Hi there, new here...

[Kim S]

Hello people,

My name is Kim, and I'm from Holland. Yes, the other side of the ocean. So please excuse any typo's and such
I am the proud owner of a couple of aviaries in which my cockateels and show budgerdigars are housed. They live together in our family aviary (about 5x12 ft). For breeding we have 4 seperate breeding aviaries (3x5ft, 3x5ft, 3x4ft and 3x8ft). I usually use the metric system, so my measurements might be a bit off.
Those are our 'breeding' birds. As pets we have 2 cockateels. One cinnamon opaline pied yelowcheek called Guus, and one cinnamon opaline pied whiteface called Chris. They're only 9 weeks old so I'm not sue what sexe they are, but I guess both female.

Next to our birds we have three dogs, all of them owned before we got together so we still refer to them as 'his' dog or 'my' dog.
My bf has a blond labrador call Beau (girl, 10) and a golden retriever cross called Bizkit (boy, 9). I have a schapendoes (dutch breed, a bit like an old english sheepdog) called Daan (boy, 7).

But the reason I registered here is a possibe new addiction to our family. Throu a friend of mine I can take in a Senegal Parrot called Peewee. His (or her) owners have two birds who just cant seem to get allong together. Since my friend has been bragging about how well we treat our animals and how much we love our birds, Peewee's owner is convinced we are the best choice for a new owner.
I have been thinking long and hard about this and come to the conclusion that I really would like to take him in. But I need more information about these specific kind of parrots.

Here comes the reason for joining. There just isn't a lot of information about Senegals on the web, let alone on Dutch pages. A lot of information is useless and this forum is the first one I found which has a lot of usefull advice. So I decided to join.

Useless but funny bit of information: Senegal Parrots are called "Bonte Boertjes" in Dutch, which roughly translated means pied farmer

[pchela]

Hi and welcome! I can tell you that if you are a bird lover already, you won't regret taking a Senegal! They are awesome little birds though they will be a handful, especially compared to your tiels and budgies! Well worth it though, in my opinion. How old is Peewee? It would probably take him several months to get used to a new home and family before his true personality came out. Have you seen him interact with his current family?

I wonder why they call them pied farmers? I understand the pied part I guess... maybe because they eat crops in their native Africa?

[Kim S]

Peewee is almost a year old. He was handreared, and since his owner didnt really know how to do this properly, my friend has been over there a lot (she has handreared cockatiels for years). She told me that Peewee is a very easy-going friendly bird. Easy to train, easy to correct when doing something he isn't suppose to, and very friendly towards friends and family. She told me her neighbour is nuts for giving this bird up, but the have a 'click' with the other bird that they just dont have with Peewee.
I havn't been there yet, but I intend to visit coming friday before make my final desicion. I know she ownes a couple of other Senegals but I am not sure wether they have contact. So I dont know if Peewee is socialised with other birds.

[pchela]

He sounds awesome! If I lived in Holland I'd be tempted to take him!

As far as being socialized with other birds, Senegals are notorious for being jealous little birds who resent other birds and generally do not get along with other species of birds period. They may or may not get along with another Senegal. If you are thinking about your tiels, you'd have to keep them apart anyway even if the Senegal has been socialized with other Senegals. It's not difficult though... I let all of my birds out at the same time and my Senegal, though he does not like the other birds, tends to leave them alone unless they are on me. (that's the jealously part!)

[Michael]

Welcome. The good news is that the parrot you discuss is still young and can be molded to the new environment/people. I'd like to caution you that Senegal Parrots are highly prone to becoming one-person-birds so it's very important to treat the new bird as though it's completely wild. Assume it is vicious and will bite and take things slow. Follow basic taming/training methods to slowly accustom it to you and you won't have problems.

Here is some information you will find helpful:

Senegal Parrot Information
Basics of Taming/Training
Overcoming One Person Bird
Managing Senegal Parrot Aggression
Senegal Parrot Comparison

If you are over prepared and use maximum precautions, it reduces the chances that you will get bit, the parrot will get stressed, and the likelihood of the parrot developing a long-term resentment toward you. Don't assume it will be easy to just hold and play with like a baby. You don't want to be the source of additional stress of the rehomed bird. However, by taking these maximum precautions you won't harm the parrot in any way and if it goes to waste, no harm done. However, if you rush into things and scare the bird, you could have a biting problem to deal with for a much longer time. So play it safe and take it slow. I think you'll really enjoy having a Senegal once you get past the initial familiarization stage.

[Kim S]

Thanks for the links Michael,

Actually that first topic is the reason i joined. It was the most detailed and honoust information I could find. Not the fluffy my-bird-is-the-best-ever-and-never-bites-topic. But seriously naming the good with the bad and coming to a conclusion based on facts and not feelings.

I am thinking of using clicker training as a method of familiarizing him with me. Reinforcing good behavior right from day 1.

Yesterday I got pictures of him (I think its a him). He's molting right now, so he's not looking his best.

[pchela]

He is so cute! I don't know how you will b e able to resist him if you don't take him.

[skeetersunconure]

awwwww so cute! i like the name too i wanted a senegal originally but the people i got them from didnt have any at the time plus it would have been 200 dollars more so i decided to get a sun conure skeeter boy. I love him so much! oh yeah hahah im Eva

[tacotaco]

ahhh - love the pictures, i think he would be a great addition to any family such a cutie. anyway, welcome to the site - i hope you find the info you need here, as there are a lot of senegal owners from what i've gathered. good luck!

[Kim S]

Thanks everyone!
It isn't so much as not wánting the bird. But I do own a lot of animals already. And I do have a boyfriend who commands attention every now and then
I need to run this by him first and he is in the prosess of making up his mind right now.

In the mean time, I am figuring out everything there is to know about clicker training and practising on my dogs (in Holland, clicker training isn't that common).

And I am trying to figure out what to do with the cage. He is homed in a King cage (http://www.dierenvilla.nl/nl/papegaaien-2/rhr-quality-papegaaienkooien-239/king-play-black-6678.html). But the owner told me I could have their other 'old' cage for free. Its an Arthur (http://www.dierenvilla.nl/nl/papegaaien-2/rhr-quality-papegaaienkooien-239/arthur-play-6627.html)
He is used to the King, but the Arthur is bigger. Since sizer isn't a problem in my livingroom.