Learning to be a Bird Mom

[BirdbrainJan]

I put an ad up today on one of our local classified sites, asking the guy to contact me. Maybe if he sees it, he wouldn't mind selling the bird to me. The store said they'll bring in another GCC, but I'll be contacting some breeders too. It looks like the closest ones are quite a drive, but it can't hurt to call and see if they have any.

Thanks, it's good to know there's a chance! Did your store say why the person returned Scooter?? I'm hoping that because the GCC was fairly timid, and because he was mostly socialised with females (because everyone who works there is female), maybe he won't be all that friendly towards his new owner...we'll see what happens.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Scooter was returned allegedly because the people decided they couldn't afford his food and cage. He sat at the store a long, long time after that. It was a big chain store and we hadn't wanted to support their selling parrots, but my husband decided we needed to rescue him. We were expecting a shy, "broken" bird but he turned out to be the best.

[Nerdy One]

That’s awful that the bird you connected with was bought – I hope you do get a chance to see that GCC again! I am also searching for a bird right now, and I must say every Conure I’ve held (sun, green cheeked, pineapple....) has been very gentle and cuddly.

Keep us posted!

[BirdbrainJan]

Hi again, thanks for your posts

There's still no sign of the little bird...the guy who bought him hasn't returned him yet, and the only response to the classifieds listing so far was from somebody wanting to "give" me two 13-week old GCCs, I'd only have to pay $150 for shipping to get them to Canada from Texas. It was a little fishy, to say the least.

The shop has another green-cheeked arriving in a couple of weeks, so in the meantime I'm doing more research, reading through "Parrots for Dummies", and getting excited! The girl in the shop who I'd had the most contact with was fuming at the others for selling my little bird, and she's going to make sure the one that comes in stays in the back! I'll get to meet him and visit while he stays there for quarantine, so I'll work on building a bond with him before he comes home. I can't wait! He might be there by next week, I'll keep you posted

[lainmai]

Jan, are you located in the Toronto area by chance?

[BirdbrainJan]

Nope, I'm out on the other side, in BC.

[lainmai]

Nope, I'm out on the other side, in BC.

Ahh, oh well, was going to say the breeder I'm getting my little Sennie from has some weaned GCC's for sale....but he doesn't ship.

Good luck on getting a little fid!

[BirdbrainJan]

Thanks for the thought anyway!

The shop just called me yesterday...they have a second GCC, who arrived on Friday. He's going to be in quarantine until Friday, so I can't visit him until then, but the girl said he seems really friendly and is adjusting quickly. Hooray!

[Equuswmn]

Ok I have to know what happened with you and the new GCC! I got so excited for you finally deciding on the one you seemed to have bonded with only to have that guy come in and take him away. So sad. I have to know this story has a happy ending.

[BirdbrainJan]

It does have a happy ending! Franklin is adorable, personable and very clever. I also totally have new mom syndrome and have been taking way too many photos. Behold!

The pink heart link he's holding came on an abacus-style toy, and he loves to hold it and chew it. We're using it as a way for him to use up some energy he might otherwise use on our fingers!

He's learning very quickly with training too; he has mastered target training, stepping up onto a perch, and stepped up to my hand for the first time last night. Today, he even leaped from the perch to my hand!

As stressful as the whole process was, what with bonding to the other bird and all, I think everything has really worked out for the best. It feels as though Franklin has been here forever, and everyone who has met him so far loves him. He's a very outgoing bird, whereas the other bird was a little more timid, and I think this has definitely been an asset for him!

Thanks for being interested in my little saga