Orca

I went to the bird fairy yesterday intending to search for some java finches. I found two venders there who had 2 each. One was selling their pair for $80 and the other was selling her fledgelings for $35 each. I passed them up. For some reason they just didn't draw me in, so I passed them up. I did inquire a little on the fledgelings, but just left it at that.

I saw a lot of lovebirds and a lot of parrotlets. I saw a lot of borques and a lot of budgies. I really don't know why I was there. I guess just to get out of the house for once, or maybe look for a bird harness for Caribou. I was there though.

I then came across a booth who had some parrotlets and...a black masked love bird with crooked legs. I just shook my head and walked away. That poor thing. It really drew me in. I walked away though...and soon found myself returning to the booth. I asked about the little guy. He seemed to have a little bit of trouble perching because his legs were splayed and the perch was smooth without much grip. I asked how much she wanted for him, and she replied  $30.

I watched him for a second. He kept trying to adjust his legs because they kept slipping. He seemed to climb on the cage rather well though...I asked to hold him, and he sat in my hand alright. Seemed a little scared but didn't do anything other than nip once. I caved. Igave her $30 and told her I'd be back to get him when I left.

I was so excited...and I still am. It just seemed to right. I mean, I wanted a black masked lovebird for a long time. I was waiting to find a good breeder and spend whatever I had to, but then Caribou came along and I thought thats all I would need. But here was a black masked lovebird...disabled and cheap as dirt. Maybe its the nurturer in me, but I was afraid for him. Afraid for who he might go to and how they would treat him. He'll be with me for life. Period.

I went and got him a hiding hut, perches with good grips and some toys. Caribou doesn't really play with toys. She's more or less obsessed with just being with me...but this little guy likes them. You can tell he's had a hard 3 months of life. He gets a little stand-offish when you reach for him. He was nipping at me all yesterday and this morning...but I tend to only get him out when I'm offering him food, so I'm sure that will stop once he begins to trust me.

And I was right. I've had him out for a good hour and he hasn't nipped at me once. He's flown away a few times but I just gently scoop him up and keep him with me again. He has a really hard time landing when he flies, so I've clipped his wings to slow him down in flight so he won't hurt himself.

So far so good. I've named him Orca Blue. Orcas have black heads with white rings around their eyes (well near their eyes, but close enough), are clumbsy on land and they have teeth and bite. It fits him SO well. And the Blue part came from his coloration.

So everyone, I introduce to you Orca Blue. My deformed black faced lovebird!



P.S. Caribou is PISSED. She has more cage time now that Orcas here and I have to tame him a little. Her world is crashing!