Howdy from Oregon

[munrabc]

As promised to my friend "Plax", I registered, will say "howdy" and share my parrots with the community. I have been a bit out of touch with the Avian community the past 5-6 years, busy with life, recently thought I might see what's been happening since that time!

I have had parrots since 1997. Still have my first one, Kona, who is a 19 yr old Umbrella Cockatoo. My 2nd parrot shortly after adopting Kona, was a Hyacinth Macaw, Goliath, who is now also 19. In addition to Kona & Goliath, I have a 19 yr old Umbrella hen, Nikki and a 13 yr old Hyacinth hen, Gia. At one time (late 90's -early 2000's) I was actively involved in parrot rescue/foster work and housed around 20 birds. Thankfully I was able to rehome nearly all of those birds and decided to stick to my "core 4" from that point forward. Around 2000 I opened an online parrot toy/supply store called Bird's The Word Parrot Toys, which ran quite successfully until I closed it down in 2012, after our home was destroyed by a fire. I ran the business from my home so lost all my inventory, decided it was time to just let it go and did not reopen. Fortunately, my birds were housed in a separate building so they were safe from the fire.

We have since rebuilt a new home, officially occupying in October 2015. My husband & I own a small hobby farm on 20 acres in Oregon, raise beef cattle, have a fruit tree orchard (120 apple/pear/plum/cherry), small Christmas tree grove, have LOTS of free range chickens, a couple of goats for weed control, a couple of horses, 2 German Shepherds, a Yorkie, several barn cats in addition to my 4 parrots. My parrots reside in a 720sf "Bird-House" which we built specifically for them. Several feet from their house is a large outdoor aviary that we also built for them to spend good weather days in. I think they are pretty happy parrots!

Nice to meet ya'll!

[plax]

Greetings, Connie! Welcome to Precisely Parrots :). Your birds are spectacular and you have a wonderful facility for them - but you already know I feel that way. Thanks so much for the wonderful introduction :D

:p91:

[spiritbird]

Happy to meet you also. I am totally impressed with your lifestyle and photos. Sounds like a lifestyle where one can thrive and really enjoy life. Of course you had your share of bad events before you got there. Do you make your own bird toys now? I know Oregon is the land of blueberries, how lucky is that! My nieces husband is from Oregon and all he talks about are the Oregon blueberries. My little birds love them but after eating I must keep them in the cage for several hours to catch the purple droppings. Your bird room looks like avian heaven, especially the outdoor aviary. Thanks for joining us. I am the signature maker if you would like one.

[Camelotshadow]

Wow, sounds like you have all landed in paradise.

[lolsavannahh]

Welcome! I love hyacinths for sure, and would love to have an old one when I am retired one day! You seem to be living the dream up in Oregon! I aspire to be like you one day and have a hobby farm with lots of birds! The aviary looks beautiful and the room is so so cool!! Congrats on those amazing birds <3

[kendrafitz]

Hello and welcome Connie!

Your home sounds like a beautiful place to live. Your birds are beautiful and I love that they have their own house and aviary. That is just amazing!

It looks like your guys are happy with each other, so I am guessing they are bonded. Which is awesome. Do they also have bonds with you and your family? I would love to read all about their personalities. :)

[wingman]

Hello Connie !!!

[Lady]

Hi Connie and family,

How wonderful to have you here with us at PP! Oh WOW what beautiful birds you have, their aviary and house is spectacular! It is great to meet you and I'm looking forward to hearing what life is like with all of you in Oregon.

[munrabc]

Thanks for having me! You've got a nice board here, will pop in as often as I can. Lots of farm-stuff happening this time of year so I don't spend as much time online.

[munrabc]

Thank you for the welcome, spiritbird. I do still make my birds' toys although I have to be a bit more creative as to the materials I use since I don't have the wholesale suppliers I once did when I ran the business. We have alot of various wood around the farm though so that certainly helps for toy making, especially with the Cockatoos, who are much more interested in making kindling than the Hyacinths. Yes, Oregon is known for blueberries, we have several farms around our area. We haven't tried growing any ourselves yet although I'd like to.

[munrabc]

Thank you Kendra. Yes, both my Cockatoos are bonded as are the Hyacinths. Am not interested in anything further than that! At one time I wanted to set Goliath & Gia up for breeding as I would love to have an offspring from them but decided I'm not going to do that. A GREAT deal goes in to a successful outcome when trying to produce and raise Hyacinth chicks, I simply do not have the time to commit to it nor do I want to jeopardize the health and well being of my Hyacinths. All 4 get along quite well with me, Goliath especially. Gia is kind of a moody teenager who decides one day I'm cool and the next day, not so much. She has never wanted anything to do with my husband although he tries regularly to be her friend. His best buddy is Nikki, my female Cockatoo, she pretty much loves everybody but seems to enjoy his company most. Male Cockatoo, Kona, has always been an unpredictable bugger with some aggressive tendencies so always watch his behavior to avoid any confrontation! He interacts verbally with everyone who comes into the birdroom or near the aviary if they are outside but he will strike/bite if given the opportunity so we just have to be mindful around him! I adore Greenwing Macaws and have fostered a couple of them years back, always wanted to adopt one permanently but the time was never right. Rosie is beautiful.

[Mare]

Hello, Connie! Welcome! I love what you are doing up there in Oregon :). Your birds are beautiful and look very happy, indeed!

I have a, going on 16 yr.old, male umbrella cockatoo that I fly freely outside. I love this species!

[kendrafitz]

I love Hy's. I have met a few and they are beautiful, but it is their sweet nature that draws me in. I can see why you wouldn't want to have chicks. I have read that it is very difficult to breed Hys. I think it is awesome that your birds are bonded and happy. They have such a great life that way.

Your Kona sounds similar to Mare's Amigo. He loves Mare, but does not love human males. I have to say, some of the funniest stories I have read are about Amigo. The guys with the attitudes and smarts are funny to read about. :)

Thank you, Rosie is my beautiful, demanding, silly, sweet diva. :)

[Mare]

Amigo thanks you, Kendra :th_wink: These guys are not only lovely to read about..they truly are special.

[Penny]

Sounds like a pretty amazing household, and life. I bet you have some great stories!