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 December 2025
@cnyguy 's Nelson
1. How did you acquire your bird?
1. I was shopping in a local pet store for a new transport cage before getting another parrot. There were some green cheeked conures in the store and I asked if they could bring one out so I could interact with him. They brought out the cinnamon GCC and he ran right up my arm and settled on my shoulder. He chose me!
2. What is your bird's name, species, age and sex?
2. Nelson is a cinnamon green cheeked conure. He's 9 months old (hatched February 18, 2025). The veterinarian wasn't able to do a DNA test on our last visit (Nelson wasn't exactly a cooperative patient
). It's really just an assumption that he's male. His name was inspired by a racehorse named Nelson Avenue. I tried lots of names to see if he reacted to any of them and that's the only name that got a reaction.3. Does your bird do any special tricks?
3. Nelson hasn't learned any tricks yet but we're working on some simple ones.
4. What are some of your bird's favorite foods?
4. Nelson is a fussy eater and we're constantly working on getting him to try different foods. So far his favorites are apple and raw carrot.
5. What is the funniest thing your bird has done?
5. Nelson likes to climb up my shirt sleeve and run all the way up and come out at the collar. When he first came to live with me he liked to snuggle up my sleeve and fell asleep in there a few times, but I guess he's outgrown that.
6. How has your bird enriched your life?
6. Life is better with parrots. I've been living with parrots for more than 50 years and I don't like being without one. After my Quaker parrot Ralph passed away last fall there was an emptiness in my life. I hoped to eventually find the right parrot and after several months I found Nelson. He is a great companion and I enjoy interacting and playing with him and making sure he's well taken care of.
7. What would you tell people who are considering this species?
7. Green cheeks are lively and active and typically very friendly and playful. They're known as the "quiet conures," and they are usually less noisy than some types, but aren't silent birds. Like all parrots, they require lots of care and attention and plenty of patience. The effort they require is well worth it.
8. What is the activity and noise level of your bird?
8. Nelson is a busy little parrot. He's active almost all day, with a few brief rest periods through the day. He's the only parrot I've lived with who enjoys playing with actual parrot toys and every one he has gets played with. He likes to chew things up too. Cork stoppers and popsicle sticks are favorites for chewing. Of course he enjoys his time outside his cage and he wants to be with me all the time. He loves to explore and is interested in everything. He is typically pretty quiet. Lots of low key squawks and chattering. He is capable of being noisy now and then. When he gets really worked up playing with (and fighting with) some of his toys he can be screechy, and if he feels that he's being ignored he will let out a few screams, but that doesn't happen too often.
9. What are some of your bird's quirks?
9. I've mentioned how Nelson likes to climb into my sleeve and up my arm. That's pretty quirky. He also likes to lie on his back in the palm of my hand and he's curious about everything.
10. If your bird talks, what is the most surprising word or sentence it has said?
10. Green cheeks aren't known as the best talkers among parrots so I was surprised when after just three weeks with me Nelson started to say a few words. "Pretty bird" and "baby bird" were his first two phrases and they're still the only clear words he says. I think some of his chattering are attempts to say words and they may eventually become clear enough to understand.
11. What is your bird’s favorite treat?
11. Nelson has one thing in common with all the other parrots who shared my life-- his favorite treat is popcorn. He also likes dried papaya and pineapple.
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