An update

[GreenWing]

Whilst I can see your point and obviously I don't know anything about her beyond her needing a new home I would say that some birds wouldn't "choose" anyone due to how they have been treated, handled or not handled in the past, also if they are strongly bonded to their current owners that would also make a big difference to how they act towards new people. This was certainly the case for most of mine, I think there was only really Ollie who "chose" me, but we survived the challenges and as much as I hate to say they all turned out to be good pets, I would say things have definitely turned out really really well. How does she interact with her current owners/fosteres/rescue staff?
I do think you should follow your gut instinct though and go with the one you think you can provide the better home for though.

Well said, and I agree with you. I think Chance would be great with me, but the issue is that she seems to prefer women and doesn't seem to be willing to let my spouse handle her... the bird will essentially be mine but it would be nice for the bird to at least tolerate my spouse as well -- therein lies the issue. Chance doesn't let anyone handle her except for one female clerk. In her previous home I was told she only let a woman handle her. However the 'zon lets all clerks, men and women handle her, with no problems. The Amazon even likes my husband which is important. We discussed it tonight, and I think we are going to go with the Amazon.

I will still visit with Chance, though, and I am sure she'll find the right fit.

[Pajarita]

Well, it seems you already made up your mind and are going with the female zon which, in my personal experience, tend to be sweet perch potatoes even if they start off as not liking anybody. If she is not young, I would strongly recommend you ask the rescue to perform a bile acids test on her because they are VERY prone to liver issues as they don't tolerate the captive diet as well as, say, grays or senegals, and, if there is one already there, you need to know in order to watch her diet and supplement her for the rest of her life. Mind you, 'regular' blood work is useless for liver evaluation as they measuer only enzymes levels which will continue to show within a normal range up until the liver is only working at 25% so you need the bile acids test which evaluates function.

I think you, most likely, made the right choice for your situation but, in all honesty, you can't compare a gray to a zon. They are both parrots but they are VERY different from each other. Grays are highly intelligent and sensitive, and, as such, develop deeper and closer bonds with people to the point that the greatest majority of them will ignore other grays and prefer their human above any other bird - while zons are more bird (and food! -LOL) oriented so they are more easy-going and less of a challenge but, on the other hand, they are also more prone to hormonal surges and have more health issues so the relationship you have with them and the care they require is not the same.

[GreenWing]

Well, it seems you already made up your mind and are going with the female zon which, in my personal experience, tend to be sweet perch potatoes even if they start off as not liking anybody. If she is not young, I would strongly recommend you ask the rescue to perform a bile acids test on her because they are VERY prone to liver issues as they don't tolerate the captive diet as well as, say, grays or senegals, and, if there is one already there, you need to know in order to watch her diet and supplement her for the rest of her life. Mind you, 'regular' blood work is useless for liver evaluation as they measuer only enzymes levels which will continue to show within a normal range up until the liver is only working at 25% so you need the bile acids test which evaluates function.

I think you, most likely, made the right choice for your situation but, in all honesty, you can't compare a gray to a zon. They are both parrots but they are VERY different from each other. Grays are highly intelligent and sensitive, and, as such, develop deeper and closer bonds with people to the point that the greatest majority of them will ignore other grays and prefer their human above any other bird - while zons are more bird (and food! -LOL) oriented so they are more easy-going and less of a challenge but, on the other hand, they are also more prone to hormonal surges and have more health issues so the relationship you have with them and the care they require is not the same.

Thank you so much Pajarita, that is very helpful info, and since the 'zon is 7 years of age I will mention a bile acids test. I know that she is fed fresh vegetables in addition to a mix, so she is eating well, but I want to make sure that, upon adoption, the 'zon receives everything she needs.
I did find out more info about the Amazon: she apparently doesn't like bare arms and will bite, but if sleeved, she won't. That is so interesting because I have heard of parrots being afraid of arms, arm hair, etc. In any event, I wonder if this 'zon decided to "choose" me after all, because she was so great with me.

You're right about the Grey... people tell me that you want a bird to choose you, but as you mentioned African Greys are highly intelligent. Chance DOES like me more than she likes most people, and I love that she finally stepped-up for me. You should have seen how happy Chance was when I brought her favorite treat to enjoy: cranberry juice. I think that really made a difference because after that she liked me even more, lol. Despite this, Chance doesn't seem to let any men handle her... in her previous living situation she didn't, and also where she is now. I don't want her to attack my spouse, who also wants to be able to enjoy a parrot we decide upon. I realize I've already said a lot of this but the Amazon likes him and stepped up for him, and being that the 'zon is so sociable, is definitely a plus.

It's such a hard decision. I should spend a little more time with the 'Amazon and find out more info as you suggested, before I put that deposit down.

[cml]

Stitch is definetely not a perch potato ^^....he's VERY active, playful and curious !

[GreenWing]

Okay, I can't make up my damn mind! The Amazon -- although she stepped-up for me to be taken out of her cage, didn't want to be moved from the top of her cage -- and she seems to like me enough... BUT I watched her attack another person, right in front of me, which alarmed me. Apparently she does that to some people she doesn't immediately like. The Amazon talked a ton and Chance watched me play with the Amazon and didn't like that at all, as she showed off her superior talking skills... not to mention she called me a bitch, lol. So of course I went in between the 'zon and the Grey and they both competed for my attention by talking.

However, Chance won this round as we made MORE progress, and not only did she step up for me, she climbed up to my shoulder! The clerks were wowed and as they watched me pet her, said she doesn't let ANYONE pet her to the extent that she lets me. Does this mean Chance "chose" me? Also, the Clerk said that while she understood the decision was mine, she thought Chance was a better fit for me.

Aaaaaaaaahhhhh this is such a hard decision! Not to mention as soon as I walked into the room an adorable white-bellied caique flew at me and landed on my head

[Michael]

You will know. It shouldn't be a tough decision. Instead it should just feel right. It's not about things like stepping up or not biting. That can all be trained. It's more about how that bird feels with you and how the bird reacts to you. Granted you can take a bird that hates you and train it and bond and make things work, you're just trying to find the best foreseen relationship for you and bird alike. Make sure you find the species acceptable first, and then within those find the one that just clicks. The bird may not even step up, but you'll know that this bird has something special with you moreso or differently than with others. You can work on the other things.

[GreenWing]

You will know. It shouldn't be a tough decision. Instead it should just feel right. It's not about things like stepping up or not biting. That can all be trained. It's more about how that bird feels with you and how the bird reacts to you. Granted you can take a bird that hates you and train it and bond and make things work, you're just trying to find the best foreseen relationship for you and bird alike. Make sure you find the species acceptable first, and then within those find the one that just clicks. The bird may not even step up, but you'll know that this bird has something special with you moreso or differently than with others. You can work on the other things.

Thanks, Michael. I can't help but wonder if Chance is IT after all. She's become my feathered friend and it makes me happy that she likes me. Apparently she did step up for someone else, but when I entered the room she turned her back on them and her eyes were all on me, lol

It's a big decision for me because this is a long term decision. I want to take ALL of them home, lol. It makes me sick when so many people abandon these beautiful birds and break their hearts - and they're all great birds. Too bad you're not in the Portland area so you could meet these birds, too. And if I lived closer to Ginger's rescue I definitely would spend a lot of time with her Senegals! Sigh, I miss my sennie so much.

[GreenWing]

Okay everyone, sorry for the double post... where's a poll when you need one?

It is now a decision to choose Chance or the white-bellied Caique. The Caique is too cute for words and reminds me of Senegals with their clownish behavior, but the Caique is a baby and not a rehome. Babies are great but my heartstrings tug at the rehomes, y'know?

The main thing that holds me back from choosing Chance immediately is that she chews my clothes, I mean, really puts holes in them. I know this is a Grey thing, heck, a parrot thing as Tiki chewed my clothes too, but not like this -- Chance does some real damage, and I'm a little afraid that her beak could hurt me as she chews. Of course I am accepting that this is a part of parrot behavior, but can it be controlled a bit with training? Michael? Pajarita? Cml? Marie? Anyone?

[Michael]

Solution is simple. Don't let the bird sit on your clothes. Or don't wear clothes.

[GreenWing]

Solution is simple. Don't let the bird sit on your clothes. Or don't wear clothes.

Lol I am fine with the latter but I get cold, lol. I guess it's wearing designated "parrot-clothes" or, like you said, not allow her on my shoulder. Thing is, I love it when Chance climbs to my shoulder but her beak IS intimidating. Not to mention she has the "I WANNA!" attitude when she is on my shoulder and has bitten others trying to get her off O_o

The Caique's beak is not intimidating at all AND I have the cage for her. It's such a hard decision. I wish I could take in BOTH birds but I'd be burning a hole in my wallet, er, bombing my bank account.