Vasa's as pets?

[Miss Modified]

Hi all, Im new to the forums and this is my first post. I apologise if there are a lot of similar threads to this but I've been looking for information on greater vasa's and trying to work out if they could be the nest bird for me and my Fiancé. Information on them as pets is pretty hard to find on the internet, and everything I've said so fair paints them in an angelically good light, so I'd like to hear more about them from people that know them first hand to get a real balanced view of the species.

I have joined one or two other forums but have had little success in finding out new informations and no success with finding someone who has one of these gorgeous birds in their life to talk to! I'm hoping this site will be a bit luckier for me, its the first I've so far come across with a section dedicated to vasa's so I'm hopeful!

I have a few questions I'd like to ask (hopefully I'm not being too much of pain in the butt with my nosiness!)
*personality wise what are your vasa's like, are they cuddly/playful/nervous/nippy etc?
*Iv'e read that they don't ferociously pair bond with people like some parrots do and are open to interaction from more people rather than just 'their favourite human', is this true in your experience?
*I've read stories of them snatching up other smaller pets, have you experienced this?
*Are males or females better companions in your opinion? (which is more likely to be a snuggler)
*how long do the males have the 'breeding ready' cloaca and does it get in their way at all? The pictures I've seen look so red and raw I couldn't help wondering if the birds would have trouble perching comfortably!


Sorry for all the questions! Now I figure I should tell you a bit about us...
I have kept birds before (only smaller species, budgies and cockatiels) and have some experience with larger species as my best friends mother has six parrots (greys and amazons, and a cockatoo) and I've spent a lot of time around them. My Fiancé has never had a bird, but he's confident with new animals (before we met he'd never had more than a fish and has adapted beautifully to being around my dogs and rats and my mums horses! He's an animal lover who never had the chance to have pets of his own in his youth bless him.) We are planning on moving to the midlands in the UK next year, and will be looking to get bird late next year or the year after. I am going to be a stay at home wife so there will always be someone in the house, and we will have a dog and eventually children in the house too. Based on that little bit of information would you say a Vasa is a bad idea in your opinion?

I'm looking forward to talking to people here, I can;t believe I've found a site with a section devoted to vasa's!!

 

[Anne & Gang]

welcome....I do not have a Vasa but there are a few people on here who do..I believe they work so give them a while to answer. from what I have seen written about them, they make incredibly good pets.

 

[Tinta]

I don't have a vasa yet, but am completely in love with the species.
It's my dreambird and will likely be my only bird.

I've been waiting three years, on waiting lists, for a breeder to contact me with an available baby and it looks like it will be another year before I actually get him.


For your questions, here's what I think.

- Personality is sweet. They seem to be pretty mellow and good natured. They are as cuddly as most birds get, I guess, but a cockatoo is probably the cuddliest parrot there is. (if you're looking primarily for a cuddly/snuggly pet you should get a dog or some other animal) They seem to like playing, rolling around on their backs and such but don't seem as...energetic as a lot of parrots I've seen playing that way. I imagine they are as nippy as most parrots their size. But all that really means nothing, because the bird you get could turn out the complete opposite in every way. Birds are individuals.
- Vasas don't pair bond in the wild. They shouldn't really pick a favored person or anything, but many parrots don't, even the ones that do pair bond. If you want your bird to be very sociable, you have to socialize them. Early on and on going. That is the best way to do it, regardless of species.
- I've read that Eve snatched a small conure (painted, I think) right out of the air while both were flying. Eve didn't hurt the bird, but it's a dangerous situation and one you should avoid. Vasas hunt in the wild so I imagine if you have smaller birds that could be a big problem. But honestly a bird as big as a vasa shouldn't have the same out of cage time as a bird that small anyway. If you have other pets (mice, rats, a lizard) that are small I'd also probably avoid giving your vasa the opportunity to "hunt" them too, if I were you.
- Either a male or female would make a fantastic pet. Females are the more dominant sex in this species and more vocal. (the mothers whistle lullabies to calm the babies in the wild <3) I honestly think either would make a great pet and both seem to be very sweet.
- Both sexes stay in breeding condition for a couple weeks/maybe a month or two, at least. I don't imagine the male's junk gets in their way, but I have heard a story where a male was flying and went too low, hit something and tore it. Had to have an emergency vet visit. But for general perching and stuff, I imagine the bird knows what to do. Like how babies learn to take care of their tails, you know? Just be watchful the first few times it comes out, I suppose.


Just out of curiosity.
How long have you been doing research on this species?
What makes you want to own one?

 

[Miss Modified]

hank you very much for the responses I'll reply to your points in another colour (if it works!) so my answers are clearer.

I don't have a vasa yet, but am completely in love with the species.
It's my dreambird and will likely be my only bird.
*I too plan to have only one bird in my life, I wan't to be able to focus entirely on one rather than have more to contend with, I just feel like I'd be more able to give the bird what it needed if it was an only bird.

I've been waiting three years, on waiting lists, for a breeder to contact me with an available baby and it looks like it will be another year before I actually get him.
*I'm in the uk and am anticipating being on a list for a while as theres only one breeder here apparently. Not that this is an issue for me at all, I was on a waiting list for two years for my mexican hairless dog before he was born and he was totally worth the wait! I'm one of those people who sets their mind to something and sticks with it XD


For your questions, here's what I think.

- Personality is sweet. They seem to be pretty mellow and good natured. They are as cuddly as most birds get, I guess, but a cockatoo is probably the cuddliest parrot there is. (if you're looking primarily for a cuddly/snuggly pet you should get a dog or some other animal) They seem to like playing, rolling around on their backs and such but don't seem as...energetic as a lot of parrots I've seen playing that way. I imagine they are as nippy as most parrots their size. But all that really means nothing, because the bird you get could turn out the complete opposite in every way. Birds are individuals.
* I know all of these questions are generalisations, and every bird will be different, but I thought this was probably the best way to get an idea about them. I wouldn't go for a too as even though they are very cuddly I feel they would be too 'needy' from what I've experienced (with my friends mothers too) and I'd like a bird that has personality and can be cuddly and playful without being over obsessed with its human companions. Even though I'll be at home all the time and I could be there for a too, they just don't appeal to me.

- Vasas don't pair bond in the wild. They shouldn't really pick a favored person or anything, but many parrots don't, even the ones that do pair bond. If you want your bird to be very sociable, you have to socialize them. Early on and on going. That is the best way to do it, regardless of species.
*Definitely, but as I've read about them not pair bonding as a species this trait appeals to me as its very important to me that we don't end up wit a bird who loves one person and hates another! There will be a lot of socialisation, as as I say, I'll be a stay at home wife so Ill have plenty of opportunity for training and introducing the bird to people.

- I've read that Eve snatched a small conure (painted, I think) right out of the air while both were flying. Eve didn't hurt the bird, but it's a dangerous situation and one you should avoid. Vasas hunt in the wild so I imagine if you have smaller birds that could be a big problem. But honestly a bird as big as a vasa shouldn't have the same out of cage time as a bird that small anyway. If you have other pets (mice, rats, a lizard) that are small I'd also probably avoid giving your vasa the opportunity to "hunt" them too, if I were you.
*Our dog will always be out and about (he's huge, about the size of a german shepherd but very gentle natured and obedient, he grew up with cats and smaller dog breeds and has no hunting drive in him at all that I've seen, but obviously introductions would be done very carefully.) We do have rats but they will be kept well out of the way of the bird, I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this behaviour first hand? I'd be interested to know if they 'hunted' as a form of play and let go of their catch once they'd caught it or whether the intent was to eat the catch.

- Either a male or female would make a fantastic pet. Females are the more dominant sex in this species and more vocal. (the mothers whistle lullabies to calm the babies in the wild <3) I honestly think either would make a great pet and both seem to be very sweet.
*I'd read about the lullaby whistling and listened to a few video's of vasa vocalisations and they have lovely voices! They make so many lovely sounds

- Both sexes stay in breeding condition for a couple weeks/maybe a month or two, at least. I don't imagine the male's junk gets in their way, but I have heard a story where a male was flying and went too low, hit something and tore it. Had to have an emergency vet visit. But for general perching and stuff, I imagine the bird knows what to do. Like how babies learn to take care of their tails, you know? Just be watchful the first few times it comes out, I suppose.
*Oh crikey, poor boy! Thats the kind of thing I was worried about, though I suppose you're right and they must learn to get used to it. I can't find information on whether the hemi junk is always exposed during breeding season or whether they let it hang out (as it were) when they feel like it and can retract it to a certain degree? The sight of it wouldn't really bother me (its no different to a male dogs being on show, and lets face it they do that often enough!) But I was worried that they might have trouble with injuries and things.


Just out of curiosity.
How long have you been doing research on this species?
What makes you want to own one?

I've been researching them for a few months now, Basically it only recently occurred that I knew for certain I was going to be a housewife and that I'd be able to definitely be there for a bird. For a few months before looking into vasa's I was looking at senegals and conures (which is nothing new as I wanted one back when I had tiels and budgies and did a lot of research on them back then.) Then something pretty drastic happened and I was diagnosed with cancer and ended up spending a lot of time in hospital... Whilst I was there I carried on looking into the perfect bird for us (I had to give myself something good to focus on!) and my boyfriend let me know that after everything I'd been going through he'd make certain that for the rest of my life I could do what I wanted and he'd support me as a housewife if thats what I wanted. Knowing that I'd be able to be at home a lot I decided to look into more species to see if there were any more that sounded like they fit the bill for us, and stumbled across the greater vasa's. I feel in love with them, how could you not?
There are so many things about them that I find fascinating. I love their more primitive look and the colour, and the fact that they can change their colour, they are very striking birds! I like that they do not pair bond and so hopefully will be less likely to love one person and hate their partner, and think that their breeding changes are fascinating (I think the fact that the females resemble little vultures is adorable!) I like that they are supposedly relatively quiet and can be cuddly and are playful and intelligent. I also like that they are very unique in the parrot world.

I think that answers everything XD

 

[Miss Modified]

welcome....I do not have a Vasa but there are a few people on here who do..I believe they work so give them a while to answer. from what I have seen written about them, they make incredibly good pets.

Thank you very much for the welcome That's the impression I've been getting too. And they are so beautiful! I'm looking forward to chatting to some people about them ^^

 

[Tinta]

As long as you're aware of the need to socialize and willing to do it and do it well, I imagine any parrot of yours would do well in that department.

Your dog shouldn't really interact with your bird at all. It's super dangerous even if your dog has no prey drive or anything else. Many people have lost birds to their dogs and even if your dog doesn't bite or attack the bird it's not a good idea. The saliva of a cat or dog is toxic to a parrot, so even affectionate licking can kill your bird. When you have your bird out, you should have your dog in another room to avoid any problems.
As for the hunting, when the vasa caught the painted conure out of the air, he then just let it go. But I really wouldn't bank on that. It's better to just try and avoid giving your vasa the chance to hunt anything you don't want it hunting. Instinct may tell them to kill or eat what they catch and at times it might be for just fun, but there would be no way for you to know until you saw the outcome.

I'm also in love with vasa sounds. :3

As far as the hemi junk goes, they do seem to be able to retract it at will. It's the difference of about 3 or 4 inches hanging out versus a little inch or so ball.


Example of the "ball".



I've also heard that the vasa is relatively quiet, but they are not in breeding season. From my reading they are comparable to a donkey in terms of sound and loudness while in breeding season.
I also think that all parrots are incredibly intelligent.

But I hope you get one. I'd love to have even more vasa owners on the forum. If I'm really honest, I hope you get a girl because I see the boys much more often.
Have you found a breeder?

 

[Miss Modified]

As long as you're aware of the need to socialize and willing to do it and do it well, I imagine any parrot of yours would do well in that department.

Your dog shouldn't really interact with your bird at all. It's super dangerous even if your dog has no prey drive or anything else. Many people have lost birds to their dogs and even if your dog doesn't bite or attack the bird it's not a good idea. The saliva of a cat or dog is toxic to a parrot, so even affectionate licking can kill your bird. When you have your bird out, you should have your dog in another room to avoid any problems.
As for the hunting, when the vasa caught the painted conure out of the air, he then just let it go. But I really wouldn't bank on that. It's better to just try and avoid giving your vasa the chance to hunt anything you don't want it hunting. Instinct may tell them to kill or eat what they catch and at times it might be for just fun, but there would be no way for you to know until you saw the outcome.

I'm also in love with vasa sounds. :3

As far as the hemi junk goes, they do seem to be able to retract it at will. It's the difference of about 3 or 4 inches hanging out versus a little inch or so ball.

View attachment 152678
Example of the "ball".



I've also heard that the vasa is relatively quiet, but they are not in breeding season. From my reading they are comparable to a donkey in terms of sound and loudness while in breeding season.
I also think that all parrots are incredibly intelligent.

But I hope you get one. I'd love to have even more vasa owners on the forum. If I'm really honest, I hope you get a girl because I see the boys much more often.
Have you found a breeder?

I hadn't seen that picture, thats much less dramatic than others I've seen! Its good to know they can tuck them up out of the way. I wasn't aware that dog saliva was toxic to birds either :/ Luckily I've never had the dog around my old birds to find that out... though thinking about it my friends mother does keep her jack russels well away from her birds but I always assumed that was just in case they tried to eat them! (The same reason my dogs were always kept separate to the birds)Thank you telling me that, I feel like an ignorant idiot but at the same time its very useful information to know!
Now that you've compared the noise level to a donkey I'm picturing a parrot braying XD I'm we would be able to cope with that, my mum has always kept horses and at most yards you'll find at least one donkey, and I've never found them intolerably loud even when they really get going. (obviously the type of sound will be different but if the level of noise is similar I'm good with that!)
Honestly, if it was a case of having to pick between a male and female it would all boil down to the individual birds personalities when we met them. The hemi junk doesn't bother me so if it had to be a male that would be fine, and on the other side of the coin I think the females bald heads in breeding season look absolutely adorable!
I have e-mailed a breeder that I know is in the midlands in the uk, but I know that they breed a lot of birds and I am waiting on a reply, I can understand that their main concern is finding homes for current chicks and not chatting to someone who want one in the future though XD I'm going to note down their number and call them when we move. We are moving up to the midlands ourselves by a happy coincidence next year so once the house is set up we'll be all ready to start seriously looking into getting our bird

 

[Tinta]

Haha, yeah. It's a significant difference to a hemi junk that's around as wide as a hotdog.

No reason to feel silly for not knowing that. This forum is here for information. You should totally post around in all the other sections too. (there are tons of pictures of very beautiful parrots, as a plus) You'll learn quite a bit here.
The vasa section is really just starting here, but I hope it becomes more active soon.
Also a lot of other bird forums tend to be kinda rude. This is the best one I've found. The people here are generally lovely.

Glad the breeding sounds will be okay. :3

They do! A lot of people don't like it I think, but they are so beautiful.
Picture spam of females!



I just love the way the eyes are brought out by the color of the skin. They retain some feather floofies over the ear for protection, but otherwise all smooth.

You'll find that the females also get an enlarged cloaca, but it mostly only shows when they poop. And the males will also bald a little bit, but not like the female. More like a bit of thinning. So either way you go, you get to deal with both things to a different degree. Haha.

It's good you found a breeder. There are few in the U.S., but I contacted a couple and got on waiting lists. It's been three years of waiting for an available baby, for me. I hope you manage to get your baby sooner.

 

[Miss Modified]

Haha, yeah. It's a significant difference to a hemi junk that's around as wide as a hotdog.

No reason to feel silly for not knowing that. This forum is here for information. You should totally post around in all the other sections too. (there are tons of pictures of very beautiful parrots, as a plus) You'll learn quite a bit here.
The vasa section is really just starting here, but I hope it becomes more active soon.
Also a lot of other bird forums tend to be kinda rude. This is the best one I've found. The people here are generally lovely.

Glad the breeding sounds will be okay. :3

They do! A lot of people don't like it I think, but they are so beautiful.
Picture spam of females!
View attachment 152683
View attachment 152684 View attachment 152685

I just love the way the eyes are brought out by the color of the skin. They retain some feather floofies over the ear for protection, but otherwise all smooth.

You'll find that the females also get an enlarged cloaca, but it mostly only shows when they poop. And the males will also bald a little bit, but not like the female. More like a bit of thinning. So either way you go, you get to deal with both things to a different degree. Haha.

It's good you found a breeder. There are few in the U.S., but I contacted a couple and got on waiting lists. It's been three years of waiting for an available baby, for me. I hope you manage to get your baby sooner.

Yeah, thats a massive difference from some of the other pictures I've seen! I read about vets trying to remove them years ago because they thought they were prolapses! Poor birds!
I'll definitely be having a post around on these forums, I've found most other bird forums to be pretty inactive, though I've only really looked at British ones before, perhaps more international forums are just busier because of increased traffic?
How can anyone not think they're gorgeous, look at the colour of her skin! So stunning!
I'd heard about the females also getting enlarged cloaca's but I haven't seen a picture of one yet, if you know of any I'd be very interested to see one.
I'm very tempted to call the breeder and ask about waiting lists but as We're not 100% certain on our move date I can't yet, as soon as we know for certain I'll be straight on the phone! XD
Good things come to those who wait I can't even imagine how excited you'll be when your baby bird comes along! I remember waiting for my Xolo and being so excited for so long, when he was finally born and I got to meet him I cried with joy! Thankfully the breeder didn't think I was nuts! XD

 

[waterfaller1]

Welcome to Avian Avenue! Hope you can find the answers you seek, and stick around when you do get your vasa. They are amazing!

 

[Miss Modified]

Welcome to Avian Avenue! Hope you can find the answers you seek, and stick around when you do get your vasa. They are amazing!

Thank you very much for the welcome I'll definitely stick around when I've got my bird ^^ I must post on a few other sub-forums here, everyones so friendly!

 

[Tinta]

Yeah, thats a massive difference from some of the other pictures I've seen! I read about vets trying to remove them years ago because they thought they were prolapses! Poor birds!
I'll definitely be having a post around on these forums, I've found most other bird forums to be pretty inactive, though I've only really looked at British ones before, perhaps more international forums are just busier because of increased traffic?
How can anyone not think they're gorgeous, look at the colour of her skin! So stunning!
I'd heard about the females also getting enlarged cloaca's but I haven't seen a picture of one yet, if you know of any I'd be very interested to see one.
I'm very tempted to call the breeder and ask about waiting lists but as We're not 100% certain on our move date I can't yet, as soon as we know for certain I'll be straight on the phone! XD
Good things come to those who wait I can't even imagine how excited you'll be when your baby bird comes along! I remember waiting for my Xolo and being so excited for so long, when he was finally born and I got to meet him I cried with joy! Thankfully the breeder didn't think I was nuts! XD

Yeah. That's how we lost a bunch of imports at the start. Also "albino vasas". Vasas with PBFD turn white, so people sold them as albinos. (in their defense they really did think they were albino vasas)

This one's pretty active. I've also noticed a lot of the other bird forums I joined before this one appear to be pretty dead. This one is just special.

Not sure if I have a picture of a female with an obvious enlarges cloaca. I read it's mostly only visible when they poop. So. Haha.

Your dog is a Xolo? I love them! You should make a thread about him.

Oh, I'm going to cry too. I already know it. Haha.
My heart is going to break and melt and then be reformed. I'm gonna be an emotional mess the day he comes home to me. <3

 

[Miss Modified]

Yeah. That's how we lost a bunch of imports at the start. Also "albino vasas". Vasas with PBFD turn white, so people sold them as albinos. (in their defense they really did think they were albino vasas)

This one's pretty active. I've also noticed a lot of the other bird forums I joined before this one appear to be pretty dead. This one is just special.

Not sure if I have a picture of a female with an obvious enlarges cloaca. I read it's mostly only visible when they poop. So. Haha.

Your dog is a Xolo? I love them! You should make a thread about him.

Oh, I'm going to cry too. I already know it. Haha.
My heart is going to break and melt and then be reformed. I'm gonna be an emotional mess the day he comes home to me. <3

Haha, it all does get a bit overwhelming when you've had a long wait and you finally have your fur/feather baby in your arms
When I work out how to post pictures I'll definitely make a thread about him he's such a loving dog, very sweet and very clever, his ears are a bit off though... he looks like a big bald scooby doo XD

 

[fishbait]

I finally got my baby, Iggy, in August of 2012. He is/ was very shy around other people and sometimes skittish if their is a lot of commotion in the house, but an entertaining bird he is! I would not trade him for anything! You will love your Vasa. Just remember to treat him similiar to an African Grey baby!

 

[Tinta]

From whom did you get your Iggy? Old World Aviaries?

And why haven't you posted about him? We need more vasa stuff here! XD

 

[Bailey]

There are pictures of male and female vasas in breeding mode in the vasa forum...if you really want to see it. Lol.

 

[fishbait]

I got him from Phyliss Martin, Scott's vasas at Old World Aviaries were not breeding when i was on my quest 2 yrs ago! I am on some other bird forums too and honestly just don't keep up very much with foums like i used too! I think that as far as the bird forums go it seems too hard to post pics which is a real bummer. I am used to just (on other forums) clicking on attaching a pic and posting it from my c drive and that seems hard to do. I didn't want to use a photo bucket or flicker service for uploading pics so i just kind gave up i guess.

Iggy is a cool bird, whines alot, typical of all vasas i hear, and gets very loud as the vasa name implies..(vasa means "loud voiced" in Malagasy) or so i have been told! He is very attentive and although shy around strangers he has warmed up to me and my wife over the past year. He eats just about anything put in front of him, but i feed him a main diet of mixed seeds/nuts and Roudy bush pellets. He is not big on tomatoes but loves mangos (indigenous food for wild vasas) and most all fruits. I like feeding him and our Cape Parrot, Dexter thawed frozen peas- they actually pull out the meat of each individual pea and leave the skin, it is amzing to watch! Raw almond pieces are his favorite treat and i keep them out for constant rewards! I keep them in a little tupperware dish on the coffe table and if he sees me even move the container he drops whatever he is playing with or chewing on and focuses on me or flies to me for one!
I have been working on flight recall training as he is now becoming a proficeint flyer around the living room! We just built our house last fall/winter and i had purchased a ceiling fan with twin rotating blades that are caged and it is the best thing i could have done for our flighted birds! If i could i would post a pic as i think every bird enthusiast should own one if they have ceiling fans!

I am glad to see other vasa owners/enthusiasts here so i will now check back often!

 

[Tinta]

Yeah. I've been on his waiting list the past three years and have never been contacted about a baby.

You can post photos directly from your computer on this forum.

There's a little picture button of a tree in a frame and if you click it you can upload photos from a file on your computer and it will be hosted on this site. That's what I do every time I post photos.

I'd be very interested in seeing the caged blades of that fan. :3

 

[fishbait]

I would not limit myself to one waiting list get with the other breeders and get on their list too!