Hello everyone! I am new to the board, but not new to quakers. I have been a fan of these little green chickens for years now. I got my first quaker years ago from a breeder. She was the most perfect bird! She loved everyone, and I took her everywere I could, even sneeking her in book stores in the pocket of my hoodie! She was my little buddy. She was well behaved, only bit me one time (and yes, it was my fault), and never had any bad habits.

I was devistated when she died of a cold about 2 years ago. I cried for weeks. I had never felt that kind of a bond with an animal before. I went through grief counceling and had her cremated. I still tear up when I talk about her. A month after she died, I went to a bird store where I live that sells baby birds. I held a few, but nothing clicked, and for me, something has to just click before I get an animal. It's like they pick who they want to live with and if you ignore that you are in for a world of trouble! I had been visiting this store for a few days when I started hearing about this "Monster Bird", and of course I was intrigued. They had a 4 year old DNA sexed male quaker they had named Boomerang b/c everytime they find a home for this little guy, he kept coming back to the store due to "agression." I asked to see this little devil with feathers and I was shocked when the owner of the store brought him out to me in a towel. Everyone was terrified of this little guy, it was actually sort of funny. I unwrapped him from the towel and put him on the table. He instantly jumped on my finger, up my arm, and before I knew it, was snuggling on my shoulder (I don't know what I was thinking letting a bird I did not know on my shoulder, I must have been out of it or something). Everyone at the store just stared at me in shock. They said they have never seen him take to someone like that before. I took him home that night.

Fast forward to now. It's been almost 2 years since I have had little Boomer and it has been a rollercoaster and emotional ride. I was his 4th owner in his short 4 years of life and I am determined to be his last. He doesn't trust people since he has been severley mishandled. No one is allowed to hold him exept my husband and me, b/c he will test you. Unfortunatly, he knows he has a very powerful bite and he does not give warning nips. The last thing I want is for this emotionally unstable bird to be held by another person who is scared of him. He is exteremley cage territorial, nippy, and contantly tests my sanity. I have to be 100% focused when I handle him. I have the scars on my hands to prove what happens when I let my guard down for a minute. Because he does not give warning nips I have to watch his body language VERY closely.

I know he may sound like a monster and this may sound like a lot of hard work, and it is, I have fallen in love with this little guy completley. When he cuddles up to me and gives me kisses, I know he is not a bad bird at all. He just had some bad experiences with people who did not know what they were doing. He has made some great progress and I have learned a lot about parrot behavior just in the short time I have had this little guy. My husband and I could not imagine not having him in our lives. He is so much fun and lovable.

That said, I joined this bird to learn even more about ways I can improve our relationship and make even more progress in his rehabilitation. So I will be asking a lot of questions! I just love it that there's a board for these wonderful little birds. I look forward to learning!

Christina

Welcome Chris and Boomer! It sounds like we'll be asking YOU questions! It sound like you have done a great job with Boomerang so far.

Isn't it something ... the little turds bite the crap out of us, then when they cuddle up and give kisses all is forgiven them?!

Welcome. Look forward to hearing more about Boomer ...

Hi Christina, Welcome to the forum!!!!

It's a shame when people teach a bird not to trust people and then blame him because he doesn't. Bless you for taking him in and showing him what it's like to be loved!!

Sounds like his attitude is "I want to be friends but I also want you to know that I can defend myself, if I have to". I'm sure he's had to do just that in the past.

I'm glad you came here. This is a place where we all learn from each other. Nobody has all the answers but collectively, we circulate a lot of knowledge.

I'd sure like to see pictures of that little guy.

Welcome to the forum! What a wonderfully fascinating lil fid you have.. I can't wait to hear more about him and pics as well! We love pics... i'm glad you've found us and am looking forward to sharing in your thoughts on these lil green (sometimes)dragons we love!

Thanks! I think only QP owners know the ups and downs we go through day to day. I am glad I found this board. To some people it may sound crazy to say they still love a bird after they just took a big chunk of skin out of your finger! If that's not love, I don't know what is!

Welcome to the forum! Sorry to hear about the loss of your first Quaker but it sounds like Boomer is a very special fid I can't wait to see some pictures of him!

Welcome!

Ya know God's gonna bless you for this and we love ya already!!!
What a sweet person you must be. When so many other people would dump the bird, you love him unconditionally. It's too bad we can't clone you and give all your clones to the birds

I wish everyone had your kind of heart. I just can't say enough about that!!!

My little Kiwi is a biting little devil, but it just amazes me how much we love them anyway, bite or no bite. There's just something about a QP that grabs our hearts and holds on with those sharp little claws.
I can't even imagine anyone just tossing one aside. It's sad how many are homeless when all they want is to be loved....and bite somebody.

Welcome to the group. We are very blessed to have you here!

What a heart warming story Christina! It touches my
heart that he ended up with you goodness I cant imagine
what life would of been like for him had you not
gotten him. Please keep us posted on any new progress!
I really enjoyed what you wrote alot a Big WELCOME
to the flock to you and the little man lol!

I am so sorry about your first quaker I know that had to be heartbreaking. And thank you for being Boomer's angel on earth. Where would he have been without your love and committment? Thank goodness he found you! So glad to have you with us, this is a wonderful forum with a ton of caring and knowledgeable people. So pull up a perch and join right in and no question is considered dumb here. Be careful though....this place is very addictive!!!

Ok, Boomer has his own album now! lol