Cape or Un-cape?

[Kim S]

I understand why you used the species names. That wasnt what was confusing to me. But you were using big scientific wording and scientific explanations in the sentenses. I lost you.

But if this were an article written in Dutch and I wouldn't have to try so hard to understand what you were trying to say, I would have loved to discuss it with you.
These things really interes me too. I remember going into detail about the different sizes and colouring of african grey way back when I was considering one. Apparently, the parrots in the northern area of their habitat are smaller and darker than the ones in the south.

I would love to read the full article once you finished it. And please bear with me when I ask stupid questions, Im just really interested

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Well we have a 72 hour hold on him... gulp.

[Michael]

I understand why you used the species names. That wasnt what was confusing to me. But you were using big scientific wording and scientific explanations in the sentenses. I lost you.

Just say what part or word confuses you and I'll try to explain differently. I can't really guess what that would be otherwise.

Entranced, Cape Parrots are absolutely incredible birds. How old is that one and is it clipped? To be quite honest I have read/heard a lot that Cape Parrots don't take too well to a clip. I can even tell you from Truman that he's a huge klutz and flight has saved him many times (ignore the accident because that was a ridiculous artificially induced situation). Not sure if you've been following my blog articles but they might help you get a slight idea more what Capes are about.

[pchela]

I asked my breeder Scott Lewis about UnCapes and he went off on how UnCape is not a name and blamed Jeannie (which I assume is Jean Pattison) for creating the name and making it into a common term for Brown and Grey necked parrots! I believe his exact words were, "I love Jeannie but I don't know why she had to go and come up with the term Uncape!" He went on to gripe about how much confusion there already is and that calling them uncapes just makes it worse. It was an amusing little rant.

[Azure Hanyo]

Ok, I know that. Didn't I start by saying that this as a quick/informal mention of some of the stuff I've learned about them and that I have not yet had the chance to make my official write up? Sheesh.

I only love Rue for her birds.

Just kidding. I did however find Rue's add-on fascinating because I am a geek like that. I really don't think she meant to make a jab at you.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Entranced, Cape Parrots are absolutely incredible birds. How old is that one and is it clipped?

Micheal, he is clipped, and he's a little over a year. I expect he's been clipped as long as he's been with the shop as all the birds there are. The clip is a bit more severe than what we'd probably maintain him with. He seems OK with it -- or at least he seems pretty OK in general. I guess he can be a bit opinionated, the shop assistant doesn't seem to like him a whole lot, but he stepped up readily for both Bill and I. He even allowed a little petting. Per the store owner (she's also a breeder but this guy was apparently bred by EB Cravens who seems to be well-known for co-parenting) he's been sought after by some breeders but she thinks he is a good candidate to be a pet and she wants to see him go as a pet. So he's not a baby, but he's still a young bird. I assume since he was co-parented he was allowed to develop flight before he was initially clipped.

We COULD probably try to hold out for a baby. I think the only chicks they currently have unclaimed are Greys, a Great-Billed, and a Jardines, but they seem to breed fairly actively and they do breed Capes if I'm not confused.

[Michael]

Eb Cravens is a bit...

I opted not to get a Cape from him although he had them available before Jean. He has some... strange... theories about raising them. He doesn't believe in pellets nor hand feeding (if I remember correctly). In other words he raises them pretty wild. My contact with him was brief and my memory may be a bit erroneous, but I felt that I must warn you to look more into Eb as a breeder as you consider a bird he raised.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

My contact with him was brief and my memory may be a bit erroneous, but I felt that I must warn you to look more into Eb as a breeder as you consider a bird he raised.

Will do. Do you have any particular sources of info I should look at?

My understanding from Judy Lentz is that he co-parents... he does handle the babies and does some hand feeding, but he doesn't pull the chicks. This guy still begs for formula, although he is definitely fully weaned, so I think he's been hand fed at least somewhat. We can find out more about the bird's background. The bird store which is selling his is definitely into pellets along with fresh foods, their website has a lot of nutritional info on it. So I'm sure he's eating them now.

[Michael]

Let me quote one thing Eb said that I totally agree with:

"We would NEVER clip a capes wings. they are too sensitive and it would crush their esteem and might ruin them."

So I'm kind of surprised that one of his Capes ended up clipped (or that he'd sell to a place known for clipping). That's about the only thing I really agree with him on. I have heard others say this as well so just something to keep in mind since you are intent on clipping. It may work out for you. I just know that a lot of people who keep Capes DO keep them flighted.

Otherwise he does things very differently from the other main Cape breeders. He is mostly against pellets and hand feeding, he weans them differently, he holds them back much longer before sending them home. I realize that since the one you're looking at has been in the store so long that many of these things don't apply or apply differently. I just want you to know some of the prehistory of the bird before you buy. If it is all agreeable to you, then go right ahead. But basically he keeps them pretty wild.

[Rue]

[quote="Azure Hanyo]... I really don't think she meant to make a jab at you. [/quote]

...it was just the teensiest, tiniest of jabs...