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Hi All

Lack of pc has kept me away from posting but I still access via my phone and read all your posts avidly. My two, Mocksie the Maxi & Mr Kipling the Caique are just fantastic and we couldn't wish for things to be better.

My neighbour four doors down is also parrot crazy. She first introduced me to parrots and I'm eternally grateful. Unfortunately she is very elderly and has dreadful arthritis. I take her shopping regularly and offer help with her flock (although she is fiercely independent) and we chat a lot & play with the parrots.

For the first time this week, she discussed that fact that she will not be around forever and said she has had more thoughts about the welfare of her feathered family recently. She has expressed a desire that, if possible, I could adopt some or all her parrots should the time come that she is unable to care for them. This is obviously a very emotional subject to discuss, but I understand that as bird owners we have to be realistic.

I am so very honoured but have stressed that I would be unable to care for her whole flock (2 cags, 1 citron crested, B&G Macaw & M2) however, I am more than happy to make a commitment to an adoption of one or two of them. In fact, in years to come I had planned to add another member to our flock, and would love to offer a home to a rescue rather than a baby.

I am a family of two adults & two boys of 10 & 12 who have a very strong role in the caring for our current two birds. I am incredibly fond of the 18 yr old M2 (and she of me) but the prospect of being mum to a Too is really scary - everything I read seems so negative! realistically, I should think I would be better looking after her two greys (one 40yr old and one 25yr old) as they are not cuddly at all and I guess would be less likely to find a forever home.

My main aim at the moment is to keep this lady with her pets as long as possible. I am more than happy to visit daily and do her cares for her. Does anyone think it would be possible to rehabilitate this beautiful Moluccan lady into a new noisy family household or am I kidding myself? What a quandry.. I really would appreciate any advice you can all give.

Hi Honeypi:

Only you know what you are capable of doing but since you already have a relationship with the M2, I would work to make that relationship better so that if you decide to take her, you have already done the leg work and the transition into your home smooth. How about occasionally taking her for the weekend? The greys will be easier to place than a M2. Your neighbour should definitely find placement for these birds should something happen to her. That way nobody is scrambling to place them into homes. Good homes for parrots are increasingly scarce these days.

Bev

Yeah, I've done a lot of thinking & i'm in agreement. She is already bonding with me & my children which would make things much smoother for her. She is obviously vocal but not a screamer & has never shown any aggression at all. Surely not all M2's are problem birds? She does chew her feet a bit but her plumage is otherwise perfect. I would need to start planning now to build a conservatory to house her cage. I hope she would manage in a family household. She is very bonded to the lady's young male B&G (whom she would also be very keen for me to have who is also a softy) but let's cross that bridge later! In the meantime, I visit almost daily & I think perhaps a weekend visit schedule would be a very good idea! Thanks Bev. P.s i would love to hear reassuring tales in here of people who have lovely relationships with their Too's in order to balance out the horror stories! Lol x