I answered Theresa's urgent call yesterday for help in Waxhaw, NC and picked up a grey and a sennie tonight. What a whirlwind- I'm exhausted, but I can't get over how well it has gone.

Bingo the grey (who will be going to his new home in GA in a couple of weeks) hasn't been out of his cage for nearly 2 years, so I fully expected to come home with bandages and less blood than I had when I left. But he was wonderful! I toweled him easily and he was very calm and quiet in the carrier. His owner was suprised because Bingo is usually a closet talker and doesn't make noises for stangers, but he let out a few wolf whistles for us right away

Sammy the senegal was just too sweet- he pegged us (me and my daughter) for suckers as soon as we walked in the door. He steps up and is fairly comfortable with people but not overly snuggly- he went RIGHT to Megan and gave her the puppy dog eyes. He was very interested in both of us and seemed to be listening to every word we were saying. *sigh* it looks like Sammy may be more than a foster-fid for us.

They're cages are a mess but I didn't want to take any time to clean them up or re-decorate this evening, just wanted to get them settled in as quickly as possible so there's less trauma in the move. There will be lots of time for cleaning tomorrow.

These guys are going to be wonderful pets- Bingo takes seeds very gently from us and just loves attention. He makes tons of noises- copying the other bird's noises, mimics the camera's clicky noise, chimes, and on and on. Sammy has been very quiet, with a few chirps here and there, but he seems to be very comfortable and not at all nervous in his new surroundings. He sits on the swing in his cage and makes it swing side to side- he really gets into it. Hope I can get a video of it soon. He said something a while ago but i couldn't quite make it out, though it sounded like it ended with his name.

I'm ready to drop- gotta get to bed, but here are a few pics. (Sorry Theresa, I know it's not enough pics for you, but it'll have to do for now

I said LOTS of pictures.....this is like giving a nibble to a starving person.......LOL
You better do more than that tomorrow.....LOL

Seriously, thank you sooooooo much, you were there when I needed you and you did it beautifully.

BTW Donna let the cat out of the bag about Sammy .....LOL

PS: I am going to email these to her right now.

Glad to hear the pick up went well. Seems to me these birds were once loved very much

Carrie Anne,

I don't want you to get the impression that they were NOT loved now, and that is why they were re-homed. Their Mom did the MOST loving thing she could have for them, when she found she just could not keep them. She found them loving homes that could give them everything she no longer could.

Thanks for clarifying that, Theresa. Most people when they see the word 'rescue' assume the animal was neglected.

You're right, about that. I guess this was more of an emergency re-home than a rescue. I think these guys were once doted on and over the past several years have become "cage birds" with the bare necessities. They do have toys in their cages but not the kind that really keep them occupied in any way 24/7/365 or offer any stimulation. This morning I gave them some rolled up newspaper sections with the ends frayed, a pinata-type preening toy and some grape-vine loops to chew on and check out. Also put a fleece hoop swing in for Bingo- he checked it out and I wouldn't be suprised if he starts untying those fleece strips and tossing them around

Physically the only immediately concerning issues to me are Bingo's tattered tail and the bottoms of his feet. I figured he's either not preening himself regularly, which would make me worry about health or emotional issues, or perch placement. I could tell from where the biggest poop piles are in the cage which 2 perches he spends most of his time on and moved those a bit so that he can move around on them in any direction w/o his tail rubbing the cage bars. Hopefully that will fix the tail problem. The bottoms of his feet are a bit red/ raw in a couple of places, and on one foot there is either a scabbed-over sore or a blob of poop that's been there for awhile and he hasn't groomed it off of himself. Nothing looks infected and there are no open sores (whew). He has mostly concrete perches, so I switched them for wood ones and this evening I'm going to get ahold of that foot and clean it up to make sure there's nothing in it to bother him.

I think they're both going to be just fine- they aren't anxious or upset, so they'll come around quickly with some attention, fresh food, and new playthings.

I know Bingo isnt staying w/ you but what I would get him are some rope perches so that they will "give" w/ his weight, I saw his feet in the pictures you posted and they worried me! They look stained and angry.

I am happy to hear everything went well for you with the pick up! I agree that it seems these birds were once loved very much ... and now they will be again! Thanks a million for helping these guys!

Just wondering how day 2 is going? Are they still doing okay?

Very pretty birds . Thanks for what you all do for birds on here! I'm glad they are going to a great home!

OMG- we had a great day yesterday. These are 2 very special fids. Bingo came out of his cage to play and for the first time in years and he did SO well. I left his cage open and after an hour or so he decided to climb on out. It wasn't too long before he was down on the floor with my daughter, checking out new toys and treats, walking around, and just enjoying being OUT. He even stepped up onto her hand once (briefly but very nicely . She got a nip on the hand at one point when he lost his balance on a perch but no blood or tears, and that was the only time it happened.

Sammy the sennie suprised me too. I thought he was going to take coaxing to accept being petted, but nope, he was ready for it. He snuggled with me for hours last night, loving scritches all over (especially the back of his head where there were lots of itchy feather coatings to be scratched off). After some scritching I explored a bit and found that he will let me mess with his wings, stretching them out, and will let me pet him all over, including the face and beak...... and it gets even better: he let me flip him and then lay on his back in may hand for petting--- including letting me mess with and manuever his feet!!

Their previous owner must have at one time put a LOT of care and love into these birds and just over the years had changes in her life that left the birds out. Very sad situation but these birds will get to have another chance at the lives they apparently used to know and enjoy

so glad to hear that they are doing so well!!! I'm sure it was a very difficult thing for the previous owner to do.

Trust me Skipper it was. She calls me daily for updates and it's only been 2 days. At least she is done crying for now

Christy, she is sooo happy with the progress they have made, and especially Sammy. She now knows she GAVE him to the right person