An egg

[Natacha]

Well..three eggs to be more exact.

But all I really care is that one holds a female Cape parrot.

For years now I've been fascinated with Cape parrots. For years they were my "dream bird".

I've wanted one very badly for a long time. Thing is, they are rather rare in Canada, although there seems to be more and more breeders who do have them, and it never really was the right time.

But I've been tired of having "if, buts and maybes" running my life. Don't get me wrong, I still think of all the possible outcomes to the scenario, but sometimes you have to seize the day. And knowing me, I could easily let the cons win over the pros, even if the pros would be larger in number.

I could wait all my life - there could always be a reason not to go forward and get one, but I could regret not doing it as well. I've actually seen a Cape pass me by last fall. But it did't feel like the right time and I don't regret not jumping on the occasion. But now - it feels right and not going through would lead to regrets I'm sure.

So yes. Three eggs. Three chances that one of them holds a little girlie Cape. Because that is what I want - a little girl Cape.

The eggs were laid in mid-April so by mid-May they should start hatching. The wait is killing me. I've started putting stuff in my spare cage. I've started buying specific perches and toys for this unborn bird. Not too much, and stuff that could be used by my others guys should there be no girl Cape this time. But I'm surprised about how committed I'm being. It's a little scary but it feels great at the same time.

And names have been popping in my head and I'm torn between two - but those I will not share until there's a baby bird to be really attached to it, and I'm sure the name will come naturally when I first see it's face, even if it's only on a picture.

[Michael]

I've started buying specific perches and toys for this unborn bird. Not too much, and stuff that could be used by my others guys should there be no girl Cape this time.

And names have been popping in my head and I'm torn between two - but those I will not share until there's a baby bird to be really attached to it, and I'm sure the name will come naturally when I first see it's face, even if it's only on a picture.

Getting a little ahead of ourselves?

[Natacha]

I've started buying specific perches and toys for this unborn bird. Not too much, and stuff that could be used by my others guys should there be no girl Cape this time.

And names have been popping in my head and I'm torn between two - but those I will not share until there's a baby bird to be really attached to it, and I'm sure the name will come naturally when I first see it's face, even if it's only on a picture.

Getting a little ahead of ourselves?

Hehe..possibly

But..as I mentioned, the purchases are all things that I could use with my other guys, the cage I had for ages.

As for the names, well one of the two I've been wanting to use forever, almost used it with Pixel but Pixel seemed more fitting for her (and the nickname Pixie was closer to Stewie in hoping to have her transition from one name the the other). The second name, which is in the lead right now, was a modified version of a name that my boyfriend said when I asked his opinion. But I insist, names will remain secret until I choose to use them or not...

[kaylayuh]

Here's hoping that one holds a little girl! I think Capes are beautiful, and I normally don't go for African parrots. Is there a reason why you'd prefer a female over male?

[Natacha]

Here's hoping that one holds a little girl! I think Capes are beautiful, and I normally don't go for African parrots. Is there a reason why you'd prefer a female over male?

On quite a few accounts I've read/heard that the females tend to keep a sweeter disposition, even when hormones kick in.
I already have 5 Pois, 3 of them males, and I do find the females are a bit easier to handle during those times.

[kaylayuh]

Here's hoping that one holds a little girl! I think Capes are beautiful, and I normally don't go for African parrots. Is there a reason why you'd prefer a female over male?

On quite a few accounts I've read/heard that the females tend to keep a sweeter disposition, even when hormones kick in.
I already have 5 Pois, 3 of them males, and I do find the females are a bit easier to handle during those times.

I've always heard about people prefering one sex over another. I wonder if that's pretty true for other species of parrots where one sex keep a better disposition than the other.

I read your blog the other day, too, and my GCC also dives into glasses of juice when he sees them! His face ends up all sticky and I have to be pretty careful he doesn't fall in!

[Michael]

It's cause the female capes are prettier isn't it?

[Natacha]

It's cause the female capes are prettier isn't it?

No

The one I would be getting is of the Suahelicus subspecies, aka Grey-headed. The females Suahelicus have less colouration than their Fuscicollis counter parts

[Michael]

Why you want P. r. suahelicus? Or no P. r. fuscicollis available? Also on what are you basing that they are suahelicus? I've heard things that go as far as there being no actual suahelicus in the pet trade and just a wide variation of fuscicollis to them being so similar and overlapping that you can't reliably tell the difference. Then there are others who are sure you can tell them apart.

I try to guess by the look/weight but I realize that I may well be wrong and it may be impossible to tell.

[Natacha]

Why you want P. r. suahelicus? Or no P. r. fuscicollis available? Also on what are you basing that they are suahelicus? I've heard things that go as far as there being no actual suahelicus in the pet trade and just a wide variation of fuscicollis to them being so similar and overlapping that you can't reliably tell the difference. Then there are others who are sure you can tell them apart.

I try to guess by the look/weight but I realize that I may well be wrong and it may be impossible to tell.

Fair enough.
Breeder says they are Suahelicus. In fact, I don't think there are any Fuscicollis in Canada. Plus, people who claim to have seen both have said that the babies of this particular breeder are huge.

The one I read about not being available is the "true" Cape parrot, the Robustus.