Shade
Crazy for Pois!
Avenue Veteran
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
Our "Mayor of the Avenue" award is presented to a member who exhibits the qualities that distinguish them to be an upstanding credit to the Avenue, a loving, informed, conscientious and caring bird parront and an all around good neighbor.
I am so delighted to announce Becky as February's Mayor of the Avenue.
I loved your interview and enjoyed getting to know you a little better!
1. What kind of birds do you have (age, species and names)?
I have 3 birds, my oldest is Sweden a Goffin Cockatoo, she's 18, Solomon is my middle guy at 17 years old, he's a Mealy Amazon. Chaos is my youngest bird at 14 years old, he's a Greenwing Macaw.
2. What got you interested in birds?
I really don't know. My girlfriend had a BC Conure, and when I stayed with her I enjoyed her bird. That may be what started it. All I know is on an impulse I decided to buy a Cockatiel....that's a whole other story! Anyway, I ended up with my Goffin, and have never regretted that impulse buy.
3. What have your birds brought to your life?
I think mainly it's company. I love coming home to their welcoming hello's. They've brought me a never ending supply of fun and adventure. Everyday is different with them. They surprise me all the time, and each day is exciting because of the things they say and do.
4. What have you learned from sharing your life with your birds?
I've learned patience. I've learned I can't always get what I want. They've taught me to be humble, to take a bite without crying like a baby, and that a show of affection from them is worth more than gold. I've learned where to find endless supplies of newspapers, and which store has the best produce. I've learned to accept things that happen. Having my furniture 'remodeled' is one of the things I've learned to accept.
5. What's one birdie memory that will stay with you forever?
When my daughters were smaller, we took Sweden to school for 'show and tell'. The kids loved her and she had a wonderful time. She was a huge hit with the class. After show and tell, Sweden and I went home to relax and wait for the girls. As soon as my one daughter walked in, Sweden who had been dozing, jumped straight up and started yammering loudly at her all excited. I swear she was talking with her about their 'school adventure'. I've never since seen such obvious awareness from her since. It's something I'll always remember with a smile.
6. Where is your birds main living area?
Chaos lives in the main part of the house, he is just too moody these days to safely room with the other two. Solomon and Sweden share my computer room with me. There they can safely be let out to play and hang about.
7. Did you change things in your home to accommodate your birds and if so what kinds of things did you change?
Oh lordy, I like most have changed so much. Non stick pans was the first to go. Then went my perfumes, nail polish, and makeup. Cleaners followed them, with mostly all natural safe ones taking their place. The fridge now looks like part of the produce section of the grocery store. In my cabinets are lots of other healthy stuff that before birds, I wouldn't have even known the name of!
8. Are you involved in any kind of bird related group or activities?
Not right now. I was in a small club, and had lots of parrot friends where I used to live. We used to get together frequently. Here where I live now, I've not met anyone yet.
9. What is the one luxury item you would love to have for your bird(s)?
It has to be an outside aviary. Someday, I will have one!
10. Is there any bird that you dream of owning and if so why?
I've always loved the Major Mitchel's Cockatoo. Why...just because it's beautiful I think.
11. Describe a typical day with you at home with your birds.
I have to swap who's out, so that's mainly what I do. When Chaos comes out, my dogs go to another room. When my smaller birds are out, the door much be shut so Chaos can't come in. He does come in when I'm computering, but he's closely watched. Most days I'm just running from one side of the house to the other! On nice days all of them get a chance to hang out in the extra cages I have on my porch.
12. What have you learned about owning birds that you would like to share?
That the good, sweet days won't last. If you can't accept the bad days too, birds aren't for you. That if you have patience, things will settle down, but I mean years of patience. Don't take a bird's actions personally!
13. If you knew then what you know now about birds, what would you do differently?
I'd have found a better job/gone to school, so I could provide a better life for my birds. Other than that...not one thing would I change.
14. What other hobbies do you have?
I love photography, and photoshop. I love combining the two together. I also love German Shepherd Dogs. I love the companionship they give me. Hiking (with camera) is one of my favorite things to do with my dogs. I like all kind of dog activities, from driving a team of sled dogs to competing in Schutzhund. I've thought about even giving flyball and/or agility a try. As long as my dogs have fun, I'm all for it.
15. Anything else you would like to share?
The one thing I'd really love to do is somehow take my birds hiking with me and my dogs. So far I haven't figured out a safe way of doing so.
Someday though......
I am so delighted to announce Becky as February's Mayor of the Avenue.
I loved your interview and enjoyed getting to know you a little better!
1. What kind of birds do you have (age, species and names)?
I have 3 birds, my oldest is Sweden a Goffin Cockatoo, she's 18, Solomon is my middle guy at 17 years old, he's a Mealy Amazon. Chaos is my youngest bird at 14 years old, he's a Greenwing Macaw.
2. What got you interested in birds?
I really don't know. My girlfriend had a BC Conure, and when I stayed with her I enjoyed her bird. That may be what started it. All I know is on an impulse I decided to buy a Cockatiel....that's a whole other story! Anyway, I ended up with my Goffin, and have never regretted that impulse buy.
3. What have your birds brought to your life?
I think mainly it's company. I love coming home to their welcoming hello's. They've brought me a never ending supply of fun and adventure. Everyday is different with them. They surprise me all the time, and each day is exciting because of the things they say and do.
4. What have you learned from sharing your life with your birds?
I've learned patience. I've learned I can't always get what I want. They've taught me to be humble, to take a bite without crying like a baby, and that a show of affection from them is worth more than gold. I've learned where to find endless supplies of newspapers, and which store has the best produce. I've learned to accept things that happen. Having my furniture 'remodeled' is one of the things I've learned to accept.
5. What's one birdie memory that will stay with you forever?
When my daughters were smaller, we took Sweden to school for 'show and tell'. The kids loved her and she had a wonderful time. She was a huge hit with the class. After show and tell, Sweden and I went home to relax and wait for the girls. As soon as my one daughter walked in, Sweden who had been dozing, jumped straight up and started yammering loudly at her all excited. I swear she was talking with her about their 'school adventure'. I've never since seen such obvious awareness from her since. It's something I'll always remember with a smile.
6. Where is your birds main living area?
Chaos lives in the main part of the house, he is just too moody these days to safely room with the other two. Solomon and Sweden share my computer room with me. There they can safely be let out to play and hang about.
7. Did you change things in your home to accommodate your birds and if so what kinds of things did you change?
Oh lordy, I like most have changed so much. Non stick pans was the first to go. Then went my perfumes, nail polish, and makeup. Cleaners followed them, with mostly all natural safe ones taking their place. The fridge now looks like part of the produce section of the grocery store. In my cabinets are lots of other healthy stuff that before birds, I wouldn't have even known the name of!
8. Are you involved in any kind of bird related group or activities?
Not right now. I was in a small club, and had lots of parrot friends where I used to live. We used to get together frequently. Here where I live now, I've not met anyone yet.
9. What is the one luxury item you would love to have for your bird(s)?
It has to be an outside aviary. Someday, I will have one!
10. Is there any bird that you dream of owning and if so why?
I've always loved the Major Mitchel's Cockatoo. Why...just because it's beautiful I think.
11. Describe a typical day with you at home with your birds.
I have to swap who's out, so that's mainly what I do. When Chaos comes out, my dogs go to another room. When my smaller birds are out, the door much be shut so Chaos can't come in. He does come in when I'm computering, but he's closely watched. Most days I'm just running from one side of the house to the other! On nice days all of them get a chance to hang out in the extra cages I have on my porch.
12. What have you learned about owning birds that you would like to share?
That the good, sweet days won't last. If you can't accept the bad days too, birds aren't for you. That if you have patience, things will settle down, but I mean years of patience. Don't take a bird's actions personally!
13. If you knew then what you know now about birds, what would you do differently?
I'd have found a better job/gone to school, so I could provide a better life for my birds. Other than that...not one thing would I change.
14. What other hobbies do you have?
I love photography, and photoshop. I love combining the two together. I also love German Shepherd Dogs. I love the companionship they give me. Hiking (with camera) is one of my favorite things to do with my dogs. I like all kind of dog activities, from driving a team of sled dogs to competing in Schutzhund. I've thought about even giving flyball and/or agility a try. As long as my dogs have fun, I'm all for it.
15. Anything else you would like to share?
The one thing I'd really love to do is somehow take my birds hiking with me and my dogs. So far I haven't figured out a safe way of doing so.
Someday though......
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Great interview 
Thoroughly enjoyed your interview!
Wow, congratulations!! 
