I was inspired to send in my story after reading the previously posted story about the woman and her children who have 11 birds. I, too, got bit by the bird bug and now have 13 birds, and all because of one sweet little cockatiel.
I had no intention of buying a bird or any other animal, for that matter. My husband and I had ethical issues with pet ownership, especially since we lived in a small apartment. One day my sister was visiting and asked me to take her to the local pet shop to buy toys for her cat. There were cute little cockatiels in an acrylic enclosure with an open top. I put my hand in and this one white-face cockatiel jumped immediately onto my hand. I held her for a while and talked to her. We had to go, so I put her down and started to walk away. She ran up to the front of the enclosure and put her face up to the front pane and just stared at me as we were walking away. Everyone in the store was amazed by this! I had to force down my emotions as I left the store.
I went home and told my husband about her. We talked and decided it was best to keep to our original plan of not having animals in the apartment. But I just had to go back and see her. I went back to visit her about a week later and it was wonderful! When I got home, my husband looked at my face and said, "I think you need to go get that bird!" Well, I didn't hesitate! I turned right back around and out the door to the pet shop, and Phoebe came home with me.
Since then, we have brought home one bird after another, mostly from pet shops but I only get the ones that appear to be lonely, mistreated, or are considered "unsellable." Most pet shops are sad places for parrots and my heart breaks so much that I want to bring them all home! I have seen injuries, both emotional and physical, due to lack of attention and nutrition at pet shops. My husband and I have made it our life's mission to make sure our birds are happy and healthy at all times. At the moment, we have 4 budgies (Scout, Diva, Cricket and Biscuit, who appeared on my doorstep one day), 4 cockatiels (Phoebe, Maggie, Spooky and Murrow), two conures (Sun Conure named Gabby and Green-Cheek named Lucy), one Amazon (Double Yellow-head named Oscar), one African Grey (Sly) and one Goffin's Cockatoo (Peaches, whom I had been visiting for the past five years and finally resolved to bring him home, too.) They all have a story, of course.
So I try to stay out of pet shops now and when I do go, I have to wear imaginary blinders and quickly run past the bird area. However, if I come across a sad or lonely or hurt bird, no doubt he will come home with me.
My 13 feathered children are my life and my soul. Phoebe holds a special place in my heart for showing me how wonderful it is to be owned by parrots!
Thanks for considering my story for your website!
JoAnn Siravo and Family
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your "Parrot Tale!"
I have received so many wonderful Parrot Tales. Rest assured your Parrot Tale will be told in our upcoming ezines.
Please share how your life with parrots got started, and
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