Parrot Lover of the Month- September 2011 Sheila

Sheila Byers- Parrot Lover of the Month, September 2011

   

Mr. Hooks with his family

The Parrot Who Goes Everywhere His People Go- Mr. Hooks

Hooks was adopted approximately 5 1/2 years ago at the age of 3 months.  We followed his development from infancy with Carol Stanley, his breeder. The first few days we did everything wrong, from his feeding to the size of his cage. Thank goodness Carol helped us often with advise, god diet choices, and handling. My daughter worked full time but lived in a cottage in back making it easy for me to pick him up mornings after she left for work or Jenny would bring him in to our house each morning. It didn't take long for us to fall in love with Hooks and know we could never and would never give him up.  I thank goodness Jenny appreciated the special bond between Hooks and my husband and me and let us keep him upon her move.  We would have been devastated.

Jenny found a "Pack O Bird" back pack and ordered one for Hooks.  Upon its arrival, Hooks and our life changed dramatically and wonderfully so. Hooks goes everywhere with us. We even take him on vacation and out to dine. When dining Hooks always remains in his back pack (except for the photo for the newsletter), and we carry him on our back.  He has great table manners and hardly ever makes a sound that would draw attention to himself.  We make sure to put something he enjoys eating into the back pack with him.  The only time I recall when he became known to others  was when we were at lunch with our son and daughter and I excused myself to go to the ladies room.  Hooks gave a loud wolf whistle and several diners were probably wondering why someone would wolf whistle at an elderly lady. We felt inclined to explain it came from our bird.

He loves shopping and knows Macy's very well, he even has a following.  I cease to be amazed at his interaction with people known to him as well as strangers. The other day we were in the Home Store and a women asked if she could take a picture with Hooks.  When we asked Hooks,he answered "OK!!!"  Sometimes he will answer "No!!!"  Hooks vocabulary is in my mind extensive as well as his interactions with us and others. He loves singing and will sing along to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"; adding " Yea Hookah" at the end.  He sings the phrase "A weem a Wop, A Weem A Wop!" He refers to me as Grand Ma and my husband as Grand Pa.  Hooks loves the Blue Tooth phone in our car and if someone calls he is the first to say "Oh Hi" and "By By"  When he is out of sorts such as his episode with wing flipping, he would say "Wo Is Me" when I would ask how he was feeling.

Hooks will gladly come out of his cage to have his picture taken, we will only allow him if he wants too and if it is safe for him to do so. We were shopping at Macy's very close to Xmas one evening and the small appliance department was virtually empty until a lone shopper asked if a picture could be taken of Hooks out of his cage.  From that point on the department filled with customers from other departments all thanking us for allowing them to visit with Hooks,  they felt he put them in the Xmas spirit to make purchases.  Needless to say we were invited back by management to have Hooks visit in other departments.  We still go and Hooks actually has a following when it becomes known he is in the store and what floor he is on, he especially loves the shoe department and will converse with the men salespeople, going so far as giving deep laughs and the such.  Macy's was contemplating having him in one of their adds at one time.

 

Hooks is like a 3 year old child and we have had to adapt to his needs in many ways.  Caring for Hooks is our joy as we know it takes time and effort to nurture a happy, healthy bird.Although Hooks has his wings clipped and cannot fly I feel in my heart he is content with the life he has with us.He is such a happy little thing, never at a loss to throw kisses and give cuddles.

A good diet, as I have learned, is essential for the well being of Eclectus and every effort should be made to offer a healthy diet to our little green and red friends.  Hooks is doing wonderfully after a few changes were made and with gratitude from all who offered such good advise.

If I were asked to give advise to someone wanting to adopt an Eclectus, I would say, be prepared to adopt a young child with an attitude problem at times.  Take his or her needs seriously, spend time with him or her on a daily basis.  Know before hand, they take forethought and love to a higher degree and level.  Their diet is all important as well as their showers, clean cage,  playtime interaction, and quiet time.  It takes work, and lots of love!!!!  Know you will always be learning something to assist you in caring for your Eclectus and never hesitate to make him a member of your family, it is all important to the bird and you.  Hooks loves to sit at the table with us when he is eating.  If we have guests he knows intuitively to be on his best behavior and will not try to remove food off their plate, athough he checks out what is being served and if he is being cheated.  We only allow him at the table when good foods are being served such as fruit or veggies. 

Mr. Hooks is our Bird grandchild, he is spoiled, he is pampered, he is loved. A complete trust from us to him and him to us is something so wonderful that only others like me can speak to.  It is so special, and when he calls Grand Ma in that sweet voice and says 'I Love you", I melt!!!!!  George and I have been accused of Loving Hooks more than our grandchildren, unfounded as it is, there is a special bond between Hooks and us!!! Thank you for the opportunity and allowing me to speak for Mr. Hooks, to his special uniqueness as a family member, and our love for him.

Mr. Hooks Comes Out for Photo Session at Sizzler