As many of you know, I raise parrots; greencheek conures, rosiefron conures and fiery shoulder conures.
I had a slightly loose screen in the bird room. I wedged it in with newspaper and then duct taped both sides of it. I put clear tape over that and checked it whenever I went into the room. Well, this week, my birds chewed off the tape and pried open the window. There were 17 free flying birds in that room. Six got out, 5 babies that I raised and one breeder. Two came back to me when I took a food bowl outside. I looked everywhere for them for the next three days. I finally called the police and they had a report of a woman who found one. It turns out she was having a wedding shower and one of my babies landed on the head of the mother of the bride. They took it as a good sign. They also got it in a column in the newspaper (big town news)! A call to the local pet store produced a name of another lady that a baby landed on. Once the newspaper came out I got two more calls, the last baby and the breeder. The breeder was pretty wild, he would land on me but not let me touch him. He had an overgrown lower beak that I had to trim every three weeks, which made it hard for him to eat. I never expected to get him back. The baby was fine, but hungry. The breeder was dead. It looked like a hawk may have gotten him by the marks on his back. I am sad about him, but glad to know what happened to him. I have three of his babies, so I haven't lost his genes.
All in all, I can't believe that I got them all back! The odds were certainly stacked against me. I am so lucky that all of my birds didn't fly away. When I first walked into the room and discovered the window, the ones that were left looked at me like "Mom, I'm good, I didn't leave". I think that they were kind of scared.
All of the recovered babies are doing fine and I'm never opening that window again.
Jean
Escaped Bird Adventure
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Oh, Jean.... how horrible for you! I know (first hand) that, sick, awful feeling when you realize your babies are out there.... SOMEWHERE, and needing you!
My blue and gold macaw (who I got at 4 weeks old - no feathers, unable to perch, etc.) always went outside with me in the spring and summer when he was young. I always kept his wings clipped and he was forever going to schools with me to do volunteer work in the classrooms, etc. One day I was walking down the driveway with him on my arm and a big gust of wind came along. He naturally started flapping to balance himself, and that flapping caused him to get airborne! Obviously I hadn't clipped his wings ENOUGH, and never really was religious about it because he had no desire to fly away. I think this episode shocked him as much as me... I could see the look on him that was like "hey Ma, what's happening... why am I getting higher?!?" Since he'd never had the flight experience, he really didn't know what he was doing, and I watched him struggle up and over the lake in our back yard, and out of sight over the trees.
Horror. Panic. Overwhelming fear and sadness. And what do YOU DO at at time like that!?!?!? I knew he wasn't "street smart".... I'd had him since he was a newborn! I of course went screaming into the house and hubby and I and the kids hopped in the car to go try to find him. Up and down the streets, in people's back yards, knocking on doors, etc.
We went back to the house after about 2 hours and I called the police, asking them to be on the lookout for a huge blue and yellow bird who was probably too friendly for his own good. Hubby called all our local friends and relatives, and they were all out searching. Hours went by, and the sick feeling in my stomach and heart got stronger and stronger. My baby was out there, helpless and terrified, and it was my fault. I didn't know if he was being eaten by a dog or getting hit by a car, or starving and dehydrated.
I was sitting at my computer sobbing and trying to create "LOST" posters to go hang around town, and my brother-in-law came in and said... "you better come out here on the deck for a second". If you listened carefully you could hear the awful screech of a terrified macaw way off in the distance, coming from a wooded area. I yelled his name (Gilligan) and he yelled back "MA!" I yelled - he yelled. Now all the neighbors start scurrying and running trying to head for the direction of his voice as he kept calling "Ma! Ma!" We finally got him pinpointed to a certain spot in a thickly wooded area near the lake, and could see a flash of gold at the very top of a TALL tree. The problem is the trees were so thick, there was no way for him to fly down to me even if he wanted to - he was at the tallest perch of the tallest tree, probably the first thing he could grab onto in his frightened first flight. As my husband was preparing to start climbing this tree (my hero) Gilligan somehow tumbled his way down through the branches and trees and landed on me. There was not a dry eye in the group as I hugged him and he repeatedly kept saying "I love you - I love you - I love you".
True story. Makes me cry all over again thinking about it, and it was probably 9 or 10 years ago. This had a very happy ending, but unfortunately most, don't. I'm so sorry you lost your breeder - we can just be hopeful that he didn't suffer much. The pain and guilt will be with you for a long time, but please remember that you did give him a very good life and took great care of him. I need to go hug my macaw now.
Sue
My blue and gold macaw (who I got at 4 weeks old - no feathers, unable to perch, etc.) always went outside with me in the spring and summer when he was young. I always kept his wings clipped and he was forever going to schools with me to do volunteer work in the classrooms, etc. One day I was walking down the driveway with him on my arm and a big gust of wind came along. He naturally started flapping to balance himself, and that flapping caused him to get airborne! Obviously I hadn't clipped his wings ENOUGH, and never really was religious about it because he had no desire to fly away. I think this episode shocked him as much as me... I could see the look on him that was like "hey Ma, what's happening... why am I getting higher?!?" Since he'd never had the flight experience, he really didn't know what he was doing, and I watched him struggle up and over the lake in our back yard, and out of sight over the trees.
Horror. Panic. Overwhelming fear and sadness. And what do YOU DO at at time like that!?!?!? I knew he wasn't "street smart".... I'd had him since he was a newborn! I of course went screaming into the house and hubby and I and the kids hopped in the car to go try to find him. Up and down the streets, in people's back yards, knocking on doors, etc.
We went back to the house after about 2 hours and I called the police, asking them to be on the lookout for a huge blue and yellow bird who was probably too friendly for his own good. Hubby called all our local friends and relatives, and they were all out searching. Hours went by, and the sick feeling in my stomach and heart got stronger and stronger. My baby was out there, helpless and terrified, and it was my fault. I didn't know if he was being eaten by a dog or getting hit by a car, or starving and dehydrated.
I was sitting at my computer sobbing and trying to create "LOST" posters to go hang around town, and my brother-in-law came in and said... "you better come out here on the deck for a second". If you listened carefully you could hear the awful screech of a terrified macaw way off in the distance, coming from a wooded area. I yelled his name (Gilligan) and he yelled back "MA!" I yelled - he yelled. Now all the neighbors start scurrying and running trying to head for the direction of his voice as he kept calling "Ma! Ma!" We finally got him pinpointed to a certain spot in a thickly wooded area near the lake, and could see a flash of gold at the very top of a TALL tree. The problem is the trees were so thick, there was no way for him to fly down to me even if he wanted to - he was at the tallest perch of the tallest tree, probably the first thing he could grab onto in his frightened first flight. As my husband was preparing to start climbing this tree (my hero) Gilligan somehow tumbled his way down through the branches and trees and landed on me. There was not a dry eye in the group as I hugged him and he repeatedly kept saying "I love you - I love you - I love you".
True story. Makes me cry all over again thinking about it, and it was probably 9 or 10 years ago. This had a very happy ending, but unfortunately most, don't. I'm so sorry you lost your breeder - we can just be hopeful that he didn't suffer much. The pain and guilt will be with you for a long time, but please remember that you did give him a very good life and took great care of him. I need to go hug my macaw now.
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Sue,
I am crying.
Thanks for the story. You know the guilt I felt, feel. Ultimately, it was my fault the birds were out.
I have been dreaming about Barney (the breeder) every night. The odd thing is that the day he died is the first time his mate ever landed on me or let me touch her. That brought another tear to my eye.
Love, Jean
I am crying.
Thanks for the story. You know the guilt I felt, feel. Ultimately, it was my fault the birds were out.
I have been dreaming about Barney (the breeder) every night. The odd thing is that the day he died is the first time his mate ever landed on me or let me touch her. That brought another tear to my eye.
Love, Jean
Did Barney's mate land on you BEFORE he disappeared, or after? These darned birds just fascinate me, and I'm convinced that there is SO MUCH MORE TO THEM than even us bird lovers can sense. They feel and know so much more than anyone gives them credit for. They are truly special pets, but only bird-people know that. Most people look at me like I'm nuts when I talk about my birds. They just have no idea. "It's only a bird." Yeah, right.
You're going to beat yourself up for a while with guilt - it's only natural, but when you can, try to remember that everything happens for a reason, even though we can't always see what that is at the time. Someday - you'll know.
Sue
You're going to beat yourself up for a while with guilt - it's only natural, but when you can, try to remember that everything happens for a reason, even though we can't always see what that is at the time. Someday - you'll know.
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Sue,
Barney's mate landed on me after I brought him home and buried him. He was gone for four days.
I was one of those people who thought birds were boring, until an escaped cockatiel caught me. I was hooked.
I have an African Grey that I could talk about for hours. She is so smart. I've only had her for about 5 months and am amazed.
Love, Jean
Barney's mate landed on me after I brought him home and buried him. He was gone for four days.
I was one of those people who thought birds were boring, until an escaped cockatiel caught me. I was hooked.
I have an African Grey that I could talk about for hours. She is so smart. I've only had her for about 5 months and am amazed.
Love, Jean
I've had Ben (my Congo African Grey) since he was 13 days old.... didn't even have his eyes open yet. He is the most incredible creature I've ever had the honor to know. You and I have a lot of shories to share, and given the chance, I'm sure our greys would pipe in, too!
Sue
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Well, I'm too!!
Jean,
I'm am so very happy you got those babies back. How lucky you were!!
I'm sorry about the breeder, though.
Sue,
I had a start with Jean's story but yours really did me in. I adore birds and we lost a Cockatiel once. She had never flown outside and my husband had her on his shoulder and walked into the garage where the garage door was open.
She was gone before he even thought about it. She circled and circled getting higher and higher and finally landed in the top of the tallest tree around. We brought her cage out, food, called, sat, stood and paced for 4 hours trying to get her to come to us. She never moved. Finally she decided to fly again but she flew straight over our heads over the tree tops until she just got so far away we couldn't see her anymore. I hope she found someone to take her in. We never found out what happened to her. We live out in the country so it's not like there were a lot of people around to see/find her and there are lots of woods to hide in.
I tried to climb the tree, but couldn't. My husband just couldn't believe she wouldn't come back to him and that's the direction he chose to go. I still think if he could have climbed the tree she would have come right to him.
After that we got BeeBee and he's been with us for 13 years this summer.
I'm glad there are other bird lovers here.
Love, Shirley
too!!Jean,
I'm am so very happy you got those babies back. How lucky you were!!
I'm sorry about the breeder, though.
Sue,
I had a start with Jean's story but yours really did me in. I adore birds and we lost a Cockatiel once. She had never flown outside and my husband had her on his shoulder and walked into the garage where the garage door was open.
She was gone before he even thought about it. She circled and circled getting higher and higher and finally landed in the top of the tallest tree around. We brought her cage out, food, called, sat, stood and paced for 4 hours trying to get her to come to us. She never moved. Finally she decided to fly again but she flew straight over our heads over the tree tops until she just got so far away we couldn't see her anymore. I hope she found someone to take her in. We never found out what happened to her. We live out in the country so it's not like there were a lot of people around to see/find her and there are lots of woods to hide in.
I tried to climb the tree, but couldn't. My husband just couldn't believe she wouldn't come back to him and that's the direction he chose to go. I still think if he could have climbed the tree she would have come right to him.
After that we got BeeBee and he's been with us for 13 years this summer.
I'm glad there are other bird lovers here.
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
Well now - I know of at least three women who are going to have puffy eyes tomorrow from all this crying, darn it all. I am so sorry about your cockatiel..... it only takes a split second for something liike that to happen, and as careful as we try to be, it's almost inevitable, especially for those of us who like to have our birds on us all the time. It must be very hard not knowing how your story ends, but then again, we can HOPE that all worked out well.... we have to.
Darned cockatiels. That's the bird that first got me hooked on these creatures! Personable little shits - I'm thinking I want to go out and get another one! They are so loaded with personality, and they're a lot easier to handle and clean up after than these big guys I have now, but of course I wouldn't part with either of them. But truly, I think the cockatiel is such a perfect bird to have. Small enough, yet smart enough and definitely entertaining enough! Does yours walk around the dinner table sampling items off of everyone's plate?
Sue
Darned cockatiels. That's the bird that first got me hooked on these creatures! Personable little shits - I'm thinking I want to go out and get another one! They are so loaded with personality, and they're a lot easier to handle and clean up after than these big guys I have now, but of course I wouldn't part with either of them. But truly, I think the cockatiel is such a perfect bird to have. Small enough, yet smart enough and definitely entertaining enough! Does yours walk around the dinner table sampling items off of everyone's plate?
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
-
annie oakley
- King Penguin
- Posts: 3859
- Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 5:56 pm
Oh, you BET he does!! He gets VERY insulted if we sit down to eat without him, let me tell you!!Not only that, in the morning he expects a piece of English Muffin or Bagel, buttered and toasted in the toaster oven, please. He loves rice and crowder peas (a southern veggie), raw broccoli, corn flakes, cherioes - in fact he will try most anything as long as we are eating it first.
He is very stubborn and has us really well trained. He talks some. He used to whistle part of "Dixie" until he decided to start ad-libbing.
His cage is in front of the picture window in the living room and has a view of our long driveway. He apparently has excellent hearing and knows the sound of our vehicles because he will start announcing Bill's arrival before I can see him at the end of the driveway.
Well, sorry, I get carried away sometimes.
Anyway, I used to think I wanted a larger parrot but have since changed my mind. Mainly due to the mess to clean up. I'm not as young as I once was.
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
OK,
I have to add that I know of a type of bird that is a tad smaller than a cockatiel, but IMHO smarter and more full of personality. They are also quieter. Please don't get me wrong, I started with cockatiels and love them.
The birds I prefer are my greencheeks. They think that they are big birds and aren't afraid of anything. One of them grabbed onto the tip of the cat's tail and held on while she swung her tail back and forth (I needed a camera)! They also love to cuddle. Their favorite spot is my neck. Any one of my babies would like to spend the day there. I could go on and on...
What I would suggest to all, is get one of each, you can't have too many birds!
Love, Jean
I have to add that I know of a type of bird that is a tad smaller than a cockatiel, but IMHO smarter and more full of personality. They are also quieter. Please don't get me wrong, I started with cockatiels and love them.
The birds I prefer are my greencheeks. They think that they are big birds and aren't afraid of anything. One of them grabbed onto the tip of the cat's tail and held on while she swung her tail back and forth (I needed a camera)! They also love to cuddle. Their favorite spot is my neck. Any one of my babies would like to spend the day there. I could go on and on...
What I would suggest to all, is get one of each, you can't have too many birds!
Love, Jean
I've heard great things about conures (that's what a green cheek is, right?) but the only personal experience I have with one is my sister's sun conure. OH MY GOD - what a pain in the BUTT! He has the most horrendously awful, piercing screech, and he uses it whenever anyone goes to her house. It's gotten to the point where we've stopped having family get together's there because no one can stand his screaming and squawking. I THINK I know the problem, though.... when she first got him she devoted all her time to him. He was always out of his cage and with her, and got all her attention. Then, she got her first dog, and now the DOG gets all her attention, and the bird is locked up. I guess I'd squawk, too!
Sue
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Sue,
That's the biggest problem that I face when I say I raise conures, people assume I mean Suns. The Aratinga genus, of which the Suns, Jenday, Blue Crown, etc are members, may be the loudest type of bird anywhere. They are even louder than most Amazons. My birds are a different species, pyrrhura. They make very little noise, and it is at predictable times, i.e. mornings and evenings and when I enter the room. Pyrrhuras are smaller, too. All of the conures come from South America.
Your sister is fighting a losing battle with her Sun. The only real thing to do is to only give it attention when it's quite. Even if she's consistent, it will probably take a good amount of time for it to quite down. Suns sure are beautiful though, aren't they!?!
Jean
That's the biggest problem that I face when I say I raise conures, people assume I mean Suns. The Aratinga genus, of which the Suns, Jenday, Blue Crown, etc are members, may be the loudest type of bird anywhere. They are even louder than most Amazons. My birds are a different species, pyrrhura. They make very little noise, and it is at predictable times, i.e. mornings and evenings and when I enter the room. Pyrrhuras are smaller, too. All of the conures come from South America.
Your sister is fighting a losing battle with her Sun. The only real thing to do is to only give it attention when it's quite. Even if she's consistent, it will probably take a good amount of time for it to quite down. Suns sure are beautiful though, aren't they!?!
Jean