That is so cute! :D

golfing? lol, but i feel kind of bad for it  :o

Don't feel bad for it.  Parrots are so highly intelligent and just like working breed dogs, they need to be stimulated and worked.  Not only is teaching a parrot tricks totally engaging for them, it uses their keen minds and bonds them with their featherless companion.

I also looked at the clip of Alex, the African Grey.  Alex sadly passed away a couple of months ago.  http://www.alexfoundation.org/  (Alex's clip was a couple of clips after the one that was posted).

I actually cried when I learned of his passing.  His story is amazing and the love of Irene Pepperberg and her devotion to him was second to none.  The night before Alex died, Irene put him to bed.  He said, I love you.  See you tomorrow.  OK, getting weepy once again.  I can't imagine waking up to find my beloved Biko no longer sharing my life.

Irene proved that parrots are not mimics.  They have a hugely intelligent brain.  So if ever someone says that you are a bird brain, thank them profusely!

I have shared my life with Biko for 16 years.  He is 17.  I leave the TV on for him every day while I am at work.  He loves TV.  An animal communicator also told me that he rules the roost.  He told her that when mommy is at home, I am the boss.  But when mommy is not at home, he is the boss!

As animals communicate with each other telepathically all the time, when I am not home, Biko rules the roost over the other 9 furred and feathered.

I believe, they play basketball or golf, not because we are forcing them to but because they love the bonding process and the interaction with their 'flock'.

I watched a PBS special years ago on parrots that went insane.  A man in Europe somewhere had a sanctuary for unwanted parrots.  They went insane because their guardians got them and then used them as status symbols or show pieces.  They need love, acceptance, stimulation and did I mention love?

So  many people buy parrots for status.  How incredibly stupid.  When I bought Biko, I made a list of pros and cons of parrot guardianship.  The con side was huge.  The pro side said one thing.  I love him!

Alex was a feather plucker although he was healthy and happy.  Medical issues were ruled out.  Biko used to have beautiful feathers.  Now he is a feather plucker.  For some reason, Biko loved my cat Boobie.  He would say, Boobie, Boobie come here.  He has never used any of my other pets names.  Not once.  When Boobie died in my arms 20 days short of his 20th birthday, Biko was in the room with us.  I let all the critters see Boobie before I took him to be cremated.  For months, Biko would just say...Boobie....Boobie.. and would pluck his feathers.  Unfortunately with Grey's, it becomes a bad habit and he still does it. 

OK, so I have rambled.  I guess the point I am making is don't feel bad the bird is playing golf.  Feel incredibly happy that his guardian loves him or her enough to spend much needed quality time with this incredibly intelligent creature.

Yes, we should probably never have domesticated parrots.  That word being said loosely as unlike dogs and cats, they are very new in the domestication process and are still not that far removed from being wild.  But it happened.

The only bright side is wild caught parrots are on the CITES list.  We can not catch them wild caught anymore.  So at least the parrots in most of our homes were raised domestically.

Biko's mom and dad were the first wild caught African Grey's to be bred in Canada.  His mom died when she was 35.  As far as I know, his dad is still alive.  That would make him at least 50.

Did I mention I have rambled???????

Thanks to Irene, we now know that African Grey's have the emotional stability of a 2 year old child and the intelligence level of a 3 to 5 year old child.  That means they are pretty damn smart!

We should all wish parrot guardians would play golf with their parrots. 

People considering getting a parrot should also know (yes budgies are in the parrot family) that they should get the largest cage they can afford.  Don't go by the guidelines of acceptable size.  That they need good healthy food.  Fruits, veggies, grains etc.  Soy is not good for birds.  Avocados are toxic to birds.  Non stick cookware overheated KILLS birds.  They should also know that toys are not a luxury, they are a necessity.  Birds need a lot of stimulation.  Toys that they can preen, toys that make them hunt for food (foraging) and constant companionship, love and stimulation.  It should also be noted that if you are a clean freak, get over it.  Parrots poop about every 15 minutes.  That is whether they are in their cage, on their tree play gym or on you!

They can be noisy and messy!  Biko loves to pick up a bowl of messy food and throw his bowl on the floor.  They can be destructive.  Not in their standards.  Your table leg is the same as taking care of their beak on a tree.

People have to stop seeing them as domesticated dogs and cats.  As well, the commitment in time is longer.  Parrots can live a very long time.  They bond with their humans.  They don't want several homes.

I got Biko when he was 15 months old.  A lady bought him because it was cool to have a parrot.  She brought him back to the pet store because he was messy.

BTW, for all of you that hate pet stores, Biko came from a breeder.  She used to put one baby in a pet store (one I love. My friends own it and are highly ethical)  The breeder always used to go in daily to check on the baby and to meet the new owner.  She was totally shocked about this women when she returned Biko who was named Canga. :-(  She was so thrilled when he chose me.  Most African Grey's growl at me.  Biko for some reason loved me.  So I got a job on weekends at the pet store to pay him off.  I said I refused to sell animals but I would sell supplies.  They accepted that.  The story goes much deeper than that but long and boring.

I named Biko, Daisy.  The breeder thought he was a she.  As parrots have to be surgically sexed or DNA tested, she thought Biko was female.  She has only been wrong once.  I had him DNA tested and the results came back that Daisy was determined to me male.  I then changed his name to Biko Robert Dela Rose.  Biko for Steven Biko, Robert for Bob Marley, Dela meaning content in one of the African languages and Rose after my mom. Harold, my female cat is named after my dad.  Enough said.  Biko never said Daisy.  I switched his name to Biko and after two days, he was saying Biko.  He loves the movie Cry Freedom because they are constantly saying his name!

Have I mentioned I have rambled?  ;D

After watching the bird golf, I think Biko might enjoy that activity.  Although, he will probably eat the club and ball!

Have a great week everyone.  I know I said I would be off line but I have to add my 2 cents worth every once in awhile.

Hugs
Di

My ex and I used to have this breed of parrot (Indian Ringneck).  Very pretty but he really didn't like us!  We could never get him to sit on our finger or play with us.  He was however, in LOVE with a statue of a scarlett macaw ;D

My ex and I used to have this breed of parrot (Indian Ringneck).  Very pretty but he really didn't like us!  We could never get him to sit on our finger or play with us.  He was however, in LOVE with a statue of a scarlett macaw ;D

Awww! I'm sorry your bird would rather rang out with an inanimate object then with you...that's sad and funny all at once  ;)

Actually it made for some pretty funny stories.  He once knocked the statue over and broke it.  all that was left was the head which we would mount on the perch.  He still loved it and would be VERY upset if you touched it or moved it in any way.  It was pretyy pitiful to see a bird so in love with a head of a statue.  We found an exact replacement statue and exchanged it when he wasn't looking.  Last I saw of that bird he was still  sitting on the bird statue and making lovey noises at it ;D