arabel ([info]arabel) wrote,
@ 2009-04-25 11:45:00
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awk redux
Okay - turns out he's a pet that my sister rescued from an irresponsible owner who didn't want him any more (which wasn't entirely her fault - he was an unexpected present for her, too. Poor bird!).

I can tell he needs better care taken of him - his cage is far too small, and I don't know if he's been well socialised or anything (hyper emo bird!). We're taking him to the bird vet this week to get checked out, and to be talked through the responsibilities of owning, if she decides she wants to keep him.

Argh.

He's so beautiful, but parrots are a lot of work - they need money, time and care and a lot of love (and patience with bird poo on everything). We don't know if we can take care of him properly, so I'm hoping she'll be happy to let me take him to a good refuge. *sigh* Especially as my sister said "I wish he wasn't clipped so I could just let him go," which resulted in me clapping my hands to my face in a kind of horrified gesture and going, "noooooooooo!"


Poor birdie. He's adorable... see?






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[info]evilhayama
2009-04-25 02:07 am UTC (link)
aw man, he looks like a good bird! That cage is about as small as Wander's first, which we decided was too small for a cockatiel :(

On the up side, he doesn't look like he has been plucking or anything, so he might be a mentally stable birdie

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[info]arabel
2009-04-25 08:00 am UTC (link)
I know, it's breaking my heart to keep him in there! But we put a new toy in and as far as he's concerned that's just about the coolest thing ever. And he's not hostile - no nips at fingers or anything.

And yeah, I'm really happy that he does seem pretty healthy - his tail feathers are a little mangled from the cage, but like you said, he hasn't been plucking. I can't wait to get him to the vet to check... He could be a she, actually. I don't even know what to call it! Chez called it Big Red, but I think that lacks a certain something...

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[info]evilhayama
2009-04-25 08:19 am UTC (link)
Probably hard to tell the sex, like with wander.

good luck with the little guy! He's a huge commitment, but parrots are cool :P

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[info]arabel
2009-04-25 08:55 am UTC (link)
SO cool... it keeps making eyes at me, waah! I'm weak against all pets.

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[info]fluffyduck
2009-04-25 08:26 am UTC (link)
Get out the swatch book and name him after whatever Pantone colour he is :D

*gets bricked*

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[info]arabel
2009-04-25 09:04 am UTC (link)
Dood, that is THE COOLEST IDEA EVER (I'm getting bricked along with you...). I am so sneaking the swatch book home this week.

I could almost just call him Rhodamine, although that sounds a little like a country & western singer. Or I could name him after our mag's favourite watermelon-colour flourescent, 813... >_>;

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[info]fluffyduck
2009-04-25 02:49 am UTC (link)
Awwww he's a cutie!! I was all "heh heh he's making oval eyes at the camera" at the first shot - Wander does that when he's perusing something intently.

I can't tell too well but he looks like he's had a crappy clip. The vet will be able to fix what he can of the clip, test for diseases and answer lots of questions. I'll IM you his website next time I see you on, he's got some great articles on there.

Parrots need time, attention and money, but so does any pet if you want to keep it really happy and healthy. He looks like he would be absolutely awesome once socialised and put in a better cage, but you may want to tell your sister that galahs can live to 70 or 80 in captivity and bond to their partners for life... D:

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[info]arabel
2009-04-25 08:16 am UTC (link)
Haha, I know, I've been counting familiar gestures from Wander. XD;; He's so chirpy and interested in us, the cage thing is killing me.

And yeah, his clip is pretty terrible. I think they even missed one or two feathers...

And yeah, she knows they're long-lived, but I don't know if she's thought about what that means for every weekend away or holiday she wants to take for pretty much forever. And she wants to travel lots. The age is one reason I think maybe I couldn't do it (70 years!!! It'd be like getting married!) - well, that and Dave's cat will come and live with us, and she doesn't share space with other pets well (she nearly gave his housemate's cat a total breakdown when they had to co-habit briefly... =_=;;).

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[info]fluffyduck
2009-04-25 08:29 am UTC (link)
Well, I looked at the vet's site and he had 50 years as a lifespan... either way, that's a very long time!

I figured cats were figuring into the equation sooner or later, too. But like I said, let me know if you want company if you take him/her to a shelter. We'll have to ring ahead either way; the RSPCA charges a surrender fee of about $20 for birds and AWL asks for a donation at the time of surrender.

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[info]arabel
2009-04-25 02:12 pm UTC (link)
Thanks for that - I'll definitely take you up on it if we go that way (which personally, I really really hope we do, because argh otherwise I worry so much! But Chez is well smart, so I shouldn't be freaked out).

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[info]haiironezumi
2009-04-25 05:38 am UTC (link)
By the bird vet do you mean Alex Rosenwax? If not, he's definately the man you should see, he's located in Alexandria and is basically the Dr House of exotic pet vets.

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[info]arabel
2009-04-25 02:16 pm UTC (link)
No, actually, although the guy I'm seeing came personally recommended by a friend, whose young cockatiel suffered a bit of a health crisis, and they said this doctor was absolutely amazing with birds, so I'm happy to go with that. They even have a behaviourist on staff, and they're not too far from my home, so it seems good to me. :) I'll keep Alex in mind, just in case, though! Cheers for that.

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[info]fromward
2009-04-25 12:41 pm UTC (link)
Wow. It's gorgeous. The colours are so beautiful together. I love the gradation on the face, too.

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[info]arabel
2009-04-25 02:24 pm UTC (link)
I know, they're such amazing colours (and it's funny because they're designed to look drab and grey from above, but crazy from underneath. It's the mullet parrot).

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[info]dragonwhishes
2009-04-25 04:02 pm UTC (link)
EEEE BIRDIE BIRDIE BIRDIE. The cage does look small width wise. S/he is so pretty... Do you know how old the bird is?

And if they tend to bond with their owners.... oh, you poor thing. YOU BE SCREWED.

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[info]arabel
2009-04-27 11:04 am UTC (link)
I think it's a she, and nope, no idea, unfortunately! She could be any age, but I actually don't think she's that old.

And (thankfully!) I don't think the bonding is really an instant process - they need to get to know you well and that kind of thing. I'm trying not to get too attached while she's here - she's gorgeous, but I really don't think it's practical to keep her. ;_; I'll have to make do with visiting my friends' cockatiel...

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[info]motherdragon
2009-04-25 07:02 pm UTC (link)
I have to agree with Mel there as you have already given it new toys and everthing and getting someone to bird sit is much easier than dog or cat sitting so just give it some time and see what the vet say's about it. Otherwise its a cool bird and if its that big most cats won't bother them as one pinch of the beek teaches them otherwise lol.

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[info]arabel
2009-04-27 11:07 am UTC (link)
Hah, I don't know, Seraphim's a pretty feisty cat! :) I'll ask the vet, but I'd be so worried there would be trouble (and Seraphim was there first, heh).

I'd be happy to pass her on to someone who could take her with absolutely no worry or reservations, I think - it wouldn't be fair to keep her if we're not totally committed to taking care of her.

She is REALLY cool though, haha. I'll have to take some videos.

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[info]darktower6
2009-04-27 08:48 am UTC (link)
its so cutes!! omgs! O_O

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[info]arabel
2009-04-27 11:07 am UTC (link)
I knowwww, you should hear when she starts going "peep! peep!".

It slays me.

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