THE BIRD WITH NO NAME by Charlotte Carlile (Winner of Parrot Earth’s 100 Blog Post Writing Contest)
About two months ago, after spending 3 weeks with a friend who is owned by a sweet Green Cheek Conure, I knew I wanted a companion also. When I got home to Daytona Beach, Florida, I began to research adoption. I applied to the Florida Parrot Rescue and in short order, was approved to adopt. Being new to the idea, we decided it would be best for me to find a gentle older bird that needed love and a home. What happened was 180 degrees from that idea.
A neighbor knew of someone close who had a parrot that he wanted to ‘sell’. It was on Craig’s list. Out of curiosity, I made the call. After being reassured this is a sweet bird, I walked over to take a look at him. When I walked in the door, I don’t know who was more frightened, me or the little African Senegal in a free swinging cage. The bird was rocking back and forth on his perch screaming like a barn owl. There were 2 dogs in the house still barking in another room. I was told there had been an incident with the bird. I was getting the picture. When the owner went to quiet the dogs, another resident told me the dogs always tried to eat the bird. I glanced in the cage and there were a few green beans in the bottom of the cage and some colored pellets in a low bowl. I felt so sorry for this little guy and asked the owner why not contact the Florida Parrot Rescue and was told they would not ‘pay’ him for the bird. I asked where he got it. He said from a friend a couple of months ago. Oh Lord I thought. I can’t have this noise in my condo and I would not have a clue where to start. But, my mind was also screaming. “YOU CAN’T LEAVE THIS BIRD”. I made a suggestion. I asked if I could keep the bird overnight to see how it would do. The owner agreed, and with some trepidation, we came back to the condo.
photo courtesy of: Charlotte Carlile
The bird was scared and that was obvious. But after about two hours he settled down. He stayed quiet through the night. I spent most of the first night and all of the next day searching the internet like a mad woman for information. I called the Florida Parrot Rescue and they reassured me and made me feel better about it. We all knew this little bird needed rescuing too. So I agreed to pay for the bird. When I went to pay for it, I asked the owner what the bird’s name was, he said the bird did not have a name and he just called it Screech. In that instant, I knew that for better or worse, I had made the right decision.
I went to a local pet store and got pellets and a seed mix. In the mornings I cut up veggies for him and gave him a few treats when he wasn’t being cage aggressive. I discovered chop and spent an entire day making a batch for him. My friends think I have lost my mind, but what they don’t know, is that I have lost my heart. In the eight weeks that I’ve had him, he has become an affectionate little clown. He rocks to Bluegrass music and wakes me up every morning with whistles and chirps and quiet chatter. He swings with abandon and forages all day for goodies. He has more toys than he can play with and lucky for me, he is quite the oinker. He loves his chop and grapes and even nibbles on pellets with obvious enjoyment. He will not eat from low bowls.
photo courtesy of: Charlotte Carlile
I know it will be a long process to get him over his fear of hands and to get him to step up. Not because of him, but because of me. I have a lot to learn and a lot to practice. We need a vet visit, but I am waiting to get him to trust me and the carry cage, and in the meantime, I will take the best care to keep him healthy. My coffee table is covered in bird books and my freezer is full of chop. He may always be a little nervous and not one to sit with me constantly, but that’s ok. Just having him happy is enough.
photo courtesy of: Charlotte Carlile
We were pondering what name to give him. I called him my little Pirate. My sister said, “Then he is Captain Jack Sparrow”. So he is Capt’n Jack for short…but mostly Baby to me. He now says “Kissy Kissy” and knows what it means. He has never bitten me but he can nip if I’m not careful when putting my hands in the cage. I think that soon his old life will only be a dream and he will be safe and secure in his own home for as long as possible. He now has a history. It began with me.
Charlotte and Capt’n Jack
PS…The picture in the mirror is the first time he stepped onto my shoulder. I had been out on the motorcycle all day and he was apparently happy to see me.
