Hello from Istanbul

[k9shrink]

Hi, I'm an American who lives in Istanbul. I'm looking forward to being part of this forum. I'm so impressed with Kiri's tricks!

Sharon

[Rue]

Welcome aboard!

Clover sounds sweet...I hope you don't really regret getting her!

[lainmai]

The harsh realities of the majority who buy a parrot.

I'm just glad it seems your willing to put up with her & love her! She looks to be well worth the hardships!

[k9shrink]

She does have many good points. She's good at tricks, generally non-aggressive with me, and super well socialized to everything she might see in a city of 15 million.

The bad parts are that she hates my husband, despite his only interaction being a calm approach to hand her a nut... and the CONSTANT noise. The only reason my husband hasn't left me over the noise issueis that he frequently works abroad, and when he's in Istanbul, he has a 3 hour commute. Except for weekends, he's never home when she is awake and doing her 12-hr-a-day noise festival.

Though I sooooo regret having gotten her, she wants for nothing. I spend something over $1500/year importing toys and organic Harrisons, and Get-a-Grip nets for her from America; I make her a mash diet with 27 ingredients; and I'm home all day with her (or taking her for walks with me outside).

[Rue]

It's tough when the parrot and the spouse don't hit it off.

My grey prefers my husband...who just tolerates all the birds. To his credit, he has tried to bond with her, but she's also not an 'easy' bird, so he'd rather not deal with her outside of saying 'hello' and talking with her. Luckily she's okay with me, esp. if he's gone (and he also travels a great deal).

I have no suggestions for you...I hope your neighbour's don't mind the noise. Mine 3 larger birds can create quite a racket, but I actually don't mind it...I rather enjoy it, er, as long as I'm not on the phone...(then I sometimes have to go hide in the back bathroom with all the doors in between shut... )

I'm very glad you're giving Clover so much to do! Sounds lovely!

[el-parrot]

welcome!! I am new to here. I didn't know that in your country you can only buy wild caught parrots! I don't have experience with this either. But you seem to doing very good with your grey!!

[pfinarffle]

hello sharon! i'm a turk living in the us (family immigrated when i was 4 yrs old), so i know how tough it must be to have a parrot over there. if people here in the us think there's a lack of appropriate care info on what's best to do with birds, try living in a developing nation! coincidentally, my parents owned a timneh african grey when i was in late high school through college. unfortunately, he was a bit spoiled, didn't eat pellets, and got aspergillosis. so do your best to keep up with all the latest in health and nutrition for clover. keep on postin'!