Grey

Arrr

ok, so i come home from work tonite after helping Bump In stuff for Equus today, and when i pull into the driveway my dad runs out to stop me and tells me to wind down the window.

as i coast to a stop i can see our german exchange student Christian, kneeling down inside the rumpus room, looking thru the glass sliding door and apparently peering down at the doormat in front. In the dwindling light i squint to see what he's doing, but immediately see nothing.

When my dad comes to my window he tells me whats happened. A bird (a parrot he calls it) has flown into the glass and is sitting rather stunned by the door. When i look again I can see that indeed a very tiny wobbly lump is moving about by the door. At the mention of the word Parrot, my eyes light up - I have wanted a parrot ever since i played with one in at the aldinga pet shop, and also 'i'd be a real pirate if i had a parrot!'.

So i get out of the car and we discuss a plan of action. Ness calls me on my mobile and she asks what i'm up to tonite.

"um well, you wont believe me... but we're in the middle of planning a capture of a parrot outside the Shed door....."

While this conversation is taking place Christian has fetched a towel and handed it to Dad. For a moment i put Ness on the floor - its comfy down there - and prepare to grab the little bundle once it is covered.

But with the combination of the bird's inane escape tactics and my father's lack of coordination, the bird side steps the towel, even in its dazed state and looks at us as though to say "what was that supposed to do?"

With another glance he attempts to fly off, but for some reason or another - either he is still stunned or is too little or has had his flight feathers clipped - he only flutters straight up and is blocked by something hanging on the line. He swerves to try and avoid it and ends up flying up onto my chest and clinging there while im still kneeling on the ground. I quickly but easily cupped my hand around him and he very gently nibbles my finger.

I am immediately sold.

He is literally small enough to fit snugly in the palm of my hand with his head popping out between my thumb and forefinger. He doesnt seem all that worried. With my other hand I pick up the fone, tell Ness what's happened, thank her for her invite out tonite but I have to work tomorrow, and say goodbye. Then I pat my little friends pretty green and pink head with one finger while i take him in to show everyone.

After some research we discover that he's a Green Violet Peachface Lovebird (as pictured in the bottom two photos here), and that he is basically a very smart pint-sized version of a parrot! Further research tells me that its ok to put him in with what I call "those stupid stupid budgies", but i still give them a lecture and tell them to be nice to him.

Last I looked they're settling down, and our new addition is slowly starting to look a little less in shock. I hope he lives thru the night. I really really really want a parrot - or even something like one :)

If he's still with us in the morning, the plan thus far is to give him his own cage and I will look after him - I guess i'll need to name him... what should my new parrots name be?

That's the assignment for today.

7:04 pm | Post A Comment... >

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