I think the relationships evolve, just like human relationships, and as someone
else said, "It depends on the bird."
Keikoa is my baby, I got to handle her more as a baby, feeding and so on, than my husband.
He had to be away part of the time, So I am "Mom". I think she feels that way. She cuddles and
looks to me when there are issues (like an illness/injury 2 years ago). She loves her Daddy, and they have
a special bond. But just as with my real kids, Mom is Mom, no one can replace your mom.
Bubo was nearly the same age, from our Bird Lady, but we didn't notice her or know anything about Goffins
until about 3 months after Keikoa was home. We went to adopt a Yellow Nape that we loved, who was not adopted when his
twin was....but he had become a biter, and we were too new to know how to handle that. Bubo jumped onto my arm
and started saying, "Wacket-a-wacketa-wacka! Who could say no? On the way home, she started screaming,.
We had no idea......she is our baby, also, and loves me, she loves EVERYONE!She screams a lot, but she adores my hubby,
and although she seems a bit "mentally challenged" at times, she is so sweet and affectionate....
Brandy belonged to an acquaintance of friends. The first time I helpd her, I nearly cried on the way home,
she was so sweet and loving. Six months later, the owners let her go, gave her back to the "Bird Lady" coincidentally
on a day when my hubby was there. She loves us both. I think she knows we "saved her",she is VERY affectionate, and
loves us both. She gets "sexy" with hubby if he forgets and pets her on her back, and she ADORES our 23 year
old grandson, up-chucking on him!
Friday, unfortunately, was not raised well. I mean, not enough love and teaching. Her owner was a teen boy who went off to collecge,
The partents took over, but it seems that Friday was a "living sculpture" more than a companion. We got her when she was 26. She doesn't like me, and I feel she almost sees me as competition for husband and our sons. She loves men. She lets me feed her and give her skritches
when she is in her cage, AM and PM, but we have had her for 10+ years and I have made little progress. I keep telling her I
love her, and she continues to roll her eyes. The one time I forgot "my place", coming home from a long road trip,
she nailed me, got my thumb almost to the bone. So I use a stick to pick her up, and don't let my guard down
Lovey is a delight, except for the things that macaws do.....we got her when she was 26, same as Friday. Her owners were
clients of my friend who got us interested in birds initially. Lovey was in a round cage that was too narrow for her,
with no toys. I sent over toys, and my friend talked to the couple....the wife had Alzheimer's, and eventually
they asked her to rehome Lovey. She is missing over 50% of her feathers, and has had some ill-treatment. I think she loved her lady, but the hubby was a bit over-strict. She was a bit shocked to find herself in a new home, but loved her huge cage....until
she decided she loved me. The first time I touched her face (I just HAD to find out what the white part felt like!) she purred.
She became MY bird, and although she likes hubby, especially because he eats a lot, (haha) she doesn't cuddle with him.
After 10 years, though, he can pick her up without a stick, so he is ahead of where I am with Friday.
She started screaming about a year ago....I think she finally felt like this is HER home, and had something to say
Mostly, "FEED ME!" A macaw's screams are terrifying.
I think she is learning that we don't like it,
but.....
we love our menagerie. They each have a different personality, and we ALL have to remember that parrots
are WILD ANIMALS. Sometimes they are just "being birds".
At the same time, they respond to love and kindness, and they love and respect people who treat them well.
As far as I can see, they never forget people who are mean or abusive or scary.
Sorry for the book!