A Nice Amazon Surprise

[Muse]

Rasa, our lone resident Amazon, came from a tragic past. Captured from the beauty of the wild, shipped in most likely an abusive manner to America and stuffed in a tiny cage with an unfamiliar female, he reacted badly and killed her. The breeder then attempted a second pairing and it ended almost as badly. She then foisted the poor bird on an unsuspecting woman who felt sorry for Rasa and kindly worked with him. She tried to give him a good "home" but was rewarded for her efforts by frequent, violent attacks that left Rasa confined to a cage for over eight years. It was a change in her life that led to a need to have less birds in her household, and she considered having him humanely euthanized because of his violent tendencies as she feared he would someday seriously injure someone. She agreed to bring him here instead, and he's awed me with his grace and beauty ever since.

 

When he came to Marden's Ark, I was fully aware that at any point in time, this wild creature could decide that aggressive behavior might gain him what he wanted. I worked hard to assure him that I respected him and gain trust. I made sure he got out of cage time every single day. I've never really forced any interaction. The woman who brought him here stated he was clicker trained at one point, and though I don't use a clicker, we worked at a 'focus' point. "Touch the stick" became a way to get him to focus and regroup when he appeared to be getting out of control or upset about something. Many times he'd lash out at the stick at first, but within a few moments of calmly requesting that he "touch it nice", he would calm down and do so, and then receive positive attention and a favored treat (he *loves* cashews). He responds amazingly to the 'mothering' calm, quiet voice, and to soft lullabies. He also seems to like it when I tell him I love him (I tell all the birds here that I love them every day and I truly believe they know I mean it).

 

Megan was fascinated with him from the day he arrived, going out of her way to try to get near him. Once they were in the same room, he proved his gentle intentions by 'feeding' her through the bars, and I began to let them interact while closely supervised. It was very apparent that he was deeply in love and now they share the playroom on a regular basis.

 

On Sunday, he and Megan were in the playroom, and I saw our little bluebird family visiting the feeders right outside the back windows. I went into the bird room and picked Megan up and held her near but just away from the window and showed her the "little birdies" eating. (If I get her too close, she 'knocks' on the window and scares the wild birds away). So I had my arm out from my body when suddenly behind me there was a whirring of wings, and Rasa touched down on my forearm, between Megan and my face. I have to tell you that I understand now how animals often wet themselves when they are trying to suppress a strong "flight" response, lol. I stood frozen, waiting for him to attack....just inches from my face.

 

He very softly said "Hi there" in a soothing tone, almost like he sensed fear and was trying to calm me. I started to relax, and he looked out the window and watched the little birds. After a moment of sheer shock wore off, and I slowly walked over to the door to the kitchen, where "daddy" was making himself coffee and tapped on the glass with my free left hand. He looked up and saw both birds on my outstretched arm and his jaw dropped. He opened the door and said "Wow! How did you do that?" My reply was "I didn't. HE did."

 

I held him for a few more minutes, as he sat calmly and looked around, content with his warm fleshy perch, before I moved to the stand and requested Megan to step up on the branch. She refused. I turned and repositioned Rasa next to the branch, and asked him to step up and he did, very smoothly.

 

After the fact, I mentally kicked myself for not having the husband run and get a camera to take a picture, but I just was so in shock I wasn't thinking clearly.

 

These amazing creatures never cease to surprise me, but the gift of gentle trust from this wild boy was an extremely magical and precious one and a memory I will treasure forever.

 

This picture was taken last November when we got a bunch of BEAUTIFUL organic pie pumpkins for them to feast on! He's such a gentleman and always lets her have her choice of the food.

[Ray P]

Amazons are truly amazing creatures

Amazons parrots were never my first pick when it came to parrots until Cricket came into my life and I had a chance to see there gentle side.

Cricket also loved to be talked to in a soft gentle voice and she would start this beautiful Amazon purr and cooing that could make your heart melt.

I miss that so much.

[Muse]

Amazons are truly amazing creatures

Amazons parrots were never my first pick when it came to parrots until Cricket came into my life and I had a chance to see there gentle side.

Cricket also loved to be talked to in a soft gentle voice and she would start this beautiful Amazon purr and cooing that could make your heart melt.

I miss that so much.

 

Ray, I know someday you will find another Zon that needs you. They won't be Cricket, but like I have found with Peck, even though he's not Mar and will never be like Mar, there are many things I see in him that remind me of why I fell in love with a little Grey parrot.

 

When we initially went looking for a bird, I envisioned a cockatiel. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think about an African Grey. It's amazing how they change your life. One of our supporters sent me a mug that says "Every once in a while, a bird enters your life and changes everything." So true.

 

What I miss is having a soulmate. That bird who preened my eyelashes, and beaked my nose. The one that liked to crawl up under my shirt and sleep. I trusted him totally. I love all the birds here. Every last one. But what I had with Marden is unlike any relationship I have ever experienced with a bird, or any other creature, really. Time heals, they say. Perhaps that will prove true someday.