Shade
Crazy for Pois!
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The attributes listed in this thread are the experiences of each individual and your experiences may differ with your individual bird.
This is based on my experience with two Meyer's (6 & 17 year old birds) who have been in the past in difficult situations and with Meyer's who I have been around who have had an "easier" life so far.
The Good -
Amongst the Poicephalus family, they are the ones who have the best reputation of being "family" birds, which means that they are less prone to developing the "one person" syndrome. However, proper and plentiful socialization is key, as with any other bird, in order to make this happen. They can also have a very sweet predisposition. I know a number of Meyer's who have been with a loving family since day 1 and they are just the sweetest little things.
The Bad -
They are still Poicephalus, and these birds generally do know very well what they want/don't want...so if you are trying to get them to do something they don't want/aren't ready to do, they'll let you know. As well, I have found that my Meyer's have been the ones who will make that high pitch Poi call the MOST. They will do it daily and generally if one starts, the other follows. It's one of the things I like the least about them, but luckily, they won't do it all day long.
The Ugly -
As I said earlier, they know what they like/don't like. I live with a Meyer's who's had bad experiences in the past, and I'm sure some of them were at the hands of a women. He HATES women. While there has been some progress in the nearly 5 years we have lived together, he will still try and attack whenever the mood strikes him. I've been bitten once really bad by him - it's the been the worst parrot bite I've ever sustained (and I've been bit by much bigger parrots). They can also be very brawny and fearless and go after birds they shouldn't (birds who are either much stronger/bigger/known to have hurt them in the past). For example, I think Zuri has a death wish at times as he will, occasionally try to go after Petey and the few times he's managed to do so, he has been on the losing end...yet, it doesn't stop him from trying again.
This is based on my experience with two Meyer's (6 & 17 year old birds) who have been in the past in difficult situations and with Meyer's who I have been around who have had an "easier" life so far.
The Good -
Amongst the Poicephalus family, they are the ones who have the best reputation of being "family" birds, which means that they are less prone to developing the "one person" syndrome. However, proper and plentiful socialization is key, as with any other bird, in order to make this happen. They can also have a very sweet predisposition. I know a number of Meyer's who have been with a loving family since day 1 and they are just the sweetest little things.
The Bad -
They are still Poicephalus, and these birds generally do know very well what they want/don't want...so if you are trying to get them to do something they don't want/aren't ready to do, they'll let you know. As well, I have found that my Meyer's have been the ones who will make that high pitch Poi call the MOST. They will do it daily and generally if one starts, the other follows. It's one of the things I like the least about them, but luckily, they won't do it all day long.
The Ugly -
As I said earlier, they know what they like/don't like. I live with a Meyer's who's had bad experiences in the past, and I'm sure some of them were at the hands of a women. He HATES women. While there has been some progress in the nearly 5 years we have lived together, he will still try and attack whenever the mood strikes him. I've been bitten once really bad by him - it's the been the worst parrot bite I've ever sustained (and I've been bit by much bigger parrots). They can also be very brawny and fearless and go after birds they shouldn't (birds who are either much stronger/bigger/known to have hurt them in the past). For example, I think Zuri has a death wish at times as he will, occasionally try to go after Petey and the few times he's managed to do so, he has been on the losing end...yet, it doesn't stop him from trying again.
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How very fortunate for Nemo to have a Mom who loves him so much and cares to understands his unique ways. Your write up will help many for sure!!
