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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.
I've had Thomas Red Bellied for the past 6 months. He's a rehome and will be 8 years old in July.
The Good: He's a FANTASTIC eater and seems to have a bottomless pit. He doesn't scare at all when it comes to OBJECTS. He talks and chatters alot at specific moments. He seems to appreciate company and he's quite independant in that he doesn't require or want any one on one personal attention. I often get the impression that he is more comfortable around other parrots. He seems to enjoy when all of my other parrots are close by to visit. By the same token, he doesn't like being alone too long and will holler for company. I see this as a good thing and because of this he shares a room with my pionus parrot Sachi. He seems have a real clownie side and will do somersaults in his cage and use his toys as props. He also likes to do some light chewing, cracks open his own almond shells and when it comes to bath time he will bathe himself in his water bowl at least once a month. He strikes me as a very intelligent fellow who figures things out quickly and adapts to change rather well. Doesn't take much to keep Thomas happy. Good food and lots of it, company from a distance, some chew toys and music is nice too.
The Bad: At his old home he was known to despise the Man of the house. His relationship was mostly with the Woman and I have no clear idea of how much time she actually spent with him. Thomas and I have very limited hands on contact. Since day 1, he is extremely frightened of open hands but at the same time he has learned to be courageous when there's a piece of nut ready for barter. When it comes to his bites, they are EXTREMELY painful, one of the worst that I had ever received. His beak is extremely POINTY and I never knew before that a small beak with sharpness could do so much damage. I am frightened of being hurt by his beak so I never push contact. I know that a parrot's personality can be different when they are in another environment. Thomas can't fly and when out of cage will thrash around to the point of banging himself against wall and furniture and causing a bloody mess. He is quiet 95% of the time, however when he sounds off.. her really goes at it for some time and his calls are SHRILL and HIGH PITCHED. I dislike his calls and wear my hearing protection to stay calm and patient. The good thing is that it is usually very clear why he is yelling. It's about food or company. These are all facts about Thomas's life with me.
On a personal level, I don't know what to think. I sometimes spend time wondering whether Thomas would be very different if he had been with me his whole life. Sometimes I even wonder whether he was happier where he used to live. Is the behaviour I see from him because he is in a new home? Or is the behaviour I see from him because of what he experienced in his old home. This is my personal experience.
I've had Thomas Red Bellied for the past 6 months. He's a rehome and will be 8 years old in July.
The Good: He's a FANTASTIC eater and seems to have a bottomless pit. He doesn't scare at all when it comes to OBJECTS. He talks and chatters alot at specific moments. He seems to appreciate company and he's quite independant in that he doesn't require or want any one on one personal attention. I often get the impression that he is more comfortable around other parrots. He seems to enjoy when all of my other parrots are close by to visit. By the same token, he doesn't like being alone too long and will holler for company. I see this as a good thing and because of this he shares a room with my pionus parrot Sachi. He seems have a real clownie side and will do somersaults in his cage and use his toys as props. He also likes to do some light chewing, cracks open his own almond shells and when it comes to bath time he will bathe himself in his water bowl at least once a month. He strikes me as a very intelligent fellow who figures things out quickly and adapts to change rather well. Doesn't take much to keep Thomas happy. Good food and lots of it, company from a distance, some chew toys and music is nice too.
The Bad: At his old home he was known to despise the Man of the house. His relationship was mostly with the Woman and I have no clear idea of how much time she actually spent with him. Thomas and I have very limited hands on contact. Since day 1, he is extremely frightened of open hands but at the same time he has learned to be courageous when there's a piece of nut ready for barter. When it comes to his bites, they are EXTREMELY painful, one of the worst that I had ever received. His beak is extremely POINTY and I never knew before that a small beak with sharpness could do so much damage. I am frightened of being hurt by his beak so I never push contact. I know that a parrot's personality can be different when they are in another environment. Thomas can't fly and when out of cage will thrash around to the point of banging himself against wall and furniture and causing a bloody mess. He is quiet 95% of the time, however when he sounds off.. her really goes at it for some time and his calls are SHRILL and HIGH PITCHED. I dislike his calls and wear my hearing protection to stay calm and patient. The good thing is that it is usually very clear why he is yelling. It's about food or company. These are all facts about Thomas's life with me.
On a personal level, I don't know what to think. I sometimes spend time wondering whether Thomas would be very different if he had been with me his whole life. Sometimes I even wonder whether he was happier where he used to live. Is the behaviour I see from him because he is in a new home? Or is the behaviour I see from him because of what he experienced in his old home. This is my personal experience.
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