A cute Story...(Illustrated)

[FoxersArtist]

Katie is being colicy and not letting me sleep, so i'm going to tell a story to pass the time.

The other day I went out for a few hours to gather supplies for Wanda's birds. This would be only the 3rd time since Katie was born that I have gotten out ON MY OWN for a few hours without husband or kids so I was totally looking forward to my shopping experience. I was on a mission to find a special kind of food that no one in the state of NM seems to carry, but I wanted to exhaust all options before giving up.

I don't usually frequent pet shops, as they tend to give me a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach (which is in some cases accompanied by a foul smell) because most are poorly run and the animals are suffering. Late last year a new store had opened up about 7 minutes from home so I decided to give it a try to see what foods they offered. Aside from the fact that the owners allow different species of birds to co-habitate in the same inclosures, the store is clean and the animals are well socialized and seemed happy.

I was in a pretty big hurry to get on my way, but on the way out a beautiful Miligold macaw caught my attention and I couldn't help myself. I wandered over to the plexiglass inclosure and started making goofy macaw gestures, which I could tell invited a few customers to stop and stare at the weirdo who was bobbing up and down at this bird. The macaw was just a baby and absolutely gorgeous. Birds can tell a bird person from a mile away and this macaw was very excited to see one of his kind. We stood there for a few minutes, playing with each other through the glass when something started to break through the euphoria of getting a baby parrot fix. Tug, tug, tug. My jacket zipper kept catching on something, perhaps a crack in the enclosure. It wasn't noticable enough to take my attention away from this beautiful baby. But then, there it was again. TUG, TUG, TUG. The tug was more substantial this time and I was curious enough to see what my zipper was catching on.

To my absolute surprise I looked down to see a very desperate little rose breasted cockatoo who had been trying in vain to get my attention by reaching through a gap in the glass to tug at my jacket. He looked more than annoyed that I hadn't noticed him but very relieved to finally be the center of attention. I swear the little guy saw me a mile away and said "HEY! Now there's a bird person. Let's get her attention." I'm not sure the macaw was farsighted enough to see the big picture. He was too busy oogling all the passers-by for nothing more than a little ego stroke.
-Anna

[Larry, Baby and Me]

What a wonderful story Anna... thanks for sharing.

That is the very reason my wife and I no longer go to pet centers, bird shows, or sanctuaries... we would take some home with us.

[Anne-Samantha's Mom]

awww how sweet is that....anna you are a doll..and yes, I totally identify with not going to pet centers....

[too&me]

When you know you have the disorder -Say no to birdies is the motto. How cute that RB2 sounds, I want the RB I do. Good thing I'm in another state entirely, hubby just wouldn't believe it followed me home or landed on the bird feeder or found on side of road (Amazing how fast these occurred to me).:leye:

[Dot]

Well, I am so sorry you had to be up, but I am thrilled you typed us a wonderful story, complete with illustrations. A big thanks.

[Evelyn]

Oh, Anna.

I want the RB. Is it a baby?

I want it, I want it, I want it!!!!

But I can't have it. Probably can't. Shouldn't.

Let's see; is there something my husband wants very badly that I can trade with?

Maybe Wanda and I can both ditch our husbands and become "life partners?"

Evelyn

[Diane, Clouds assignment]

I know the feeling. I've been visiting a Green Cheek Conure at our local pet shop. He's such a happy go lucky little guy. I actually looked up GCC on the net last night to see how compatible they are with other species, specifically G2s.

[FoxersArtist]

Oh, Anna.

I want the RB. Is it a baby?

I want it, I want it, I want it!!!!

But I can't have it. Probably can't. Shouldn't.

Let's see; is there something my husband wants very badly that I can trade with?

Maybe Wanda and I can both ditch our husbands and become "life partners?"

Evelyn
ROFL!!!
Have you brought this up to Wanda yet? She's going to want to hear about this one! Yes, the rose breasted too was a baby but to be truthful I didn't stand around, getting to know him. He was too cute and I felt MBS coming on, so I left. Who else is showinh symptoms of this highly contagious disease? Hmmmmmm....
-Anna

[too&me]

Sounds like Evelyn & I may have to arm wrestle for that one! Sad part is I don't think hubby suspects how bad the MBS is getting! Did I mention that there was a RB2 & a Ducorps on Craigs list this week. I guess anything will end up there sooner or later, just wish it wasn't the birds we love.:sad:

[Evelyn]

I haven't "proposed" to Wanda yet.

I wonder what kind of ring she will want? :haha:

And where will we live--her home or mine or half-way in-between?



Evelyn

[Evelyn]

Anna -

Did you find out how much the RB is? Not that I'm interested, of course. Well, maybe a little.

Evelyn

[TikiTalks]

That is my Fiances RB2! Everytime we go to that store it's a three hour slot playing with the little guy. Shane just loves him! Shame we don't have a house yet :( I really like him too... and anna is correct, the miligold baby is gorgous, I remember when he wasn't even fully feathered!!

[Julie]

I was in a pretty big hurry to get on my way, but on the way out a beautiful Miligold macaw caught my attention and I couldn't help myself. -Anna

Ok, Anna, please help me. Could you please tell me what a Multigold Macaw is?

:confused::confused::confused:Sorry! :confused::confused::confused:

[Dot]

Ok, Anna, please help me. Could you please tell me what a Multigold Macaw is?

:confused::confused::confused:Sorry! :confused::confused::confused:

A Miligold is a cross between a Military Macaw and a Blue and Gold Macaw. I guess a "Multigold Macaw" would be a whole bunch of Miligolds! :haha::haha::haha::haha:

[TikiTalks]

Ok, Anna, please help me. Could you please tell me what a Multigold Macaw is?

:confused::confused::confused:Sorry! :confused::confused::confused:
miligold i believe is a blue and gold/military macaw.. could be wrong though

[Evelyn]

That is my Fiances RB2! Everytime we go to that store it's a three hour slot playing with the little guy. Shane just loves him! Shame we don't have a house yet :( I really like him too... and anna is correct, the miligold baby is gorgous, I remember when he wasn't even fully feathered!!

Michelle -

It isn't likely that I'm going to buy a bird in New Mexico and fly him to Virginia, so your fiance won't have any competition from me.

Are both of them sweet? Do either of them talk?

Evelyn

[TikiTalks]

Michelle -

It isn't likely that I'm going to buy a bird in New Mexico and fly him to Virginia, so your fiance won't have any competition from me.

Are both of them sweet? Do either of them talk?

Evelyn
not that i know of but they sutre are cute

[Evelyn]

How can you spend three hours with them and not know if they talk???:confused:

Evelyn

[TikiTalks]

because we're not allowed to take them out. we kind of just talk to them and they chatter, but i've not yet heard a specific word. we try not to go anymore as we've no room and everytime the lil RB2 grabs at my heartstrings,

[Julie]

Well dont let that deter you. They do need all the socialization they can get

[Evelyn]

because we're not allowed to take them out. we kind of just talk to them and they chatter, but i've not yet heard a specific word. we try not to go anymore as we've no room and everytime the lil RB2 grabs at my heartstrings,


Doesn't that idiot shop owner know what all pet shop owners know--that once you get your hands on them, it is awfully hard to let go.

Our good bird shop closed, but the owner would let you visit a bird you were interested in and hold it and talk to it, whether a baby bird or adult. She had a little private area in the back of the store for that purpose You did have to sanitize your hands first, but that isn't unreasonable; and she is the only retailer with birds in the area that insisted on that.

With her baby birds, she wanted the prospective purchaser to start visiting well before the bird was weaned so the buyer and baby could bond to each other before baby went home. She would not sell an unweaned bird.

Unfortunately, she moved from Virginia to Texas to take care of her disabled mother and brother.

Evelyn

[FoxersArtist]

That Miligold was a talker...oh...and his sweet voice sounded just like my peggy sue. If I hadn't known better I would have thought I was talking to peggy, only this guy had beautiful patches of emerald green all over. Soooo pretty! I don't even bother asking about price. I'm sure he was $2,500 or some silly price like that.
-Anna
-Anna

[Evelyn]

As beautiful as they are, those macaws have such BIG beaks.

I have a bird rescue friend who has just been given her third free Hyacinth Macaw. What I wouldn't give to have one of those (big beak and all)!

Evelyn

[Larry, Baby and Me]

I have a bird rescue friend who has just been given her third free Hyacinth Macaw.

Hys - the gentle giants. And endangered. They go for $10,000 and up. Who would get a Hy and then place it in a center.

My vet has one - she says that bird does get loud - very loud. Believe it or not - her Hy has a poinous in the cage with it to keep it company.

Hys are the most majestic birds... take a look at the HappyBirdy banner at the top and you will see one.

[FoxersArtist]

They are beautiful, sweet, birds! Very expensive to keep with their special, mostly nut diet. Evelyn, you'll have to meet Peggy Sue some day. She'll step up on everyone, not too common for and adult macaw, and her beak is crooked so I don't know that she ever learned to bite hard. Uriel will step up onto bird people after scaring the willies out of them first. ;) I believe that a HY is loud! It seems like the larger the lungs the bigger sounds they can make. Uriel and Dolly are in competition to see who can make our ears bleed more. Uriel is winning. What niether of them realize is that PJ, our orange wing has them both beat.
-Anna

[Birdlover]

What a cute story. Leave it to a Too to get straight to the point, LOL "Hey, down here... wanna take me home?" I cant go into stores either. Im always so saddened to see the lack of care most of them provide. We do have a local one that has all their birds are out on hanging gyms and they feed lots of great fresh foods. Im always so scared that one day one of those birds is going to be stepped on. They come off their gyms and wander around. The staff there doesnt seem to think it is a concern :(

[too&me]

Or some unethical jerk to slip one inside the old Hoodie, we see those stories on the news fairly often. You always wonder about the welfare of the birds.:confused::sad:

[EasySpirit]

RB2's are really cute. Tony does notice the G2 and would take him on...it's a boy thing (sorry Larry, but it is). Tony is a sweetheart is a good talker. Loves nuzzles and head scritches. Doesn't like tickle under wings yet. Waves and likes foot kisses and knows mamma checks for poopies on the foot first (you only have to do it wrong one time and macaw is not the bird to learn with...big feet hold big poopies). Oh and it is best that you do it when there is light.

RB's have the cutest melodic whistle. Tony is a real gem.

Easy

[Evelyn]

Anna -

I'm looking forward to meeting all of your birds this summer.

Actually, my friend has three Hyacinth Macaws. She acquired two about 15 years ago when a house with many neglected, starving birds was raided and the birds seized by the SPCA. They asked her to take as many as she could. She took several, among them the two Hyacinth's. Some could not be saved, including the male Hy. She said the female that lived was so depressed without her mate, that she was looking for somebody with a male to give her to. She met a woman who has become a very dear friend who had a female. The didn't want the female and she didn't want to give up the female, but they made a deal where both birds would spend six months together at each house. After a while, the lady with the female started taking her less and less, and now, not at all. The two are inseparable; but sadly, the male is blind.

She came by the new Hyacinth because a woman who was a neighbor when my friend lived in Maryland called her and said she had a Hyacinth and a Scarlet that she wanted to find a good home for--that they were too noisy and she couldn't stand them anymore. Ironically, the Hyacinth is from the same clutch as the male Hyacinth she owns half of.

I've never heard Lois' Hyacinths make a sound. Lois brought them to a bird club meeting one time and they were very gentle. The birds allowed anybody who wanted to to hold them and have their picture taken. I was a coward--they have VERY big beaks; but nobody was bitten. When the birds got tired, they just flew to their perches that Lois had brought.

My friend (her name is Lois) still has the surviving birds from the house raid 15 years ago, and some others she has taken along the way. Once she gets a bird, it rarely leaves her house. She has a huge indoor aviary, and all that want to, fly free.

If I were reincarnated as a parrot, I would want to belong to either Anna or Lois.

Evelyn

[Larry, Baby and Me]

And Hys are endangered species... as well as mollucans... I think Umbies are as well but I am not for sure.

[FoxersArtist]

Evelyn,
that's a really touching story and I think it's just awesome how, when it's meant to be, a creature can find it's companion, even when they may be thousands of miles away! (Peggy found me all the way from FL.) It's amazing that those HY brothers found eachother! It does make me sad though to see that even the very special/expensive parrots are neglected and rehomed due to noise, and ignorance on the owners behalf.

If you had to take a vote, I would vote for your friends aviary. It sounds way cooler than mine. I have pretty paintings on the wall...but it's like a studio appartment compared to what your friends place must be! Besides, you would have to listen to my singing all the time! ;)
-Anna