Meet Lola.
Lola is a 5 year old Pacific Parrotlet, sub-species Lucida. She came home to me 5 months ago
from a rescue sanctuary where she'd been dropped off by her previous owners. For her entire
life she'd been left in her cage and poked at by young kids through the bars and the door.
When I went with my Aunty to this sanctuary to meet the birds, and see if I wanted one, she
was definitely not the first bird that caught my eye - although I noticed her early on. After
browsing through the lovebirds and budgies, and even a canary, I went back to this girls cage
and decided to take a better look at her. She seemed so tiny, it was unreal! I couldn't believe
she was a legit parrot. I'd never heard of a parrotlet before, so I went back home to do my
research and learn about proper care, and average attention requirements.
The following weekend Lola was brought home to me as a birthday present. I couldn't be any
happier.
As soon as she came home, we really clicked! She was quiet when I carried her into the house,
and quiet up until my Aunty left - and then she really started getting crazy. Right from the get-
go, I knew she wasn't hand-tame. And I had read that grabbing birds can even further reduce
their acceptance towards hands, so I patiently stood for 15 minutes with her travel cage and
living cage door-to-door, trying to coax her into her own cage. Once she got in, she settled right
down. I read her a few childrens' books to help her settle a bit - and then left the room for a
moment. Within' seconds after me leaving the room she was screaming for me to come back,
and quiet as soon as I came back in. I knew we were going to have a great time together once
the hand-taming started taking place.
Now, looking back on the past 5 months, it's hard to believe this girl wasn't hand-tame for so
long! She's such a sweet girl, so full of love and humor. The only time I get bit now is at her
tired times, which we've established and I have learned to leave her be for those times. So,
for the first hour in the morning, this little girl eats her breakfast and preens and wakes up,
then she comes out and spends the entire day with me. (I have the luxury of being able to do
my studies out of my home) and then an hour before bed time she goes back in for the same
thing she does in the morning. Around 9-9:30 pm my bedroom light goes off and it's officially
her bed time.
I avoid covering her cage because she gets night freights. On a cold night, I use a some-what
thick blanket and cover the back of her cage, especially the corner that's near the window, to
avoid her getting any drafts.
Lola has been such a wonderful addition to my life, and I couldn't possibly ask for anything
better. She's my first and only bird at the moment, and thanks to her - my hearts been opened
on a whole new level for these guys.
