Last December, I was browsing craigslist and came across an ad that made my heart swoon. It was for a Quaker parrot. Immediately I told everyone (with a link, natch) “this is what I want for Christmas!” Gil and I talked about it, we did research, and I emailed back and forth with the owner. We learned what to feed her, what sort of cage would be best, how much out-of-cage time she’d need a day, and how to keep her healthy.
Finally, I was sure I had an excellent idea of what a small parrot would need and what she would be like. We drove up to meet Riley. She was a dear! A little standoffish but I was sure it was because she didn’t know me. A few days later we brought Riley home.
Do you know what none of our research or the previous owner told us? We’d just adopted a toddler.
My empty nest is no longer empty. Every morning I awake to “squawk!” which means “Mom, let me out!” Morning is Riley and mom time. She rubs against my face and hair, grooms me and chitters to me. I’m not sure what it means but I think she’s telling me all about her day. She walks across my desk stealing anything her beak can lift. She perches on my wrist while I type and gives herself a bath.
Our road to morning bliss was not so smooth. Riley had to train me so we could find our groove. When we first brought her home she wouldn’t step up for me. Each time I gave her my finger, she’d clamp down on it, which infuriated me. In return, she’d tear up anything and everything. She was one ticked off bird.
Or she was until Poppa learned that Riley needed more than one hour out of her cage a day, which all of the books and websites recommended. If she wasn’t sleeping, then she wanted out. Now she gets the run of the house from wake up to bedtime. When the lights go off, she flaps back to her cage, crawls in her bed and goes night night.
Her previous owner also assured us that she never ate people food. Ha Ha HA! The first time she was out of her cage while I ate, she landed on my plate and took a bite of my chicken. Yes, my little feathered baby is a cannibal. Her favorite foods are chicken, egg and pasta. She also has a thing for McDonald’s french fries. Now at dinner she gets her little bites and eats with us. She also loves cherry ice cream.
*ahem*
As of yet, she hasn’t talked but she does laugh. Only when she bites you, though. Honestly, it’s hilarious unless you’re the one who was bitten. Right now, she’s over on Poppa’s desk shredding all of his papers. Occasionally she takes a break to rub her beak against his hand.
That was another unexpected find. Everything told us she’d bond with only one of us. Not Riley. She has times when she wants to be with each of us and she shares her affection equally.
If a year ago someone had told me that a 4 inch bird would be ruling my house, I’d have laughed in their face. But now our days and home revolve around her. She and our cat, Precious, chase each other even though we scold them both. Sometimes, Riley crawls in bed with us, snuggles down and takes a nap. She gives kisses and she definitely gives love.
The other day Gil and I were talking about her; about how our expectations were that she’d be a neat bird who might mimic our words and that we’d get to take her out for a bit every day and enjoy her company, but that was all. Then my big, tough husband said the sweetest words. “It’s been only three months, but I can’t believe how much…how much I love her already. She’s a people, not a pet, and I can’t imagine life without her.”
Have you ever found love and a happily ever after unexpectedly? Tell me all about your pets!