Cooper update..

[Teri]

Hey guys! I know its been awhile since you've heard from me and Cooper, but we're doing fine. I've been busy with college and Coope's been busy growing into a beautiful adult blue masked lovie. He'll be a year old in July and we've hit the 8 month mark for being roomies. Coope's finished his first molt and his feathering is just spectacular. I think he's turned out to be a colbalt blue masked, as his feather are very blue and don't seem to have the green sheen other blue masked lovies have. He's still a terrible finger muncher and is skittish of many things but we're working on that. His favorite toy is a small rubber ducky I float in his water dish. He chews on the duck and enjoys dunking it and splashing it in the water. Cooper's taught me alot so far, and although I still hope that someday he'll turn into the velcro birdie I originally wanted I've learned to love him on his terms just the way he is (finger muncher and all!). He has a wonderful grumpy personality which oddly enough myself and many other people find very endearing. It's hard not to smile when a beautiful lil bird is telling you off for giving him brocoli.

I am however beginning to think about my next bird (and there will be a 2nd birdie, I just have to take my time and consider the best timing). I've decided against a 2nd lovie and am now considering a conure. I've found an amazing breeder in AZ who breeds crimson bellied conures (part of purryha conure family). They are breath taking birds and are about the size of a green cheek but with supposedly the more mellow disposition of a sun.

Here's the breeder's website:
http://www.pamperedpeeps.com/index.htm

Check it out it has lots of great Avian info! This breeder especially impressed me because they put flight suits on each baby from the moment they begin weaning! This makes it much easier to take your fid out and about with you without the danger of lose'n the lil guy! All that said I was wondering if any of you had a crimson belly or had experienced them in some way. I was also wondering if any of you had lovie/conure households and how well they got along. I realize there are no sure fire bets two birds will get along, but are there any inherent personality traits in the two species that would cause them to clash? (I know, no caging the two together. But I would like them to be able to play.) I'm also curious of the two species (lovie/conure) which one has the most domineering diva like personality? Coope has such a huge fiesty personality I'm not sure I could handle a 2nd one! lol Lastly I'd still love a snuggley birdie. Considering snuggle factor are lovies or conures more snuggley in your opinion? I'm just nosing about trying to gather information on crimson bellied conures and conures in general. Please share your experiences and let me know what you think of them as potential pets.

Until next time my friends!

Teri & Cooper

[Eliza]

Thank goodness I'm not the only one agonizing about adding a second bird to the family :evil:

Cooper, no doubt, is just stunning. Masked lovies are just spectacular to look at, are they not? Hope to see some pictures soon... Beetle's a bit of a curmudgeon himself and that's part of why I love him so. Oh, he has his cuddle-bird moments, like when he's at the mean ol' vet's office :lol Then he becomes Mr. Velcro-bird :rolleyes:

I LOVE the Pampered Peeps website! I think that you should bypass the maroon bellied conure and hold out for a turquoise mutation gcc :wink: Seriously, though: I've always read good things about maroon bellied conures and other pyhurra (sp?) conures. Black-capped and the previously mentioned mutation green cheeks are my favorites.

I don't know about the cuddle-factor of the pyhurra conures. As I said before, I've only ever read good things about the species as a whole, with the possible exception of them being prone to nippiness. I'm not sure whether the nippiness is an age-related thing (happening when the bird matures) or just one of those habits that certain birds can fall into if not properly socialized. All I know is that green cheeked conures in particular have a hugely devoted following amongst their owners. I belong to a parrot forum on Livejournal and you should see what happens on a day when one person posts photos of his or her GCC: about 2 dozen more show up, each photo more endearing than the next! And every time I visit a pet or bird store, the green cheek(s) for sale ALWAYS capture my attention for a good half-hour or so: peek-a-boo, hanging upside down, rolling around on their backs playing with a ball, eating w/ their wee feetsies... They are a lot of parrot in a small package, that's for sure.

As with any pairing, you never know what will happen. You could bring home another masked lovebird and Cooper might hate it. Or you could bring home a conure and have them be quite happy to be out and about with each other. You just NEVER know. I'd be cautious, of course, once the birds are allowed to interact with one another.

Best of luck, Teri!

-e-

[Teri]

-e- I read your post as well and i'm glad your taking your time considering a 2nd bird. Unfortunately when I first got Coope I didn't take me time and check the breeder out thouoroughly. I now believe from some of Coopes behaviors that he was not weaned and socialized properly, but none of that is my lil Cooper's fault and I'm glad I took him away from that place. I hope with time and patience i'll be able to love him out of those behavior problems. But even if that never happens I'm commited to keeping the lil guy and giving him a good home. I think this experience with Cooper has made me extra cautiousin adding a 2nd bird to our home. As much as I've grown to love my Coope the way he is I don't think I could handle two birds who were socialized badly. The pampered peeps people seem to be amazing caring individuals who just love birds and they have tons of references from people who have taken home one of their birds. I have to say I agree with you on the turqoise conures! They're breath taking probably my next favorite from the crimson belly. I do so love the blue variations of birds, but my Cooper is so beautiful I don't feel people would properly appreciate his beautiful blueness with another blue bird sitting beside him. lol I know that may sound a bit crazy but my mind thinks of odd things like that. Want both fids to stand out for their unique beautiful coloring and personalities!