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Ripping up the road
Administrator
Avenue Veteran
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
- Joined
- 4/15/10
- Messages
- 50,877
- Real Name
- Matthew
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 happy to announce that Aestatis is February's Mayor of the Month.
I enjoyed reading your interview, and am sure that everyone else will as well!
1. What kind of birds do you have (age, species and names)?
I currently have two female cockatiels - Candela is 4 and Vista is 2. But the pied girl in my avatar is Major, the one who started it all. She passed in June 2023 at 19.5 years.
2. What got you interested in birds?
Birds have been my favorite animal as long as I can remember. I always wanted to see birds outside or loved anything with a bird on it.
3. What have your birds brought to your life?
Companionship and a feeling of belonging. I feel I have a certain kinship with birds, whether they are pets or wild ones.
4. What have you learned from sharing your life with your birds?
I have learned how to listen and observe what another living being is trying to communicate, even if a lot of that message is nonverbal.
5. What's one birdie memory that will stay with you forever?
I would say when Major first decided to eat food off of my plate (don't worry it was steamed rice!). I had read companion birds would try to eat your food, but when it happened I was so surprised that I ran and got my parents so they could see too. This was about 2-3 months after I brought Major home, and it's when I knew we would be great friends.
6. Where is your birds main living area?
I have a bird room that also doubles as my computer room since it's where I go to relax and it's safe from hazards like open doors and the stove.
They also have a window to see outside.
7. Did you change things in your home to accommodate your birds and if so what kinds of things did you change?
I already had Major when I moved into my current place so I didn't have things like teflon pans to begin with. But, I did get an air purifier after getting Candela and I am considered getting a bigger unit with only two tiels already
8. Are you involved in any kind of bird related group or activities?
Not currently, but if the conditions are right I would like to foster for a local rescue.
9. What is the one luxury item you would love to have for your bird(s)?
Do cages count? I'd love to get one of the truly huge cages or a walk-in-aviary. The birds have their own room, but due to mess + safety concerns I don't let them stay outside of their modest sized cages 24/7.
10. Is there any bird that you dream of owning and if so why?
If I knew I could provide an excellent home and I had all expenses handled I would say a Dusky or Bronze Winged Pionus. Pionus parrots are a species I considered over the years, but it seemed like a bad idea to get a baby and just assume I can handle bigger birds. The Dusky and Bronze Winged Pionus are also absolutely gorgeous and unique looking birds.
11. Describe a typical day with you at home with your birds.
In the morning, I will check on the birds and open the curtains. If needed, I will refill and food or water bowls. Then I will step out and do whatever needs to be done for the day. Later on, I come back, check on food and water, and sit at my desk. The tiels will either start chowing down or fly over to me. If they come over, they usually want pets, or I have to stop them from eating my food. I periodically put the birds back on their cages since I don't want them to get too velcro-y, as much as I love them acting cuddly! Sometimes we go out into the living room if there is something I want to do in there. Still working on getting them to stay on a stand in the living room while I am only a few feet away.
12. What have you learned about owning birds that you would like to share?
Birds are amazing because they try to speak our language (sometimes literally!). It is a frustrating process, but if you can find enjoyment, empathy, and wonder in it, you will find even an "untameable" bird will surprise you.
13. If you knew then what you know now about birds, what would you do differently?
I think if I knew how much cockatiels liked having others around even if they aren't mates, I would have got a second cockatiel before Major passed.
14. What other hobbies do you have?
I have been learning to play the guitar. I occasionally knit or crochet, but since I need a lot of breaks I don't have many finished projects.
15. Anything else you would like to share?
Traditional web forums aren't as popular as they once were, but I am so happy this place is here and active. Thanks for being a community that is both fun and welcoming!
I am happy to announce that Aestatis is February's Mayor of the Month.
I enjoyed reading your interview, and am sure that everyone else will as well!
1. What kind of birds do you have (age, species and names)?
I currently have two female cockatiels - Candela is 4 and Vista is 2. But the pied girl in my avatar is Major, the one who started it all. She passed in June 2023 at 19.5 years.
2. What got you interested in birds?
Birds have been my favorite animal as long as I can remember. I always wanted to see birds outside or loved anything with a bird on it.
3. What have your birds brought to your life?
Companionship and a feeling of belonging. I feel I have a certain kinship with birds, whether they are pets or wild ones.
4. What have you learned from sharing your life with your birds?
I have learned how to listen and observe what another living being is trying to communicate, even if a lot of that message is nonverbal.
5. What's one birdie memory that will stay with you forever?
I would say when Major first decided to eat food off of my plate (don't worry it was steamed rice!). I had read companion birds would try to eat your food, but when it happened I was so surprised that I ran and got my parents so they could see too. This was about 2-3 months after I brought Major home, and it's when I knew we would be great friends.
6. Where is your birds main living area?
I have a bird room that also doubles as my computer room since it's where I go to relax and it's safe from hazards like open doors and the stove.
7. Did you change things in your home to accommodate your birds and if so what kinds of things did you change?
I already had Major when I moved into my current place so I didn't have things like teflon pans to begin with. But, I did get an air purifier after getting Candela and I am considered getting a bigger unit with only two tiels already

8. Are you involved in any kind of bird related group or activities?
Not currently, but if the conditions are right I would like to foster for a local rescue.
9. What is the one luxury item you would love to have for your bird(s)?
Do cages count? I'd love to get one of the truly huge cages or a walk-in-aviary. The birds have their own room, but due to mess + safety concerns I don't let them stay outside of their modest sized cages 24/7.
10. Is there any bird that you dream of owning and if so why?
If I knew I could provide an excellent home and I had all expenses handled I would say a Dusky or Bronze Winged Pionus. Pionus parrots are a species I considered over the years, but it seemed like a bad idea to get a baby and just assume I can handle bigger birds. The Dusky and Bronze Winged Pionus are also absolutely gorgeous and unique looking birds.
11. Describe a typical day with you at home with your birds.
In the morning, I will check on the birds and open the curtains. If needed, I will refill and food or water bowls. Then I will step out and do whatever needs to be done for the day. Later on, I come back, check on food and water, and sit at my desk. The tiels will either start chowing down or fly over to me. If they come over, they usually want pets, or I have to stop them from eating my food. I periodically put the birds back on their cages since I don't want them to get too velcro-y, as much as I love them acting cuddly! Sometimes we go out into the living room if there is something I want to do in there. Still working on getting them to stay on a stand in the living room while I am only a few feet away.
12. What have you learned about owning birds that you would like to share?
Birds are amazing because they try to speak our language (sometimes literally!). It is a frustrating process, but if you can find enjoyment, empathy, and wonder in it, you will find even an "untameable" bird will surprise you.
13. If you knew then what you know now about birds, what would you do differently?
I think if I knew how much cockatiels liked having others around even if they aren't mates, I would have got a second cockatiel before Major passed.
14. What other hobbies do you have?
I have been learning to play the guitar. I occasionally knit or crochet, but since I need a lot of breaks I don't have many finished projects.

15. Anything else you would like to share?
Traditional web forums aren't as popular as they once were, but I am so happy this place is here and active. Thanks for being a community that is both fun and welcoming!