the hand that feeds him.

Finally, you should say to Mrs Blodgett that you've researched the notion of setting the bird free and found that it's quite illegal! Not only is it cruel to the bird, who would die a grisly death of starvation or being killed by a hawk, but it goes against conservation principles of freeing exotic wildlife. (This may not be entirely true, but your Mrs Blodgett doesn't sound exactly like a well-informed, rational citizen.)

I hope you can make it work for yourself and Peeko. You deserve to get a well-rounded bird out of all the work you've done and are prepared to do. Best of luck with it and *do* let us know how things pan out!

 

[MantisFTW]

Keeping him outside isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as he is safe from predators, has protection from wind, rain, sun, cold and heat and he's in a good sized enclosure.


If his dander is an issue, you can bathe him daily and lightly mist the cage papers before you clean them every day. This will help keep feathers and such from flying around. Vacuum around the cage daily, and if you can get one, get a true HEPA filter without an ionizer.

There was one bird of mine in particular that if * knew* he could survive in the wild (which I knew he couldn't have), I would have set him free! I felt so bad for him and I wanted to give him the world! (he had multiple health prolems) But alas, I could not. My other birds? Nope, not going anywhere! LOL

Birds raised for release are parent raised birds. Being that he's hand raised, he would not do well being released because he does not have the fear of humans that he should. He also doesn't know how to forage for food, what foods are good to eat, and what predators to avoid.

You said he has a band and that he's 2 years old. This confirms that he is captive bred and raised. Peeko would have to be older than you (21+ years old in fact) in order for there to be any chance of him being wild caught... and even if he was wild caught, it doesn't mean that he has any clue how to live in the wild! Many wild caught parrots were captured as chicks out of their nests, so they never learned what it's like to truly be wild.


Yes, it is possible to put him into a zoo setting, however, this would require a zoo who would want them. Not all zoos will accept parrots... and if he was put into a rehabilitation program, it would not be for release, but to breed birds like him for release, since he's hand raised. This would also require having a program out there that specifically breeds this species for release.



I've been in a somewhat similar situation as yourself... having too many pets to move out without the money necessary. I've had a few friends say that I could move in with them, but at the time I didn't have a job... and also having birds that can be noisy, that's not something I wanted to put on them. They all said that the noise wouldn't bother them, but a lot of people also don't realize just how *noisy* birds can be! Smaller species may not be deafening, but they can chirp throughout the entire day. Larger species may not make a lot of noise throughout the day, but when they scream, it can be deafening! Because of this, I stayed home longer than the majority of people my own age. Right now, I'm looking at getting a loan to put a house that I've been living in for a year and a half now into my name. I do currently have a job as well, although I'm actually wanting to get a new job.


I wish you the best of luck in the job you've applied for or are looking to get!

Thank you also, if keeping him outside can be safe then I may consider it. We have a closed in patio that would work out nicely. However I'm worried about the Louisiana heat... maybe if I just set a fan out there during the day it could work.
And yes that definitely sounds just like how I feel.



I had an idea. I have this fairly large rat cage (estimating 2ftx3ftx3ft) with removable platforms and it rolls and everything. Maybe this would be good to use to have Peeko walk around on just while in my room? Its something I can easily fit in my room and I can just roll Peeko to his big cage whenever I want to put him up. I figured this may help with the noise complaints. I hear about people having small cages for their parrots all the time and they just let them free range for the most part and they go in the cage when they feel like it.

 

[henpecked]

It might be illegal to release exotics.

 

[crimson]

like everyone else said, best to talk to your mom or parents and voice your concern over this guest you have.
since she is a guest, she is free to go anytime, if the company is not her satisfactory.

were you happy with your bird before she showed up? If you are happy and content with your bird than you do what YOU feel is right for YOU and the BIRD, sounds to me like she is stirring up the nest a bit, no pun intended

 

[MantisFTW]

I think it would be a huge shame for you to give up Peeko after the progress you have made with him! I also think it's not fair to call yourself an inexperienced parrot owner. You appear to have gained valuable experience with Peeko and it's working for you. I'm wondering if the following might be useful?

'Dad, I know the bird is an inconvenience to you and Mrs Blodgett. I'll do as much as I can to avoid problems for you both. However, he's a work in progress and I'm trying very hard to make him into a worthwhile pet. This has become very important to me and I'd hate to quit in the middle of the project. Can you think of any way I can continue this work without causing too much conflict? Please Dad! It would mean a great deal to me as I really want to see this project out to the end.'

In addition, work really fast to teach Peeko some cute, clever tricks like 'fetch' or 'spin' or 'put it away'. If your parents can see the bird improving and becoming engaging because of your fine work, it might sway their opinion. Also, you need to work specifically on his biting problem (that's not cute and it's hard for parents to love a bird that attempts to eat them). When you offer him your hand (Peeko, not your Dad), ball your fist and stretch the skin tight and offer the back of your hand. It's harder for him to bite that. With practice, you can get very good at avoiding a bite that way. Once Peeko learns his bite doesn't work, he'll eventually forget to do it. It takes a little while, but it works. You can also offer him a stick (eg. chop stick) to fill his beak with so it won't be full of your flesh. If you can get him used to sitting on your hand and being shamelessly fed treats (bits of sunflower seed or dried papaya etc), he'll learn very quickly not to bite the hand that feeds him.

Finally, you should say to Mrs Blodgett that you've researched the notion of setting the bird free and found that it's quite illegal! Not only is it cruel to the bird, who would die a grisly death of starvation or being killed by a hawk, but it goes against conservation principles of freeing exotic wildlife. (This may not be entirely true, but your Mrs Blodgett doesn't sound exactly like a well-informed, rational citizen.)

I hope you can make it work for yourself and Peeko. You deserve to get a well-rounded bird out of all the work you've done and are prepared to do. Best of luck with it and *do* let us know how things pan out!

Thanks! And believe me I will, even if he does end up getting rehomed. I'm really grateful for all the help you guys are giving me.

As much as I hate the sound of being a kiss-up to my dad, I had an idea similar to this, especially the part about teaching Peeko some tricks to win them over. I really appreciate the no biting tips. I've been too afraid to do much handling with Peeko because of his biting; I've never actually been bitten yet and I dont want to find out how much it hurts. Peeko is kind of aggressive, he lunges as soon as your hand gets too close to him when you don't have a treat and he'll sometimes growl. Thats the biggest thing I'm trying to work on. I would love to bathe him and get rid of the dander but I can't if hes going to put up a huge fight. I also don't want to traumatize the poor guy. Target training has been working on him though. I use a chopstick and I'll give him a treat and use the clicker and he goes right to it.

 

[Betrisher]

Bribery! Such a wonderful concept! Always have plenty of treats in your hand and be ready to reward him for not biting. He could be hand-shy and biting out of fear, so don't push the hand-thing too hard. You could try Barbara Heidenreich's method where she holds the end of the perch and uses treats to entice the bird to walk along and onto her hand.

I had an 'aha' moment a while back. I realised my Galah is a bird of the ground. That means, they spend a great deal of time on the ground eating, socialising *and bathing*. Hence, Dom likes to bathe in a puddle of water (basin). The Alexes are parakeets (ie. birds of the treetops). They prefer to bathe in 'rain' (mist bottle). This is why they *never* go into their water basin to bathe. Duh! Clever me!

I'm not sure what Amazons do in the wild, but try spraying Peeko with a squirt bottle (set on mist, of course). You might find he fluffs up and enjoys it?

PS. Funniest thing: we have nine Lovebirds. They come down to bathe in pairs each morning and evening. Their water bowl is a little too deep for comfort, so one of the pair will stand watch ('cockatoo' in Australia) while the other lowers itself gingerly into the water backwards. This is *so* funny to watch! The little Lovie will hold on by one toe and twist this way and that to immerse itself fully. As soon as it's finished, it will perch and shake itself, then stand cockatoo for its mate's bath. Our only singleton, Nimbus, who flew down out of the sky one day, bathes as part of a threesome with Periwinkle and Mango.

 

[Sammy01]

There are different bands out there. I'll start by how they are physically.

A closed band is a band that will be seamless and is put when they are days old.

An open band may be placed on a bird when they are older.

Neither guarantees that the bird is wild caught of domestically bred. However, it is more common to see a closed band on a domestically bred bird. Why do I say neither guarantees it? I'm in Central America and I can get you a pair of young toucans with closed bands that were wild caught. I do think it is a bit more of a hassle and they typically don't do it (when they do they charge you extra). I don't want to sound mean, but if he does have a closed band I highly doubt he was ever free. Even those that put the closed bands on the young parrots do it when they're days old and then hand feed them, which to me means they weren't ever really "free." These birds never learned the basics. I believe this is illegal but people still do it. Plus, this really is another discussion. LOL


Here's some info on leg bands:

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww5eiii.htm

http://www.plannedparrothood.com/legbands.html


A really good link with pictures and other information:

http://www.parrotscanada.com/choosing/choosingyourbird.html#Leg Bands

 

[AussieChris]

Hello,

From what you have said you have a " do gooder nut job " on your hands. As a guest you don't dictate how your Hosts live. YOU fit in. A domesticated bird is unlikely to survive in the wild, they lack some normal fears which will keep them safe. ( Like scared of People ) If you get rid of the bird, you will regret it forever.

The allergy may be real, or it may be an excuse. Look for watery eyes and anything that will let you know if you are being played. Being a spiteful person myself ( well sort of ) I would feed the bird something out of the ordinary and see how it reacts. Then ask the know it all what it was and how the bird liked it. If she can understand the bird this will either prove it or prove she is full of BS.

I don't think you want to get rid of it, and are hoping for support. Well I say keep it, just find a way to keep your parents happy. Many animals bond closely with people, and the other way. Are you able to relocate it to your garage ? Or send it to a friend for a while. I am sure many of your friends will like the bird and be happy to take it for a while, if you clean up and bring food. Many visits also.

Even a nearby Forum member may be able to help, the one thing to be wary of is make sure whoever looks after it knows it is a temporary thing, some people may get attached and not want to give it back. You could lose a Pet and Friend at the same time.

Good luck with your situation.

 

[Sammy01]

Hello,

From what you have said you have a " do gooder nut job " on your hands. As a guest you don't dictate how your Hosts live. YOU fit in. A domesticated bird is unlikely to survive in the wild, they lack some normal fears which will keep them safe. ( Like scared of People ) If you get rid of the bird, you will regret it forever.

The allergy may be real, or it may be an excuse. Look for watery eyes and anything that will let you know if you are being played. Being a spiteful person myself ( well sort of ) I would feed the bird something out of the ordinary and see how it reacts. Then ask the know it all what it was and how the bird liked it. If she can understand the bird this will either prove it or prove she is full of BS.

I don't think you want to get rid of it, and are hoping for support. Well I say keep it, just find a way to keep your parents happy. Many animals bond closely with people, and the other way. Are you able to relocate it to your garage ? Or send it to a friend for a while. I am sure many of your friends will like the bird and be happy to take it for a while, if you clean up and bring food. Many visits also.

Even a nearby Forum member may be able to help, the one thing to be wary of is make sure whoever looks after it knows it is a temporary thing, some people may get attached and not want to give it back. You could lose a Pet and Friend at the same time.

Good luck with your situation.

LOL I wanted to suggest she do something similar to the house guest, but I wasn't sure if it's accepted behavior here. I'd probably ask her to ask him to describe his previous owner. Then why he use to be so playful and now bites. Once she gives an answer, I'd just look blankly at her and say, "I remember now, he use to bite him too! I don't know why I thought he was nicer before."

 

[MantisFTW]

Thank you, all that banding information is really helpful. Peeko seems to be captive bred as his band is closed and I see no seam. I might get a closer look at the numbers though for my own curiosity.


And to AussieChris, lol, I definitely feel the allergy thing as an excuse for my dad at least. He does actually have serious eye problems though and he always had, he is mostly blind in one eye and has tunnel vision, had many eye surgeries, etc. I do not believe that the bird has anything to do with this though. My dads room is on the complete opposite end of the birds! Not only that, years ago he's HAD a cockatiel in his room before! My dad also uses the allergy thing as an excuse for the cats, and he hates cats, so if they get in his way at ALL he throws a fit. He complains about the litter box even though I clean it every day and it seems no one but him can smell a thing. He just goes on how hes "sensitive" to these sorts of things. I'm surprised I was even able to keep any of my animals this long at all.


Anyway, enough of my ranting. In regards to a close friend taking Peeko in... I can try, but I dont think I know anyone that knows enough about parrots. If I do end up doing that, I have no idea how long it would be for. It will be a while before I get my car and have enough money to get my own place and everything. It could be a couple years before I'm ready to move out, and it may be in the best interest for the bird that he gets a better more permanent home with an experienced owner if thats the case.

 

[Merlee]

I cannot believe that a guest would tell the hosts and family how to live their lives when their own lives are a mess. Well, ok, my mother would. lol. If there is talk about releasing the bird into the wild, I would immediately install a padlock on the cage just to be on the safe side so somebody doesn't take things into their own hands trying to be helpful.

If the guests are family and you have no choice about the pets to accommodate them, if possible foster the pets until the guests leave.

 

[MantisFTW]

As far as tricking the guest goes, lol, I could try something like that. However it is harder than it seems to get around. She isnt a psychic, she is LIKE a psychic. Its hard to describe, but she senses the "energy" around things... she can "sense" when something is in pain and exactly where the pain is (just yesterday she said the paws were hurting on the family dog.) She also says she can "work" on things from a distance to heal a specific area on someone (Basically, if you think of someone REAL hard, they will get better! Yeah. I know.) She can also sense how healthy something is, and she can even do all of this in plants. We were repotting a plant the other day I got for my chameleons, we had to cut the roots because it was so root bound and trim some of the leaves, and she said that she could "hear" the plant screaming if we cut too much of it away and that doing too much to it would cause it too much trauma. She also said that the plant just sorta tells her where to cut on the leaves (she was only cutting the tips, not at the base like I've always heard you should do...)
So that being said, she doesn't necessarily have conversations with animals. I dont think she can ask them questions like that, I'll have to see. If you're curious about this kind of thing and for proof that these kind of people actually exist in the world, just google "light language" and you'll see the kind of people associated with it.

 

[DallyTsuka]

oh i believe there are people out there like that...

as pet owners, we can all communicate well with our fids... but we do it by getting to know our fids. the more we know them, they become a close friend, family that we can understand when they tell us something, whether its through vocalizations, behaviours, or body language... but that's not the same thing lol thats just a part of proper bonding with another creature.


i think the best solution would be to try to communicate and compromise something, while at the same time protecting peeko a foster situation would be okay, even if your brother or boyfriend can take him in, even for a little while until your rather pleasant guest leaves, even in a slightly smaller cage.

 

[MonicaMc]

It's been illegal to import wild parrots into the USA since 1992... it's not to say that wild parrots don't get into the USA still (through smuggling), just a lot more difficult for a pet owner to get a hold of a wild bird. I doubt these smuggled birds would have leg bands on them.


It's been my understanding that communication with animals is through "feelings" and "images" - not necessarily direct speech. What a person "sees" may be interpreted in different ways... i.e. "talking" to a dog and getting an image of a ball in the air. One person may think the dog loves to chase balls, another might think the dog enjoys playing fetch. Although, once read a story of someone trying to learn to communicate with animals, and a lama told her that she wasn't ready to speak with her (lama) yet.... lol

Something I was once curious in and read about just for the heck of it.



As far as being outside... well, it would be slightly complicated but you could set up an automatic sprinkler system that turns on when the temperature reaches a certain point. Plus shade, he may do fine.


Here's some bathing techniques you can try....

• Try luke-warm water
• Try cold water
• Try ice-cold water
• Try a spray bottle
• Try a plant mister
• Try in the sink with the water running or just some water in the bottom
• Try in the sink with the sprayer
• Try in the tub with some water in the bottom
• Try a casserole dish or similar with some water
• Try the dish with ice
• Try the dish with foot toys
• Try the dish with some leafy greens like endive or other types of lettuces that may create a "natural" bowl
• Try the dish with a vacuum cleaner
• Try in the shower with you - watching you having a blast getting wet!
• Try dancing the bird into the shower with the water already going
• Try spritzing yourself, and have fun doing it! Then spritz the bird
• Try outside in an empty cage large enough to spread wings during a nice rain shower
• Try outside in an empty cage using the hose with a mist/shower attachment

 

[AussieChris]

Hello,

You have much to learn about human nature. There are 2 reasons for doing something, the one you give and the real one. Really, how long are they going to be there until they find their own place ? She may be good at understanding animals, but some people are more observant and know what to look for. It sounds like your Dad is on your side though. ( I don't like Cats either I will tolerate a Cat in someone else s home, but take one in or have it put down ? I will start digging the hole for a " furry fertilizer pellet " as they decimate wildlife, and most owners justify it by saying " that's what cats do " ) You can prove she is full of BS, find out if she has ulterior motives or do something that will stop the problem. If she says anything afterwards there never was a problem.

Now it doesn't just happen on TV, but people have had their houses taken or sold without their knowledge. Have you heard of a clean air room ? You force air in through a filter and the pressure stops dust coming in. You could do this in your room, force clean air out and then there will be no issues from the Pets. The noise ? For someone so in tune it sounds like a strange thing. Maybe what really happened is she tried to scratch the Bird and it bit her. That could be the real reason the Bird doesn't like her and she wants it gone.

If she has started moving furniture, that is in my mind a bad thing and she should be out the door and change the locks. To me you are getting excuses, not reasons.

 

[SoCalWendy]

I cannot believe that a guest would tell the hosts and family how to live their lives when their own lives are a mess. Well, ok, my mother would. lol. If there is talk about releasing the bird into the wild, I would immediately install a padlock on the cage just to be on the safe side so somebody doesn't take things into their own hands trying to be helpful.

If the guests are family and you have no choice about the pets to accommodate them, if possible foster the pets until the guests leave.

Haha I laughed at this post... I can totally relate to the parent thing, but to have a house guest, someone I am allowing to stay in my home dictate to me what is best for my household, even my parents have enough respect for me not to interfere unless I have asked for advise or a recipe. LOL.

As for the pad lock, maybe not such a bad idea.

 

[PetoftheDay]

Yes, it's illegal, as well as being just plain wrong. She sounds like a nutjob who is making stuff up and claiming it is what the bird wants, when in fact it is what she wants to happen.

Tell her Peeko himself is psychic, and if he seems upset, it is because her being there is a "disturbance in the Force" according to him. Seriously, his situation is changed by her presence. He was there first ... she should be the one to adjust, not him!

 

[SoCalWendy]

Tell her Peeko himself is psychic, and if he seems upset, it is because her being there is a "disturbance in the Force" according to him. Seriously, his situation is changed by her presence. He was there first ... she should be the one to adjust, not him!

Hahahahahahaha, that was funny. That's really smart. :09:

 

[Sammy01]

It's been illegal to import wild parrots into the USA since 1992... it's not to say that wild parrots don't get into the USA still (through smuggling), just a lot more difficult for a pet owner to get a hold of a wild bird. I doubt these smuggled birds would have leg bands on them.

I agree with you that it is more difficult to get one and I personally find them pointless. However, people still do smuggle parrots. Also, don't be surprised if they band them. As I've mentioned before some do do it. Smugglers don't care for them. If you wish to see the extent of how horrible some are, search how they treat smuggled iguanas. I'll tell you of one method, they dislocate a thumb from a front foot and put their front feet behind them. Then they tie their hands together with the dislocate thumb. They will keep them like this for days.

A couple of months ago they found a truck full of wild caught parrots (about 5,000) all going up north. Unfortunately, many didn't make it - even with the vet care.

I'm not saying there even is many (a significant number) smuggled parrots, but there are some out there. This is why when people are buying a young parrot they should see who they're purchasing it from. Again, I doubt Peeko is wild caught. Also, being wild caught does not mean they'll hate captivity or their "owner". I know of a couple wild caught parrots and they seem to love their companions.

 

[Mike17]

Frankly, your father's house guests have unmitigated gall in suggesting YOU should change your living arrangements for them. I don't agree with comments that you are also a "guest", whatever your age, you have right to stay with your parents as long as you and they are comfortable together. If they have been accepting of your pets until now, temporary houseguests should not change the situation. To my mind the lady should be put firmly in her place, but you've suggested that your father is taking her side so that would suggest that a diplomatic approach is required. As for your father's eye problems- I'd be pointing out that blaming the bird would require a bit more proof than "opinion". I'm getting on in years and suffer from eye problems too- we have 6 birds living in the family room and more sleeping on the veranda, yet my eye problems are just as bad when I go to work (which is an old scientific station) and started at a time when we didn't even have birds (it's "dry-eye", ageing related, tear ducts and whatnot, your father's condition might be totally different).

You should also point out to the crazy lady that your Amazon is far from its "natural environment", that as pointed out above, it's not suited to a life in the wild, and the she (the crazy lady) should stop transposing her desires for a trouble free existence into a welfare issue for your bird. Frankly, if she were to do or say such things in MY house she'd be out on her ear in no time flat. Why should you, as the child of your parents, be subjected to such nonsense anyway, because these people aren't competent enough to put a roof over their OWN heads?

Best of luck with your situation, Mantis.