[JBryan]

This is Sweetie:

 18478_100600499971298_100000640448197_14975_1826724_n.jpg (33.2K)
Number of downloads: 12

We brought her home when she was 3 months old and she is just over a year old now. I have had birds since I was 12. The first was a Half Moon Conure I had for 12 years. Then I had a Mexican Red Head for 8 years. The next one was a Citron Crested Cockatoo I had a few years and who is with my mom today. Our last bird was a bluejay my wife found in the back yard and we had for 10 years. We lost him to sickness almost a year ago. I still miss that bird and talk to him every day out back where he is buried. All of my birds have been very special to me. This one is the smartest bird I ever had and she is quite a challenge but very rewarding. She is a very special part of our family.

I have been a member at Mytoos for some time now. If I had found that site before I got Sweetie I probably would have tried to find an adoption instead. I just had no idea how widespread the problem of abused, neglected and abandoned birds was. It has been a real eye opener for me. I have long thought that most people who buy birds shouldn't have them but now I am coming to believe no one should have them. Anyway, I have one now and with that the responsibility to make her life in captivity as full and enriching as possible.

This post has been edited by Papa2ManyMouths: 11 March 2010 - 05:52 PM
Reason for edit: Added Mytoos link

[EinsteinsMom]

HI JBryan, I know what you mean about wondering if anybody should have them... unfortunately we can't put them back and can only do our best to take good care of them. My first bird (as an adult) was Sunny my hen cockatiel purchased from a local pet store... as I read up on taking care of her I learned about the plight of birds and so Petey my other cockatiel and Einstein my grey are both rescues. Welcome to the site, lots of great info here!

As a side note, when I was think about getting a larger parrot at one point I was reading up on cockatoos and after finding MyToos decided never, ever. It's such a great site with realistic info. Einstein is fantastic but I realize I have been incredibly lucky with him that he is so tame and does not have bad habits.

[Mama2ManyMouths]

Welcome JBryan!

It's nice to have someone with so many years experience on board. We may be asking you for advice.

I, too, believe that these wonderful creatures are much better off in the wild and that people should not keep wild animals, but like EinsteinsMom says, we can't put them back, so it's our responsibility to take care of them the best we can. Domestically reared birds are now dependent on people for their sustenance and protection.

Wild parrots can be returned to the wild (and there are organizations doing it), but it has to be done very carefully and only by those who have the knowledge and resources to slowly reintroduce them to their wild habitat.

[Dee]

Hi There

Welcome to AnAG ...

Would love to hear more about all of your birds ...

I would agree that many people who own parrots shouldn't ... and some pet stores make it so easy to buy one on a whim .. I would also agree that parrots that are bred in the wild should stay in the wild and so grateful that many countries recognize this and have made importing wild caughts illegal.

Whether or not a parrot should be bred in captivity I think is a completely different debate .... and I won't weigh in on that one in this post.

What I do know is that many people don't educate themselves before bringing a parrot into their homes.. If they did they either wouldn't make the purchase or if they choose to make the purchase they would at the very least know how to care for their parrot the way the parrot should be cared for ....

Having said that, I think the best thing I personally can do for the avian community and my own birds is to keep myself educated/current and educate others through sharing of information ... Hopefully that will enrich the lives of not only my own birds ... but someone else's ...

Looking forward to learning and sharing with you as well ...

[Birdlette]

Sweetie looks like a sweetie... welcome to the forum! Part of me agrees that all birds were made to be free... In an ideal world I would say this is how it should be. However, it isn't so I too have a rescue CAG and have rescued a tiel in the past... I have always been concerned with animal welfare and tried to do my part in my own little corner of the world (Hence 12 cats, 3 dogs etc...). Sounds like you have lots of experience and will add alot to our discussions!

[JBryan]

Thanks all for the warm welcome. I have had birds (or have they had me) for a long time but I still consider myself as still learning. I am not here to debate whether birds should be kept in captivity. I consider that argument rather academic considering the reality of the situation. We all love our companions very much and I for one feel no guilt because these creatures are extremely intelligent and adaptable and while they cannot fly 50 miles a day in the wild they also do not have to live in fear of predators and wonder where the next meal will come from so there are trade offs. As I said, everyone here loves their special companions very much or they would not be here at this site so let us dispense with the argument over whether they should be with us or not and deal with the subject at hand:How to properly care for them. I am willing to learn and I am also willing to share anything I might be able to contribute. As a side note the Mytoos site has been down for almost a week and I am beginning to wonder whether their server burnt to the ground or certain entities had them shut down for their (to some) controversial views.

Again, thank you much for your kind words.

[JAM]

Welcome to the forum!
It's nice to see another Parrot/bird enthusiast around here The more the merrier !
I hope you enjoy the forum very much, Btw, we love Alot of photos, and ANAG becomes very addicting.

Glad you could join our international avian family

[Roseilee63]

Hello and welcome to our international family, I too have been lucky enuff to be involved in birds most of my life, as my father was also a very keen parront, i dont ever know of a time when we didnt have pet birds inside and in avariys. I know you will love it here, there is always something new that can be learnt to make our home a better place for our wonderful compainions

[Picco]

welcome to you and fids!!!

[1greybrd]

Welcome to a the forum. Looking forward to hearing more about your bird experiences & all the joys and trials that Sweetie brings to your home.

[ReneeNoelle]

Welcome! A bluejay! Amazing! I'll bet you have some fun stories you could share with us about that. Did he steal food off your plate? Glad to have you and Sweetie join us here! You are most welcome here and I look forward to seeing pics and reading updates.

[newdad]

Hi and welcome. With so much experience you should have a few interesting tales to tell and hopefully some good advice to share. You'll find us somewhat less controversial than mytoos, but, I hope, interesting, informative and friendly. We do our best to help each other (and anyone interested) to learn to take the best possible care of our fids whilst trying to keep a sense of humour too. Looking forward to hearing more of your flock and hopefully a pic or two. Hope you'll find our little site to your liking and stay around to share your experience with us.

[JBryan]

ReneeNoelle, on 13 March 2010 - 04:26 PM, said:

Welcome! A bluejay! Amazing! I'll bet you have some fun stories you could share with us about that. Did he steal food off your plate? Glad to have you and Sweetie join us here! You are most welcome here and I look forward to seeing pics and reading updates.

Yes, he was quite the little character. Here is a picture of him:

 P1000037.jpg (78.83K)
Number of downloads: 8

He was quite the little thief as well. He didn't steal food off my plate because he would just sit on my shoulder like you see here and I would give him food. However, you wouldn't dare leave anything shiny or interesting where he could get to it. He would always carry it off and hide it somewhere. There are numerous small objects we haven't seen for years.

I have just been reading posts for now and will probably add something if I have a quaestion or think I may have something tocontribute. There seems to be quite a few very knowledgeable people here from all over the world. This could be very interesting.

[Picco]

awww he looks darling...thieving an' all . he can rob me anytime .

[ReneeNoelle]

What a great picture! His blue really stands out!