Anyway, I live in Alaska. I have had my breeders before and loved raising babies and making them into wonderful homes, but after having to sell my breeders, I had decided to do a much more rewarding thing - rehabilitate "large problem parrots" for a local bird rescue so they could be adopted.
Within my 5 years of working with them, I have worked with Macaws who swore like sailors and even gave you the middle finger. Cockatoo's who would yell profanities and tell themselves they were bad birds, to a Military Macaw who had a plucking/screaming problem. My approach to these birds, was attention, attention, ATTENTION! However, on their OWN terms!
My method - allow them to come out of their cages (Im a big non-believer in cages. My birds have always been calm enough to just relax outside of their cages ALL day until bedtime. This or when I went to town was the ONLY times they'd ever have to be in their cages), talk to them from a distance and do this until they started showing interest in myself. I would then start by handfeeding them treats and continue to talk to them, after a little while, they'd allow me to pet them. My method only took about 2 months. And while others feel this is a long time... To a rescue who's been abused and neglected, it is not.
Within those 2 months, they learned to quit swearing, quit plucking, and whatever other "bad habit" they had. They were able to live in a calm, stress free environment where they could become familiar with myself and themselves as-well and have a good, varied diet of pelletted food, fresh fruits and veggies and of-course snacks every once in awhile. I have done over 22 cases, some were done at the same time as others. But I am happy to report that ALL have had homes since leaving my care.
One bird who was one of my worst cases in the 4 years, was actually my first.
He is my 28 year old Orange Winged Amazon - Gort (named after the 1951 movie, The Day The Earth Stood Still - he came with the name but it fits him well!)
Gort came to me after his first owner who had handfed him and raised him passed away when Gort was 17. He then was given to the mans' daughter who HATED Gort and kept him covered in a garage for the next 6 years until he went to a foster home. In those 6 years, Gort went from a beautifully feathered handsome boy who loved to talk and sing, to a completely plucked chicken who quit talking, hated life and everything to do with it. It was depressed, completely plucked, quit talking, had sores on his feet from remaining on the same dowel rod with a cage encrusted in feces from not being cleaned for 6 years. She would only give him food and water every week or so. There is no reason why he should really be alive, but I thank God everyday he is! After being in the garage, the lady FINALLY released him to a local parrot rescue when she was moving. He then went to a foster home for a year, where he hated the people. He would bite and draw blood, scream constantly and he even cried.
I received Gort after that year had been up as the people felt like they could no longer give him what he needed.
When I saw this naked little bird, I thought he was the most gorgeous thing in the entire world. He looked up at me, and I think he knew he was home. Within 2 days, I was petting this "untouchable, blood drawing biter", and within 8 days I was holding him and 14 days, I was laying him on his back, lifting his wings and he'd even allow me to stick my fingers in his mouth. I adopted him 4 days after receiving him and we've been best buddies ever since!
He sleeps in the bed with me, walks around the house like a dog, plays with the dogs and even runs to the kitchen when he hears me cooking food. He doesnt like cages, but has taken over my dogs' wire kennel and sleeps in there when he's not out walking around the house. He is completely non-destructive, doesnt bite or anything anymore. He is on a pelletted food and even after 4 years, he still doesnt want fresh fruits and veggies most of the time, but still wants to eat pizza, coke (I realize all this is bad for him, his fosters started him on it as it was the ONLY thing he'd eat after being released to them) and whatever else I've got.
He now knows how to say "hello" and has his own way of communicating, although he doesnt say anything else, he does "talk" to me when I talk to him. He's very snuggly, LOVES to give kisses (even with tongue haha) and he even knows how to "shake" hands on command.
Gort 28 yr old Orange Winged Amazon
His feathers have come in even more since this pic.
A local petstore was going out of business and decided to make everything, including these "complicated" birds. And the reason why I say they're "complicated" is because they need much more than being thrown in a cage and fed/watered. They need mental stimulation, human interaction and a varied diet.
Well, everyone decided to start getting birds on an impulse because these now $700 birds, were only $200. Myself and my bird-experienced friend purchased a $600 Sun Conure for $299 and a Fiery Shoulder Green Cheek Conure Hybrid that was $330, for $165. So we did get a good deal, yes. BUT our main reason for purchasing them, was so inexperienced people wouldnt get them and continue to rehome them. - Believe it or not, this happens ALOT here in Alaska.
Since bringing my Sun Conure home, I was expecting what I had always seen in the cases from the bird rescue I worked with - norrotic, screaming, biting little things that were always wanting attention and to play and be fed a bunch of things so it can forage everywhere.
Well, in some aspects this is true, however, this little Sun Conure is only about 3 months old, he cant fly and always wants attention. He is very sweet, loves to give kisses upon command, loves to be pet and with me at all times. He loves to play with little things, like soda bottle caps or a ball and within the few days that I've had him, he's quickly become attached to me. Trying to not create another Gort, I allow other people to pet him when he's with me. Gort DOES NOT like other people. He will try to bite them, he will lunge at them too (this is pretty natural though especially coming from his past and age, so we dont mind it and others respect him), but I am always allowing people to hold him or pet him so he is accustomed to others.
Trying to stick with the theme of Gorts' name, I decided to name my Sun Conure, Klaatu (again from The Day The Earth Stood Still 1951 version.)
Klaatu hanging from his cage with one foot.
(I realize that the cage isnt what a Conure is supposed to be in. However, my birds are out 18 hours a day from their cages and he only goes in there to sleep).
Looking forward to hearing more from you.
Sissy
Rebel