Okay, call it the hubris of the inexperienced. I assumed that our sweet little Loco Ono would love Gilda. He seems to when they are both in their cages. He gets on the wall closest to her cage and gyrates like nobody's business.
The problem might be that he loves her a little too much. We put them together on the large playstand. Beeline is probably not the right word. Loco rushed over to Gilda so quickly that I think he completely frightened her. In fact, "rush" might not be the right word. "Lunge" is probably closer to correct. I think he was just excited. After all, Gilda is a beautiful girl.
Once I finish my finals, I will begin the research of the most effective way to introduce two parrots of different species. I am sure it will work out in time. But right now, I am questioning my dream of a happy bird family. But, fingers crossed. It can happen. Can't it?
Oh, and did I mention that Gilda seems to be squawking a lot? The lady at the bird store says it is her baby noise and should not last too much longer. She better have not lied to us. Seriously, better. not. have. lied.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Loco, Meet Gilda
We did something today that we may live to regret. It started as a normal Saturday. We grabbed a bagel and were going to run to the bird store for some supplies and to get their opinion about a cyst-looking place on Bob Dylan (our crested canary). It was ingrown feathers. Yikes. We were in a hurry. I have a final on Monday that I needed to devote some studying time to. Still, we were there. As usual, I wandered through the bird room to see some fairly rare softbills they had in and admire the big birds.
I will be honest. I love the cockatoos and macaws. I think they are beautiful. I will never own one. They are too big. They are too loud. Their beaks just look too powerful. I have been quite happy with Loco (the world's most perfect caique) and our menagerie of finches with one canary thrown in. We have long (by long, I mean several months...especially after we completely fell in love with Loco) been tempted to add one last parrot, but have never caved to the temptation. It was easy not to cave. I had my heart set on a female eclectus. We had never seen one, so it was easy not to buy one.
I made the loop through the bird room. No damage done. I admired an Eastern Rosella that was truly beautiful, but it was in no way friendly. Here's the deal. Loco is the most friendly bird ever. If we add another bird, it has to be social. Then, there were a couple of black-capped lories. I admit it. They are beautiful. They have a similar striking red plumage to that of the female eclectus. But, they have a special diet which results in some special discharge. I won't describe it. You have to see it for yourself.
I am just about to enter the supply part of the establishment when I glance into the nursery. There she was. I thought my eyes were deceiving me...a female eclectus. I just stared for a minute. Then, I proceeded into the supply room where the owner of the store was talking with Shlomo. At the first break in the conversation, I said, "Is that a female eclectus in there?"
She replied that it was and asked if we wanted to see it. I was going to say no. Honestly, I was. I know that handling is the second step to owning. (Seeing is the first step.) Shlomo promptly said that we would indeed like to see her. I am not going to lie. She is bigger than a caique. In fact, she is probably twice Loco's size. She is three months old and has been completely hand-fed since she was two weeks old. She is (as some silver-haired gentleman who was picking up his African Grey called her) a "beautiful beast."
We debated it all day. We made a list of the pros and cons of getting her. The cons won. The cons had also won with Loco. We know how that turned out. We went and picked her up and a new cage for her...and a carrier...and a talking cd. So help me, this one will talk. She can certainly squawk. She did all the way home. But now, she seems to be settling down.
We managed to squeeze her cage next to Loco. Since she had basically been quarantined with twice-weekly visits from an avian vet, we felt we were safe in skipping the quarantine at home phase.
Loco is fascinated by her. That was a relief. I think they will get along fine. Loco is just a few months older than Gilda (named after the red-headed Rita Hayworth's most famous role) so they will basically grow up together. After Wednesday, I have the winter break from school, so I should be able to spend time with her and Loco to make sure he does not feel neglected. We do have the agreement from the bird store that they will take her back if they do not get along.
So, there you have it. It is possible that we have just made one of the biggest mistakes of our adult lives. I will sporadically keep you posted as to the developments of a two parrot (and twenty bird) household. Oy vey. It should be quite the adventure. But no pressure...her lifespan is just 50 years or so.
I will be honest. I love the cockatoos and macaws. I think they are beautiful. I will never own one. They are too big. They are too loud. Their beaks just look too powerful. I have been quite happy with Loco (the world's most perfect caique) and our menagerie of finches with one canary thrown in. We have long (by long, I mean several months...especially after we completely fell in love with Loco) been tempted to add one last parrot, but have never caved to the temptation. It was easy not to cave. I had my heart set on a female eclectus. We had never seen one, so it was easy not to buy one.
I made the loop through the bird room. No damage done. I admired an Eastern Rosella that was truly beautiful, but it was in no way friendly. Here's the deal. Loco is the most friendly bird ever. If we add another bird, it has to be social. Then, there were a couple of black-capped lories. I admit it. They are beautiful. They have a similar striking red plumage to that of the female eclectus. But, they have a special diet which results in some special discharge. I won't describe it. You have to see it for yourself.
I am just about to enter the supply part of the establishment when I glance into the nursery. There she was. I thought my eyes were deceiving me...a female eclectus. I just stared for a minute. Then, I proceeded into the supply room where the owner of the store was talking with Shlomo. At the first break in the conversation, I said, "Is that a female eclectus in there?"
She replied that it was and asked if we wanted to see it. I was going to say no. Honestly, I was. I know that handling is the second step to owning. (Seeing is the first step.) Shlomo promptly said that we would indeed like to see her. I am not going to lie. She is bigger than a caique. In fact, she is probably twice Loco's size. She is three months old and has been completely hand-fed since she was two weeks old. She is (as some silver-haired gentleman who was picking up his African Grey called her) a "beautiful beast."
We debated it all day. We made a list of the pros and cons of getting her. The cons won. The cons had also won with Loco. We know how that turned out. We went and picked her up and a new cage for her...and a carrier...and a talking cd. So help me, this one will talk. She can certainly squawk. She did all the way home. But now, she seems to be settling down.
We managed to squeeze her cage next to Loco. Since she had basically been quarantined with twice-weekly visits from an avian vet, we felt we were safe in skipping the quarantine at home phase.
Loco is fascinated by her. That was a relief. I think they will get along fine. Loco is just a few months older than Gilda (named after the red-headed Rita Hayworth's most famous role) so they will basically grow up together. After Wednesday, I have the winter break from school, so I should be able to spend time with her and Loco to make sure he does not feel neglected. We do have the agreement from the bird store that they will take her back if they do not get along.
So, there you have it. It is possible that we have just made one of the biggest mistakes of our adult lives. I will sporadically keep you posted as to the developments of a two parrot (and twenty bird) household. Oy vey. It should be quite the adventure. But no pressure...her lifespan is just 50 years or so.
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