Christina Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 Okay, I'm a bit torn on Bart. I'll have to start at the beginning so this might be long. I got there and the husband went and got Bart out of his cage, which looked clean and there were a couple of toys in there, but nothing stand out spectacular. So, Bart did step up for him and then he did step up on my hand and he did step from one hand to the other. Now, once I placed him on his stand, he wouldn't step back up. He kept lunging and pecking. I say pecking because he did not bite to draw blood, he was more warning me off (he did nip me good a couple of times). He would stand right next to me on the perch if the husband was standing on the other side. Clearly a woman's bird. The wife explained that this was his second home, both his first and this one he was intended to be a breeder. They have had him since November, so not very long. They did take him to the vet then and had him surgically sexed and got a clean bill of health. He looked good and healthy, good feathers, clear eyes, no drainage around his nairs. I don't think they handle him nearly as much as they said they did. Although they did admit that initally, they had to pull him out of the cage with gloves. That he wouldn't bother them if they were feeding him or cleaning the cage, but he didn't want to come out or be handled. He would step up for the husband and he gave kisses to him and to one of the children there. They did explain that Bart doesn't care for the husband, but he more or less fusses with the bird enough to get acceptance. The more I tried to get him to step up, the more nervous he got. I asked if the wife could handle him and she said yes, but he nipped at her and she pulled away fast. Hmmm...what kind of breeder does that? Especially if its your bird and you claim to have him out every night? At any rate. I liked Bart, but I think Bart will take a lot of work. He was a nervous nelly and growled allot, I found this strange if he is out a lot like they said, and this is his territory, but then again, they haven't had him a long time. I feel on one hand, he is only 7...I have many many years and nothing but time to win his trust and show him what a wonderful life he can have, out of his cage and being part of the family. But on the other hand, its a big investment time and money wise when I could just buy a baby bird and skip all this. I wouldn't even consider it if he didn't give kisses, that just says, he has potential to be something other than a breeder bird. What are your opinions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeasarsDad Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 Wow, what a story. Initially I want to see you give this bird a new stable home. I think by the way you are talking you will be a good family for him. If you do decide to take him on you understand that it will take some time for this bird to once again trust his human companions. Of course it would be easier if you got a baby. A seven year old Grey may be set in his ways and almost impossible to change. I would pass on this one. Find a baby to love and raise instead. As hard as it is for me to say that it's really how I feel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARIR Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 Christina I don't agree w/ CeasarsDad,(please don't take offense-its just an opinion) I think Bart sounds like with TLC, patience and discipline he could make a WONDERFUL family member! 1st I would have taken him to a neutral room in the house maybe where he had only been a few times even, not near his cage, because even my birds, when they don't want to come down, will grab my finger or hand not to hurt or draw blood but just to say this is MY HOME, or I'm not going inside this thing.also this is the first time he's met you so he was probably scared, i nerveous around new people too, haha..I think if you decide to get Bart, he might do better once at your home, after knowing that your going to love him and care for him and play with him...and let him know that your not going to give up on him. 7yrs old is still very young when you consider that they can out live us humans. Just to let you know even babies require alot of time and money...maybe even more than an older bird....Good luck no matter what choice you make, let us know please.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted May 11, 2007 Author Share Posted May 11, 2007 Thank you for your responses. Marir, he was in neutral territory away from his cage. He did okay at first, but the more I pushed him the more nervous he got. Not that I blame him. I often think about these breeders, who don't know that much about birds, just breeding away just for the money and then poor little birds like Bart, who with patience and love would have a fabulous family life and probably come into his own. I guess my hesitation is on the probably. I could keep looking and get one from a family that has maybe had more interaction with people, but then would that poor little bird just pine away for his family and it would be just as sad as Bart? She has him and his cage for sale for $800 (which honestly in Florida is a little high for a Timneh anyway). I think I might offer her $500, no cage (I have one and its bigger than the one she has him in anyway) and if she takes it then Bart was meant to come home with me. If not, then he wasn't meant to. What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Monique Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 Go with your gut. If you don't feel he is the one you will find another one that is! Good luck in your decision!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeasarsDad Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 MARIR wrote: Christina I don't agree w/ CeasarsDad,(please don't take offense-its just an opinion) No problem what so ever.. I could go either way on this one. In fact I would rather an older bird find a loving home then a baby. A baby will almost always find a new home.. An older bird has to deal with the stigma of... well ... being older.. Just like an older dog. Not everyone that goes to to buy a dog is interested in an older dog.. That's also a shame but it is fact.. A baby has "less" issues to deal with then an "older" bird. But, that being said, there is no guarantee that a baby will develop into a loving companion. An older bird could show his real personality when in the proper state of mind. Just like you suggest in telling the OP to go to a neutral room. This makes me think of the Yellow Nape I had. When this bird was a baby he was a BITER. So bad he turned my hands into chopmeat.. If I knew now what I knew then I would have NEVER taken that bird home. I was NEVER able to break him of his tendency to bite.. He did turn out to be a brilliant talker but you could not handle him "most" of the time.. Where is all this going? My belief is that once a bird develops his basic personality it very difficult if not impossible to change it. Just like people. You ever heard the saying you can't change people. That goes for birds too. Can you improve upon it's tendencies.. Yes. Change a nervous biter into a cuddley puppy.. NO.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted May 11, 2007 Author Share Posted May 11, 2007 Well, I did call her and offer her $500 without the cage. She said flat out no. This was after she told me how important it was for him to find a home as a pet and not a breeder bird. But, I just feel like it wasn't meant to be and I know that $500 is low but, feel that CeasarsDad is on to something there, so its what I could feel comfortable doing. She didn't bother to say what she would take, so I guess it wasn't that important to her. But its okay, I'm sure Bart will find a happy home and I'll just keep looking. Big Sigh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Monique Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 It's okay Christina. You'll find your bird!!! If you really wanted an older bird there are rescue organizations out there, too if you are in a populated enough area (usually they only adopt within a certain radius). I'm sure that was a hard "no" to say as much as you want a Grey but I am sure it will turn out best in the end!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoesDad Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 Sorry to have missed this string of correspondence! Christina, as the song goes "...whatever will be will be". I think that when you find your bird, you will have no doubt in your mind that you found him/her. It may sound corny, but I just knew that my bird Zoe would be coming home with me one day the moment she was handed to me in a blanket and we made eye contact. Being the over-analytic, rational type (I enjoyed taking a degree in mathematics) this event came as quite the shock to me! It could very well be the case that you will experience the same thing with another bird, and perhaps, so will the person who ultimately adopts Bart! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted May 12, 2007 Author Share Posted May 12, 2007 I'm sure you guys are right. Thanks for the kind words. You can't rush these things and I believe you right, I'll know when I meet my match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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