Rob's Birds
Baby

Please read if you love parrots.

Baby the mollucan cockatoo is the newest addition to my flock, May 2007.

Baby (then called Peaches, and said to be wild-caught and male) was rescued from a birdfair about three years ago "because he looked so miserable." Although the rescuer adored 'him,' Baby was not a good fit with the rest of her flock. She asked me twice (a year apart) to take Baby, and the second time I couldn't say no.

I soon discovered that 'Peaches' preferred to be called Baby. (Her rexsuer had told me 'Peaches' loved it when she sang songs to 'him' with baby in the lyrics.) When she started talking more, I heard her saying "hi, Baby" -- and she began giving me kisses on the cheek after I started calling her that. She has been much calmer and happier since -- getting her name right helps!
Her previous owner said the only word she heard 'Peaches' say was "peek-a-boo" but she wasn't sure about that. I was soon able to tell her that Baby does indeed say "peek-a-boo" and sometimes "hello" and "g'bye" as well as "hi Baby."

One day, Chester was singing the "Pretty Bird" song (in monotone) and including "I love Peaches" -- he'll have to get used to calling her Baby.

How I discovered Baby is female:
She ate all but two pieces of Harrison's (pellets) the first time I gave them to her, and very soon preferred the pellets-nuts-seeds I give my birds over the mix her previous owner sent with her.
Not long after Baby started eating my food mix, she got a little hormonal (a richer diet can do that) and the behavior I saw was clearly female -- and of course all the boys got hormonal (which was the best indicator), but everybody settled down again within a week.

This photo was taken (with flash) after Baby decided she wanted to get completely soaked during her bath. As you can see, those pale peachy feathers look a lot more orange when they get really wet. Baby loves baths as much as Bert does!

Alex	Casey	Jasmine	Bert	Loki	Chester	Boo-boo	Tookie
Baby	Others	Things	Foods	Notes	Likes	Start	Store

To reach me, send a message addressed to your favorite among my birds to this domain (net).

Please read if you love parrots.

All photos are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or borrowed without advance permission.