Intoducing myself

[avinet]

Hi everyone,

I would like to briefly introduce myself to everyone on AussieBirds Forum. My name is Mike, and I live on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, about one hour north of Brisbane. I have been keeping birds as pets and for breeding for a long time.

Currently we have 16 parrots as house pets. There are 7 cockatiels ranging in age from 12 to 19 years (the 19 year old one still thinks he is Casanova!), a pair of lutino Indian Ringnecks 14 years old, a pair of blue Princess Parrots about 12 years old, a Plumhead Parrot 8 years old, a Crimson-wing Parrot male 10 years old, a King Parrot male 5 years old, and a pair of African Greys that are the youngsters of the flock at 1 and 2 years old.

Our aviary birds currently include budgies, cockatiels, Zebra Finches, Canaries, Lovebirds, Princess Parrots, Bourke Parrots, and Masked Doves. These days we have cut back on our breeding and most are in retirement in communal flights.

Our pet birds all get a pellet (Roudybush, Kaytee and Pretty Bird) plus fresh food diet while the aviary birds are on seed and fresh food.

All our inside birds are fully flighted except for a cockatiel who broke a wing 16 years ago and had to have half of it amputated, and the 2 Greys which I often take into work with me (to keep their intellect stimulated) and so need to be clipped.

I look forward to enjoying and participating in the Forum now I am a member,

cheers,

Mike

[abby-oldaccount]

Hi Mike, nice to have another grey owner here. That takes it to 3 of us now. I've got Arthur who's nearly 7 months and going through that jerk toddler stage and Clara from France has a couple too. Nice collection you've got there. (Naturally I honed in on the greys and just about forgot the rest of your flock ).

[silvercloud]

Hi and welcome Mike. Wow you must have your hands full. You have a great collection there. I absolutely love our aussie parrots especially crimson wings, kings and princesses none of which I have atm though I did have a disabled crimson wing hen but unfortunatley she died. I do have a male superb though ;D and my precious red capped parrot who is my tamest and best talker ;D

[vankarhi]

welcome mike and can't wait to get to know you and your birdies............ALL of them lol ;D

[avinet]

abby said:

Hi Mike, nice to have another grey owner here. [).

I had noticed that you had a Grey when I first looked through the Forum Abby. My older one is Ernie - a male about 30 months old. I purchased him when he was around 5 months, and he was bred in northern NSW. He is a good talker, up around 40 words as well as a lot of sounds, especially the louder and more annoying ones our other birds make as well as copying wild Crows and Koels. His Crow call is good enough to call down the local Crows to investigate when he is outside in his cage. He is not a touchy type of bird but does enjoy having his beak rubbed by me only.

Jamila is 18 months old and she is a Brisbane born bird. When I got her soon after weaning Ernie spent about 3 days just staring at her before he suddenly decided she was OK and started regurgitating to her. He still does and she will often solicitate some feeding from him. Jamila is not much of a talker yet, although she will occasionally come out with something Ernie says, and has picked up some of the louder and more obnoxious sounds he makes. She loves a neck scratch and a bit of a cuddle. A real smoocher at times. They share a cage and are very compatible so hopefully in a few years time when they are old enough they will decide to breed.

Greys are quite amazing birds, something I won't have to tell you Abby. I had wanted one ever since seeing my first "in the flesh" Grey, but it took 12 years before I was ready and able to get Ernie. It hasn't disappointed
Mike

[silverfox]

Hi Mike, cannot wait for pic's of the fids and to here about them.

[Jane]

Mike
Wow you have a fantastic collection there, we look forward to learning about them oh and we love pics too. I love our Australian parrots and would love to hear how yours go as house pets I have 2 cats inside so unfortunatley the birds stay outside (had the cats first and they are never allowed outside)
Great job you must have to take your greys with
Have fun here and I hope we can all share experiance

[grego]

Good to hear what birds you have Mike :)You have a sound collection and look forward to seeing you family of feathered friends

[clara]

Hi Mike and welcome to you and your big feathers familly , happy to see others greys here



Amicalement.

[abby-oldaccount]

Oh Clara I love your Betty Boop Welcome sign.

[vankarhi]

yes Clara does get some beautiful signs doesn't she ;D

[luisa]

welcome I almost nwe here but I'm very comfortable, I hope you too.

[vankarhi]

You do very very well Luisa ;D

[luisa]

thanks we make what we can

[luisa]

thanks I have two karmas
With how many karmas I can get a bird?

[vankarhi]

someone likes you then ;D

[Karen]

Welcome Mike!
You have a wonderful collection of birds. A wonderful rainbow of colours.

[kimfurdel]

Hi Mike, I'm very new myself and a total amateur with only one baby bird under my wing. Your extended family must keep you very busy!! What line of work are you in where you are able to take your Greys with you? (if you don't mind me asking). I saw a Grey on youtube with his owner and was totally amazed at their abilty to mimic noises - not to mention all the words. It must be amazing at your house to see all the birds out and flying around. I only have one lorikeet and he keeps me busy cleaning up the bits I didn't poo-proof!! Can't wait to see your beautiful collection.