Tiko
If you’ve been reading our blog for a while, you know that we had to leave our Yellow-shouldered Amazon, Tiko, back in the US with my best friend while we sorted out how to bring him into Mexico. Unfortunately, it seems impossible to bring him into Mexico at this time, due to red tape relating to bird flu. A picture of Tiko is above. (If you want to see a video of him talking and climbing around on his cage, there’s a one on our videos page)
You also might remember that back in April of this year we took care of 50 baby birds – Half Moon Conures – that had been stolen from their nests by people wanting to sell them to the bird trade. The men were captured with almost 500 birds, and Conrehabit, the conservation group, managed the rescue of these birds.
The youngest of the baby birds were handled by humans for so long that they weren’t able to be released with the rest of their surviving friends. Some also had deformities that would keep them from surviving in the wild. Conrehabit ended up with five birds that needed to be placed with people – and Paul and I were happy to welcome Poncho and Lefty into our home. We had bought a second-hand cage when we first got here, with the hope that it would be Tiko’s, but these two are enjoying it just fine.
Lefty and Poncho
This is Lefty. As you can see his right foot is deformed. Whether
it was damaged when he was captured or if it was that way
from birth, we don’t know.
This is Poncho. Isn’t he cute?
We don’t know what sex they are, so for now they are boys. We’ll probably figure it out when they get to sexual maturity, though. They may fight or get romantic – who knows.
It looks like Lefty is gazing up the street – but it’s the mural in the sala fresca!
Their cage is in our sala fresca – the room that has no windows on one side, just wrought iron. So they probably feel like they are outside. They love having a spray-bottle shower in the morning. I love having birds again, and even though these guys could never replace Tiko, they are sweet and we like them.
Oh, and one more thing. They can be LOUD!
Steve Cotton
December 1, 2008i have not had a bird as a pet for years. Our smaller ones mostly came to untimely ends. Your posts on the baby birds got me to thinking about a pet bird. And now this — or these. After I get settled, I may join you as part of the bird set. I was even looking at Mazatlan property again. The internet listings still seem quite expensive to this Salem boy.
1st Mate
December 2, 2008Nancy, I’m glad you were able to make a home for these little guys. They’re adorable, and your open sala is the perfect place for them.
Pattie
December 4, 2008Hi Nancy,
Thanks for stopping by for a visit and for the advice!! Martha told me you guys adopted two of the birds!! They look like they are quite at home. Just a suggesstion Peter Murphy is doing the newsletter. An article on the kids adoption would be really great in the next edition
Pattie :c)
Nancy
December 5, 2008Steve, You’ll have to really look carefully to find a bird down here that wasn’t illegally caught in the wild. I have heard they are around, but very few (John in San Miguel’s parrot Chiapas was legal). I just wouldn’t want to be a party to perpetuating the wild bird trade, myself. Also, if you plan on moving around Mexico, you might have some issues traveling with a bird if you didn’t have papers or a band stating it was legally raised. Just an FYI.
Bliss, thanks. They love it in the sala fresca, and so far our neighbors haven’t complained when they get to screaming.
Pattie, Hi! I’ll contact Peter and see if he’d like me to write something up for the Conrehabit newsletter.
cynthia
December 6, 2008I loved your post when you were fostering the babies. Are Lefty and Poncho tame enough to hold and cuddle? I had cockatiels for years and they could be very loving – AND loud! Congrats on your adoptions.
Chrissy
June 12, 2009We have a Sun Conure, Tango. He is lovely, but is a screamer and messy eater. He does talk, he says a few words, like: Tango, Tango Good Boy, Tango Night Night. Good Morning. I have all his original paperwork so it shouldnt be too bad getting him down there. He loves to cuddle and kiss, but is very much a 2 person bird.
Nancy
June 12, 2009There are several of us down here who are working at getting our birds to join us here in Mexico. Paul and my amazon Tiko is still in San Francisco, Jonna in Merida (see my blogroll) has two maccaws in California and Joanna in Mexico City (http://findingmexicoandme.blogspot.com/) has an African Grey.
The laws changed after we came down and it has been one wrong turn after another for us. Joanna in Mexico City’s husband or boyfriend works for Customs so we are hoping she turns up something. I’ll blog about it if we find out something, and I’d appreciate it if you get in touch if you find out something.
I do know the bird needs a CITES certificate, which has to do with if it is an endangered species anywhere in the world.
I have my fingers crossed that we can figure this out soon!
Chrissy
June 12, 2009I will ask my Vet. he specializes in birds and he knew from the start when we got Tango tht we were taking him to Mexico. He didnt think it would be an issue with the documentation and banding that he has, but I will find out and let you know. I am glad that you havent given up on Tiko. It must break your heart to be away from him. Wouldnt just be easiest to bring them down in the car? What happens if I ever buy one of those birds along side of the road that we always see, who would stop me if I were past customs. I dont know how many times that we have gone through the boarder and no one was there at all, we could have driven an 18 wheeler through.