This seems like the best place to start!

First off, it would probably be easiest to explain my situation before I attempt to explain who I am. =)

I had the pleasure of meeting my boyfriend's extended family on the weekend out at his Grandparent's house in the country. There, I was introduced by my boyfriend to his Grandmother's 20 year old "mealy parrot", Romeo. Years ago I worked in a pet store that sold parrots and immediately recognized Romeo as a Quaker Parrot... he's currently living in the sun room in the top half of a cockatiel cage on top of a handmade table covered in newspaper. Apparently years ago he was part of a pair (you guessed it, her name was Juliette) and the love of his life was taken from him in some sort of horrific accident ten odd years ago. The family is starting to become concerned because Grandma and Grandpa are getting on in age and it's gotten to the point that Romeo isn't getting fed, cleaned, or given any attention until he screams because they just plain forget if they've done it or not. He's in the middle of a fairly ratty looking molt but doesn't apear to be feather chewing, thank goodness, and his diet consists primarily of pellets. Apparently when Grandpa is reading in the sun room and remembers to, Romeo is let out of his cage to truck around on the top but he hasn't been handled for ages. Family described him as "an ornary old bird" and no one local has the experience to work with him. One of the Aunts in the family works with parrots in California and would love to take him but Quakers aren't legal there. When I opened the door of his cage he displayed the usual signs of territorial behavior - wings raised, feathers flattened, and opened beak lunging - but when I kept my hands to myself and just spoke softly to him he quickly climbed up to his highest perch and within a few minutes I had him cheek fluffing and starting to very quietly vocalize back. I've let my boyfriend's mother know in no uncertain terms that I would LOVE to take him... it's been a long time since I've had a bird in the house. The only catch is they need to convince Grandma that it's in Romeo's best interest to move into a home within the family where he'll get the attention he needs. It's not that they don't love the bird and I hope in no way have I presented here that Romeo is intentionally neglected or abused... =) They're just getting to the age where there have been illnesses, personal accidents, it's a struggle to keep the house in order and keep themselves up, and the demands of a very social little parrot are too much for them to fullfill on top of everything else.

As for me, I own a home-based grooming shop in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada so that I can be home with my children while I work. It's a bit of a zoo... I have the opportunity to share a home with a 15 year old young man named Scott, a 7 year old human monkey named Erik, a 22 month old young lady named Rowan, an 11 year old ex-conformation standard poodle named Paladin, a 6 year old ex-conformation and ex-breeding miniature schnauzer named Kate, a 5 year old rescue black short-haired cat named Ghost (it's a long story...), a rescued 2 year old medium-haired tortie cat named Ember, a 3 year old albino corn snake named Sasha who rooms with Scott, and a 6 month old mutant Syrian hamster named Sarah who rooms with Erik. I think the hamster is half guinea pig... she's MASSIVE for a hamster but seems to be in perfect proportion and perfect health. Between my zoo and the constant four footed traffic from clients it's a busy house. I am half parental unit, half constable keeping everything in order and everyone on their best manners. I'm proud to say that even my clients learn the rules very quickly and behave themselves beautifully once I've given them a few chances to figure out what my expectations are.

Needless to say I'm kind of hooked on Romeo - I've already made a couple of bird toys for him because he didn't have any in his cage and I've located an amazing young lady who's got a small parrot cage she's willing to sell me at an absolute steal that has a proper bottom and a parrot proof door (which I'm hoping is 22 month old proof until I've had a chance to teach Rowan bird manners). I've got experience hand taming younger birds and both of the parrots I had the pleasure of working with in my own home were pet store "rejects" that they couldn't sell. My little Citron-crested ended up finding an amazing permenant home with a young man who had lost his umbrella cockatoo and my red-sided eclectus was eventually moved into a breeding program and has bonded beautifully with a young feathered man of high calibre.

So, once we figure out what's happening with Romeo I'm looking forward to having a place where I can ask questions and get advice drawing this little guy out of his cage and back into a functioning "flock". Wish me luck!

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Welcome to the forum! I hope they let Ringo live with you.

Welcome,

Wow you have a busy household.
I hope Romeo can come live with you. How happy he would be, Iam sure.

Welcome to the forum! Good luck with helping Romeo!!

Welcome to the forum! Sorry for my delayed response!