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May 8, 2006
Bird Brain
I may have lost my mind.
A few weeks ago our oldest son began lobbying for a parakeet. He's wanted one before, but this time the boy was serious. And he had the allowance money to prove it.
I told him he'd better read up on parakeet care first. So he did. He read every book on parakeets he could find at the library. And he begged. And begged. And begged.
Out of the blue one day, and email landed in my inbox that mentioned the existence of a bird store which sells hand-raised parakeets, just a couple of blocks away from the doctor's office. Aidan had another appointment today, so I thought we'd just see what they had ...
Meet our new parakeet. He doesn't have a name yet. Actually, we don't know if it's a he or a she, yet. I know nothing about birds, except what cats do to them.
It seems like a sweet little birdie. Please tell me these are very easy pets and we'll have no trouble keeping it alive. Please?
Connor, on the other hand, we might have to beat. He won't allow us to make any loud noises, in fear of startling the parakeet. I was not allowed to take the picture with a flash. We're not to turn on any lights in his room after dark, for fear of waking the bird. He has a strict cleaning, socialization, and training regimen planned out. Me, I have cats, and "benign neglect" is one of my favorite phrases.
Next year, Aidan is determined to get a hamster. We convinced him that it's best to wait until we move again. Then we're doomed. The cats will either be irritated and frustrated that we're housing birds and rodents, or they'll see it as a challenge ...
Posted by lynx at May 8, 2006 8:07 PM
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On Monday, we got a parakeet for Connor. He's been wanting one for a very long time, and we finally decided to get him an 8 week old, hand-fed bird. A sweet, tiny blue thing with a very curious disposition and a decided tendency to nibble whatever he c... [Read More]
Tracked on May 10, 2006 9:51 PM
Comments
Years ago, we had two-- Boris and Natasha. :) They weren't too difficult, but Boris was the fattest little bird I've ever seen and I'm convinced he ate himself to death.
And our cat definitely considered that cage a challenge. It was pointless for us to have them as pets since we had to keep them in another room with the door shut.
Ernie had a parrot growing up. He said it never would talk, but it picked up the sound of a woman screaming from the late-night horror movies that he watched. :)
Posted by: KathyJo at May 8, 2006 11:37 PM
I like budgies! Hugo was really keen on getting one for a while but lately he hasn't been asking as much so maybe that fascination is over..... I wasn't that opposed to it but wanted to wait until we moved. Budgies can be quite social and sweet & they're vocal but not shrieky. Have fun!
Oh, and our cat seems to understand that the hamster is a family member and not prey - maybe your cats will get that too.
Posted by: hornblower at May 9, 2006 12:08 AM
I think the right name would be Jeffrey. If I'm remembering Lennon's budgie poem correctly, anyway.
Posted by: Jeff Medcalf ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.caerdroia.org/116/nav-commenters.gif)
at May 9, 2006 5:54 AM
"I call my budgie Jeffrey,
Granddad's name's the same.
I call him after Granddad
who had a feathered brain."
I told Connor that he'll have to memorize the whole thing.
The lady at the store specifically called the bird we didn't get a budgie, and called Connor's a parakeet. I hope they're all budgies. I Iike that word better.
Posted by: MamaLynx at May 9, 2006 7:06 AM
Ruby says, "If they get a hamster, there will be a lot of prey in the house!" ;)
Posted by: Mungo at May 9, 2006 7:29 AM
welcome to the jungle.....we've done ok with cats and hamsters. I can't speak to cats and birds as that is the ONE pet we haven't had yet.
Posted by: sozzled at May 9, 2006 8:15 AM
The receipt says it is a "HAND FED BUDGIGAR".
Posted by: Jeff Medcalf at May 9, 2006 5:15 PM
See, I think Ruby thinks like the cats do.
KathyJo - who KNOWS what this one will pick up to say. It'll probably be me cursing.
Posted by: MamaLynx at May 9, 2006 10:14 PM
Or Connor's descriptions of Star Fleet Battles. ;-)
Posted by: Brian Medcalf at May 9, 2006 10:23 PM
I've got a two year old for that. *sigh* I'm going to have to find some Latin words that sound similar to English curse words. Then if he says any of them in public, I can just act superior and mention that he's picking up some Latin vocab. ;)
My grandfather had a parrot who imitated him saying his favorite word, "Bullshit!"
Posted by: KathyJo at May 10, 2006 8:14 AM
I hadn't even THOUGHT of learning to curse in Latin. You're brilliant, KathyJo.
Brian, if the bird utters anything close to "Triangulum Galaxy" it's going BACK. I swear.
Now if I could teach it to say "We live for the One" ... that would be cool.
There was a bird in the store (not a parakeet, a cockatoo) who actually said "Polly want a cracker" ... over and over and over ...
Posted by: MamaLynx at May 10, 2006 12:49 PM