We picked up Simon Taylor Grey, the baby African Grey parrot, from the breeder on Saturday morning.
Remember how I cried every time I sold a lovebird? Well, the breeder cried as we were leaving. I know the feeling, but I was surprised that she still feels it after all these years and all these birds. She has sold hundreds and hundreds of birds. Maybe even thousands.
Simon’s a sweetie pie. He’s used to being surrounded by his brothers and sisters as well as conures, macaws, eclectuses and amazons, but he’s adapting well to being alone in the quarantine room. He loves it when I pop in for a visit though. He barks whenever he sees me. He loves to come out of the cage for a snuggle. He explores me very gently with his beak and tongue…my fingers, nose, chin, lips, cheeks. He’s got very sharp talons, though, and he hangs on tight. I have puncture wounds.
He’s a bit of a klutz and a clown. I found him hanging upside down from his toy airplane this morning, spinning in circles. He barked as soon as he saw me, and then fell to the ground in a mad flap of wings.
I really want to move him downstairs into his big cage, but I’m supposed to keep him separate from the other birds for awhile.
I make my own bird food now. Check out these ingredients: millet, quinoa, oats, kamut, buckwheat, brown rice, mung beans, adzuki beans, lentils, chick peas, carrots, yams, kale, beets, peas, oranges and apples. I made a 10-day supply of breakfast for the three birds this morning, which I froze in one-day packages. I also make birdie bread for them.
Oboe the lovebird gave up commercial bird food altogether a couple of months ago. He only eats the foods I prepare. (He also likes to ‘help’ me prepare his breakfast; he eats the food as I peel and dice it.) His favourite food is walnut crumbs. Kazoo, the Amazon, loves Granny Smith apples and peanuts best. Simon loves warm corn and toast. I get the feeling he’s going to be a good eater.
Kazoo has been quite a handful lately. His new favourite spot is the top of the microwave, and from there he likes to open the pantry door and climb in. He has to clamber across the molasses and pasta boxes to get to his very favourite spot, which is on top of the cans at the very back. He sits back there and laughs. Sometimes he falls out, and lands in the cat’s water dish, clinging to a box of rotini.
(In case you’re wondering, he never poops in the pantry.)
That bird seems to fall alot! What’s up with that? He sounds like such a clown! Simon seems to be a sweet baby!
Connie, I think in Kazoo’s last home, he was discouraged from flying and exploring. So even though he’s 13 years old, he’s not a very experienced flyer. (He’s getting better though!)
I love the stories of Kazoo being wacky, especially him laughing in the cupboard.
And also, your birds eat exactly the same food as I do.
Jennifer, I laughed out loud about you and my birds eating the same food. They eat a lot better than I do, that’s for sure.
Simon is so handsome – are you going to teach him to say “Simon says….” ?
Yup, that’s on the list. But he probably won’t start talking until he’s a year old, which is still nine months away.
Have you noticed that sometime over the last few months you’ve become The Crazy Bird Lady?
GC says I’m no lady!
I did not know birds had such personalities. I love reading about your pets Zoom. They all won the lottery living with you. Definitely Canada’s “Bird Whisperer” – that’s you!
GC says the same thing Laura, that they won the lottery! I’m not so sure about that, but I do try hard because their personalities shine so much brighter when they’re happy.
You almost make me want to get a bird myself! Almost.
No pets here, and an 18 month old, and one on the way… No pets for awhile! 
But your birdie babies sound wonderful! Thanks for letting us live vicariously through you!
Hi Jenny. They say living with a parrot is like living with a perpetual two-year-old. I think you’re wise to wait until your babies are a bit older – at least until they’re past the “terrible twos” themselves!
Simon is a very handsome fellow. He is a nice addition to the family. I love hearing stories about Kazoo, he has such a funny little personality. They are all lucky to have you Zoom, as their mother. I just love reading you blog, it is very interesting, informative and just a great read.
I want to echo what Laura said in that I had no idea birds had such interesting personalities. They sound like wonderful pets, and I keep pondering to my Hubby that I wonder if I’m allergic to feathers!
Having had birds I think I’ll just stick with reading about yours! 😉
Congratulations on the new bird!
You aren’t going to have time for an office job. You’ll have to change careers; you’re a hoot. I’ll let the OHS know where to get birds fostered.