Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I found out some important information about my newly rescued birds.. I thought I would share this with you all.
Ok, a friend of mine got these birds from her monster in law, she said she didn't want them because her dog wouldn't leave them alone, he constantly barked/harassed them. Then they stayed at my friends house for a week and a half.
First of all, I am surprised that they are alive after spending over a week and a half without food and clean water. The cups that were in the cage when I got them is the only food/water they have had since leaving the monster in laws house. My friend assumed that because the dish was half full, the food was still available. Well you know and I know that they hull their seeds, so the dish was full of empty hulls. I was also told that she changed the water once, over the course of that time. She said the pair would hiss and bite at anyone who came near the cage, so they didn't want birds that were mean. All that, after trying to pull them out of the cage with gloves and taking a nasty bite through glove and finger. I look at these birds and think, what they must think of me. I want them to see me as a friend, because I would never, ever put any animal through what these two have been through. No wonder they were upset, they've been tramatized not just by one person, but several that I know about, not to mention the stuff I don't know about. I originally took these two birds for my dad, but now I don't know if that's a good idea. They are bonding with me, the provider of food and water and most importantly.. love. I can see daily that they are learning to trust me. They talk to me, dance for me and make beautiful calls at me whenever they see me. I have yet to be hissed or biten at since they have been with me. I'm sorry.. I know this post is long, but I think people need to hear this. I would just like to avoid this type of thing by saying, if you want a pet, get a teddy bear from the toystore.. if you want a treasured friend.. do the research before you dive in, know what you are getting into, and make a commitment to the lifelong care of your new friend. Animals are not disposables! They are gifts from Mother Earth.
Thanks for letting me vent.. I needed to get that off my chest.

I am so glad that you got these tiels. You seem to have a real knowledge and love for them. Both my husband & I are real believers in taking good care of our pets, after previously weighing the pros and cons of getting them in the first place! The food and water are BIG issues. I change my (l) tiel's water twice daily and often throw out her old pellets & change them for fresh as well. I clean her two cages frequently, taking them outside to hose down. Everything she is in contact with is clean and fresh. When she is out of her cage, and I am not in the room, she squaks until I come back into the room. She knows that am her friend and caregiver and would never let her down. Knowledge is power, as you said, but so is action.
SandyBeth

I am starting to believe it was fate. Now I have one problem.. how do I get past the idea that the person I have called "friend" for over 13 years has turned into someone I don't think I want to give such a title. I got these birds and had very little knowledge about them. I researched on the internet the entire day that I got them, and am still pecking around (lol cute birdy pun) looking for more information to help them. I guess I took action for two creatures that were in desperate need of it, but helpless to save themselves. After all that was said and done.. I guess these birds have also taught me a lesson in forgiveness. They are learning to forgive human error and give me a chance to make up for my kind. I think it might take me longer than it took them to start to get over this. But I am happy to have them and will probably ask you all a hundred questions during my learning process.