niamhk
Strolling the yard
- Joined
- 6/19/20
- Messages
- 93
- Real Name
- Niamh Kempton
thank you for this.Don't get your feelings hurt or anything. Try to take the advice that helps, and just leave what doesn't, regardless if it seems like it has an "attitude" behind it.
It is true, pets have to be a part of our lives, and our lives are messy. At least, they should be if we're actually living them. This isn't the Hallmark channel. You know? It doesn't snow everywhere except the sidewalks, all of our animals are not perfectly groomed every time they are seen, and our parrots do eat pellet food. At least mine does! And you know what? Even though I started him on very specialized home-prepped meals and snacks, he likes pellets better! The cage will occasionally be messier than we would like, and we do get overwhelmed and depressed and have whatever other issues we are overcoming in our lives, and the parrot will take a backseat sometimes. My mother passed in April, but was dying of cancer from December to April. She lived 40 miles away. We all chipped in with the animals and did the best we could while I had to be with my mom to care for her, but it certainly was not perfect! That's for sure.
Yeah, the baby can't get up in your nose. My baby (Samuel Clemens) (Sam-da-loo-loo for short -- haha) likes to get inside my mouth. Not a clue why. I have read on here people say don't let them near your face. But my bird gives kisses. Kissy noises and everything. We play peek-a-boo, and when he is done playing it, he gives kisses and flies to his cage. We also rub noses (what I call beak to beak). I hold him now just like I did before he was weaned and we sing (he loves Disney movies and songs). So he is in my face all the time. And I love that little weirdo.
Since he liked to get into my mouth, I did ask an avian person here that I adore (little old woman in my neighborhood who owns some African Grays) about it. She said human fluids are dangerous for the birds. So no human fluids. I mean, I guess it should be considered common sense. But, like you, I didn't know if this is something birds do. You know? I read a LOT about my breed before committing, and nowhere in any book did it say, "Oh, by the way, your male Eclectus will want to climb in your mouth and peck your teeth." LOL
You know, I was told that I couldn't use certain cookware or it would kill my bird. The fumes from it or something. And I don't use that cookware. But one time I accidentally left antibiotic ointment on my dresser when I left my bedroom (the room my bird is in), and he ate it. The whole tube. And he survived. So I don't know. Maybe they are a little more resilient than we give them credit for.
Don't give up on the message boards. Some people are very well-versed on birds, and thankfully so. But there are a whole bunch of us, just like you, who are just learning as we go and doing the very best can which is far, far from perfect.
i don’t think anyone can have perfect care. there is always something we can do to improve it! i’m always trying to look at what i can for their cages, diet and just all around care and life.
I see people feeding their birds very small amounts of yogurt and ice cream. would i do that? no definitely not. are those birds alive and well. do i think we should all go out and feed our birds those things? no of course not i’m probably just moody and tired tonight since i planned on not using these kind of forums and i’ve tried again and remembered why i said i wouldn’t