Update on Hawk (putting on my flame suit)

[shinbatsu]

So...

After the past two weeks of no progress (5 weeks since I got him), I decided on getting a second bird to try and give hawk a tame friend to follow. Reason for this is when my friend brought her PF over, hawk all of a sudden saw the PF hanging out with us and tried to follow along. His attitude changed for the better, and thus my plan was born to get another bird.

Upon going to the breeder, I found out the slate from his clutch died (the one that I wanted), but he had a just weaned (that day in fact) cobalt. When I checked it out, the cobalt was perfect. I figured since Hawk seemed more like an "aviary bird" than a pet (he is parent raised and wild after all) I decided to let the breeder put hawk into his breeding program. The breeder in return, let me have this tame, handfed, 1 1/2 month old cobalt for $15.

All of your helpful advice will not go to waste, I will be using most of it in my efforts to ensure Crow (my new birds name) will stay tame.

No I did not abandon hawk, I just put him into a better place that he would be more happy, with his own kind. The breeder is very dedicated to his birds, and will take the best care of him.

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/1126/dsc00150ro.th.jpg (http://img188.imageshack.us/i/dsc00150ro.jpg/)

[linda040899]

Since you had Hawk's welfare in the forefront, hopefully this arrangement will work out better for him. Ginger, my CAG, is wild caught and has no desire to be a cuddly pet. She enjoys interacting with me and would make a great breeder should I ever find just the right male for her. Some birds just don't want to be pets. Sonny, my male CAG, is just the opposite. His breeder took him OUT of the breeding program because Sonny wants to be a pet! It can work both ways. :)

Cobalt Mask is another stunning mutation and one of my favorites. The blue is REALLY blue!

BTW, you won't get flamed here. You know Hawk much better than any of us ever could and it's not our place to judge what's best for him. You acted in his best interests. That's what counts.

[NickyBeth]

I agree with you and Linda. Some birds are meant to be birds, and the others want to be pets. I used to have hamsters before I had birds, and I swear, one of them so wanted to be a circus act. She would do tricks for treats and love to be held and would love me to walk her outside. (Yes, outside!!)

Her replacement was more a cage hamster. Sure, she was a good pet...but nothing like my first hamster. There are even people like that. Some people love kids, some people want nothing to do with them. Birds can be the same way with humans!! ;)

Good luck with the new guy, he's simply stunning.

[Janie]

I think you've done the right thing regarding Hawk. IMHO you were doing what you felt was best for him and what would make him happiest. :)

[shinbatsu]

I definitely had Hawk's well being in mind. He was meant to be a wild bird, and to be with his own kind, not with humans. He was always happiest "talking" to the wild birds outside, and other parrots in neighboring houses.

If the option did not come up, I would have kept him, and tame or not he would have always had a safe cage with toys, food, and clean water.

So what have I learned? Don't get lazy, take the time to find a really good breeder (screw the petstore), and if you intend to make the bird your pet, try your best to get a handfed.

Crow is a female, her pelvic bones are far too wide to be a male. She weighed in at a healthy 45 grams.

I just got done making her some perches, check out my post in the Toys section. It's very detailed and has pictures for all of you DIY types.