johnfish
02-08-2007, 10:38 PM
Hi All,
I am new to the forum and new to parrotlets. We (my son and I) just adopted a young parrotlet. At least we think he is young. He litterally flew into our lives. Matt named him Jimmy in honor of Jimmy Buffet.
Here is Jimmy's story...
About 2 weeks ago I was washing my car when this small bird flew up and landed in a tree over my head. It started chirping away excitedly. I didnt think too much of it. From where I was standing it looked like a goldfinch (common in central Va) and I didnt think anything more about it. I went in the back yard and the bird followed me chirping away the whole time! The next thing I know he has flown back out front and landed on my son's back. I rushed out front and the bird hopped off Matt's back and on to my shoulder and started pulling at my hair. I knew this was a not a native bird and I also know that if we didnt help him he would have frozen to death over night!
So we caught him and put him in a box and took him to Petsmart to try and ID him. When I got to Petsmart I opened the box just a crack and the silly bird flew out and right up into the rafters of the store! 2 and a half hours later we finally caught him by spraying him with a super soaker water pistol to wet his feathers so he couldnt fly! Once we got him down one of the sales people took him in the aviary to look him over! Why didnt I open the box in there!!! Hind sight is 20 20. The lady who looked at him said she thought it was a love bird, she then clipped his wings for us and showed us how to use the step up command which Jimmy already knew. So seventy dollars later (cage, food, toys, etc) we left for home with Jimmy. I did some research online and could not find a lovebird with his coloration. Then I found pictures of a parrotlet and I knew that is what he is!
We put up some posters and asked around if some one lost a bird but to no avail. Both Matt and I are glad because we have become really attached to Jimmy. He has had a vet visit and is very healthy.
We have had him now for about 2 weeks but have been unsuccessful at getting him to do step up. All he wants to do is bite. Over the last few days we have been holding small millet sprays for him and he will eat them out of our hand without biting so I think he is getting used to us. We are being very patient and I think it will payoff in the long run.
So that is Jimmy's story! We are so happy to be parrotlet owners or should I say happy to be choosen by Jimmy. Its funny I have had lots of stray cats come in and out of my life but never a stray bird!
John
I am new to the forum and new to parrotlets. We (my son and I) just adopted a young parrotlet. At least we think he is young. He litterally flew into our lives. Matt named him Jimmy in honor of Jimmy Buffet.
Here is Jimmy's story...
About 2 weeks ago I was washing my car when this small bird flew up and landed in a tree over my head. It started chirping away excitedly. I didnt think too much of it. From where I was standing it looked like a goldfinch (common in central Va) and I didnt think anything more about it. I went in the back yard and the bird followed me chirping away the whole time! The next thing I know he has flown back out front and landed on my son's back. I rushed out front and the bird hopped off Matt's back and on to my shoulder and started pulling at my hair. I knew this was a not a native bird and I also know that if we didnt help him he would have frozen to death over night!
So we caught him and put him in a box and took him to Petsmart to try and ID him. When I got to Petsmart I opened the box just a crack and the silly bird flew out and right up into the rafters of the store! 2 and a half hours later we finally caught him by spraying him with a super soaker water pistol to wet his feathers so he couldnt fly! Once we got him down one of the sales people took him in the aviary to look him over! Why didnt I open the box in there!!! Hind sight is 20 20. The lady who looked at him said she thought it was a love bird, she then clipped his wings for us and showed us how to use the step up command which Jimmy already knew. So seventy dollars later (cage, food, toys, etc) we left for home with Jimmy. I did some research online and could not find a lovebird with his coloration. Then I found pictures of a parrotlet and I knew that is what he is!
We put up some posters and asked around if some one lost a bird but to no avail. Both Matt and I are glad because we have become really attached to Jimmy. He has had a vet visit and is very healthy.
We have had him now for about 2 weeks but have been unsuccessful at getting him to do step up. All he wants to do is bite. Over the last few days we have been holding small millet sprays for him and he will eat them out of our hand without biting so I think he is getting used to us. We are being very patient and I think it will payoff in the long run.
So that is Jimmy's story! We are so happy to be parrotlet owners or should I say happy to be choosen by Jimmy. Its funny I have had lots of stray cats come in and out of my life but never a stray bird!
John