I was referred to this site by Melika (Hane's keeper). I've been interested in IRNs, ARNs, Alexandrine's and psittacula in general for a while now. Can you believe, though, that I've never seen one up close? Seems unfair somehow...
I share my apartment in southern NJ with Cricket, a Holland Lop buck (BEW for those into rabbits) and Beetle, a male peachfaced lovebird (orangefaced green mutation). I've owned budgies in the past and occasionally have cockatiels and conures as overnight guests
I hope to do more than lurk but at this point, I'm just trying to learn all that I can about IRNs and how to provide a proper home for one.
If you have the time, I'd love to know about your experiences w/ IRNs and, perhaps, how they came into your life.
One of the best ways to find things to read is by using the Search option above the forum and search for words relating to the topics you are interested in. The forum, having been around for a while now, has a large database of information.
Another great way, is to ask topic specific questions, and everyone will jump in with their thoughts and answers, we love it and are here to share and learn.
Cheers ! Enjoy & hope to welcome your new baby in the future.
Angie --------- Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. {Pro 10:12} ----------- God Bless
Dont be afraid to post because here, noone is wrong and everyone is right.
We may disagree about techniques but it is NEVER hostile and always for the benefit of the board, not to jerk chains or anything, best board online.
Take Neo and I... she and I are totally on the end of the spectrum as to whether a bird should be clipped or have full flight. Dont take this personal Neo, I am using you and I as an example because I know you wont take it wrong. However, when someone asks this on the board we both offer our comments in a pleasant way. Not as to try to demerit eachother.
Hello,
I just registered on this site a couple of days ago seeking and receiving good advice about moulting.
You asked about what it was like to meet my IRN. I met Bebe a couple of years ago. Bebe was originally bought by one of my neighbors, Missy, who had him for a couple of months but couldn't keep him and who was a bit negligent with primary feather clipping [and she insisted he was a she even after sexual dimorphism and the rose-ring was explained]. Anyway, Missy lived with her mom who pressured her to get the bird out. The mom didn't like birds at all, when she swept up she would whack the bird cage with the broom, the bird would go crazy. Not a good match.
My neighbor told me of her plight and offered me bird, cage, foodies, toys--the whole nine yards for free. I was completely, adamantly decided not to take the offer and left it at that; until a few weeks later.
It was a lovely spring day and Missy was walking her chihuahuas and Shug (Bebe's first name), if the dogs got too close he would nip their hind quarter and they'd give way. Watching that little bird do that to the dogs was way-too-cool.
We live in a nice apartment complex with a nice spring-fed pond about 30 yards wide, 60 yards long and 6-8 feet deep; it's down slope about 30 yards from the buildings. The pond is regularly patrolled by osprey, hawks, vultures, eagles, owls. It has a couple of resident ducks, fish and snapping turtles, no gators yet but has lots of algae in it.
Missy went inside, leaving me and the bird alone. All of a sudden he kind of jumped up, spread his wings and using only ground pressure was able to glide down grade about 12 inches off the ground 'til he got to the center of the pond where he lost air pressure and plunked into the pond onto a clump of algae. It was awsome to see him gliding and quite a sight. But there he was sinking, flapping, drowning and being circled by the turtles, it was sickening.
But I saved him; stripped down to skivvies barefoot and waded in and with every step in the bottom muck waiting for a turtle to take chomp out of me or worse to be witness to one taking the bird under. It was really very creepy, I shiver when I think of it now.
I grabbed up his pitiful soaked self, he hung onto my collar we waded back. I'm sure he knew his danger and understood he was safe. It was a peculiar but nice feeling to see and feel and share each others relief.
I brought him to my and his new home then.
That is the short version of how Bebe and me met. I'll tell you of his other exploits another time.
That is such a tragic but lovely story, how is your IRN with you now? I am an animal lover and cannot understand why people would want to harm or neglect any living creature!!!!!!!
