Hard to believe

[JBEAST]

I was looking into re-homing a African Grey. Searching through craigs list I saw a green cheek conure close to my area. For some reason I decided to give them a call although I was searching for a Grey. As I was talking to the owner I asked if the bird was tame and what kind of personality it had. He proceeded to tell me the bird was 1.5 years old and he did not know the personality of the bird because he had never had it out of the cage. I was enraged and decided the Grey would have to wait. They were smoking in the same room the bird was in. I got him out of there as soon as I could. I was afraid I would not be able to handle him since he had never been out of his cage. But to my surprise he came right on out. He did not bite at all even my son could handle him. He flew around like a pro, I was in shock. Anyway, the future looks great for this little guy. Now if my Senny could just learn a thing or two from him..lol...I guess this bird was just another impulse buy from a big box store. I'm just glad I was able to help him out...

[Komodeno]

Congrats it is very good that you have him.

[pennyandrocky]

that's so great you rescued him they are amazing birds.mine was also caged for his first year and a half.

[JBEAST]

It is hard not to blame the owner, but they just did not know any better. They could not understand why I was aggravated with them. If they would have just done a little bit of research they would have been blown away with this little guy.

[mtaylor1021]

I'm jealous, I really want a green cheek. Anyways, really glad you rescued the little guy from that horrible situation.

[Rokisha]

that's good to here jbeast. Its a pity so many people don't realize how harmful smoking is to other animals and plants.

[Grey_Moon]

You've got one big birdie talon-bump from Jacko and me (yes she does give props) for rescuing the little guy. Jacko and I came together in pretty much the same way---except she was older and 'loved' by a chainsmoking crackhead who'd pry her screaming off the cage and feed her steak and coffee (or get her brother to watch the bird and he'd hit Jacko). As was appropriate---she was brought over to my house in any empty beer-case -_- ungh.
7 years later some of her feathers and still old and stained brown from the nicotine and still her instinct response if hands reach for her is to run---although eventually she turns, calms down and either steps up or wants a scratch lol.

Buut she's come leaps and bounds, plays and is curious about getting into *EVERYTHING* (last night she decided it was time to play godzilla to the leopard gecko and bang on the terrarium lid and sit on it watching her), slowwwly getting her plucking under control, and loves to play fetch and eat off my plate lol so your little guy has a bright future indeed! I always find it so much sweeter to watch them grow when you know exactly how far they've come