Macawnutz
Seriously Nutz!
Super Administrator
Vendor
Avenue Veteran
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
It is with great pleasure that I announce the
Celebirdy for the month of June 2018,
@Hjarta5's Wally!
1. How did you acquire your bird?
Two summers ago, I was walking home and passed by a building with an awning that shielded me from the rain. In the corner against the door, a little grumpy blue fluff was standing on the ground -- as if this bird was also waiting for the weather to pass. I didnt know how she got there, but since no one around was claiming her, I took her home and called the local Audobon chapter to see if they knew what I should do, and the representative told me to keep the bird overnight and that the next day they would put me in contact with a rescue that could take her. I did not have any pet birds since I was in elementary school and had no intention of keeping one, having remembered how "boring" it was when I was 6 or 7 years old to be given 2 budgies as pets. However, my partner instantly bonded with our new friend and he said that he would take care of her. Now, 2 years later, Wally and I are best friends. 
2. What is your bird's name, species, age and sex?
Wally, female blue Quaker parrot of an unknown age
3. Does your bird do any special tricks?
I'm not sure if Wally has the attention span to learn any tricks
But she does love to chase balls, run after me on the floor, and we will play hide and go seek -- where I will hide and call out her name, and she will come fly to find me. With my partner, they love to spin together.4. What are some of your bird's favorite foods?
Luckily, Wally loves her veggies and will try most anything. She loves carrots, broccoli, corn, kale, basil, sweet peas, pom seeds, and beets!
5. What is the funniest thing your bird has done?
Whenever she hears the wild birds outside, Wally will become very protective and try to squawk them away. She has heard the hawks and falcons overheard in our area and will to get close to the windows to fight them. Our nickname for her is "bully bird."
6. How has your bird enriched your life?
Wally has taught me a lot about compassion. In learning more about avian care and the state of our birds in the wild, I was inspired to move to a more plant-based diet and cut down on my use of plastic and other man-made items that pollute our environment. Also, by spending the time I do with my birds, it has also helped me with the daily stress of everyday life; birds are great for meditation as they live in the now -- they do not worry about the past, they do not have anxiety about the future, they are just doing their thing and it has made me slow down and just observe without overthinking anything -- at least for a few hours every day. Its a bonus when your little ball of fluff nudges into the crook of your neck at the end of the day and you just sit there listening to her beak grinding every so often. I cannot imagine life without Wally.
7. What would you tell people who are considering this species?
I would tell people that Quakers are loud, temperamental, obnoxious, and stubborn. At least once a day for a good 10-15 minutes, she will throw the loudest tantrum. And when shes hormonal, theres very little that can stop Wally from doing what she has her mind set on doing. Like all people looking to have a bird as a pet, regardless of whether its a Quaker or not, I would also tell them that being a caretaker means a lot of patience and work, but that there is also the reward of knowing a very unique personality.
8. What is the activity and noise level of your bird?
Wally loves to be in the mix all the time. She is the first to get up in the house, and probably the last to go to sleep if I didnt make her go to bed. And even if shes tired, she will fight you to the death to show that she can go another round with you.
9. What are some of your bird's quirks?
Wally is not a nest builder, but she loves to stack all her foot toys and other chew toys in one particular corner of her cage. She has also started to stack her nutriberries there as well. Its all a mystery to me... She also has the uncanny ability to mimic my laugh in response to if I am teasing someone or telling a joke -- without anyone laughing yet! It must be she recognizes the tenor of my voice when I do this or shes just my number one fan
10. If your bird talks, what is the most surprising word or sentence it has said?
If Wally has said any words, I have yet to make it out!
11. What is your bird’s favorite treat?
Her all time favorite treat, is whatever Luna, our Senegal parrot, is having at the moment -- Wally has definite kid sister mentality!
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Wally has such a big personality
Wally is so beautiful!!!
....and she is the prettiest color blue I've ever seen...
