Animal Stories - People Talking About Birds



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Latest Animal Stories on Birds (4279)

Sandra D Singh - 2013-02-21
Hi elliottsmom, I'm happy that you do understand you've a rescued bird on hand. I've also rescued a bird that spent his entire life cagebound; about 5 years. The first owner never played with him or let him out of his cage; he was alone in a corner and looked very lonely from the picture I saw. His seeds and water dishes were put through the slots in his cage, so he never even touched his owner's hand; no interaction whatsoever! I'm very happy that I took him out of his misery and loneliness. The first owner told me that he's wild and he bites when you put his food so they never took him out. The first day I got him I opened his cage, he didn't come out so I put my finger near his chest and he still didn't climb up. I then took him out and realised that this poor, unfortunately bird is NOT wild and neither does he bites; as the owner made me believed. I kissed him that same moment as I took him out and I cried with joy because I thought of how happy he'll NOW be with me and my 2 other birds. Everyday I had to take him out of his cage because he'll never come out although his cage would be open. After 2 weeks he started coming out by himself. It seems as though he was so accustomed to being IN his cage it like he didn't know if or how to come out. I've had him for 19 DAYS already and he's now very happy because he flies around everywhere in my home, plays and whistles with my other birds. He's a sweet and wonderful little bird, my other birds taught him to kiss and now HE kisses them. He only enters his cage to eat his seeds, drink his water and sleeps. He eats nothing except the seeds he's accustomed to but I'm trying to see if he'd eat veggies and pellets as my other birds do. Two days ago he ate grated carrots and plain cooked rice so that's a start. His cage never had anything more than just one single perch, a water dish and a seed dish and that was it; NOT a single TOY! No matter what kind of toys are placed in his cage, he'll not touch it. He loves my two birds and he loves me; he's very happy now and we all love him and he loves us. I'm very happy to have rescued him; he's my Little Sweetheart! So you'll have to give your bird a lot of love; cuddling, playing, talking, kissing (lips closed are important for bird's health) and show him that he is SAFE with you. Take care and good luck. God bless you both. Sandra D Singh.

Sandra - 2013-02-20
We have a pair of gold cap conures that have laid one egg this week. Last year the proven sexed female (the other we think is male) laid three eggs but they broke. Now while she is nesting on this egg she frequently chirps for long periods of time. Is this normal? Is this a sign she is sick? Should I be worried?

linda Huthmaker - 2006-12-15
I just lost my beloved Nanday Conure, Pancho, a week ago, yesterday. He was nearly 40, and so dear to me.
I would like to understand is how he was able to hold onto the side of his cage, with his head drooping, and feathers splayed out. He died within 1 1/2 hours, and was barely alive, when I took him out of the cage. Pancho was in our family the whole time, and I shall miss him desperately.

Thank you for taking the time to read about him.

Linda Huthmaker, Torrance, California

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Sandy Thomas - 2013-02-19
Linda, I am so sorry that you lost a member of your family, for that is what these birds become. The fact that you had him so long means he must have been a happy and healthy conure. I have a nanday conure also. I am sure you have many fond memories.

Hanni Nelson - 2013-02-18
I have a male white bellied caique. I purchased him from Patricia Riddle the owner of parrotville in Ohio. He is a doll! A handful but a glorious handful. Such a clown, everyday he does something new to make us laugh. Just like any little thing he has his faults too. He has a fiery little temper, but that's part of what we love about him! I think WBC are wonderful pets but are a big bird in a small body. We love that but what works for us may not be for all. I also highly recommend Parrotville. Ray would not be our spunky Ray had he not been raised up as good as he was.

Candice - 2013-01-13
We have a gorgeous 3 month old senegal parrot, Tango. His poop has not been consistent, what do i do? We feed him a little carrot, grape and nectarine, sometimes cucumber, with his usual bowl of parrot cereal with a little plumage pellet. He is a very active bird, loves me to bits not so much my husband, tolerates him... He likes to burrow in my hair or regurgitates often on my shoulder, and loves being outside in the sun, tho its not for very long too hot at the moment.

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Clarice Brough - 2013-01-15
He doesn't sound sick from your description of his activities. Droppings are usually fairly consistent, though diet as well as temperature can affect them. When keeping an eye on itdaily, what you need to watch out for is a major change from what you normally observe, (quantity, color, consistency or smell). If you see a major change, then that can indicate your bird may need to see a vet.
Candice - 2013-02-18
His poop is better, thunk it was just his growing phase. However what does one do when he seems to suffer from separation anxiety? Every time i leave the room he is in the lounge, he screeches and wont stop til i come back. How do i prevent this? Im pregnant so worry this will upset baby routine too.

Anonymous - 2013-02-18
My peach faced lovebird just passed away and now I'm looking at buying a Dutch Blue or the Fischer.. I have only had one love bird at a time, but was considering buying a pair. Can anyone tell me if I get a pair, will they still be as affectionate and friendly towards me as One bird has been? My last bird Sonny was very close to me, he was 'my' bird. Thanks

Jayashree Manoharan - 2013-02-17
My 10 weeks old Alexandria always likes to sit on my shoulder and whenever he is hungry he sit on my shoulder and ask 4 food that too from my mouth. He likes mouth feeding. If I offer him that he dislikes he flew away from me and again come back to me. Only for past two days he started to fly. Is it a bad habit? If i put him inside the cage also he struggle to open it and he also sits on top of the cage (outside). Is it bad? If so how to change his behavior? Then how to give a bath and how many days once we have to give a bath. Jasmine Mam if possible give me Ur mail id. So,that I can sent u his video clips for the perfect guidance.

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Jasmine Brough Hinesley - 2013-02-17
Flying is not a 'bad' habit. Birds fly naturally. However, if you are worried about losing your bird out a window or open door, then I highly suggest having his wings clipped so that you do not lose him permanently! Clipping his wings will not allow him to fly very far or get lost. To give him a bath just provide him with a large bowl of water on the bottom of his cage. If he wants to bathe, he will love the water and give himself a bath! Change the water daily.

chris - 2006-12-10
I have a mixed opinion about Derbyans. Speaking abilities in birds were never a high requirement of mine so I will omit that part of vocal capabilities. I have two Derbyans. Both came from the same bird store. One which I handfed out and the other I bought later on from the same store. Both have standoffish personalities and dislike being touched. They will however tolerate being perched on a hand and seem content to extend that much of their comfort with human contact. As a veteran bird keeper I find derbyans to be rather unresponsive and quite frankly a useless pet bird if compared to conures or lories (though that is subject to opinion and individual bird personalities). They would however make gregarious aviary birds and probably enjoy that sort of setting moreso than a home environment.

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Renee Devera - 2011-07-23
Chris,
You don't sound at all as though you enjoy these birds. Do you still have them? I would be interested in purchasing a female from you, if you have one. If you don't, I would love some advice on where to get a female.
Thank you,
Renee
linda - 2013-02-16
chris, i agree with you about the aviary part, but why then did you go and buy another one?

chris - 2007-01-19
This is an update of my previous entry.

My derbyan that I handfed out is becoming a downright horrible pet. Having been handfed for almost 2 months and much handling it should be as sweet a hand fed baby could be.

Its behavior resembles what I refer to as "production babies;" babies that are simply fed and returned to their clutchmates where the only interaction with a human is being picked up, shot full of food and set back into their enclosures. This bird also bites whenever any move it made upon it. My other Derbyan does not do this. It also cowers in its cage whenever any movement is made in its direction. Veteran bird keepers may think this bird was never even handfed to begin with.

I feel this Derbyan is the most useless pet bird Ive had. Im most disappointed in that all the attention and socialization it has received in a home environment has resulted in this fearful, limitly handlable bird. The only thing this bird is good for is color (when it matures). Other than that, it may as well just be free flighted in an aviary. Then again it may possibly be just the personality of this particular bird.

My second derbyan (this one was weaned already and was handled minimally while living at the store) has been a much better behaved pet. However this one is cage territorial and bites when its to be taken out. When perched on my shoulder, it quietly sits and does not mess with my ears or glass's arm (the other Derbyan cannot be kept on my shoulder). It also doesnt try to fly away when I take it out unlike the other Derby. It readily enjoys human company however still does not appreciate being stroked. Despite the shortcomings this Derbyan has, it is a much more handlable and I enjoy it. How ironic that a bird with a fraction of the attention given to it has become a much better bird.

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Siobhan OLaoghaire Sannes - 2011-04-05
I have now seen you refer to that poor Derbyan as a "useless pet bird" a "downright horrible pet" and then say "then only thing this bird is good for is color". As your post is years old, you probably aren't around anymore but shame on you! Every animal deserves love, a word I have yet to see you use regarding any of your birds.
Charlie Roche - 2011-04-06
Not all birds are alike and some can be quirky. I bred many birds for many years. One, a military macaw I finally named Sergeant cus he reminded me of a drill Sergeant in the Army. I did everything I could think of and his sister was just a sweetheart. Sergeant was just very difficult and I decided to hold him back for breeding as no way he could be a pet. 7 or so years went by and I get a call and this fella wants a male breeder and I tell him about Sergeant. Sergeant has been in a flight with toys and a blue/gold macaw for the 7 years but definitely not handled. Fella says perfect and I ship Sergeant across the country. Sergent looks at the fella and says "I love you" and walks up to him and steps up on his hand. Go figure. Anyway, Sergeant got married and had babies ut I couldn't believe this fella could pick Sergeant up and he did. A good breeder will hold back stock at times cuz for some reason they just realize that this one particular bird is not pet quality. It doesn't mean your derbyan won't be a pet, or won't come around as obviously Sergeant did but maybe it needs a different approach, or start over or beats me after that.
Cobalt - 2011-12-17
I agree with these others. This is probably a comment that is years too late, but that's a horrible mentality for anyone who handles the birds. If that's really how you feel, then you probably should find the birds a new home and look for something else...
Maria Conceicao Tereza - 2012-01-14
tony yearsley 14-1-2012 I HAVE A DERBYAN CALLED FRED HE IS 2 YEARS OLD HE IS THE BEST BUDY THAT ANY ONE COULD AS FOR. THANK YOU FOR A GREAT SITE
linda - 2013-02-16
i too am in agreement about the nasty comments about the derbyan as a 'horrible useless pet' how sad that someone like this is breeding them! there are so many birds that are out there to be adopted. we are fostering a derbyan now that is similar to her bird. but she likes my husband now, and granted she is VERY loud, but we are giving her as much love as she wants, and good care anyway...i think she probably was a purchase without knowledge of the breed, which is usually only kept as an aviary bird due to the fact they really do not like to be with humans which is their nature. all we can do is try to educate people about pet birds as much as possible...

sunbug - 2010-11-23
I've had a male lutino for 3 years. About 2 weeks ago I rescued a male blue and a female lutino from the back of a horse trailer at a flea market.
The male blue has bald patches around neck and under wings and on belly.
He sits with ruffled feathers and has started a very odd behaviour of stuffing seed shells into his feathers. Other than this, he eats well, bathes, moves around normal, etc. Any suggestions as to what is wrong with him?
Also, I want to start them on a pellet diet but don't know which one to choose. I especially want a good one for him to get him healthy again.

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TheoDee - 2010-12-13
I've got news for you, sunbug. Your bird is a female! I just discovered this myself. I adopted my bird-friend lola about 2 months ago from a neighbor. She had been in the cage most of 5 years. I let her out, treat her to nice seeds, apple, banana and whisper sweet nothings to her! She also started stuffing papers and twigs into her feathers, on her back. She has just laid an egg! And there are more to come, by the looks of it! Good luck!
Michelle C - 2011-01-02
We have a lovebird and we have noticed that she is also stuffing seed shells into her feathers. Does anyone know why they do this?
Nicole B - 2013-02-15
Nesting! They are gathering materials for the nest. Do you have children? If so, you must remember the 'nesting' phase where you frantically gather, store, make sure everything is right for your baby to be!

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