The life and times of Conrad. May happiness always find him
WARNING: Consider what is involved in keeping one of these birds
Among my birds Conrad was unique and special. It was not his unusually high intelligence and curiosity that made him special to me it was the fact that he had, demonstrated several times, he had chosen me to be his companion, when he could have simply flown away.
About the year 2004, in the town Englewood New Jersey, prior to obtaining Conrad, I would place George, Brandon, Lorraine, Elvis and Sophia in the low branches of a large tree in front of my home or have them walk about on the lawn –in those times, I had developed a tethering system based on a very thin 50lbs tested nylon cord that gave each bird about fourteen to twenty feet of freedom.
My home was on one of the main roads passing through Englewood and many people would drive past my home seeing the birds and me frolic in my front yard, including at least three people who worked in a green house within the area. One day they decided to stop at my home, asking if I wanted another bird? Laughing, I said, not really, adding, I would only consider taking another bird if they could not find anyone else to take him. The next day, unexpectedly, all three people were at my door step with a Miniature Macaw in a large cardboard box. From the sound of him hopping about in the box, he was not happy.
They told me the story about how they came into the possession of a Miniature Macaw; while doing landscaping work for a client they saw the Miniature Macaw and captured him. Thinking that his owners would want him back that reported it to the authorities. They were told if now one claimed him with a number of weeks they could have him. No one ever claimed him, so, they took him to there green house.
The landscapers had a greenhouse at their home base and they though it would be nice to have a bird/birds, freely flying around in it. Unfortunately, this particular little bird was somewhat territorial and if he didn’t think you belong in the greenhouse he was sure to let you know of his disapproval; later I would learn his disapproval came in the form of being dived bombed or being nipped. The three landscapers told they had to get rid of the Miniature Macaw for the protection of the customers and some of the other employees, so I am guessing that was the reason why. I suspect another reason why was it was not an easy task keeping Conrad caged; I would later discover he was a master escape artist.
A name
Taking possession of him, I eventually named him Conrad. Since, for some reason, I though at first, not knowing any better, he was a Conure Macaw. The name Conrad, to me, was a play on the word Conure.
Hey this bird can talk
That first afternoon and night with him I would discover that he had a very clear human sounding speaking voice saying hello and number of other words in a very low tone. I was so surprise I called up the phone number the landscapers had left with me telling them that I though that Conrad was a very domesticated bird knowing how to speak and were they absolutely keen on me having him
The original intent for Conrad, was to find him a good home with someone who would have the time to give him all the attention he wanted. One of the people who wanted Conrad was my brother Ronald. In the week that followed Conrad would typically want to be on my shoulder whenever I left my bed room, the room I kept him and my other birds, to watch television in my living room.
As I sitting, enjoying both Conrad company and the television shows I was watching, my brother entered the room and said “why don’t you give me that bird.” Then he proceeded in calling Conrad to come to him. Conrad seeming to know what was being requested of him casually flew to and landed on my brother shoulder. My brother was ecstatic with joy, telling that by Conrad actions, he was the person who should have Conrad. Again, seeming to understand what was going on, Conrad, while on my brother shoulder, gave him what I though was a peculiar look, then took chunk of flesh out of his shoulder, causally flying back to my shoulder looking quite content, as my brother grabbed his shoulder cursing at the little bird.as I thought to myself I guess this is my bird; Conrad had made his second obvious to be with me. The first being after first day being with me he never liked me being out of his sight and would protest whenever I removed him from my shoulder.
Conrad and the other birds
At the time when Conrad came into my life all my birds were kept in a large enclosure build into my bedroom. Since he was significantly smaller that all the other birds I kept him in a nice roomy cage.
Since the large enclosure was taking up about one quarter of my bedroom I decided to tear it down, giving all the birds a greater amount of freedom within the room. Conrad being free, took a fancy to Lorraine. If Sophia had any type of confrontation with Lorraine he was there to protect her; if I was to approach Lorraine in anyway he would be right there on my shoulder making sure I did do anything to distress her.
Because of his boldness and size he eventually became the boss of the room. Even though all the birds were free to move around Conrad size gave him a definite advantage, flying around the room, when it came in making his opinions and disapproval know; he was not fearful of dive bombing the other birds. Even more surprisingly he would stand toe to toe with Brandon and George making them back down, getting what he wanted from them, by his shear tenacity.
Conrad did not like change or hats. If I placed a hat on my head the hat would be attacked; I really had to be careful if Conrad caught view of me wearing a hat of any type. Simply passing by the door to the room where he and the other birds resides would have him flying out of his room following and dive bombing the hat and therefore my head until I removed it.
Should I be any place that Conrad would eventually see me I learned the hard way that I should always change my glasses in front of him; the times I haven’t I have gotten his claws in my face trying to remove the glasses.
When I did remove my glasses while he was looking, he would look at me very concerned about the changes I had made to myself. I still would have to careful about him poping up and trying to get my glasses, but once he determined that everything was OK by his gestures or simply walking/flying away from me I would feel safe.
Haircuts were also an issue for him; anything too different from the last time he saw my face he would get him worked up.
Overtime I have learned that my birds, for the most part, don’t seem to have a conceptual connection between my body and my head. I can change anything on any part of my body and in general not get a reaction; my face is what they trust and are concerned about. Although, Brandon is often testing to see if there is a connection between my body and head by pinching different areas on my body and looking at me for a reaction.
The escape artist
Flights into the great unknown
The Passing of great friend
Strange stuff
