Parrot Problems

[Rhubarb]

Here's a weird one for you! I have a pet parrot, I rescued him from an aviary I used to work in when I was doing YTS at 17, they were going to sell him to a breeder, but he was so tame and lovely I just couldn't let that happen (this breeder had a not nice reputation). So I worked many weekends overtime and spent all my savings on buying him. Since then he has gone everywhere with me, through my various moves and lodgings. I've now had him for 14 years.

The trouble is this, since I've had dd I've had less time to spend with him. They don't make great family pets and he hates dd. He has bitten her fingers once already and drew blood. Now I am expecting no.2 and I'm worried as to how he will react. I also know that he is getting neglected and the last thing I want is for him to suffer.

As we've been through so much together, and he's been such a large part of my life, I really don't want to part with him, although I know that this is selfish. So I need advice. If I gave him away, how do I know he is going to a good home? Also, should I give him away? Is there anything else I can do? I almost can't bear to be parted from him, and dd loves him even if he does try to bite her at every given opportunity.

So advice appreciated. Thanks.

It must be hard. When I was 4, my parents had to give their dog away, as she was getting old, and I was a typical 4 year old, goading her! She snapped at me one day, and that was it. However, she went to a friend of my parents who loved her. Do you know anyone who would have your parrot?

Hope this may be of help:

www.parrotsanctuary.co.uk/home.htm

Best wishes, whatever you decide.

Rhubarb, you're right, this is an odd one! Umm, I think either:

• Keep the parrot but realise that he will get less attention (do they need much? Don't know much about them) or
• See if you can find a good home for him, some lovely old lady who'll dote on him and talk to him all the time - you could advertise and vet people before you gave him away OR
• Keep him and only let him out when there are no children in the room?

No other ideas I'm afraid. Maybe an insensitive question here but er, how long do parrots live? You've had him 14 years you say, so is there a chance he could be a 'late' parrot at some point in the not too distant future? I appreciate it's not the ideal outcome, just wondering

Thanks! I had a look at the site, it doesn't say where it is, do you know? TBH I would rather him go to a home than an aviary as he's not used to other birds and is perhaps getting too old now to have such a drastic change.

I don't know anyone who would have him, most people have cats and dogs don't they? The ideal family would be an oldish couple with either no children, or grown-up kids, who could give him lots of love and attention.

Sorry WWW, didn't see your post! Most parrots live to about 20-25. He's around 15. At the moment he is out all the time, we have a large cage for him and a stand that we can move from room to room. I've never believed in caging him up. Most visitors have to put up with him, after all it was his home first!

They do need lots of attention or they get very depressed and start plucking themselves, or not eating, or squawking a lot. At the mo he squawks a lot. It's not terribly fair as I'm out a lot with dd, and he doesn't like being in the same room as her because he gets jealous, so most of the time he's in the dining room on his own. What can I do?

Email Address [email protected]

Postal Address The National Parrot Sanctuary
Dickonhill Road
Friskney
PE22 8PP

Rhubarb, I think it would be worth talking to these people as they may be able to make some helpful suggestions.

Also have a look at:

www.parrotline.org/

Thanks, I'll email them now! Since you seem to know quite a bit about them, I don't suppose you'd like a parrot would you????

Oops! Didn't mean to give an impression of knowledge - I don't know about them at all. I just read your post, felt for you and did a search. These sites came up, I had a scan through some of the sections and they seemed very good.

Hope this explains.

(PS My hubby and I happened to be chatting with an elderly man (not actually known to us)this morning who keeps parrots and so your post caught my attention - he lives here in Northern Ireland, pity as he might have been just the person to help you)

Rhubarb, although I can't stand dogs and cats, I adore birds. I have had budgies as pets myself and have a good friend in nyc with a parrot. I agree that they need lots of attention and my friend's parrot got really sniffy with her when she went off to law school and spent too much time away from home studying (friend, not parrot). She (parrot, not friend) did the same as yours and started doing lots of squawking. She also reacted similarly when I used to visit with ds when he was a baby. She has gotten better over the last year or so (my friend has finally finished law school) and even plays nicely with ds (now 2.5 yrs) and doesn't squawk every time he comes into the room. All of this is to say that if you are truly attached to your parrot, which it sounds like you must be, then I would just wait it out. How old is dd? Maybe you need to spend some quality time with your parrot without children.

Thanks. Dd will be 3 next month and he still tries to attack her and any other child who comes near him. I know I should be spending more time with him, but it's getting the time to spare! When I'm not looking after dd I'm running 2 websites and trying to decorate the house still. When baby no2 comes along I will have less time than ever before! I really don't want to part with him, we've been together for so long now, but neither do I want to see him unhappy. At the mo I think he's unhappy, which is making me unhappy.

I'm a bird person, too. I can fully understand you not wanting to give the bird up; what kind of parrot is it? I nearly bought a Moluccan cockatoo when I was 15 (out of my own money) but my parents forbid it. Probably just as well, as I have moved countries since then, and M'n cockatoos live to age 70 or greater. I had a blue-fronted Amazon for awhile, but sold him as he never really liked me and I was a student with too little time for him.

I know that parrots can be good family pets, but I think you'll have to talk to other parrot lovers to get good advice about how to manage things.

Wish I could say wiser things.

Thanks Zebra. He's a Maximillian parrot. I did phone this parrot helpline that was on one of the sites Butterflymum recommended. He was really snotty with me and said that keeping parrots in captivity is cruel (I know that, I didn't breed him!) and that I should hand him over to his sanctuary to go into an aviary with all his other rescued parrots. He said that poor Max will only get worse and implied that I was some heartless and irresponsible pet-owner. I don't know any other parrot experts, in fact I don't even know any other parrot owners. I've never needed to ask advice about him before, his health has always been fine and I've not had his wings clipped or anything, so even a trip to the vets is rare.

I think I would try and rehome him (possibly temporarily) - maybe try and find a parrot owners website - alot of these things can have message boards and see if anyone could have him either permanently or until the children are old enough to entertain him for you. My only other idea would be to get another parrot - maybe rehome one - at least he would always have company.

I just found this on a google search - it lists various parrot owners websites

Get another one!!!!!!! Are you Joking!!!! Tbh, I don't agree with keeping parrots caged up either, and wouldn't have bought him at all, only he would have ended up in this breeders unscrupulous hands. I will try the parrot messageboards though, thanks!

That was a pity about the experience you had with the chap at parrotsanctuary. I really do hope you manage to resolve the problem soon as it is obviously giving you concern. Good luck with the messageboards.

Just one more thought - some zoos have staff who are well versed on parrots. Perhaps a phone call to one for some advice would be worthwhile.

SNIFF. Parrots are highly sociable and want company, exercise, fun and love. They can happily get all that in a nice home environment even if caged some of the time. I'm sorry you spoke to such a zealot, Rhubarb. I never even heard of Maximillian parrots before, but found this link a family that has Maxi's. They have 3 sons, so perhaps worth emailing. Can't remember if anybody mentioned the parrot society , either.

Have you tried Parrot Rescue?

Will try all of these, thanks! I did get an email back from a chap today who couldn't recommend anyone in my area, but offered to take Max in a sanctuary down south. Trouble is, I want him homed near me so I can visit him, and I don't want to put him in an aviary! He might get all cold, or get bullied or something! He was really soft yesterday, he obviously knows something is up! Poor Max.

Have you thought of advertising him, "free to good home" or on a loan, and insist you maintain visiting rights? To make sure it wasn't a plausible dealer you would probably have to have somesort of contract. Having seen the price of parrots I'm sure there would be quite a few parrot lovers keen to have him. At least this way you could see if there is much demand for him.
Dh used to do a bit of horse dealing, and even the most loved, mollycoddled horses would arrive in the yard and settle down within hours. I know parrots are far more intelligent than horses but it does seem that so long as animals are kindly treated and fed they are happy. Max obviously is unhappy and I think if you find him a good new home you will both feel better.
Having said that I know how difficult it is, as Dh and I can never part with our own horses, as of course we feel no one will look after them as we do. To my enternal regret I kept my old horse after dd1 was born, and he sat in the field for 4 years in a very depressed state. He loved to work and could have given someone a great deal of pleasure. So try to put your own feelings aside and do what's best for Max.

I, personally, would be loath to advertise him as 'Free to a good home' as you would probably have all sorts of people respond who have no experience or understanding of parrots - the fact he is free means that they do not have to think of the financial side of the commitment either. If you advertised him probably 'Right price to right person' would be better - even if you do let him go for nothing.
A friend of mine did similar with their dog - advertised him for £150 - but let him go for nothing to the people she thought were right for the dog - the £150 on the advert was purely to ensure genuine people only.

Rhubarb, hope you don't think I'm being nosey but........how did things go with your parrot problem? Would love to hear how it all turned out.

Aw thanks butterflymum! I did get in touch with the RSPCA to see if they knew of anyone in my area who could look after him. They said they would get back to me but never did. However he's having a respite for now as I'm currently dog-sitting and he's gone to stay at the in-laws. But I think I have sadly come to the decision that he would benefit from more attention than I can give him, therefore I will be finding him a new home. I still feel like a betrayer though!

be careful rhuby cos that parrott is the best kept in the north i think you will be hard pushed to find someone better than you

The title of this thread is so intriguing I just had to have a look, as I like birds, too. Lots of sympathy, Rhubarb, as I know just how you feel.

We acquired a cat while we were in Indonesia (despite dh's assertions that we would have no pets while we were abroad, ha ha!) and it was so hard to have to rehome him. I worried and worried about it, because although Indonesians like cats they have to fend for themselves. Lucky was used to being pampered on Whiskas biscuits and having innoculations etc. He'd probably starve to death if left to his own device. Thankfully, we found him a home, with one of dd's friends. Not ideal, as they live 15 floors up, but they have a balcony and it's better than life on the street. He's such a lovely boy, I'd hate to think of anything bad happening to him.

I hope everything ends well for you and you find a good home for your parrot.