Hi Guys.
Thankyou for your responses!!
LOL Mike. I was wondering what you'd say about the derbyan ;D
Ok, here's my story...so recently I been feeling the need to purchase another bird (as you do) and I was told of a bird place in SA that people were highly recommending, saying this was the best place to buy birds from, place very clean, healthy birds etc.
So we went there to have a look around.
I was walking past the outdoor aviaries, and one in particular, had 2 pairs of ekkies in there. As I was looking thru the wire, suddenly from the back of the aviary, this gorgeous bird (Topaz) just flew to me onto the wire and wanted to go where ever I went and he'd even let me pat him.
I had to take the risk to see if he's bite me and wow, he didn't ...phew
So it was instant love. I didn't even know what type of bird it was, I thought it was a moustache.
Although I didn't buy him that day.
I'd go to the bird place a few times during one week, to see my new lover. Now I knew what type of parrot it was as I googled him up.
He'd fly up to me, every single time. I just knew I had to have him.
Weeeelll...and to cut a long story short, the following week...after me brooding at home and sulking and talking about nothing else but the derbyan and how only he, could make me trully happy blah blah blah..... my husband (yes, we're back together again, sorting things out) finally gave in.
And no, we have no money tree...but a handy credit card...which is now being paid off. We paid $2000 for him.
There is also a breeder in the Adelaide hills, who breeds derbyans and has pairs for sale also, one is for $3000 and both cock and hen are tame. I learnt this after doing my homework before buying Topaz, but just saying.
I didn't want their birds, I wanted my Topaz, who
PICKED me, thats what made the
whole difference.
I learnt thru my time with birds, that there is no point buying a tame bird, if he/she has no interest in you/no interest in bonding....just becomes a continuous heart-breaking love-hate relationship. You both gotta bond otherwise it's not worth it, especially with an expensive bird.
But anyways, ....so yeah, after bringing him home and buying him a fancy new cage etc etc etc..and after the settling period...., he now couldn't give a shoot about me
He's never bitten me, but won't let me touch him, or teach him to step up on a stick and doesnt fly to me. Now he's just being as you said, the typical asiatic.
He's happy to hang out with us all, on his perch but he won't let you touch him. So I'm just giving him time. When I had my parent-raised grey IRN Scully, after two years of having him, I had him stepping up on my finger, eating from my hand, walking around with me on my shoulder etc etc. So I know it just takes time and patience.
Also I wanted to add, what I learnt from speaking with the derbyan breeder and also the guy who sold me Topaz, that the common mistake people do with derbyans when they want to breed them...is wait till they're about 2 years of age...wait and wait...and still no eggs. So they give up and get rid of their pair, thinking what a waste of time.....but thats because they only become sexually active or what ever the term is, at 5 - 6 years of age.
Apparently they are very good parents. Apparently they breed tame or aviary, as it makes no difference to them.
Re their vocals....I'm having no problems in that department. He's a quiet bird, sometimes he may give a sqwak or two, but hardly ever. Yes they are loud, sound like a crow or a raven...lately it's changed to more like when my kids are screaming aaaargggh
But otherwise all good. Hope I answered your enquiries guys
P.S. Personal advice, forget about DOWEL perches for derbyans, they rip thru that like toilet paper and just end up sitting dumbfounded on the cage floor....thinking what the F did just happen?
LMFAO
