For years, since the death of my father in 2003, I have been the sole caregiver for a now almost 12 year old African Grey Parrot named Bosun. He is an intelligent and complicated fellow, strong willed, affectionate, talkative, and demanding, and lately, I've felt I wasn't meeting his needs anymore. We have moved a few times in the past few years, living with other people along the way. None of those people were "bird people" and other than the occasional interaction, few had much interest in Bosun. When we lived alone, he seemed happy and content with me, but as we increased the size of "our flock" he began to grow fretful when people came home or visited but didn't interact with him. He began to shred his feathers - not to pull them out, but to groom them almost compulsively with the result that they were frayed on every edge. He also began to need constant attention from me, calling when I got out of site and needing to sit on me whatever I was doing. It was obvious that he wasn't feeling content anymore. I don't mean to make it sound worse than it was... but I was increasingly aware that my bird was no longer the happy singing /talking calm and confident bird he's always been. He was constantly saying "Are you alright? Are you OK?" and asking to come with me. When I would put him back in his cage, he often was angry and flung himself at the bars. When other people came into the house he'd call out to them in greeting but as he was usually ignored, he would get increasingly agitated and if I went out to see them he would begin to honk in a way that felt like fingernails on a chalkboard. I couldn't bring him with me because he could never understand that other people didn't want him on their shoulders... For years both friends and family often suggested my life would be free-er without Bosun, that I should find him a home and get my life back. I wouldn't consider it. I love Bo and knew of nowhere /no one who would love him more or give him more attention. With the changes I was seeing, I knew I had to reconsider. It occurred to me that what he really needed was to be surrounded by bird lovers. Not one or even two, he needed to have lots of interaction and attention - to be special to more than just me.
That is when I thought of a fellow who owned and managed the local pet supply store.He and his partner loved and cared for birds when their owners went out of town. He had taken care of Bosun when I traveled, and Bosun liked and trusted him. He had often spoken of how much he wanted an African Grey and how lucky I was to have Bo. So I contacted him and asked what he thought of the idea of Bosun being their in-store bird. Meeting and Greeting Customers with his cage right up by the register with them. They thought it would be great and so we made a plan. Bosun would go to their store to live. I could stop in and visit and there would always be 2 or more people for him to be/interact with... at least during the daylight hours. Bosun needs a solid 12 hours of sleep and tends to be very sedate after sunset so I am thinking that alone time in the evening will be tolerable to him.
I took him there today for a week's trial, but I can't imagine that it won't work. I have an ache in my chest and the house seems empty without him, but I believe this is the right thing to do for his well being.
Bosun has not ever been my pet. He has been my roommate and my companion. In my opinion, no parrot is a pet. they are far too intelligent, strong willed, and independent to be considered domesticated. I hate that they must live in cages when they live with people, but they love to chew wood and cloth so furniture and furnishings in a house are always at risk if they are free and they cannot survive on their own outdoors. Ideally they wouldn't have to live in captivity - but of course that means no person would have the pleasure of a parrot in close relationship as I don't imagine parrots would choose to live with people over their natural flock.
I don't know what would be a better set up for a bird who is innately sociable and interactive. I can't believe how much I already miss him, I suppose that's why I'm going on and on. As if I can talk myself into feeling something besides this hole in my heart...
