parrot adoption?

[Eurycerus]

I am in the process of adopting an older Senegal parrot. I would love to hear what people think about parrot adoption. Has it been successful for people with patience? I thought it was a great idea because many sweet animals need homes. However perhaps parrots are not prone to warning up to people. I've just been concerned and would love to hear peoples experiences.

[pennyandrocky]

adoption is great for many reasons. they've already reached maturity so you know excactly what you're getting you don't have to go through the hormonal change that puts alot of birds into rescues when their people can't handle them anymore. if you found a good rescue they're not trying to sell you a product so they're not giving you a bird you can't handle.and your saving a bird from being put down because the rescues are too full.thank you for adopting and keep us updated.

[Grey_Moon]

It's hard-won progress---but I think the results are more valuable than those gained with a hand-fed just-weaned baby who freely trusts, loves and learns.

My TAG will be 13 this year, we've been together seven years (I'm 21) and I'm always happy and proud when people don't realize she's a 'rescue bird' until I mention it.
The general public always has this perception that somehow secondhand birds will always be second-rate companions, always with issues or cantakerous or phobic birds that will come some way but never overcome their pasts and are gingerly treated with kid gloves as imperfect but pitied. That they'll never be as good as a hand-fed baby. The truth is the potential for healing is there so long as we never give up on them and abandon them like so many others before.

She came to me way of my father's irresponsible 'i want a cool talking parrot but don't wanna pay the money for it' desires. He found her through one of the guys on his construction crew (who's lets just say was a 'questionable' character prone to much drinking and drug use). The man's wife (a woman of the same caliber with whom he had many drunken altercations...including one where she stabbed him with a fork ) was getting rid of Jacko.
I met Jacko in a smoke-filled dark basement, alone in a rusted out cage with only a cockatiel bell. She opened the door, and pried Jacko kicking and screaming out of the cage and put her onto a fan where I picked her up---I knew right then and there I needed to get her out of there.

So, a few days later, the crackheads dropped her off in an empty beer case, with all her meagerly possessions and that was that. She was terrified of hands and would put her head down for scritches as self-defense, wouldn't step up, was petrified of anything new (we tried to replace her gross worn out dowels and she clung to the top of the cage and growled for two days), wouldn't play...nothing. Her wings were clipped so she fell like a stone and her nails so long her toes didn't touch the ground at all, plus she'd been plucking bald spots on herself for probably her whole life. She originally had been purchased for a family member of theirs as christmas gift, and then two years later was chucked back at their house.

Seven years later she sleeps by my bed, flies pretty well, steps-up, wears a harness because she *loves* riding in the car, plays with anything and everything and eats a well-balanced diet. She also plays fetch, has almost normal length nails and has molted out a good number of the dirty brown feathers she had and is afraid of almost nothing.

All this whole tale to say, it does take time, but they do come around ---as long as we have the patience to help them unpack their baggage and deal with it.

[liz]

I agree with Gray Moon.

Rambo was an adoption from a loving woman who treated him like her baby. After 11 years of marriage she finaly got pregnant. She was going to sell him. I convince her to give him to me because he knew of me from some visits. I knew nothing about anything but cockatiels. Rambo taught me how the pecking order works. I love him dearly. He has never grown flight feathers so I consider him a handicaped kid.

Myrtle was an extreme rescue. She could not have survived much longer where she was. She was scared, skinny and dule in apperance. I took her to help her be healthy and happy not just for my own pleasure of teaching her to talk or do tricks. Even if I could never touch her I wanted her to be happy. After a year I have to believe that there is no happier bird in the world.

She is on my shoulder preening me at the moment. She gained weight back fast and is an adventurist eater. (All she had before was seed and water.) Myrtle has a beautiful blue face. She is bonded to us humans and claims Sqeaky the cat and Jasmine the dog. We play together.

Rehome and rescue are very rewarding. All of my critters came to me in need and fit together as a family.

[Eurycerus]

Your stories make me happy. I am a worrier and I try to do extensive research before I jump head long into a commitment like this. It sounds like older birds may take a little longer but you can definitely develop a bond of trust and train them. I would like to harness train my bird so I can take him wherever like for car rides. Thank you for giving me the hope I need.

[terri]

I think its wonderful you want to adopt [think of all the birds out there that need to be loved] It looks like you havent had birds before ? I Think understanding your bird is the key to a great relationship.When you get a just weaned bird your able to develop as the bird does.Sometimes a rescue can be like starting in the middle of the story and you have to figure out the begaining.Ive known rescues to quickly bond to a person,and others that take awhile.Like months to never.When a bird is afraid it can take a really long time to build their trust [I dont think people understand]It could be hiding in corner for weeks.Is it worth doing ?I think so .Just read everything you can so you understand when you come across it.See if the bird wants to come to you, that helps.

[Eurycerus]

I had a cockatiel many years ago. I have wanted to find a bird friend (specifically a Senegal) for six (holy cow I can't believe it's been that long!) years or so. However, I knew I was going to university and didn't have the time, money, or place to stay (that allowed birds), so I waited and waited. Now here I am. I have a steady job and a nice apartment, so I can finally make my dream come true.

I think it may be a long process but I am willing to put in the effort.

[LPolliard]

I would become a member of a bird rescue group. They have classes on various subjects pertaining to parrot parenting. Don't commit to the first bird you meet. You might try to foster one first to see if it is something you want to commit to long term. An adoptee does not necessarily have to be a little monster. Chico is a rescue and you can tell he came from a loving home.

[Wayne361]

I adopted Oscar on dec 12/11. He was 8 years old when adopted. Once the trust issues were worked out things have progressed amazingly. He is my first bird of any kind and the learning curve was/has been steep but have enjoyed every moment. This site, and Micheals tutorials/videos, have helped immensely. Patience will reward you big time. Oscar is now target trained, does flight recall on cue, waves, turns-around, shakes his head, shows wings on cue and is potty trained. I am in the process of getting him in his flight harness, but this has proven to be the largest hurdle so far BUT patience and positive re-enforcement will prevail Parrots are a cerebral pet, meaning you must always be thinking about not instilling/re-enforcing undesirable behaviour and concentrating on enforcing good behaviour. Sorry for getting off topic but parrot adoption is as rewarding as YOU make it. Read, read, read and read some more to prepare yourself.

Cheers,

Wayne

[liz]

I had met Rambo before. So he remembered me and was not affraid. As a matter of fact I think I birdie sat for a week when his parents were moving.

The only thing I knew about Myrtle was that she was scared to death. She had lived in a dark room with a Grey who didn't like her.

It is like adoption. Sometimes you can get some info on the child you are adopting. Other times you are rescuing a child from a war torn country and have no info on backround or emotional trama.