ma176f1@sdcc14.ucsd.edu (Sean Kelly) (02/08/91)
I've been a bird lover for most of the twentythree years of my life, but due to circumstances beyond my control (mom wouldn't let me) I have never been a bird owner until yesterday. I came across a beautiful Amazon (mostly green with orange cheeks) female (they said it was surgically determined) in the local Bird Store (Bird Haven). Anyway, not wanting to be a poor bird owner and wanting only the best for both her and I, I was wondering if any of you could give me any helpful hints as to things I should know. I formed a few questions but they are by no means comprehensive. 1) Does anyone know of a good bird vet in San Diego? And, how often should she been seen? 2) What kind of food do they like? And what kind of food do they need? (the salesmen said birdseed and fresh fruits and vegetables) 3) Since I work for a living and can't be home constantly what kind toys and equipment should be in the cage to keep her busy? (rubber squeky toys, cuddle bones, ladders, swings, radios?) 4) How much should I expect her to be able to learn? (I'd like to train her but I don't want to push her) 5) Are there any really good books or magazines that are considered required reading? 6) What are good names for Parrots (other than Polly)? Please Email your suggestions. I don't want to cause to much INDOOR traffic, I get the impression that wouldn't be appreciated. If there is enough interest I'll post a summary. Thanks In Advance, Sean (alias seank@crash.cts.com)
susans@cfi.COM (susans) (02/09/91)
In article <16456@sdcc6.ucsd.edu> ma176f1@sdcc14.ucsd.edu (Sean Kelly) writes: > >I've been a bird lover for most of the twentythree years of my life, >but due to circumstances beyond my control (mom wouldn't let me) I >have never been a bird owner until yesterday. I came across a >beautiful Amazon (mostly green with orange cheeks) female (they said >it was surgically determined) in the local Bird Store (Bird Haven). Find out what KIND of Amazon. And ask to see the surgical sexing papers. If the store is advertising an "amazon parrot," I would run, not walk, to another store that knows what they're selling! >1) Does anyone know of a good bird vet in San Diego? And, how often > should she been seen? Bird Talk magazine has lists of Avian vets in all areas of the country. The bird should be examined the day after you buy it, and the bird should come with a health guarantee so that you can return it if the vet finds anything wrong with it. Other than that, you need not take her in unless she's sick. >2) What kind of food do they like? And what kind of food do they need? > (the salesmen said birdseed and fresh fruits and vegetables) Score one for the salesman. Read books. Read magazines. Ask the vet. > >3) Since I work for a living and can't be home constantly what kind > toys and equipment should be in the cage to keep her busy? > (rubber squeky toys, cuddle bones, ladders, swings, radios?) This is cute! It isn't "cuddle bones," it's cuttle bone, and it's not a toy, it's a necessary dietary supplement (the skeleton of a squid or something like that) and the bird should have one available at all times to provide calcium. You start with one toy, and if she likes it, great. If not, try another. My birds don't like toys much. Some don't. If they don't, they don't. Do NOT give it a mirror, unless you want her to fall in love with herself, and not you. >4) How much should I expect her to be able to learn? Like what do you mean? She won't learn to read! Knitting is probably out! She might learn a few simple tricks, and perhaps a few words or how to whistle. If the bird is not currently tame enough to sit on your arm/shoulder, you should probably think twice since you have no bird experience. Taming an adult parrot is not easy, and it takes a lot of time and patience. For a little more money you can buy one that is already tame. Makes for a much easier time. Some amazons are better talkers than others. That's why you have to find out what type she is. Some are noisier than others too. Something to consider when you consider your neighbors! >5) Are there any really good books or magazines that are considered > required reading? I'd recommend Patricia Waltz's "The Pet Bird Handbook." There are a million books. I like Bird Talk magazine, because I'm not a professional. There is also American Cage Bird, but I feel they have too much canary stuff. >6) What are good names for Parrots (other than Polly)? That's equivalent to asking what's a good name for a child. Pick a name you like. Any name will do. Mine are Flipper, Murphy, Sugar, Pookie, and Bandit. Not good kid names, but adequate for birds! -- Susan S. (susans@cfi.com) Another Friend of Bill's
mm@lectroid.sw.stratus.com (Mike Mahler) (02/10/91)
In article susans@cfiprod.UUCP (Susan Scheide -CFI-) writes: !In article ma176f1@sdcc14.ucsd.edu (Sean Kelly) writes: ... !!1) Does anyone know of a good bird vet in San Diego? And, how often !! should she been seen? ! Bird Talk magazine has lists of Avian vets in all areas of ! the country. The bird should be examined the day after you ! buy it, and the bird should come with a health guarantee so ! that you can return it if the vet finds anything wrong with ! it. ! ! Other than that, you need not take her in unless she's sick. I don't reccomend waiting until any bird is visibly sick before you take it to the vet. Learn how to recognize stool, mucous and plumage variations by asking your vet to show you. -- -~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Support Our Troops: Check your tire pressure when you fill up! -~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
gbell@sdcc13.ucsd.edu (Greg Bell) (02/10/91)
In article <1016@cfiprod.UUCP> susans@cfiprod.UUCP (Susan Scheide -CFI-) writes: > > Find out what KIND of Amazon. And ask to see the surgical > sexing papers. If the store is advertising an "amazon > parrot," I would run, not walk, to another store that knows > what they're selling! > I'm totally missing your point here. What's wrong with advertising an "amazon parrot". What does this mean? BTW, my reply mail to you always bounces. I haven't checked, but is your sig address different than the one shown in the "reply to" line? GBell
susans@cfi.COM (susans) (02/13/91)
In article <16523@sdcc6.ucsd.edu> gbell@sdcc13.ucsd.edu (Greg Bell) writes: >In article <1016@cfiprod.UUCP> susans@cfiprod.UUCP (Susan Scheide -CFI-) writes: >> >> Find out what KIND of Amazon. And ask to see the surgical >> sexing papers. If the store is advertising an "amazon >> parrot," I would run, not walk, to another store that knows >> what they're selling! >> > >I'm totally missing your point here. What's wrong with advertising >an "amazon parrot". What does this mean? What does it mean? It means the pet store doesn't even know what kind of bird they have. "Amazon" covers LOTS of different parrots: Yellow Nape, Blue Front....uh, well, I'm not a parrot owner, and I know there are lots of others. Describing it as an "Amazon" is pretty close to saying "Parrot for sale." The different birds have different characteristics. That's why it matters what kind it is. So he can do his research. -- Susan S. (susans@cfi.com) Another Friend of Bill's