Meet Sage...

[summer_jackel]

Ok, somehow in all of the holiday festivities, I managed to neglect mentioning on this journal that I have a new parrot. 0_o

Sage is a white-capped pionus. She was given to me by a parent at the school where I am (hopefully only temporarily) working after Gavin and I gave a little spiel about parrots and rainforests. She was going to take this bird to the pound if I didn't want it, which of course I did. Sage is ostensably a young bird (less than 2 years) but she's never been handled. Her past care had been pretty bad...she was on a poor seed-only diet (they will eventually die of malnutrition from that) had a toxic cage, and apparently poor perches, because her feet are very weak, if not completely crippled. (she fell off her playstand yesterday because she startled and couldn't keep her grip...)

However, things are looking up! I have her learning to step up, enjoying headscratches, sampling healthier food, and she's even playing with foot toys now. She does bite a bit (I have a bunch of teeny little cuts all over my left thumb now) but she's getting a lot mellower. Yesterday she had her first shower, and not only did she love it, her feathers are no longer filthy...she turned a couple shades lighter and shows a lot more subtle color now. :)

I was thinking that my next bird would be a Maximillian or Blue-headed pionus; I looked over the whitecaps because, I'm afraid, I thought them kind of...homely. I don't think that any more. Sage, who I think will be a very sweet parrot, is staying with me.


When I first got her, a couple of weeks ago...


She got scared by Magic and treated me to this lovely (and kinda scary) Amazon-like threat display. Thankfully, I have not seen it sense, particularly not directed at me. Note the razor-sharp beak which is not small.





Here are pics taken this morning. She's much happier, mellower and cleaner.

Comments

[kynekh-amagire.livejournal.com]

Pionus, especially blue-heads, are probably my favorite parrots that I will never seek out to own. Still, I admit I probably wouldn't say no if a rescue landed on me, just because they're such interesting little birds.

And possibly as non-conurey as it's possible to get and still be a parrot.

Congratulations and good luck with Sage. I hope I get to meet her someday.

(Seriously, we should all hang out again sometime. Especially if you haven't managed yet to see Mirrormask. And if you HAVE seen it, I'll make you watch Immortal. ;>)

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

Sage has a really sweet, laid-back yet curious personality. I like it a whole lot, but yeah, really non-conurey.

She reminds me a lot of an Amazon in some ways, actually, which amuses me since Amazons *really scare me*. (looks at your icon and EEPS!)

I would LOVE to see Mirrormask with you, prob'ly some weekend after FC.

[shoka.livejournal.com]

She's so cute! I love pionus parrots, just the right size, imo. I used to have a bronze wing pionus, but he went with an ex=BF, as he preferred the BF to me.

I'm glad she's settling in and that she loved her first shower.

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

Pionus are such sweeties! And so mellow! And quiet! And yeah, perfect size. I love Gavin, but he's teeny, and I don't think I'd want anything huge.
Bronzewings are lovely critters.

[dustmeat.livejournal.com]

Birds make such good pets for the deaf and fingerless :D

Heh heh, I have owned my fair share too

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

hehehehehe! I will have to remember that...
Actually, Pionus have the reputation of being among the quietest of parrots. (Conures assuredly don't; Gavin, for his part, is, ahem, *singing* along with my music right now, at full volume). So far, Sage has whistled and muttered a bit, but is otherwise largely silent.

[hakeber.livejournal.com]

So pretty! I'm glad to hear she's taking to eating better food. I know it can be as hard to get birds to eat something different as it is to get humans.

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yeah, they are stubborn things, parrots. I got her eating a better seed mix, at least, and now she's nibbling her pellets. No interest in anything fresh yet, alas.

[hakeber.livejournal.com]

Well, keep trying. I'm sure she'll eventually start eating some fresh. Don't forget to eat some in front of her, so she sees that it is food.

[ironbadger.livejournal.com]

Heh.

Owned my own share of birds over the years, but mostly budgies and cockatiels.

I miss my budgies, but a bunny is as much as I can handle with my current work situation.

-Badger-

[knnyx.livejournal.com]

omg beautiful!!!