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Tapestry
10-19-2006, 10:46 AM
No questions or problems, I'd just like to have a little rave about my new Peachface, 'Birdie' (working title).

I've been pining for a parrot for months now, and my partner thought it was time to satisfy my [what he views as] crazy desires (or just to shut me up). After driving me far and wide (all over Melbourne, including outer suburbs) to look at specialist bird shops, we found some little yellow Peachfaces at QVM. I went a bit mental over them, I guess... some delirium, fever, nonsensical rambling... said I'd die if I didn't have one. I don't remember, it's all rather hazy.

Anyway, we went back two days later and he bought me one. :happy:

She's a Recessive Pied (Australian Yellow). I know this courtesy of forum member, Jezz. ;) Though, today, I was reading a magazine article I'd already read several times, which featured a photo of the colour mutation in question. :lol

I've had her two weeks today. Yesterday, actually - it's just gone 12.

Within the first couple of days here, she had learnt how to open the cage doors, as I suspected she would. I was impressed nonetheless. The cage doors are all now secured with 'quick links' to prevent both escape and injury.

Calm, inquisitive, and audacious, Birdie is wary of hands, but will accept a scritch on the belly or neck. She won't yet step up, but doesn't seem to mind sitting on a finger if placed there. She'll step onto a perch (a rawhide dog chew) if I cover both ends. She doesn't bite. Well, she does, but barely hard enough to notice, and only when picked up.

She was on a seed diet, which I maintained (with fresh foods and muesli) until I could get some extruded food (yesterday). I got Kaytee exact Conversion & Weaning for Parakeets & Cockatiels. It seems to be the only acclaimed brand that is readily available in my area. When I got it home and opened the bag, the aroma was so overpowering that I couldn't resist trying a few pellets. >o

I let Birdie out of her cage, ate some in front of her and, within seconds, she reached over, took some from my hand and began to nibble. Much excitement - mainly mine - ensued.

I don't think a full conversion will be difficult. What might be, however, is resisting that fruity scent every time I open the bag or go near the cage. :whistle:

All in all, Birdie seems healthy, and to have adapted fairly well to her new environment in a short period of time.

:happy:

Thanks for reading.

Janie
10-19-2006, 11:43 AM
What a wonderful update! Sounds like birdie has settled in nicely and I'm sure you'll continue to see progress by leaps and bounds! :D

Welcome to my world.....my hubby and sons think I'm nuts and close to being a hoarder because I have three lovebirds! :rolleyes: IMHO, with something as small as a lovie, you'd have to have over a hundred (and be a non breeder) to be considered a hoarder. I have a long way to go! :whistle:

Tapestry
10-19-2006, 12:00 PM
Yes, perhaps your husband should acquaint himself with some of the more avid bird fancying folk. If he thinks you're nuts for having three, he'd be in for a real shock. :eek:

Janie
10-19-2006, 12:06 PM
Yes, perhaps your husband should acquaint himself with some of the more avid bird fancying folk. If he thinks you're nuts for having three, he'd be in for a real shock. :eek:

:rofl: No joke! I've told him about a few members here who have over 20 and my next step is to drag him to a bird fair. That'll shut him up for sure! :D The thing is, *I* take care of the birds except for the rare occasions that I'm out of town so they are not a bother to anyone. Truth be known, my hubby is crazy about Oliver (my first lovie) and laughs his butt off often at the behavior of the other two. I was out of commission with a migraine a few weeks ago and my hubby spent hours in the bird room with all three climbing all over him. They are impossible to resist and you just can't help falling in love with them! :D

Tapestry
10-19-2006, 12:15 PM
Ah, you see. Partners may complain about our birds, but they're just as smitten as we are!

zlatushka
10-19-2006, 12:34 PM
Ah, you see. Partners may complain about our birds, but they're just as smitten as we are!

Isn't that the truth!! My husband complains jokingly about the birds from time to time, and pretends to not really care either way. But who's out buying special treats for the birdies? Who's over talking babytalk to the birdies when he thinks noone is around??:rofl:

As for your update...Sounds great! We'll be looking forward to hearing more about you and 'Birdie'.

Tapestry
10-20-2006, 10:03 AM
Some advancements to report.

It seems that, in the space of a few days, this little birdie has progressed from shying away from my hand to stepping up onto my finger and snoozing in the hood of my jumper and nibbling on my ear.

:eek:

This girlie moves crazy fast!

emmab
10-20-2006, 12:43 PM
I wish my birdies - Pink and Blue - were more sociable :-( they love each other but won't come near me!
We'd love to pet and play with them but they won't allow us anywhere near. I'm very jealous!

bellarains
10-20-2006, 02:04 PM
Birdie sounds just precious. I'm glad all is going well for you in the bonding process.

They do steal your heart in a the blink of an eye, so all of us hear understand your behavior in having to have one. I'm pretty sure mine are a "NEED", not just a "WANT";) I am lucky in that my hubby loves my fids. He's still a bit grossed out by the poopins, well, just the morning ones now:lol

snowboardmandy
10-20-2006, 02:09 PM
lol Lori, and those GCCs do some AMAZINGLY HUGE morning poopins!

Usually I'm the one that gets Obie up in the morning. I uncover her, turn on her lamp, and say "good morning obie. do your poop!!" I won't let her out of the cage until she does it.

Tyler, however, was unfamiliar with the morning routine and went and uncovered her this morning, turned on her lamp, and let her out. A few seconds later, I hear..."Oh Jesus....(pause)..Oh Jesus...(pause) ..HOLY ****" I crack up, knowing exactly what had happened.

She managed to get a quarter sized spot on the table, equal amount on the chair, and equal amount on the carpet. He had NO IDEA what that lil girl is capable of in the morning!

Tap, I'm glad things are going so well! I just loove watching my lil girl, and she never ceases to crack me up!

bellarains
10-20-2006, 03:51 PM
LOL Mandy,

I do believe I've heard almost those exact words out of my hubby's mouth. He did follow it up by, "OMG, how does such a small bird poop that big?":lol

Tapestry
10-20-2006, 11:58 PM
:rofl:

When I had my Sun Conure, his morning poos were about the size of a fifty cent peice (AU). :eek:

In my home, it was feared, revered and coined "The First Dump of the Day" (by my father).

Tapestry
10-21-2006, 12:23 AM
Oh, and she's eating her pellets. I woke up this morning and found that they had pretty much turned to powder. :lol