My Friend Gizmo

March 2005 I fell in love with my cherry headed Conure.  It was by chance that our paths crossed.  You see, I had put my name on a wish list and I believe there was divine intervention for our relationship.  I got the call and it was love at first sight.

Gizmo was an abused bird, he had difficulty eating from a previously overgrown beak.  He had difficulty climbing and holding on, such a clumsy little guy.  No socialization skills, but what energy.  He ran like a roadrunner.  When you walked by his cage, he puffed and hissed like a snake.  What a brave little dinosaur.  What baggage he had, his history I never knew but his future was mine.

            As time when on, he became more trusting and loving.  What a clown he could be, what a joy.  I developed a special bond with my little green buddy. Every night before I went to bed, I went to his cage to say, “good night Giz” and I would get a purr or “I love you”.  He was my favorite.

            Someone’s cast off became my treasure.  This rescued bird touched my heart and will always be in my memories.  If there is a birdie heaven, he deserves to be there.  I love you Gizmo.

Blue-Crowned Conure- Bo

Bo was a pet of mine for 15 years, who was wild caught and unwanted because he was too loud!  When I first rescued him he was only feed sunflower seeds, NOT A HEALTHY DIET which leads to fatty liver!!!!!   Being a Conure, they have a high pitch scream that could be heard down the block from my house. 

Buddy

R.I.P.

He passed away 6-11-07 after he had his leg amputated at the vet's office because he got bit by a larger bird....

Alex

    Known as one of the most famous African Grey parrots in history, Alex pioneered new avenues in avian intelligence. He possessed more than 100 vocal labels for different objects, actions, colors and could identify certain objects by their particular material. He could count object sets up to the total number six and was working on seven and eight. Alex exhibited math skills that were considered advanced in animal intelligence, developing his own “zero-like” concept in addition to being able to infer the connection between written numerals, objects sets, and the vocalization of the number. Alex was learning to read the sounds of various letters and had a concept of phonemes, the sounds that make up words.

Alex’s personality was very evident in his everyday life. He was “in charge” of his home and relished ordering “his” humans to perform various tasks for him. He also acted as a coach and cheerleader to his fellow birds, Wart and Griffin, alternately encouraging or admonishing them during their lessons. His favorite toys were cardboard boxes, key chains and corks.

Purchased from a Chicago pet store in June, 1977, at that time he was 12 to 13 months old. Alex came from humble beginnings. Alex’s accomplishments proved that all African Grey parrots have an intelligence far beyond what was previously thought before his decades-long work with Dr. Pepperberg. Sadly, Alex passed way on September 6, 2007, dying of unknown causes. He was 31 years old.

We miss him dearly.
 

Fly high Little dude!!