Ollie

[steptoe91(tozie)]

My ollie-burd  is a yellow naped amazon. he's my grumpy green guy. Ollie is about 32yrs old (give or take). It is thanks to BP that i have my green guy. I was looking to add a bird to my flock of 3 back in 2010. i looked at a couple greys at the rescue here but was deemed unsatisfactory by them based on a technicality. I knew a lady here who ran a rescue up in New York (2000 miles away from my home here in Florida). She got in an older guy who was uh... difficult.... and he touched my heart. after pulling searching and trying to figure a way to get him here, i found a small animal transport service. they picked him up there and brought him to my door here. i will forever be grateful that they deemed unsatisfactory cause it paved the way for this wonderful guy who is so much a part of my world. He was ANGRY when he came here. he was the ORIGINAL ANGRY BIRD. I couldnt touch him unless bars were between us. i had to use a stick with a coke bottle taped to it to move him from place to place. But i accepted him for who he was and accepted that life would forever be like this. slowly over the last 3 1/2 years he's changed. and now, each nite he excitedly rolls on his back for us to finger wrestle together! he comes to sit with me on my sofa, even rolling over in my lap to play with me. i can sometimes get him to step on my arm and ride it to his cage. i can kiss him on top of his head and inhale his intoxicating amazon scent. He's happy. he laughs. he has a great sense of humor. one of his favorite past times is to set up ambushes for my son, so he can leap out and startle him. and ollie waddles away chuckling to himself like a mean old man who just stole a baby's lollipop.   

We are a flock of misfits, but together, abnormal IS THE NEW NORMAL. 

[Debra]

What an inspiring story! He's beautiful. You must have a way with the angry birds to have brought him around to the way he is now. Goes to show what a little love and patience will do for a bird.

[steptoe91(tozie)]

thanks! 

i think its very much offering them the same trust we ask them to show us, accepting them for who they are, and simple patience. each of my flock is unique in one way or another. but i love them for who they are and accept whatever they have to offer with gratitude and respect.

[Debra]

That's how we treat our cage aggressive Quakers. They are more comfortable on their cages with a hands off interaction. We respect this and they love us for it.

[Ditty]

He is such a funny bird.  I love hearing his antics and his humor.   I think it was fate you two were brought together. 

[Nakia]

I too love hearing about & seeing old Ollie Burd.  I remember you mentioning having to devise an arm shield to keep his swift beak at bay. I love how you can tell a story and make it super funny and interesting.  :twirl:

I have a Pionus who does not like to be held or picked up one least bit. And she's a hand fed baby not even a yr old. She is a funny girl and sure acts like a Mini Amazon which is what I've read more than once. Hot temper & all!! I will get some threads on all my birds when I find a minute. 

[Sapphire]

What a lovely story! Ollie Burd is adorable  I know how difficult amazons can be and I admire you for your dedication! It sounds like your patience with him has totally paid off 

[steptoe91(tozie)]

i think you're right ditty, it had to be fate. too many things fell into place for it not to be. and c'mon, 2000 miles away???    yet we still got him here safe and sound. and he has the most AMAZING sense of humor! he absolutely cracks me up!

yup Nakia, we still use the lance for transportation most of the time ... he hasnt changed THAT much!    he still has a very deadly beak, tho he rarely breaks the skin when he bites now. because he knows he doesnt HAVE TO in order to get his point across... <snicker> get it? POINT 

thank you Sapphire! omg yes! zons are DEFINITELY difficult creatures... they're just so darn temperamental! but that zon scent??? <SWOON> if i could bottle it, i'd simply BATHE in it and douse my bed and roll around in it.... oh uh, sorry    i was having a moment    uh, yeah, i like that scent. 

[Pinkbirdy]

I love Him !!!!!!!! I was looking for a yellow nape like crazy [I ended up with a double yellow head]. I think its great when you can take a step back  [and their able to show who they really are]. I have a Bluefrnt old guy . Im only able to move him with a stick [he loves head rubs to]  Hes started climbing down on me and rolling on his back. I of course am{ crapping my pants ].I see no stick in sight  :oopse5: So I don't know what comes next [it all ends well]

[roxynoodle]

I love Ollie!

And Pete says hi.

[steptoe91(tozie)]

I have a Bluefrnt old guy . Im only able to move him with a stick [he loves head rubs to]  Hes started climbing down on me and rolling on his back. I of course am{ crapping my pants ].I see no stick in sight  :oopse5: So I don't know what comes next [it all ends well]

   yup, been there done that! ollie offered his foot for a step up for two months before i took that leap of faith and let him step on my skin... i was cringing the whole time!  :deer: