My Baby Is Growing Up

[Skyes_crew]

I've had my little guy for ten days now and the changes in him are amazing. He's sitting up tall now, learning to perch. He's eating all kinds of cooked veggies and mashed fruit as well as seed. His feathers have come in thick and beautiful. I love his Pavlovian response to hearing me mix his food. He makes the most adorable begging sounds. Just wanted to share some then and now photos to show the big changes in such a short time.

This is the day he came home



This is from a few days after he came home with me.



This is him now

[MissK]

Very cute........ love the lazy hindquarters in the back.

-MissK

[Skyes_crew]

Yeah...she's not too spoiled

[MissK]

Heh. Mine sleep under the covers.

-MissK

[Skyes_crew]

She has tried that...after being yelled at so many times, she now sleeps on top with her head across my back. Dogs have heavy heads lol

[MissK]

I once tried to get all "dogs in their own bed", but I missed my puppy and she was miserable. One night I thought "What am I doing? Their lives are so short, I won't have her all that long, and I'll miss her so much when she's gone." Now she sleeps however she wants, with me, and her sister does, too.

-MissK

[Skyes_crew]

I used the argument with my husband one night of who established that dogs needed to sleep on the floor and humans get to sleep in a bed? Doesn't seem fair for the higher intelligence to dictate to the lower intelligence an inferior sleeping arrangement. Needless to say, my husband couldn't figure out which categorie he fell into so I won the augment

New pic of Cyrano...look who's perching like a big boy now



And here is playtime with Skye

[MissK]

Wow, makes Skye look *tiny*! Tell me about that cage. Dog crate? Are we keeping birds in or dogs out? The wire grid won't contain those birds, will it? I guess I don't really need to use a crate for anything, but I always want to know what the smart people are doing!

-MissK

[Skyes_crew]

Open top puppy play yard lol. I've had it forever. Cyrano likes to explore everywhere but can't fly yet and the dogs don't always watch where they're running. So a birdy playpen was born the other birds love flying in and out of there. They think its a game to see who can steal seed the fastest before that big beak turns their direction lol.

[subodhhire]

A handsome dude.

Subodh

[Skyes_crew]

Thank you

[MissK]

Yeah, he's a looker. I just answered an ad for one in Philadelphia, but I have a feeling it's going to be one of those who say they want a good home for the bird, but they never took it to the vet and really just want their purchase price back. I'm not so hopefully waiting for answers to my questions, though.

-MissK

[Skyes_crew]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. It really bugs me when people do that. They realize after the fact how much time effort and money go into owning such a beautiful creature. Personally I think people like that should have to pay YOU to take the bird. I really hope it works out for you though. The difference in personality between a ringneck and an Alex is amazing. You will love it!!!

[MissK]

Thanks for the good wishes.

I agree. It's ridiculous to pay people a bunch of money for the privilege of bailing them out of their mistake. If I had to rehome Rocky, I think I would advertise him for $75 (what the local rescue charges) to weed out the riff raff, and just not take the money when it was time. I'd still be running after them with armloads of stuff I was sure Rocky couldn't live without.

I did pay more for Rocky than he should have cost, but the person who bought him originally was dead, and the family was just tied to a certain sum. They couldn't forget how much the grandfather had paid for this bird, and they thought that sum was outrageous. I think they were not over it yet, after some 8 years! It was OK with me. They lost their granddad, you know? And Rocky was the exact individual bird I wanted.

I just installed a plexiglass sheet on the back of the Budgie cage. I learned that we should let the nice folks at the hardware store cut that stuff to size for us! But it's up there now, protecting both the wall and the Budgie toes at once! You will be so proud of me when I tell you I drilled the holes to match the bolts that hold the cage together. They are long enough I just backed them out, slipped the plexiglass in there, and bolted it on the back!

-MissK

[clawnz]

He looks to be in great condition.
And growing fast.
It cannot be long before he is airborne.
He does have away to go with his tail.

I am with you when it comes to paying people for their bad mistakes.
And would do the same put a good price on any of my birds to weed out the dreamers, then be happy to see them just go to a good home for zero.
The bird comes before the dollar signs in my book.

[Skyes_crew]

He actually just had his first flight a little while ago I was unloading groceries into the fridge and he was calling to me. Next thing I know he's sitting on top of a bag on my kitchen island. I didn't see the first flight but not long after I was eating an apple on the couch and he flew from his perch to my hand to snitch some of the apple. It was soooo beautiful to see him fly. His wingspan is incredible. I am in awe of him.

He does have a long way to go with his tail...but he's only a little over 7 weeks so he's got a lot of growing to do

[Skyes_crew]

MissK...you are so handy...could you post a pic of the finished project??

I too paid too much for my second hand bird. But when I went to see Skye, I knew I had to have him. At that point it wasn't about money.

I have a living will for my birds that in the event I am unable to care for them or myself or I unexpectedly pass on, my birds will go to a bird sanctuary here in the islands. I'm too much of a control freak to leave the responsibility of re homing them to my family.

[MissK]

I can try. But it's clear, so don't know how great it will photo. Gotta find the camera. Others have noted I slack in the technology department.......

I don't have any plan in place for the birds. Actually, that's a lie - my sister will take the canaries if need be. The dogs have a Godmother who is prepared to take them in or handle their best interests if they cannot be integrated to her household. I guess the parrots would be tossed on the mercy of the bird club.

Thanks for passing out fresh worms..............


-MissK

[Skyes_crew]

I don't care how the picture looks lol. I just want the visual concept for my tiels. Your knowledge here more than makes up for your picture skills

Fresh worms are necessary to churn up some good ground for planting seeds

[Skyes_crew]

New pics of my handsome man

[clawnz]

He is doing well.
It is stunning how they grow.
And he looks to be in great condition.
And look his tail is coming on well.

[subodhhire]

Thats awesome

Subodh

[Skyes_crew]

Look at my big boy now

[clawnz]

He looks in great shape and very proud.
Well done.

[ellieelectrons]

He does look great - you can still see the baby in him though. I love the way they look when they're babies. So cute!

Ellie.

[Skyes_crew]

Shhh Ellie...I don't want him to lose the baby just yet lol I'm already missing his baby noises. He makes them less and less but he is making this adorable chirping noise every time I say hello to him.

[subodhhire]

Hi Skyes,

Even i miss the baby sound of Chanakya. Now he has started whistling. But i am missing those baby sounds.

Subodh

[Skyes_crew]

At what age did your Chanakya start whistling and making other sounds? Cyrano is a little over 4 months old now and he does this sort of chattering chirping sound when he's excited to see me.

[subodhhire]

Chanakya started whisling after 6 months now he is around 9 months old.

Subodh

[ringneck]

Osiris is roughly 6 months old and he already says good bird (muffled) and wolf whistles. I love to hear him practice his talking. Every time I hear him talk I run to his cage and reward him. It's now gotten to the point where he'll wolf whistle back to me. Such smart little creatures!

Best Wishes ,

IMRAN-C

[MissK]

Aw, man. I'm so envious. Where's mine?! True, mine won't be a baby, but he's gotta be out there somewhere. Where Is He?!

(grumpy)
-MissK

[Skyes_crew]

Cyrano hasn't started the whistling yet...but he will call to me now when I'm out of the room. He spends most of the day on a gym in the family room. I'm realizing how social he is. He needs to be with his "flock" most of the time.

MissK...your time will come. I just know the perfect Alex is out there waiting to be rescued by you.

btw Imran...I love your signature panel...how would I make something like that?

[ringneck]

Aw, MissK. I know how you feel! It took me almost two years to track an Alexandrine breeder. I was not going to get one due to my father's death, but Osiris really brought me such joy in this difficult passage of my life. I know you'll get one! I can't wait either. I'm excited for ya.

Best Wishes ,

IMRAN-C

[ringneck]

Hey Skyes_crew,

If you send me your photos I'll make it for ya. I made it in photoshop and just linked it as my sig.

[Skyes_crew]

Ok great!! Ill send you the pics this weekend. Should I just pm them to you?

[ringneck]

That would be great:)

Best Wishes,

IMRAN-C