Hello from Florida...for now!

[thelionsof]

Hi, I'm Kimber. I'm driving down to Miami to buy my first parrotlet in the morning. I've kept and lived with various parrots, among various exotic pets, ever since birth. I have been researching parrotlets for close to two years now and finally decided the timing was right to add one to the family.

I have not picked my bird out yet, so I'm not sure what species I'll decide on; however, I have decided it will be a male. I will definitely post pictures as soon as I get him back home. They won't be great because I want to leave him be for the first few days until he settles in, but I guarantee to keep everyone updated from that point on with adorable photos of the little guy.

He will be joining my seven-year-old daughter and our two small dogs (an oversized yorkie and long-hair chihuahua) as the newest member of our family. This is the first time in my life I haven't lived in a "private zoo," as my friends like to call it. I'm an ex-primate caregiver and animal science major, as well as raised by an animal rehabilitator, horse breeder and zoo keeper. So, we've had some interesting characters in our house, including twin tiger cubs, a baby giraffe, and a pet moose. I am the first person most people in my life call if they have an abandoned/neglected animal and have experience in introductions and resocialization of exotics. I have changed my major to a very non-animal related subject, but I still have a great love for all animals (even with a particular interest in entomology) and will continue to teach my daughter everything my family and experience has taught me.

We are moving to Nashville within the month of November, so I will probably start a topic to gain any tips to making that transition as stress-free as possible for my parrotlet. My main concern is my inexperience with actual winter climate. Most of the year we can give our birds a daily outdoor visit on the screened porch, but I've never kept parrots in a normal weather setting. I know it seems like a silly thing to worry about, but I don't like relying on my common sense in areas I'm inexperienced in. :)

I'm happy to be here and thanks for having me!
Kimber

[thelionsof]

I ended up getting a six-month-old, male green rump. I named him Sir Didymus (from Labrinyth). He is the sweetest little boy and already comes up to the cage to chirp back and forth with me. He even stepped up for the first time for the transfer from his travel cage to his new home. It was between him and a gorgeous, male Pacific since most of his other parrotlets were already paired up and I only wanted a single. Ultimately, after an extra hour I decided on the green rump because he seemed more curious about me and didn't spook as easily when I walked over or made kissy sounds.

The drive home was close to two hours and within the first five minutes he began to chirp and hang upsidedown watching me as a sang and talked to him. I didn't think he'd become comfortable so soon, but it's fantastic. He really seems to like my daughter. She just came into the bathroom while we moved him into the new cage and he would come to the front of the cage to get a good look of her. I was thinking he'd be in the back of the cage hiding for the first few days, but he already wants to learn as much about us as possible. It looks like the two hours I spent choosing the right bird paid off. He's a doll!

(The breeder has GORGEOUS color mutations among his birds! And is needing to sell almost ALL of them because he was foreclosed on and needs to move but can't take all his birds, so if you would like a GREAT price on some beautiful parrotlets let me know, he has about two weeks to move. He's in Cooper City, FL, south of Fort Lauderdale.

[Mustang99]

Welcome to the forum...we're so glad you joined. and welcome to Sir Didymus...can't wait to see pictures. Our Kiwi was very comfortable with us from the start and by day two was out on shoulders and chattering up a storm.

With being in Ohio and the weather quite brisk now, I just ensure to cover my birds with a warmer blanket since even with the furnace running we don't keep it real warm so I like to ensure that they are all covered warmer. Kiwi is in her cozy hut at night and the parakeets are on their swings (in a separate cage).

They can handle temperature change as long as it's not sudden and of course no drafts.

Will you be driving to Nashville when you move? If so, you can keep the car comfortable and let him look out the window through his carrier. I would carry a huge jug of water from home to keep his water source consistent until your settled into your new home. Maybe have on hand some fresh kale, carrots, seed and millet along with any other favorite foods he may have. I'm sure with everyone in the car, he'll be comfortable just being with you.

Again, welcome...glad to have you...and good luck with the pending move.

[Pado]

Hi Kimber - welcome to the forum - congratulations on your new P'let - Sir Didymus is a great name :) - Sounds like he was raised very well - if handled a lot and interacted with by the breeder they usually need little to no adjustment time - sounds like this is the case with Sir Didymus - I've heard the Green Rumps are less nippy than the Pacifics - be sure to let us know if this is so :D - Congrats again. It nice to have someone with your background join the forum.

[Kathy]

Hi Kimber! Looking forward to seeing lots of pics of Sir Didymus!

[sueanno1189]

Could you give the the location of the guys selling his birds. I live in Miami.