From: janices@Cadence.COM (Janice Simon)
Subject: Re: Help needed--crying amazon
Organization: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 17:39:59 GMT

A response to Doug Roberts' article.  This response is probably an 
over-reaction to Doug's article.  Sorry.  I know Doug had the bird's 
well being in mind.

Before the ranting and raving begins, I'd like to thank all those
who responded to the problem about the crying amazon.  We're continuing
with the positive reinforcement.  Not a lot of results yet, but it's new
to both of us and I'm sure it's going to take a while...

Janice Simon
**********************************************************************
> HE'S LONELY!!!
 
> If you leave him alone all day in your apartment (you didn't say
> whether or not there is another bird to keep him company), he LIVES
> for the moment you come home that that he can have companionship.
> Amazons are very gregarious creatures: they live in flocks of 200 or
> so in the wild. By keeping your bird isolated in a cage all day, you
> are depriving him of essential contact with his own kind (or human
> surrogates).

I was wondering how long it would take for someone to flame me.  I know
he is lonely.  I am just trying to figure out how I can walk out of the room
for even a second without him crying...
 
> A little more sensitivity to your bird's needs are in order here. If
> you can't spend more time with him, you should consider getting him a
> companion. The companion doesn't need to be in the same cage -- just
> having another similar bird in the same room does wonders for a lonely
> parrot. If you don't want to get him a companion, and you can't afford
> to spend more time with him, then perhaps a more enriching home could
> be found for him...

He is right next to a very friendly lovebird.  Granted, they may not be
similar enough, but he does have another being with him during the day.
Perhaps another amazon would make him happier.  While he was away, he didn't
have much more company during the day and crying wasn't a real problem.
 
> My wife and I rescued a green-cheeked Amazon from a neglectful
> environment (the people were actually more than neglectful -- they
> didn't even like the bird). After two years with us and his other bird
> buddies you can hardly recognize him (Maynard). He's put on weight,
> his feathers are pretty again, and he is _happy_.

Okay, your message is heard loud and clear.  I don't feel that I am 
neglectful, but you have a right to your opinion.  I like the bird--I LOVE
the bird, and am very happy to finally have him home.  He is a very healthy 
bird, and I believe that he is happier because he is with me.  From day one, 
this bird really only bonded with me--I'm the only one that can handle him,
scratch his head, get him to talk, teach him tricks, etc., etc., etc..
His previous home was not neglectful at all (as far as care and 
socialization are concerned), but he always perked up noticably when
I visited him.  In fact, that may be the root of the problem.  He may
be worried that I am going to leave him for an extended period of time.
He doesn't cry when my husband leaves the room... only when I do.

I may be over-reacting to your response.  If so, I apologize.  After all,
I did ask for suggestions, and I would have probably come to the same 
conclusions that you did if I saw a similar article.  



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