How did you get your first bird?

[Jean]

How did you get your first bird?
I thought this may be interesting to learn what brought us all together to share our love for companion birds. "This was our sweet little Bart":heart:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v387/jeanaskins/Bart/105_5.jpg

One morning when I was having coffee on the balcony I thought I had seen part of a green bird from a distance in between the branches in a palm tree. I could not see enough of it to tell what it was, being busy, I did not give it much thought.

When I was not busy working and the weather was nice, I would often open the door to the balcony to enjoy the nice morning weather. The next thing I knew there was a little nanday conure parrot sitting on a large potted plant in our bedroom. I called the local pet shops, an avian veterinary, looked in the paper and no luck at finding it's owner. She did not have a band. Off to the avian vet we went. She was not microchipped, which I highly recommend. He said no telling where he/she came from, she was not micro chipped, and did not have a band. He told me what foods were good for it and what were not good for her.

Our next stop was the pet store for a cage, travel cage, food and toys. She was thirsty and hungry and ate like she was starved. She loved to be scritched. At first we got a few bites when we tried to have her step up. It was no time at all she had bonded with both hubby and I. I took her down in the elevator to my office each morning to spend the day in my office or with the staff. Everyone adored her and loved her company.

Hubby named her Bart, she learned her new name in no time and would say "birk" and "what" that was her only vocabulary. She loved to show off and bounce her special dance for everyone.

One morning I noticed she was not eating much of her food then the same thing when I offered her more food a little later. Off to the vet, he kept her overnight and ran a series of tests. He put her on an antibiotic. We took her home and hand fed her soft foods then she started feeling much better for about another month. Then one day she fell limp and we rushed her back to the vet. Our sweet baby left us. She knew I was trying to comfort her as she slipped away. We had an autopsy done to find she had cancer in her esophagus. It broke our hearts to see her leave us. She is the reason we share such a love for birds.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v387/jeanaskins/Bart/102_2.jpg

I added another picture of our sweet little Bart here. All this precious baby wanted was a home with a lot of love and good care. :wub:

[SadennaAndFlock]

My first bird was a cockatiel I bought when I was 19 (29 now)with money given to me after highschool graduation he was a normal grey tiel I named sushi he was to cute learned to talk, would sit with the bell from one of his toys on his head..yell hello into his food dish. Sadly in 2000 I lost him due to my own uneducation of bird care at the time I got him when I was 19 internet was not available so I did not have that help the book I had I now realize is very much outdated it talked about giving your bird grit which now know is not good...I had no clue about non-stick cookware, carpet fresheners, candles basically all the bad stuff I knew then what I know now sushi would still be with me.

[Xakana]

Dionysus was my first parrot. I bought her from a pet store after several months of visiting her and falling in love with each other.

~Xak

[vmtwriter]

Bailey flew into our back yard and straight into our hearts. Here's what I wrote in my blog about Bailey.


He came from out of no where. Swooping down, nearly settling on my head, then making a beeline for the nearest tree. His shrieks and squawks echoing in the early evening air. He drew the attention of Jack, our American Eskimo dog and from that moment on, his outdoor ritual was broken. No longer did Jack dream about trees and fence posts, instead his mind was on the brightly colored noisy thing in the tree just above his head.

The parrot seemed friendly enough. He seemed about as interested in us as we were in it. I called out to my husband, who brought the camera. We managed to get quite a few shots, until the bird flew down and rested upon our back fence.

I wondered if it were hungry, then wondered what I had in the house that he could possibly eat. I flashed upon a bag of dry dogfood that Jack doesn't eat and an "ah ha" moment was born. I hurried inside and brought out a handful of dry dogfood and a little bowl of water. If the bird could have spoken, he'd have given me his heartfelt thanks. He ate as if he were starving and drank water like he hadn't seen it in days.

He was very friendly and even nibbled upon my husband's finger at one point. Howver, any attempt we made to catch it was neatly adverted. He sidestepped and hopped away just far enough to stay out of reach.

It grew late and the sky darkened. We could no longer see the parrot as it sat just on the other side of our fence in a neighbor's tree. We went inside, saddened by the fact that we would no longer see our little friend. My husband did some research on the web, with the pictures he took and discovered our visitor had been a Sun Conure.

In the morning, once again, outside to give Jack a reprieve, I heard a familiar screech. Looking around, there he was, sitting on the neighbor's clothesline. Excited, I hurried to call my husband on the phone to tell him that the parrot was still around. Hearing my voice, the parrot flew into our yard and followed me to the back patio. He sat on a plant stand while I hurried to get him some more dry dog food and a bowl of water.

Pondering what to do next, my husband suggested I go out and get a cage. So, I did. Hurrying to the pet store within a mile of our home, I purchased a cage and a bag of parrot/conure food. At home, I stepped outside to find the parrot sitting on our gutters above the back door. I put the dry dog food away and poured a small portion of the new food into my hand. It had him intrigued and he came to investigate. With a bit of coaxing and some quickness on my part, the Sun Conure was soon happily munching away on his new food in his new cage.

Determined to find his owner, we checked newspaper lost & found ads, the internet, vets and animal/bird hospitals, and even pet stores. No one reported a missing Sun Conure. We've taken a liking to the little fella and he's more than happy to make his home here with us. Already he's settled into our routine and seems to enjoy our company.

We've named him Bailey. And Bailey has a home.

[NHMarie]

We went to a pet store, looking at dog supplies and this little Cockatiel just would not leave me alone. I had to practically beg Steve to let me get him. $200 later and stuff I later found out I did not need (mite stuff, corn cob bedding and grit), we had a bird. It was a complete impulse purchase but luckily for Sonny, I'm a quick lover and quick learner!

[amazing greys]

I've always wanted a parrot. Living in Fl. and going to Busch Gardens, holding the Macaws, I knew where my passion stood. lol
Hubby's friend also had 2 Macaw's, one who would sing opera, THEN I KNEW I would have some kind of parrot someday soon, roflol

After we moved to Ar. and were ready to bring another animal home, we looked in our area. There weren't that many places here selling birds or they were not to my standards. We travelled 2hrs south to look at a pet store, their birds were pretty well cared for, and noticed a really sweet looking Grey in her cage. She was very timid and when the owner went to get her she fluttered around, very scared. He placed her on my shoulder, and that's all it took!! I HAD to bring her home and show her love and trust. I researched like mad on the net, and still do ;)

She is my pride and joy. I absolutely adore Greys (most people know me by being nutzo about them), and find them so facinating. She has learned so much since the day we brought her home. I'm thankful for everyday she is in my life :wub:

[gary&chloe]

I met a 12 year old, male, Moluccan Cockatoo, next door to a dress shop that my wife was shopping in. He turned his head so I could scratch it and just did all the things that Cockatoo's do to make you fall in love with them.

I decided we "NEEDED" an M2. So the search began. After reading about them on the internet, we decided maybe something a little smaller would be better. We heard about Parroletts, which were suppose to be as cool and fun as a normal size parrot but in a smaller body.

We went to the only pet store in town that had birds. While looking around, my wife really like a Meyers that was for sale. There were two of them but we decided on the one that wasn't "peeping" all the time. I know... But I have heard worse reason for picking a bird.

We named it Monet because of all the beautiful colors. We went to visit and "bond" with "her". After about four weeks we were told we could take her home. In the mean time, I had been playing with her brother. And he was a really cool dude.

As the store workers were putting Monet in her little box to go home, I looked at her poor brother and said..."Hell, put him in there too." So our first bird turned into our first two birds.

AND it turns out, after DNA testing, that they are both boys. But Monet is still the girl and Picasso is the guy. We haven't been sorry that we got both. Even though they are from the same hatching, they are as different as night and day. Monet is very moody. Picasso is a happy go lucky guy. Never mad, unless you try to fool with his food. You never know how Monet will be.

I told my wife Monet was a typical female. At least I had Picasso to talk to for the next two days...

[gary&chloe]

You said at the end of your story that "All she wanted was a home with a lot of love and good care."


After reading your story, I am convinced Bart got her wish.

[harleybaby]

My first bird was a parakeet. I remembered thinking back to my childhood and we alwasy had birds and my mom is not a bird person. So I asked her a couple of months ago why we always had them as far back as I can remember and she said she got them for me because even as a baby I was totally fascinated by them. We actually had quite a few parakeets but they didn't make it:( but there was one blue one that we had for a long time. When I got to be about 8 I tamed him and he was the best bird. He went everywhere with me on my handlebars along with my tiel Pepper who my mom got for me later as a bierthday present. I would throw Blue up in the air and he would fly back to me. He died in my hands, I'll never forget it and I still have a little tin of his feathers from when he molted that I thought were especially pretty. :D

[Jean]

You said at the end of your story that "All she wanted was a home with a lot of love and good care."


After reading your story, I am convinced Bart got her wish.


Gary, I agree, I think her coming into our life was fait. She must of known something was wrong with her health and she was probably scared and hungry and needed to find someone that could care for her. :heart: :wub: :heart: Aren't we truly blessed to have found such love for birds?

[Islandzoo]

I'd got a fish tank for Christmas, and it was later on in the year (2002??) that I went to the 'fish' shop, and theres this big U2 and it's being cuddled!!!! i'd never seen that before, I was intrigued. I asked how much - ouch!! kept going back to see this beautiful bird, in the end Trevor bought her for me.
When she 'settled in' she took a massive dislike to me....and other problems, her feather chewing, and screaming became apparant.. however, she latched on to Trevor and we decided to keep her - thank goodness we did!!

[Jean]

I brought this forward to share with those that haven't seen it. They may want add their first bird stories.

[parrotgirl]

What lovely stories these are.


My first bird, well I'll tell you but no laughing please, it was the tiniest little bird I had ever seen and I was scared stiff of him, I think I was about 5/6 and was petrified of feathers, anyway this little guy used to chase me all over the house, well he was looking for cuddles but to me he was after me:doh: . I finally got over my fear of feathers and this little guy used to nibble my toes so that I would pick him up and give him cuddles and scritches. When he passed I swore I would never have another bird again. Needless to say we did have more birds, budgies mainly, but my long time love has always been the Grey, even when I was scared of feathers, not sure what I thought they had. The little guys name was "Fella" and he is the start of my fascination with birds.:heart: :wub: :heart:

[Junkzoo]

Wow! Can't believe i have not posted on this thread back when it started:doh:

Well, here's the short version,,,

Back in '77-78, i got a lutino 'tiel,,had it for a few month's,and decided i wanted a MSC 'Too i saw at the shop i got the 'tiel from,,,up until then , only had the small birds, 'keets/canaries/and then a 'Tiel,,,Thought i was big time, getting a "Too,,they had two of them in the back, both were nervously at the back of their cages, should have been a warning sign back then, but not. You have to remember, this was back in the late '70's,and wid caught parrots were fairly commonplace, which these happened to be. Over the course of prob 5-6 times checking in on the two 'Toos, i saw that one was perching when i was there, and decided that was the one for me,,got him home, named him Sinbad, and learned the hard way, of training(if you can call it that,) a wild caught parrot. Luckily , wild caught is pretty much not the case currently, with most all larger parrots being captive raised.
At times i wondered if the $600 odd dollars were worth such a bird (only when he squawked/screamed when the sun came up, and during some of our less than favorable training sessions, but luckily both of us made it thru, and Sinbad is one now of the most lovable parrots i've known, considering the wild caught part, for the last 26+years:wub: (you have not lived until a parrot/Too has fallen asleep in your arms/on your chest, while watching TV, petting it:heart: )
Which Sinbad does almost everytime he sits with me,,,,,
I've had a number of other parrots since, over the years, mostly from the pet shop i managed way back when(80's) and others i've gotten as "adoptions/rescues".
The feathered kids i have currently are listed in my signature line below,,,,

[Liz]

(hm... I really thought I'd posted a reply, but I don't see it...)

My first bird(s) were a pair of zebra finches. Wanted a pet, had just gotten my first apartment, and could not (per the lease) have a cat or dog - but the lease said nothing about birds! That was nearly 30 years ago:eek:

Got pretty seriously hooked on birds right away, but stuck with finches and canaries (bred canaries and Lady Gouldian finches for a while).

My first parrot was Siva, a lutino cockatiel (20 years ago). Can't imagine living without parrots in the house!

[parrotgirl]

:wub: (you have not lived until a parrot/Too has fallen asleep in your arms/on your chest, while watching TV, petting it:heart: )
Which Sinbad does almost everytime he sits with me,,,,,


Now that is true contentment for both of you.

[Shirley]

I love these stories!

My first bird was a male American Singer canary... from S. S. Kresge (a drug store) and I think he cost my mom $7.00, maybe a little more, maybe the females were $7.00, but $7 was a lot back then for us and I remember that number.

I was in 3rd grade I think... (1960'ish) and after asking FOREVER, I finally got Cheerio. My grandmother had a canary years ago, so that's why I could get one. Well, I was told it couldn't be finger tamed, and I wasn't allowed a parakeet (they don't sing! was the reason)

I worked relentlessly with Cheerio, with him flying all over the house and me in gentle pursuit after him, and I think he finally gave up and just became tame. He would sit on my finger very well after awhile.

All he was fed was Hartz Mountain canary seed, song food, and back then due to ignorance, a cup of bird gravel was always available. He was a strong singer, but only lived about 3 yrs... I'm sure it was due to a defective diet. I was VERY sad and not allowed to get another bird... until I was out of college and in my own apt.

[Junkzoo]

After i read Shirley's post, i got to thinking,,,techically my first bird was a 'keet way back when , prob in 2nd/3rd grade, not sure,,,,"Skipper" was his name, other than having him, pretty much all i remember of him,,,,. Not sure if i got my first bird before ,of after my first aquarium LOL. Tha twas a 10 gallon tank, on my dresser, with a hole drilled in the floor, to put the air pump for same,,,they musta been extra noisy back then, for my Dad to do that,and like everything else, that snowballed into more tanks in time.(longer span 'tween birds than aquariums LOL) I remember having to decide on either going to camp one summer, or getting two 10 gallon tanks/stand, that somebody had for sale(think that my dad knew, or found for sale) I passed on camp that summer,,needless to say :scratchch :foot-tap: :funny: .
(And both aspects of feathered and finned friends here have grown LOL)
Since i moved outa my parent's home, many moons ago, (and took my ,at the time ,'tiel and 'Too) my mom seemed to always have at least eiither 'keets,or othe small birds.
My sister,when she moved out, and got married, had birds also, 'tiel(s)or larger birds,she got while working at the same pet shop i had managed in the ol days,or "adopted from friends she knew.Alexandrine(sp?) parrot, and a Senegal, on which I later adopted, since my sis was going thru the "I'm worried about the lil ones , and fingers in the cage" deal.The Alex passed a few years ago, and i still have the Senegal,which had ,and still does a lil bit of a plucking problem, on and off:shrug:

Sorry for the slight sidetrack and off topic route, with the fish,and sister/mom info, but mebbe added to this post somewhat,,,;)

[Dynaglide625]

I haven't posted on this either. My first bird was also a parakeet, green & yellow. I have to laugh, cause Shirley got hers from Kresge, I got mine from Grants, a local 5 & 10 cent store. Does that take you back? LOL, now they have dollar stores, never mind five & dimes. I also fed him (?) Hartz mountain, and he too, only lived about a year. But back then, no one knew how to properly care for birds, they were kind of treated the same was as Carnival goldfish in a baggie. My husband also had a keet, he was blue, and his name was Buster I think. His beak got too long, and grew into his chest I think. Kind of a horrible story, but again, back then, we only had vets, not Avian vets. If the pet got sick and didn't have 4 legs & fur, it was pretty much out of luck.

[SadennaAndFlock]

My first bird was a normal grey cockatiel named sushi that I got when I was 18 (30 now)I spent all the money I got for graduation on him and his cage and all his things, I had him for 6 great years and in that time he learned to talk, and whistle and he would sit with a bell from one of his toys on his head not to mention he would stick his head in his food dish and just talk away. When he passed away I was devastated I think back and know that I am pretty sure it was my lack of knowledge about bird care shortened his life keep in mind when I bought him I was told to give him powdered vitamins for his water, grit and seed no one told me about pellets and fresh veggies and all those other good foods nor did was I told about grit being bad..I also did not know about the hazards of non-stick cookware, cleaning products that could be toxic, such as carpet fresheners, scented candles, scented oils you name it having used these things around him plus poor diet is something I am sure contributed to his very short life..I still miss him he could talk pretty good the tiels we have now don't say a word I miss hearing a tiel talk and hearing sushi say things like "here kitty kitty, pretty pretty bird, or birdie birdie birdie kitty bird...but I also have to say because of his premature life with me I have learned so much about raising and caring for birds.

[Jean]

These stories are so interesting to read.:heart: Just keep em coming! :emot-danc