Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Jellybean!

Meet Jellybean, my three-month-old sun conure. I just got him on Saturday, and it's already been quite an experience. I've learned that hair is not for adorning the head, but rather used for nesting purposes. Necks are made to be punctured and all food should spend some period of time on the floor.

Other than all that, it's been great so far. Here's the update I sent to my Sun Conure Yahoo Group, just to fill you in on the latest:

Because I know you're all on the edge of your seat, just dying to hear the latest in the trivial episodes that dominate my bird acquisition (that's sarcasm, folks), I've decided to send this little update. My true purpose in this is to solicit reality-checks on the doings of my little Jellybean. Feel free to contribute, as you all so generously have so far.

Last night, Archie (our male cat, who considers himself some kind of Kit Carson incarnate) was in the basement, while Abby (more the "Jabba the Hut" variety of feline) occupied the ottoman in front of the living room couch. That same living room couch on which I sat with my occasionally boisterous, Technicolor shoulder statue(tte?), Jellybean. Abby was very well-behaved and generally disinterested. When Jellybean flapped his/her wings, however, Abby took notice and assumed her "running for the hills" posture. (Note that, fortunately, it was not a "leaping for your throat" posture.) I don't think there'll be an issue with Abby and Jellybean, but my Super Soaker is never out of arms' reach.

This was the second morning of our "routine." Released the little guy from his iron prison at about 7:30 and let him sit on the basket outside my shower. He lasted a bit longer up there today, playing with what toys I've provided. It isn't much, so I've scheduled a "toy binge" at my local bird store for later this week. Eventually, he made his way to the floor after trying to fly through the shower curtain (It's clear) to see Mommy.

I stuck him on his mirror perch over the extra sink and he happily played and chirped and ate stuff while I got ready for work. We sang songs. (Well okay, I sang songs.) At one point, I showed him a life-sized, color picture of himself I had printed at work. Initially, I thought he had been overcome by some kind of paralyzing spell. He stood frozen and, after about twenty seconds, freaked completely out and flew to the floor. At this point, the dog got into the act, but only sniffed little Jellybean's head, seeming sincerely concerned for the little guy's welfare. Shadow's such an awesome dog.

Afterward, we shared a breakfast of scrambled Egg Beaters and oatmeal. Even the floor got a taste. And the chair. Oh, and the lamp. All in attendance agreed it was delicious.

All in all, I think things are beginning look up.