I'd love to hear from you! Click here to contact me. |
Unfortunately, I didn't realize the potential problems I could have by attempting to finish the weaning process. When I took Isabel home at 13 weeks, she was still on two feedings, one morning and one evening. I had no idea what I was doing and I'm lucky I didn't kill her or give her a bacterial infection I now urge all new parrot owners to never ever buy an unweaned bird! Thankfully, Isabel weaned fine and is a wonderful eater. She eats nearly anything I put in front of her. Please visit my Diet and Nutrition Page for more information on avian nutrition. Isabel was hatched on or around July 30th of 2000. She is a LOT of work. I can't tell you how exhausting it is to get up at 5:30am for work, prepare the bird's breakfast (either frozen veggies, fresh veggies,a bean/grain/veggie mix, or birdie bread), get ready for work, and spend a few minutes with each bird before going to work for eight hours. Then, to have to come home to screaming birds (they're just so excited I'm finally home!) and make their dinner (whatever they didn't have at breakfast- frozen veggies, fresh veggies, bean mix, birdie bread, cooked mix like noah's kingdom or beak appetit, and/or whatever I'm eating for dinner as long as is healthy), clean up (vacuuming, changing cage papers, and cleaning poop off cage bars) and still spend time with each bird.. it's exhausting! Birds are a lot of work! Not to mention the problems you can have if you ever want to go away- who will take care of your birds? They're not nearly as easy as dogs! I honestly do NOT recommend birds as pets to most people. Please visit my Rescue Page for more information. However, I love all my birds as if they are my children. They are very draining emotionally, physically, and financially. But I adore them. |
When I began thinking about taking home an African Grey, I started first by reading a lot about different species of parrots to determine if a Congo Grey would really fit my lifestyle. (Click here to read about the different kinds of Greys). After deciding a Grey was the bird for me, I searched for some breeders. At the time, I had no knowledge of the huge problem of unwanted parrots. If I had to go back and do it again, I would have looked into adopting a parrot from a rescue organization. (Not always the best choice, however, with an unexperienced parrot owner). Please visit my Rescue Page and my organization, The Avian Protection Society, for more information. I corresponded with a few breeders, all within two hours of my home. I asked questions about Greys, not just if they had any available. Julia Nelson of Nelson's Parrots was the only breeder who asked me questions to determine if I was ready for a Grey. Julia has been raising parrots for over 15 years, and she and her husband, Walter truly love their birds. They live two hours away from me, but I still managed to visit the four babies they had a few times before deciding that Isabel (then known as Stewart!) was the baby for me. The other three babies were all adorable. Sasha was the largest- she was calm and paid attention to everything around her. Aristotle was rather nervous, but very smart. I decided against him because I was afraid he would be too dependent. Mimi was very affectionate, but a huge eater. I was worried that if I took her home I'd have weaning problems. Stewart (now Isabel) was a very calm baby. She would follow Julia with her eyes, keeping her in sight at all times if she could (she now does this to me!). She also loved to climb all over her during her out-of-cage time. I had pretty much decided on her from the beginning.. |
My Flock My Flock consists of three adorable birds. Sophie is a male lutino Cockatiel (4 years old), Lucy is a female pearl Cockatiel (5 years old), and Isabel is a female Congo African Grey 3 years old). Charlie was my female lutino Cockatiel- she crossed the Rainbow Bridge on December 27, 2000. She was my first bird. She was 13 years old when she died, and I still miss her. Unfortunately, she didn't receive the ideal diet for most of her life, and I believe that's what contributed the most to her death. My experience with Charlie has made me more dedicated to the health and happiness of my remaining flock than ever. Please enjoy these pictures! |
Charlie in the bowl, Lucy looking on. Charlie rarely enjoyed baths. I usually had to coax her into a bowl of water. Occasionally, she really got into a shower, either in the shower with me or from a spray bottle. Lucy is a little water baby though. It takes virtually no coaxing whatsoever to get her to bathe! |
Clockwise from top: Lucy, Charlie, and Sophie. |
Sophie and Lucy enjoying some whole wheat bread. |
Isabel at 4 weeks old, top, looking out of tank. She is housed with one of her clutchmates. |
Isabel at 13 weeks, her second day home (above). |
Isabel at 13 weeks, playing with her favorite toy. |
When I began thinking about taking home an African Grey, I started first by reading a lot about different species of parrots to determine if a Congo Grey would really fit my lifestyle. (Click here to read about the different kinds of Greys). After deciding a Grey was the bird for me, I searched for some breeders. At the time, I had no knowledge of the huge problem of unwanted parrots. If I had to go back and do it again, I would have looked into adopting a parrot from a rescue organization. (Not always the best choice, however, with an unexperienced parrot owner). Please visit my Rescue Page and my organization, The Avian Protection Society, for more information. I corresponded with a few breeders, all within two hours of my home. I asked questions about Greys, not just if they had any available. Julia Nelson of Nelson's Parrots was the only breeder who asked me questions to determine if I was ready for a Grey. Julia has been raising parrots for over 15 years, and she and her husband, Walter truly love their birds. They live two hours away from me, but I still managed to visit the four babies they had a few times before deciding that Isabel (then known as Stewart!) was the baby for me. The other three babies were all adorable. Sasha was the largest- she was calm and paid attention to everything around her. Aristotle was rather nervous, but very smart. I decided against him because I was afraid he would be too dependent. Mimi was very affectionate, but a huge eater. I was worried that if I took her home I'd have weaning problems. Stewart (now Isabel) was a very calm baby. She would follow Julia with her eyes, keeping her in sight at all times if she could (she now does this to me!). She also loved to climb all over her during her out-of-cage time. I had pretty much decided on her from the beginning.. |
Unfortunately, I didn't realize the potential problems I could have by attempting to finish the weaning process. When I took Isabel home at 13 weeks, she was still on two feedings, one morning and one evening. I had no idea what I was doing and I'm lucky I didn't kill her or give her a bacterial infection I now urge all new parrot owners to never ever buy an unweaned bird! Thankfully, Isabel weaned fine and is a wonderful eater. She eats nearly anything I put in front of her. Please visit my Diet and Nutrition Page for more information on avian nutrition. Isabel was hatched on or around July 30th of 2000. She is a LOT of work. I can't tell you how exhausting it is to get up at 5:30am for work, prepare the bird's breakfast (either frozen veggies, fresh veggies,a bean/grain/veggie mix, or birdie bread), get ready for work, and spend a few minutes with each bird before going to work for eight hours. Then, to have to come home to screaming birds (they're just so excited I'm finally home!) and make their dinner (whatever they didn't have at breakfast- frozen veggies, fresh veggies, bean mix, birdie bread, cooked mix like noah's kingdom or beak appetit, and/or whatever I'm eating for dinner as long as is healthy), clean up (vacuuming, changing cage papers, and cleaning poop off cage bars) and still spend time with each bird.. it's exhausting! Birds are a lot of work! Not to mention the problems you can have if you ever want to go away- who will take care of your birds? They're not nearly as easy as dogs! I honestly do NOT recommend birds as pets to most people. Please visit my Rescue Page for more information. However, I love all my birds as if they are my children. They are very draining emotionally, physically, and financially. But I adore them. |
I'd love to hear from you! Click here to contact me. |
Copyright © 2001 by Rebecca Margison |
Isabel at 8 months old, below and left. |
.Isabel at 17 months (above), growing into quite the young lady! Being playful, both pictures below. 4 months old (right). |
Lucy (Pearl) and Sophie (Lutino) in January 2002 |
Charlie January 1988 -- December 27th, 2000 I give you this one thought to keep- I am with you still, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not think of me as gone- I am with you still, in each new dawn. My dear Charlie, how I loved you. Your soft feathers, your little squeaks, your waddle, your Saturday morning showers. I wish I could have made your passing easier. Know how very much I loved you, dear Charlie. Fly Free... |
Taking Isabel Home |
