I have gotten many calls and emails from people that have never had a bird before. After reading everything they can find on the internet about all kinds of birds they decide they want to have one just like the one they saw, dancing and singing. They want the one that sits quietly in their cage until spoken to, at which time the bird replies. Their fantasy bird doesn’t poop or spread dander all over the house.
I have gotten many calls and emails from people that have never had a bird before. After reading everything they can find on the internet about all kinds of birds they decide they want to have one just like the one they saw, dancing and singing. They want the one that sits quietly in their cage until spoken to, at which time the bird replies. Their fantasy bird doesn’t poop or spread dander all over the house.
Well, I am in the “Used Bird” business, and here to tell you that is NOT how it is adopting any used bird. Even the sweetest bird of them all, still has a history you know very little about.
Birds are noisy, dirty and destructive, the bigger the bird the bigger the noise and mess. They all bite under stress or over excitement. Adopting an adult bird is like fostering a preteen hormonal child. They come with baggage. They need time and gentle positive reinforcement to help them accept you. You are a total stranger that does not speak their language. In the beginning, “You Just Don’t Get It”. You get frustrated because this is not the wonderful foster “child” of your dreams. And this foster child just bit a chunk out of your dining room table.
Worst of all, you are impatient to have your “Used Bird” to accept you. You brought the bird home and gave it toys and food and talk sweetly. So why isn’t it being sweet back to you, NOW! It has been a week, and no great out pouring of love from your used bird.
Give it time!! If this was a human child, would you expect them to be “part of the family” that fast? Be realistic, patient and give it lots of time. These birds live a long time, so there is no rush.
All that being said, there is hope. You need to learn all you can about your bird by observation and education. Learn to read your bird just like you read your children. There are times a discussion on the Big Bang Theory ( not the TV show) will not work, alternate plan B must be used
Barbara Heidenreich’s DVD, Parrot Behavior and Training, is Bird 101, basic bird training. Also Barbara, a professional animal trainer, has many DVDs to be used as your training progresses. Her website is Goodbirdinc.com. She is your best resource for bird education with great results.
Visit Bird Tails and watch the birds. This is NOT how they will be, to some degree, in your home. This is a noisy, busy environment, filled with other birds making noise, that is very stressful. If you can walk away from a visit still thinking you want to adopt, let’s talk.
