Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Bird or Bat?

Recently we added to our family a new pet. Meet Peanut...a green-cheeked Conure. Peanut is technically Alex's bird as he earned half of the cost doing lots of extra chores, and the other half was his 12th birthday present. Alex became enamored with birds after his 11 yr old trip to Busch Gardens in Tampa Florida where he loved hanging out in the Aviary and feeding the Lowry birds nectar. These birds were so cool because they would  eat nectar right out of your hands and liked to perch anywhere on your body. Just beware of the projectile poop!

 Peanut is not your ordinary pet, or bird for that matter. To start with Peanut arrived on a Delta flight from somewhere (I'm not sure where) not just from the pet store. When we were looking for a bird I was expecting a nice chirpy parakeet, or a melodious song-bird, but after extensive research by the research expert (Rob) it was decided that the Conure fit the expectations most excellently. Conures are supposed to love to be handled and played with like a parrot, can learn to speak a few words, make parrot-like sounds and are an overall good family pet. 
Peanut has taken a bit of time to "get used" to his new surroundings. We have found that he likes to be bribed with fresh fruit and will eat it out of your hand. His beak is constantly stained red from eating fresh strawberries (his favorite). He still doesn't willingly like to be held...we're hoping that is something he will overcome in the very near future. He's a cute little bird who likes to "sing" to music (especially classical, or Josh Groban), clanking pots and pans, clinking silverware, and the general chaos in the house. He loves the morning sun shining through the doors and greets the morning with loud chirps and squawks. Alex is very good at cleaning up after him and making sure he has lots of attention and fresh fruit throughout the day.
The most surprising thing about Peanut is he loves to hang upside down. He hangs upside down from his bird toys, from the top of the cage, from the side of the cage. One time he even hung upside down from his perch. So the question arises...is he a bird or a bat?


2 comments:

Matt and Amber said...

I just wanted to tell you... I LOVE THAT LITTLE SHIRT! I don't even want to put it away. Its sitting on top of Cash's drawers. Thanks so much Val. For some reason that little shirt made it seem so much more real to me. I can't wait for him to wear it! THANK YOU!

Yoga Girl said...

Yay for Cash!!! We can't wait for him to come either! Love ya :)