Hi! I'm new to this site, but not new to exotic bird parenting. My first birds were way back when I was around 10, a sweet little pair of zebra finches! Since then I've been privileged to share my life with 2 cockatiels (One was with me from hand raising until he was 14!), several zebra finches, many parakeets and my last, a wonderfully silly blue and gold macaw!
Unfortunately, I made a stupid decision to rehome my macaw---he was 10 and had been with me for 8 years. I wanted him to go to a less chaotic home (we have several rescue dogs) where he'd be the #1 star and get lots of attention and hours of out of cage time. The man who adopted him (for a ridiculously small amout $500---which included a $1600 cage) had me covinced he would provide the perfect home----no children at home, no dogs, cats or any other pet, and hours of time out of the cage daily. I was dumb and naive and bought his story hoo, line and sinker!
That was this past June---I was crying as the man left with Rio, but so HAPPY that Rio was going to a wonderful, loving home. Last weekend I found out this man is selling my sweet boy! I offered to buy back Rio for the amount he was asking (more than he paid me) and got no reply. I called and left messages, texted---only to have my phone blocked. I messaged tge man through his hoobly username----wizardfitz---and while my messages (begging and pleading to buy my bird back) were read, he still refused to answer.
I am completely heartbroken and scared and distraught over what fate lies ahead for my boy. All I can do now is pray every day that he is safe and loved. And this man has had SEVERAL ads on multiple sites selling other birds, from a Timneh African Grey to 3 little parakeets.
Anyway, I am currently thinking of adopting a smaller species of bird to share my life. A cockatiel or lovebird or possibly a parrotlet, quaker or mustache parakeet.
I'm so thankful for forums like this that are helpful to people who consider their winged children as deeply as I do.