#African Grey Parrot habits

[tiktokparrot]

Do African Grey Parrots Have a Sense of Time?

Curious if your African Grey Parrot has a sense of time? Discover how routines shape their world & why they seem to know exactly when it’s mealtime or playtime!

[ladysparklefarts]

African Grey parrot would work so well. They are mean and there was one at a local pet shop on the town where I live that had a habit of either biting or stealing people sunglasses, sometimes both if you were one of the unlucky few that bird hated for absolutely no reason.

Quick tip for Star Wars modern au writers! If you're not sure how to use him in your story, write Grievous as Dooku's weird pet gecko for which Obi-Wan holds an immeasurable amount of contempt. Anakin just thought he'd be bigger.

[ofmonstrs]

HT-8-3-1

((bio under the cut!))

Name: HT-8-3-1 (Hybrid Trial 8, 3rd viable, 1st survivor); Eight

Nickname(s): Eight-One, mutt, monster, hybrid, Jet

Gender: agender (they/them)*

*as long as they are not referred to as it, they genuinely don’t care what they’re referred to as

Height: 9.16 ft

Length: 21.45 ft

Species: Protoraptor

known genomes: Utahraptor (base); Deinosuchus; Therizinosaurus; Agalychnis callidryas (red-eyed tree frog); Psittacus erithacus (African grey parrot); Homo sapien (human)

Hometown: Isla Nublar

Date of Creation: 2010

Language(s): “Dinosaur” (primary proficiency); English (primary proficiency); Spanish (primary proficiency)

Attributes: enhanced intelligence; enhanced stamina; enhanced speed; enhanced sense of smell; enhanced strength; enhanced vocalization, including mimicry*; thermoregulation

*similar to the Prototype from Popp.y Pla.ytime, as heard here

Kin: HT-7-1-1 (eldest sibling; Hybrid Trial 7, 1st viable, 1st survivor; deceased); HT-8-1 (nestmate; Hybrid Trial 8, 1st viable; deceased); HT-8-2-2 (nestmate; Hybrid Trial 8, 2nd viable, 2nd survivor; deceased); HT-8-4 (nestmate; Hybrid Trial 8, 4th viable; deceased)

Identifiable Marking(s): long scars down their back and side; bite scars around their throat; three scars across the right side of their face; scarred and blind right eye; large scar on their left shoulder

Associated Item(s): thick leather collar covering an external electrolarynx

Notable Habit(s): cocking their head; tapping their sickle-shaped hind claws; scratching their jaw; clicking their teeth together

Personality Traits:

positive: clever; protective; observant

neutral: curious; loyal; cautious; stubborn

negative: volatile; cynical; reckless

Bonus: pinterest; spotify

Background:

tw/cw for: experimentation, abuse, death (human and animal)

InGen couldn’t ignore how the world was changing, nor could they ignore the shift in the focus of their investors. Recreating dinosaurs was growing old, despite the popularity of Jurassic World. They had done something incredible, but some of their investors wanted something more useful. Something… not made for entertainment. And it was not long until the military offered a handsome fee for something that could help them. They didn’t just want animals, they wanted soldiers.

The offer was too great for InGen to pass up, and they got to work. They kept a focus on dinosaur DNA, believing certain predators to be too great to dismiss with such a task, but… began to hit wall after wall. Experiments were failing, and investors were growing restless. But some scientists, with influence from BioSyn, kept pushing, and began to make things work. Only to an extent at first, but… it was a start. They could stabilize and combine DNA of creatures extinct and alive, and it wasn’t long until they began to look into adding a more human element. Soldiers were needed, and animals were not going to cut it alone. If they wanted the perfect soldier, they would need to make sure they could obey.

The Hybrid Trial got off to a rocky start. Embryos would stop developing before they became fully viable, but it was still enough to keep investors fascinated, and the push continued. Trial one was an utter failure, as were trials two and three, but they found success in trial four: the embryos began to survive longer, and were closer to viability. By trial seven, they had a single successful asset: HT-7-1-1. It was a male, to the surprise of all involved, and was labeled a Protoraptor - a creature with the genome base of a Utahraptor, and a hodgepodge of genomes from various prehistoric and living creatures. The scientists involved used the same DNA from Seven, as they began to call him, and moved forward with their final trial - successfully producing four more assets. Only two, however, would survive outside the embryo chamber. Still, the three living specimens were enough to satisfy investors, and the Protoraptors became the first step in living weaponry, and would later become the inspiration for Indoraptor.

HT-7-1-1, HT-8-3-1, and HT-8-2-2 were raised together as siblings, with their handler, Dr. Monroe Larson, determined to raise them as a pack, although HT-8-3-1 (soon known as Eight-One), was notably weaker than their siblings. They were sickly and struggled to keep up with Seven and Eight-Two, and wasn’t expected to survive past their second year. However, when both survivors from trial eight grew ill, it was Eight-One that survived despite it all, while Eight-Two passed away. Eight-One recovered and grew stronger, and began to easily keep up with Seven, something they had struggled with previously. The relief felt, however, was not for their survival, but the survival of InGen’s profits. As far as Dr. Larson was concerned, the survival and growth of the Protoraptors ensured that the military would keep investing in InGen, and would allow them freedom from the restrictions and needs of more public investors, such as Verizon and Pepsi. But, because of military involvement, the Protoraptors were kept secret from the public and most of InGen - only those with clearance knew of the projects, and were sworn to secrecy and held to a strict NDA. While they could not help drive up attendance, they could secure further funding, and as far as Dr. Larson was concerned, that alone was worth the trouble.

It was his idea to introduce Seven and Eight-One to juvenile Velociraptors. He believed the military would benefit from it - that the Hybrids would take control of the pack, and the Velociraptors would replace the men and women on the front lines. An idea InGen would later try out without the Hybrids, but an idea that, at first, was hesitantly accepted. The four juvenile Velociraptors, all unknown to each other to avoid an existing pecking order, were placed in an unfamiliar enclosure, and the Protoraptors were quickly introduced in the hopes it would prevent the Velociraptors from becoming territorial.

However, despite the precautions, it was doomed from the start.

The four juveniles were quick to turn on the Protoraptors - clearly recognizing they were not of the same species - and snapped and snarled at them to stay back. Seven retreated when he realized they were outnumbered, but Eight-One, however, continued to push. They had proven themselves to be far more stubborn than their brother - something only weighed out by their dog-like obedience - but their stubbornness gave way to recklessness. In their attempt to assert themself as the head of the pack, the juveniles turned on them, and a fight broke out. Seven jumped in to protect his sibling, and numerous handlers rushed to take control of the situation, but by the time the tranquilizers took hold, the outcome was bleak: two Velociraptors were dead, the third severely injured and unlikely to survive, and the fourth having disappeared further into the enclosure. Seven and Eight-One were also in critical condition, yet would both somehow survive their injuries. Yet, the relief was short-lived. The disaster resulted in the program getting cut, and the military lost faith, although the interest was still there. And Dr. Larson… found himself with two injured Hybrids he could not introduce to the public, nor find use for. No one wanted them. They weredangerous - unpredictable. As obedient and intelligent as they were, it was clear that… InGen was afraid.

Unbeknownst to InGen, that was the opportunity BioSyn needed to draw Dr. Larson to them, although he remained an employee for InGen. But with influence from BioSyn, and a lack of care for the Protoraptors he helped create, he began to experiment on them further. There was something to be found with them, he felt, that could help future projects, and got to work. Oblivious to the brewing hostility between Seven and Eight-One (though they were going by Eight more often than not those days), and the increasing hatred Eight felt toward any human involved. In fact, Dr. Larson had been overlooking the fact the Hybrids were… showing an emotional and mental intelligence similar to that of humans - far more than originally anticipated. Their human DNA was to influence the African grey parrot DNA, but not override it. And as he continued with his experiments, that intelligence only twisted to go against him.

Eight recognized that he had implanted a tracking device into the left shoulder, and promptly dug it out - heavily scarring themself in the process, but destroying the device specifically in front of him as if to send a message. The vocalizations of both Hybrids were growing stronger, and it wasn’t long until it became obvious they were speaking. It was rough speech and difficult to make out, but… like a parrot, they were beginning to talk. Eager to influence this, and seeing it as a way to regain the military’s attention (and money), Dr. Larson implanted a permanent, external electrolarynx in both Protoraptors, and used a thick, leather collar on both to keep it in place and to protect it. And, just as he envisioned it, it allowed the Hybrids to speak. Both Seven and Eight were able to communicate clearly with those around them, including each other, and it became all the more obvious that their intelligence rivaled that of a human - they understood and responded to various stimuli better than that of other dinosaurs and that of parrots. However, while Seven remained obedient, Eight began to push back. They refused to participate in Dr. Larson’s experiments and trainings, and with their newfound speech, began to talk back as well. Their resentment of their treatment and growing restlessness was beginning to get the better of them, and they began to act out - something that was swiftly punished. Like any other dinosaur, twelve amps were discharged onto Eight with any act of disobedience, and when they continued to “be difficult”, they were deprived of food and water, and left in a cage with barely room for them to pace. A muzzle was made for them when they began to snap at their handlers, and when they took to ramming the sides of their cage and actively trying to escape, they were soon chained to the floor to keep them in one place.

Then, everything changed when the Indominus Rex escaped. BioSyn was quick to help Dr. Larson escape with their other employees, and took with him both Protoraptors. Eager to see what he had done, and eager to replicate them. He presented Seven as the perfect result - a Hybrid not just with great strength, but emotional and mental intelligence as well. And, when asked about Eight, he requested they be destroyed. They were not worth the risk, he asserted, and their disobedience was proving to be a liability. And when BioSyn went to do just that, Eight snapped.

In a primal rage, Eight broke free of their restraints, and killed the two BioSyn personnel sent to euthanize them. As BioSyn scrambled to get Eight under control, they continued their rampage, and killed several more employees before they managed to escape containment. However, before they could get far, they were tackled by Seven, who had been released by Dr. Larson, and the fight between the Hybrids proved deadly. They were vicious with neither willing to back down, but their constant movements proved difficult for BioSyn to take aim at Eight, with Dr. Larson screaming for them not to shoot Seven.

Although Seven was bigger than Eight, it was Eight that won out in the end. They managed to take hold of Seven’s throat after their brother had pinned them to the ground, and ignoring Seven’s shrieks as he struggled to free himself, Eight tore open his throat, just before going after Dr. Larson. The bloodbath did not last long, but as Eight escaped into the wilderness surrounding BioSyn’s remote location, several employees were dead, including Dr. Larson, and Seven could not be saved.

And as monstrous as they accepted themself to be, Eight would experience a very human feeling of guilt.

[rasumusalli]

Understanding Parrots: Behavior, Habits, and Care

Parrots are among the most captivating and intelligent birds in the animal kingdom. Their vibrant plumage, remarkable vocal abilities, and playful personalities make them a favorite among pet enthusiasts and bird watchers alike. This article delves into the world of parrots, exploring their behavior, natural habitats, and the care they require both in the wild and as pets.

The Fascinating World of Parrots

Parrots belong to the family Psittacidae, which encompasses around 400 species of colorful, tropical birds. These species are spread across various continents, including South America, Africa, Australia, and parts of Asia. The diversity within this family is astonishing, with variations in size, color, and vocal capabilities.

Physical Characteristics

One of the most striking features of parrots is their vibrant plumage. Colors range from brilliant greens and blues to vibrant reds and yellows. This diversity in color helps parrots blend into their natural habitats or stand out, depending on their needs. Their zygodactyl feet, which have two toes pointing forward and two backward, are adapted for gripping branches and handling food. Additionally, parrots possess a strong, curved beak ideal for cracking nuts and seeds, as well as manipulating objects.

Behavior and Social Structure

Parrots are known for their intelligence and complex social behaviors. In the wild, they live in flocks that can range from small family units to large groups of hundreds. These flocks provide social interaction, protection from predators, and assistance in finding food.

Social bonds are crucial for parrots, and their communication skills are particularly impressive. Many species are capable of mimicking human speech and other sounds they frequently hear. This mimicry is a byproduct of their highly developed vocal apparatus and cognitive abilities. In the wild, parrots use vocalizations to communicate with flock members, warn of predators, and attract mates.

Habitat and Diet

Parrots inhabit diverse environments, including tropical rainforests, savannas, and even arid regions. Their diet primarily consists of seeds, nuts, fruits, and flowers, though some species also consume insects and small animals. Their feeding habits contribute to the health of their ecosystems, as they aid in seed dispersal and plant pollination.

Parrots as Pets

Keeping a parrot as a pet can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with significant responsibilities. Parrots are long-lived animals, with many species living for 20 to 50 years, and some even surpassing this range in captivity. This longevity requires a long-term commitment from their owners.

Choosing the Right Parrot

When selecting a parrot as a pet, it’s crucial to consider the bird’s size, temperament, and care requirements. Smaller species like the Budgerigar (budgie) or Lovebird may be suitable for first-time bird owners, while larger species like the African Grey or Macaw require more space, time, and attention.

Caring for a Parrot

Diet: A balanced diet is essential for a parrot’s health. In captivity, parrots should be provided with a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and high-quality pellets. Avoid feeding them chocolate, caffeine, or avocado, as these can be toxic.

Social Interaction: Parrots are highly social and require regular interaction with their human companions. Daily playtime and mental stimulation are important to prevent boredom and behavioral issues. Toys, puzzles, and training sessions can help keep them engaged.

Housing: Parrots need a spacious cage that allows them to move around comfortably. The cage should be equipped with perches, toys, and access to fresh water. Regular cleaning is necessary to maintain a healthy environment.

Health Care: Routine veterinary check-ups are vital to ensure a parrot’s well-being. Look out for signs of illness such as changes in eating habits, feather plucking, or lethargy. Regular grooming and beak trimming may also be required.

Training: Training a parrot can enhance its quality of life and strengthen the bond between bird and owner. Positive reinforcement methods, such as treats and praise, can be used to teach various commands and tricks.

Conservation and Threats

Many parrot species are facing threats due to habitat loss, illegal trapping, and the pet trade. Conservation efforts are crucial to protecting these remarkable birds and ensuring their survival for future generations. Organizations worldwide are working to preserve parrot habitats, enforce wildlife protection laws, and educate the public about responsible pet ownership.

Conclusion

Parrots are extraordinary creatures that captivate with their beauty, intelligence, and social behaviors. Whether admired in their natural habitats or cared for as pets, these birds offer a glimpse into the wonders of avian life. Understanding their needs and respecting their natural behaviors are essential steps in ensuring their well-being and conserving their populations. By fostering a greater appreciation and commitment to their care, we can help secure a brighter future for parrots around the globe.

For more visit:

https://rasumusalli.blogspot.com/2024/07/understanding-raw-parrots-guide-to.html

[l3irdl3rain]

Teaching parrots to speak is all fun and good but when they find a noise they want to teach themselves? 🤣

My foster parents had an African Grey with the annoying habit of imitating the Carbon Monoxide detector every once in a while. Always in the middle of the night 🤣

YEAH! Honestly there’s way more risk (for the humans) in what they’ll learn on their own than what you’ll teach them lol. Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, alarm clocks 🙃 the worst noises you could ever think of? I promise you a parrot (probably an African Grey) knows how to make that noise

[doveselfshipping]

Putting this under a cut, just like the other 2 bird posts.

I'm assigning your s/i the Lineolated Parakeet (Bolborhynchus lineola), specifically in a blue morph!

They're known for being easy parrots to own, as they are loving, yet quiet and calm. This reminded me of how your s/i is empathetic and positive, as these birds are very positive to own as well. Their calls are also very quiet, and less screech-y than other parrots.

Additional facts: They are popular pet birds, and are sometimes known to talk and imitate noises. They are sometimes known for their odd habit of burrowing and hiding in or under clothing for hours on end.

For your f/o, Mark, I am assigning him the African Grey (Psittacus erithacus)!

Info here because my tumblr is glitching. They're highly intelligent birds, being known as one of the smartest. They can learn words through training, and require high mental stimulation to remain content. This reminds me a little of Mark because of how confident he is, perhaps he would flaunt his intelligence as this bird. They also are known to develop very strong bonds, and are a monogamous species, which reminds me of how Mark is a little possessive over you.

Additional facts: Not much is known about these birds in the wild, due to lack of research funding and their prey animal status. It is illegal to own an African grey without a permit in Kenya, due to their mass capture and trade, putting their wild population at risk.

Selfship Reblog Game!!

(open)

Give me a picture and brief description of your f/o or s/i (or both!) and I'll assign them a bird!! Please also leave a note if you'd like the bird to match appearance or attitude more! It may be hard to match both, even though I will try my best to do that. Also if you have a specific type of bird (tropical, predator, waterbird, etc) in mind, let me know and I will try my best with that too!

Example under the cut ⬇️

My husband, Sebastian, would be a Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex),

Because Shoebills are large, grey waterbirds that are relatively tame around humans. They are piscivorous, which ties into Sebastian's fish theming. They tend not to be aggressive, but will be territorial under the right circumstances, which I relate to how Sebastian is calm around expendables (although a little rude), unless they piss him off.

[reimahowaido]

And the last 3! Aaaaaah, oh boy These fellas don’t have as much to themselves as the earlier ones, but there’s still story relevance even if they’re not that closely tied to previously mentioned characters. There are connections, yes, but less to talk about as a whole

Swift Edge - He/Him - Idea from some of the 100% completion pics African Grey Parrot inspired in looks He short, further so due to a slightly hunched over posture Swift is the roundest of the Mawkin included in this listing. He’s just as combat capable as all the rest, but his main focus is in lifting things. He may be short, but comparatively to other Mawkin he can lift quite a lot of weight and that’s really admirable. He’s not that much into fighting overall and prefers to use his energy in carrying and moving things around. Also quite durable, man might not have a shield, but he can take all sorts of hits and is seemingly resistant to damage and ready to get back to lifting things pretty swiftly, meaning he seemingly recovers rather quickly too. Some might call him lazy, and perhaps he is a bit lazy, but mostly he’s just docile and takes after his general - that being White Crow as he is part of White’s unit. A long time member of it in fact, almost the second in command in a way. Swift Edge is decades younger in comparison to White Crow, but past that there’s a bit of an age gap between the two and the rest in the unit. Swift hasn’t sought to promote to a Red Armor, he can help with things but doesn’t necessarily like the pressure of responsibility, so he’s satisfied where he is ~~~~~~~~~ Ebony Lark - She/Her - Fully original Based on the Magpie Lark & Maghreb Magpie (for the bits of purple) One of the shortest Mawkin around Ebony Lark isn’t exactly the most social of the bunch and prefers to keep to herself. She’s just not that interested in spending time with others and would rather focus on other things. Her main job is taking care of artistic elements. Sculpting, carving, detailing... She has a bit of knowledge in fabrics too, but her main forte lays elsewhere. If you need a mural made or someone to craft up the smaller parts of statues, she’s the Mawkin for the job. Diligent and sharp-eyed, she’s devoted to her craft, does her job and that’s enough for her. She can be a bit picky when it comes to materials though, but usually she’ll make just about anything work if needed. ~~~~~~~~~ Soot Rook - He/Him -  Inspiration from a 100% completion pic again Honestly he’s a mess. Gray Catbird might be a stretch, but it’s something (There’s a better explanation as to why he’s a mess at the bottom xD) As average in height as they get Also a member of White Crow’s unit, he’s the newest member and somewhat of a rookie in comparison to the other members. There are other fresh additions to the team too, but Soot Rook is the latest addition. He may not be as experienced as others, but he sure is eager to take part and prove himself. Occasionally he gets a bit nervous and might lock up if overwhelmed, but he’s trying his best and the other members of the unit are fairly supportive - though there’s a limit to everything. And while Soot hasn’t necessarily ever annoyed any Mawkin in the team, he does hope to not risk getting on anyone’s nerves if their patience is being tested already. He does have a habit of being a little unlucky though, and he can occasionally appear a bit clumsy too, but he has good manners and usually a proper apology is all it takes to get past that Little bonus: He used to have. So many potential different variants and versions. First based on the Iberian Magpie and Sardinian Warbler kinda, as well as the Pied Wheatear and I loved these, but boi. They just didn’t have the right feeling to them so I had to pass up on them :C I eventually just pretty much had to go make stuff up to try and get the vibe right. The middle one here is the closest to feeling like what I wanted, but also it just reminds me if a discount Raven Beak xD If the little blue line was dark and he had a more prominent light beak... Uh oh. Rawr’n Bark (and the discount Thoha, Bath Robe) I really like the first and last ones though, but we already got so many fellas fighting for screentime in the writing I don’t think I’ll be able to use the designs through crafting new characters. The creative pain

[neopronouns]

Would it be okay to ask for a queue check? /genq /nf thank u!!

currently there's:

hyperemposic flag

s'shape of you' and 'bad habits' musicagenders

gender related to enjoying the smell of a new book, flipping through the pages, and slamming it shut as a stim

baby hippo biting leg mimesigender

kogyaru, gyaruo, and hime lexegenders

mlp mane six colorgenders

q-lia cutesy animals endelic

gender related to blood, nullness, rips, bones, and cemeteries

gender related to cemeteries

hypersexual ocd flag

plushiegender cream the rabbit icons

fnaffranchisian

ddlcgamic

gender that feels like the safety and comfort of holding a plush close

'no thoughts, head empty' phrasic + mimesigender

'there will be blood' from rusty lake quoteic

hypnosis hypfascic, fascic, and hypic

'lavender labs' and 'dr. voldritch's experiment' gamics

gender connected to forming a found family with other trans people who were rejected/harmed by their original families and the overwhelming feeling of love it brings

ofmd spinnic, hypic, conic, and comfic

'photos from when we were young' musicagender

gender related to the ⎇ symbol

gender related to the nato phonetic alphabet

gender related to yearning and being gay

crow -sproutaen

owl -sproutaen

african grey parrot -sproutaen

gender related to alchemy

gender that is itself a bouquet of flowers

flag for having adhd, hypersexuality, hpd, dpd, madd, and bpd

gender related to having the above disorders

transnoirine flag

though i do still have to queue up the rest of my terms for epikulupu's event, which will be placed in between the current posts, and i might bump 26-29 higher if i want to post the headcanon i coined them for sooner

[incandescent-creativity]

hi, happy storyteller saturday! (now that we're friends, I'd love to call you Lucent, and maybe Lucy for short OR Blaze)

assign birds to each of your characters (please show pictures)

Curious about where the nicknames come from (was this meant for another user?), but I’m happy to be friends!

And birds are fun so!

Ash and Zach would be a pair of parrots, or parrot-adjacent. Cockatoos have Zach’s color scheme, and African Grey parrots have Ash’s. Plus, I like that those birds have the same like “goofy and serious sun/moon pair” appearance while both being pretty intelligent.

Mal and Olu both have wings already, but I will say that Nora would also be a parrot, but simply because of those green parrots that fly around San Francisco (where she lives). There’s pictures in the article!

For the larger casts, let’s put those under a read-more bar lol

THE SOLE GANG

You can meet most of them here!

Dr. Agau is an albatross, and so is Beth. Beautiful ocean birds that are fuzzy and weird as babies, but beautiful and intimidating as adults.

You may know this picture of them from an old tumblr post saying as much.

Hans’s wings have always been modeled after a hawk. If pressed for specifics, probably the red-tailed hawk, I like their stripes.

Christian would be a brown falcon; nothing flashy, but known as one of the species of “firehawks” in its native Australia for its habit of showing up after field fires to hunt displaced animals

Matt would be a black wheatear, because that’s what Google says is the strongest bird (relative to their bodyweight). I didn’t want to make him a bird of prey, since he’s not as pro-fighting as other characters, and he is also the shortest of the group. A teeny bird fits him best.

Hallie would be a peregrine falcon, for hopefully obvious reasons. Fastest bird. Next.

And Michael would be a raven. Intelligent, dark color palettes, often found in pairs as opposed to a larger flock like crows. 

FLOAT

If you don’t know the FLOAT crew, see here <3

Aspen would have to be a seagull. But maybe not your average dirty seagull, maybe one with dignity? Like the “great black-backed gull.”

River was a tough one, but I finally landed on a great cormorant, because they’re the ocean birds that dive underwater, and she ends up as the diver for the crew!

Dandy would be a pelican, because she’s the ship chef and they have that whole mouth thing going on. Dirt, the lookout, would be one of those sandy pipers, because they can move so fast.

Venus, the first mate, would be a Magnificent Frigatebird, because look at them. Vera, the medic, would be a puffin, because I feel it would be remiss not to have one.

The twins, Brook and Blossom, would be a pair of swans. I know they’re not ocean birds, but it just fits them best.

Frigatebird, alone, bc I love how they look

[coralcatsea]

Do you have any PrUk headcanons, if you do. GIMME

I'm glad you asked.

-When they first met as children somewhere between 1100 and 1300, Arthur was both fascinated and puzzled by Gilbert's appearance. He could sense a similar presence to his own, yet the boy looked like no nation he'd ever seen before. Rather, he looked a great deal more like a fairy, and Arthur took to calling him Fairy Boy. Gilbert initially felt wary of this, as he'd heard fairies were evil and already got compared to evil creatures enough as it was. Arthur informed him, however, that he liked fairies, and Gilbert's defences lessened slightly.

-They developed feelings for each other during the 1500s, but neither of them would admit this to themselves no matter how much Gilbert claimed it was to "keep an eye on the troublesome pirate" or Arthur claimed his urge to seek out the priest was simply due to him being fun to mess with.

-Arthur definitely has a thing for Gilbert in that cassock, by the way.

-They share an interest in fantasy and folklore. Prussia is actually rather curious about England's magical friends and in turn, England likes to hear Prussia talk about German legends of the lorelei and other beings.

-They both enjoy Legend of Zelda. One Halloween, Gilbert dressed up as a Sheikah while Arthur was Link. Arthur even had one of his fairies join him as Navi.

-One thing Gilbert found frustrating for a while was how Arthur always seemed to be surrounded by other people. He had so many relations (some good, many not) and Gilbert wondered how well he could actually break through and catch his attention.

-Francis and Lovino were convinced Arthur and Gilbert had a thing for each other and tried to play matchmaker. Francis because he's the nation of love, Lovino because their beating around the bush was driving him nuts. Arthur and Gilbert opposed them, first wanting to reconnect and build up their friendship after having been separated (thanks to Gilbert being forced to live with Ivan for a while) before thinking about anything else, but even when they started acknowledging their romantic feelings they were content to let things develop naturally, including when Arthur started to suspect the romantic feelings were mutual – although Arthur did get a little bolder with flirting.

-Gilbert is an openly aggressive man with a gentle side. Arthur is a self-proclaimed gentleman who attempts to mask his aggressive side. They both need an outlet and don't get the chance to fight in battles as often as they used to, so they make up for it by roughhousing together.

-They both LOVE teasing the other, albeit not vindictively. They try to avoid sensitive topics, mostly just wanting to say whatever they can to get the other flustered.

-Gilbert has a habit of pulling Arthur's cheeks when he finds himself flustered or frustrated with the man. Arthur either swats his hands away, pulls Gilbert's cheeks in return, or just bites him like the feral thing he is.

-Gilbert doesn't actually think that highly of Francis, something that Arthur was very pleased to discover. In addition, whenever Gilbert plays pranks or makes jokes at the expense of other nations, Arthur will be laughing HARD. If he's not already doing the same thing right along with him, that is.

-After getting romantically involved, Arthur started calling Gilbert "vögelchen" since he was always comparing himself to a little bird, and Gilbert started calling Arthur "robin" after his national bird.

-Although Arthur finds Gilbert's love of animals endearing, Gilbert has a terrible habit of trying to convince him to take in strays that he can't convince Ludwig to let inside.

-Back when Arthur was a privateer, he owned an African grey parrot. He named it Gill due to the feathers around its neck resembling fish gills and possibly also to poke fun at Gilbert since parrots are known for being loud and talkative.

-They like to sing and play music together. Arthur used to claim Gilbert's voice was like nails on a chalkboard, but after some time he had to struggle with the fact he started to find it /attractive/.

That's all for now because I don't want this post to get too long, but please, feel free to ask more questions about them whenever~

[maraudingforflesh]

batfam fics

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22046923

From here (6,845 words); Damian breaks into Wayne manor to retrieve some of his things. Bruce is angry with him and Dick is gone, but Tim manages to comfort the sick child assassin

https://archiveofourown.org/series/1570438

they say this is home (but home is with you) (series); two fics that follow the bat brothers trying to heal together following the revelation that Bruce is abusing Damian

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25099570

Cold (3,058 words); Tim gets cold easily and when you mix that with his habit of not eating things don’t go well

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24845173

A Regular Occurrence (3,820 words); 5 times Tim falls asleep on somebody and 1 time someone falls asleep on him

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24739210

Six Months of Alice (20,618 words); Tim and Damian bust up an animal smuggling ring and Tim adopts an African grey parrot

https://archiveofourown.org/series/1757731

of small mercies (series); Tim and Damian bond after Tim has a minor meltdown over his room being destroyed

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24144925

Do you even make a sound? (4,935 words); Tim decides to leave the Wayne family for good

https://archiveofourown.org/works/3798340/chapters/8458480

Two Reds Don’t Make It Right (34,801 words); Jason and Tim spend some quality time together after Jason calls his younger brother to fix his computer

https://archiveofourown.org/series/1559464

In Which Jason and Tim become Best Friends (series); the title makes a promise and the fics deliver my dudes. It all starts when Jason has to wait out Tim suffering through fear serum

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18627067

free (as a bird) (11,873 words); I like to read about Tim having autism and also a support network with his family bc that’s peak wish fulfillment babey

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25566577

The Study of Birds (16,520 words); Damian and Tim start birdwatching together

https://archiveofourown.org/works/27460930

I’m so Sick of Me (2,855 words); Damian is sick so timkon date night is confined to the manor

[tiktokparrot]

African Grey Parrots and the Science of Sleep: Wild vs. Captivity – Tips for a Well-Rested Bird

Discover how African Grey Parrots sleep in the wild vs. captivity and learn tips to ensure your feathered friend gets the best rest possible!

[rottenheartedchild]

Witch of Songs

It's been a long time since I've posted anything here so here's the latest Bayonetta oc using my Dragon Raja because 1. He deserves to have kickass demon/dragon powers and 2. I'm bi. Huge apologies for any mistakes in the bio, let me know so I can correct them.

Also the left pic is from kazmourner's picrew, https://picrew.me/image_maker/163761)

Character template is from Kaishos,https://www.deviantart.com/kaishos/art/character-profile-template-123273743)

General Information First name: Isidore Surname: D’Aramitz Age: 19(physically), 570(chronologically) Date of birth: 13/10/1442 Race: Umbran Witch Gender: Trans man Sexuality: Bisexual Demiromantic Current residence: Cassell College  Relationship status: Currently engaged to Durante Traits of Voice Accent (if any): Slight Marseille that thickens whenever his emotion get the best of him Language spoken: English Other languages known: Enochian, French, Italian, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, very few Mandarin, very little Japanese, Turkish Style of speaking: Casual, occasionally formal Volume of voice: Deep, soft and gentle Physical Appearance Height: 5′4″,162.6cm Weight: 73kg,161lb Eye color: Pink Skin color: Dark brown Distinguishing features: Star shaped birthmark on the back Build of body: Athletic Hair color: Black with blue highlights Complexion: Combination type Posture: Slightly hunched Tattoos: Oleander flowers wrapped all over the left arm Piercings: Gold studs on the ears Typical clothing: Combat boots, billowy shirts, suspenders, pleather pants, pastel dresses, fishnet stockings, Doc Martens, distressed jeans, baggy t-shirts, old sneakers, fur coats, windbreakers, crop tops, fingerless gloves, oversized hoodies, fingerless gloves, thigh high socks, stilettos. Personality Likes: Food, music, birds, forests, stargazing, books, history, libraries, abandoned buildings, new sights, adventure novels, beaches, poisonous plants, science, diy projects, cooking, making new songs, musicals, concerts, graffiti, motor racing. Dislikes: Tacky furniture, minimalist design, elitist fans, bad hair days, exhaust fumes, strong perfumes, overcooked steaks, mafias, upper crust parties, being ordered around, bigots, racists, boring classes, older men, predictability. Education: College  Fears: Christmas, dead bodies, sirens, crowds, being trapped in an empty room, doctors  Personal goals: To discover more about his past and kill everyone responsible for the Black Swan massacre. General attitude: Very chill and easygoing guy but incredibly terrifying once provoked. Religious values: Agnostic General intelligence: Above average, a quick learner General sociability: Ambivert

Health Allergies (if any): Dairy products, peanuts Sleeping habits: Is a light sleeper Energy level: Mostly high Eating habits: Extremely unbalanced Memory: Eidetic memories Any unhealthy habits: Starts smoking as a way to relieve stress, or when it gets too much to handle. History Birth country: France Hometown: Marseille Childhood: Lived a relatively normal childhood with his baby sister until he was awoken with the dark arts one day, his sister with the light. Fearing for their safety, their parents sent them away to both Lumen and Umbra Clans so they could hone their gifts. Teen years: Training under Ivan’s tutelage, Isidore’s talents blossomed as he managed to take down one of the Clan’s gifted fighter, albeit with difficulties. Soon he made a pact with Monsieur Phenex, a Great Marquis of Inferno. Adult years: Accomplished in his line of duty, his next task was to be the mentor for the Master Assassin’s youngest daughter, Malika, who reminded him of his own sister. At the time, both he and an Umbran soldier, Durante, fell in love and engaged after years of courtship. Past places of residence: Vigrid, Black Swan Bay orphanage Briefly explain life story: Isidore was once a talented Witch under Ivan’s command before the Clan War erupted and nearly wiped both sides out, him included. A desperate Durante carried his and Marisol’s bodies to a far off place before sealing them in a tomb, using his gift to regress their bodies to that of a child, hoping they would be saved. 500 years have passed, and their tomb was discovered by an archeologist, surprised to see two living children sleeping in an ancient tomb. Curiosity piqued, he took the children to a man named Herzog to be studied and soon, they were placed under his care.

As time goes by, the now 19 years old Isidore lives peacefully with other orphans and even gets excited at the upcoming Christmas party when he found out Renata’s plan to ask Z as her partner. All of that were destroyed when bombs dropped out of nowhere and in his last moments was Renata pushing both him and his sister into the sea, begging them to live on. 20 passed and they woke up in a new place called Cassell College. The incident still fresh in his mind, he vow to kill every single monsters who murdered the orphan while trying to figure out those haunting scenes inside his head. Relationships Parents: Oscar D’Aramitz(deceased), Kahina Adebayo(deceased) Siblings: Marisol, Renata/Zero(adopted) Any enemies: Dr.Herzog/Osho, Bondarev/Masamune for the deaths in Black Swan Bay, the Laguna for the destruction of the Umbran clan. Friends: Erii, Aruna, Nono, Misaki, Satoshi, Johann Best friend(s): Chime, Tuncay, Aisya, Malika Important friends/relatives (explain): Ivan(His former mentor and the one who taught him how to fight), Salwa(Ivan’s wife and master of espionage Love interest (if there is one): Durante, Monsieur Phenex Combat Peaceful or violent: Peaceful, he only uses violence when it’s appropriate  Weapon (if applicable): Two pairs of guns named after the children of Persephone, a scythe that can be folded into a guitar containing the soul of a fallen angel and a sphere which uses his energy to manipulate time and heal injuries. Style of fighting: a mix between capoeira , krav maga, savate, boxing, bokator and stick-fighting. Others Occupation: Student by day, indie performer by night. After graduation, he became a bounty hunter while performing in cities and campuses. Current home: Cassell college Favourite types of food: Anything savory, spicy and sour. Favourite types of drink: fruit juices and herbal tea. Hobbies/past times: Strumming his guitar, catching up with the latest events, volunteering at shelters, doing music videos, watching YouTube videos, trying out recipes, sketching, crafting, documenting plants, napping, playing video games with his sister, bird watching, foraging, gossiping with people. Guilty pleasures: Erotic novels, late night snacking, staying up late to watch livestreams, consuming copious amount of jams and spreads. Pet peeves: When people didn’t finish their food, the sound of chalkboard being scratched, strangers touching him out of nowhere, being underestimated, going on unplanned trips, noodles not cooked right. Pets: Bebe (Citron cockatoo), Astro (African Grey parrot), Marmalade and Cream (cockatiel), Onyx (crow)

[dumbfuck-mojave]

Companions React to Sole With Talkative Bird: Part 1

This is part one of a single ask. I just wanted to split it up since it would be long af otherwise. This react includes: Codsworth, Curie, Cait along with a short pre-war intro. Warnings for this part: Swearing (obviously) and brief mention of Cait’s drug abuse in one sentence. 

This was such a hilarious request how could I not start it (almost) immediately. Also, thank you for the request! If you enjoyed, feel free to request more!

For context, I did “two parts” to each react: A part where the companions first meet Sole and their bird and another general reaction to it being so talkative.  They aren’t exactly split up in a sense but I hope you get what I’m saying. I also didn’t really have a set focus on how long the certain “parts” were going to be so yeahhh 😅.

As the sirens blared, Sole looked helplessly around the house. 

“Sole, come on!” Their spouse yelled frantically, holding a fussing Shaun in their arms. But another fussing was heard from the room the two lovers shared. It would never be allowed, but Sole couldn’t just leave him there. Bolting to the room, they hurriedly unlocked the large cage in the corner, holding their hand out so their precious bird could climb on. 

“I don’t mean to rush but you three must hurry and go now!” Codsworth said, it almost sounded like there was a bit of nervousness in his tone. Sole rushed out into the living room once more. They looked at Codsworth.

“Codsworth, stay safe.” Sole said solemnly as their spouse rushed them to the door, somehow  either missing the bird or choosing to ignore it.

“Babe, they will never let you bring him in.” Sole’s spouse said as they ran up the hill.

“We already had to leave Codsworth, I couldn’t leave Comet too. He was screaming so loud, I just had too. I'll find a way to hide him, I’m sure of it. “

Astonishingly, Sole did find a way to hide the bird during the journey through Vault 111. Comet had to have appeared on the life monitor, but it was no use worrying about now,  were Sole’s thoughts as they lost their last slivers of consciousness. 

Sole was so grateful Comet managed to survive being cryogenically frozen and unfrozen twice, because after what they had seen, he was the only thing that was keeping them grounded. Stumbling their way through the now deserted Vault, bright light blinded them as they were brought to the surface after more than 200 years.

Codsworth: “Sole, you’re back!”, Codsworth shouted gleefully as he saw Sole walking towards Sanctuary, Comet perched on their shoulder.

“Hello Codsworth.”, Sole seemed to be in a dazed state as they continued to look around what was once a lively, vibrant neighborhood. 

“Well then, it’s to see you again! Comet is with you as well! Oh, that’s wonderful! May I ask, where are <spouse> and young master Shaun? They mustn’t be late for dinner.... Again. You do know how your spouse loved to take Shaun on walks. I remember-”

“Codsworth, please. Did you see them? The people that took Shaun? They must have passed through here right?”

“Oh, you always were a jokester, weren’t you? Unless…. You’re serious? Oh heavens!” Codsworth waved his arms around frantically, “Then what has happened to your dear spouse?”

“They’re dead, Codsworth. I need to go find out who killed them, and find Shaun. Do you know of anywhere that could help me?”

“Well, there is the town of Concord over the bridge. It’s a bit of a walk but you may be able to find some help there.”

“Ok, that’s where I’ll start. I just- I think I need to sit down for a moment.” Sole suddenly gasped, gently holding their hand to their chest. Comet snuggled his beak into the side of their head.

“Gracious, come inside at once.” Codsworth led them into their pre-war house and sat them down on the couch, “I will try to find you something to fill your stomach, not eating for two hundred years must have left you famished!”

Sole blankly stared down. How could this be? Had it really been 200 years? Who had taken Shaun? And why? So many questions rushed through their mind as Comet made his way from their shoulder to their open hands. 

“Hey!” Comet chirped and whistled, looking up and Sole. Sole looked up at Comet with glistening eyes, weakling lifting their free hand to pet him on the head. After a few moments, Comet hopped off and flew into the back of the house. 

“Um, mum/sir? I do apologize, but I can’t quite seem to find anything that would give you a full meal.” Codsworth floated back into the house and hovered in front of Sole, “Are you okay?”

Sole looked up, startled and focusing on the present once more, “That’s okay Codsworth. Thank you for trying anyways.” 

“I think your spouse was planning on giving this to you as a gift before everything happened.” Codsworth extended his claw to drop a holotape in Sole’s hand.”, My protocol prevents me from listening to it, but I think it’s a message for you.” 

Sole flipped the tape over in their hands, running their pointer finger along the ridged edge. Hi Honey was written in slanted handwriting on a small piece of paper attached to one side, a few ink spots splattered around it. Sole’s hands tightened around it as they felt more sobs grow in their chest. Whatever they were going to do after that was interrupted by Comet flying back into the room, landing on the scratched-up island in the middle of the kitchen. Comet jumped up and down, aggressively shaking his favorite toy: A small ball with a bell trapped inside it. Both Codsworth and Sole stared at him. 

“I always told you you never should have gotten that for him. He went on and on with that thing during the night.” Codsworth sighed exasperatedly. Oh, of course Codsworth remembered Comet from before the war. Comet was with Sole long before Codsworth was, so they’ve known each other  since the day Codsworth was booted up. 

What he did not expect was how talkative the bird was going to be. Comet always seemed to be saying something and at first Codsworth thought Comet was going to only say compliments and affections. Whether Comet was complimenting Sole while on their shoulder or talking to Sole’s spouse through the cage, it was always the sweetest little things. He even complimented Codsworth, calling him “Pretty Codsy” as he perched on one of Codsworth’s eyes. Sole told Codsworth Comet probably picked it up from them calling him Codsy offhandedly and Comet’s preference for compliments. It’s not like Codsworth minded, it even gave him a small boost of confidence being complimented so frequently. 

But Comet had a preference for something else. One day, while  Codsworth was cleaning the living room, Comet flew in and promptly called Codsworth a “Fucking rustbucket”. Codsworth stopped in shock the same way he did when one of the neighbor's called him that earlier that day. It was probably where he learned such a vile saying. From that point forward, Codsworth slowly learned to deal with it. Comet was just repeating phrases he had heard, no matter if it was vicious insults or heartfelt compliments. And even though he would never admit it, Codsworth did feel some joy after hearing Comet tell a raider to fuck off.

Curie: When Comet flew past the window into Curie’s room, she almost couldn’t believe it.

“Is that an African Grey Parrot?” Curie asked in her gentle voice and she moved to the window, “How did such a thing ever get down here?”

“Is someone in there?” Sole’s voice echoed down the hall as Comet flew back and sat on their head. 

“Oh! A human! Finally. I have been waiting so long for you to come.” Curie gasped, “Please tell me you are authorized to release me.” 

“I’m not a person from Vault-Tec. Why do you need me to release you, why can’t you do it yourself?” Sole asked. 

“I am not authorized to do so without written or verbal permission from a Vault-Tec representative. Are you authorized to release me? Please say yes.”

“Yes!” Comet harped on top of Sole’s head. Sole sighed exasperatedly while Comet looked down at them, waiting for a treat. Sole held up their arm so he could climb down on it and put a seed ball in their hand for him to grab.

“You now what? Whatever. I’m authorized to let you out. So you may come out.” Sole flatly said. 

“Oh this is great news indeed!” Curie replied eagerly,” I will open the door for you at once” 

As the door slid open, Curie held out a vial to Sole.

“I am pleased to report I finished all my duties 83 years ago. The molerats were infected with a variety of pathogens and this was made as a cure-all formula. Quite amazing, is it not? Do be careful where you use this though, as it is the only one left and I do not have the materials to make more.” 

“Alright, thank you!” Sole smiled as they took the cure. They had taken extra steps to prevent getting bitten by the rabid molerats travelling through the Vault and it worked. Now all they had to do was get it back to the main part and give it to Austin, “ Would you like to come with me back to the Vault?”

“I very much would, monsieur/madame. I haven’t been out of that room for ages.” 

“Let’s get going then.” Sole nodded, setting off towards the stairs.

As they were drawing close to the exit, Curie couldn’t help but stare and the bird perched on Sole’s shoulders. 

“May I ask where you got your bird? I have not seen one for a very long time and a healthy Parrot no less! You must take good care of them.”

“Oh!” Sole laughed, “I’ve been with this guy a long time. I’ve had him about five/six years now.”

“He seems to trust you very much. If it is possible, I would like to take a closer look at his habits when we get out of this place.” 

“You fucker!” Comet squawked as Curie finished her sentence. 

“Mon Dieu! That is so rude!” Curie puffed, hovering a few inches upward. 

“I’m sorry! He doesn’t mean anything by it, I think, he just repeats things he’s heard.” Sole faltered as Comet gleefully said fuck over and over, “ I may have a swearing problem to work on.”

“African Grey parrots are very intelligent, so it isn’t surprising that he picked up so many words.” Curie explained, “ Not to say that was called for.” 

“I swear, he’s a really sweet bird. Comet, you’re nice aren’t you?”Sole turned to their bird, “Come on, isn’t Curie nice?” 

“Very nice!”, Comet twittered, bouncing up and down, “Pretty voice, woo-hoo!” 

“Oh, why thank you! My vocal pattern and accent is unique to me, designed by one of the scientists that used to be here, Mr. Collins!”  

As talked about, Curie did examine Comet when they got back into Vault 81. Sole knew their bird was very much an attention hog and chuckled as Comet sat pridefully when Curie gently observed him. Comet took a liking to Curie fairly quickly and complimented her frequently. When she finally got her synth body, Comet immediately flew to her and snuggled his head against her cheek. Though she enjoyed the compliments, Comet would scream out a random curse word from time to time, startling Curie. She mostly was just excited there was a living, breathing parrot for her to interact and study with. 

Cait: “Holy fuck!” A raider screamed, right before choking on his own blood. 

As a gunfight started, Cait looked out of the metal cage to see a shadowed figure ripping apart raiders with an assault rifle. 

“Cait! Keep your head down!” Tommy whispered as he crouched in the corner.

“Oh shove off, you coward.”

“Yeah, bitch!”

Both Cait and Tommy looked at the bird that landed in the cage with confusion. Even more confusion followed when the shadowy figure stepped into the cage, the parrot immediately flying to them.  

“Hey, buddy! What’s the deal with you killing all my customers?” Tommy scoffed at Sole, who seemed mildly displeased that they had gotten so much blood on their skin.

“Um, I just saved your life. You should be grateful that those raiders didn’t start in-fighting before I got here.” 

“Yeah, bitch!”

“Comet, hush,” Sole rubbed their bird’s head with a calloused thumb, “What even is this place anyway?”

“Not from around these parts, huh? This, my bird whispering friend, is the Combat Zone.” Tommy opened his arms a bit at the now empty theater, “It was a raider fighting hotspot until you decided to clear the house.” 

The wheels turned in Tommy’s head and when he turned back around you could almost envision the light bulb popping up. Ding!

“So, you saw the end of my little bird’s fight, correct? How’d you like it?”

“God Dammit Tommy! I told you to stop calling me that.” 

“It was very impressive.” Sole turned towards Cait, “ You are a very capable fighter.”

Cait slapped her palms against her thighs, then up in the air, “Finally, someone with some appreciation.” 

“Listen, I might appreciate more if you didn’t keep plunging that junk into your arm. You’re high right now, aren’t you!” Tommy said angrily.

“Why do you care!? It helps me bring in the caps, doesn’t it? Shouldn’t matter how I do it!”

“It’s making you sloppy Cait!” Tommy said exasperatedly, “You know what? Let’s make a deal. Since I’m not bringing in any caps at the moment and you think Cait here is a capable fighter, why don’t you take her off my hands while I try to figure out a new business strategy.”

“Only if she agrees to it.” 

“She’ll agree to it once she figures out we got no audience, no caps, and no one else to talk to but me.” 

“Jesus, point taken,” Cait huffed, turning to Sole, “Let’s get out of here before I change my mind.” 

Once out on the road again, Cait started asking questions about Comet.

“So, where the hell did you get something like that?”

“Comet? Oh, I got him before the war.”

“You what?”

Sole smiled, “It’s a long story to be honest.” 

Comet jumped off of Sole’s shoulder onto their bag, reaching inside to grab at his bell. He started rattling it aggressively in Cait’s direction. 

“Oh, that means he likes you!” Sole piped in. 

“Well if you don’t quit that rattling I’m about to take that bell away from you.” Cait growled as the rattling got louder and faster.

Sole, not wanting to piss off Cait more, gently pried the bell from Comet’s beak and put it back in the bag. 

“You’re beautiful, woo-hoo!” Comet swayed back and forth on Sole’s arms, nodding his head to an imaginary beat. 

“Come on, Cait. He’s just trying to impress you.” Sole pushed, bobbing their arm up and down to match Comet’s dance. 

“The day I take a compliment from a critter is the day I give up the last shred of decency I have.”

Though it took awhile, Cait eventually got used to Comet’s presence. She would never show it, but she was actually a bit scared of him at first. The first time Comet got on her shoulder she nearly slapped him off out of fear, if it wasn’t for Sole swooping in and calming her down. But during her withdrawals, when she felt too nauseous to even stand up, Comet let her pet his head softly, crooning a soft tune. That changed something in Cait. Now you wouldn’t even know Cait was scared of birds at first, as she handles him like a pro. She still doesn’t like him, so don’t even think that *wink wink*. 

[bayoubluebirb]

Read This Before Buying A Bird!

There are some things to be considered before going to a pet store and buying that cute little conure or cockatiel in a cage, adopting a bird from a shelter, or homing a bird from a small independent breeder. Addressed questions: How much money are you willing to spend? Are you okay with the possibility of having a furniture-destructive animal in the house? How much space do you have? What is the climate and your neighborhood like? How long are you away from home per day? How much time can you commit?

How much money are you willing to spend on your pet per month?

- I probably spend about $50-$100 on my bird a month on average. On big trips to pick up perches, trees, or cages, it’s more along $200-$800.

- Birds are not cheap. They can range in price, but typically a healthy hand-reared budgie will cost anything from $50 to $100. My Peach Faced Lovebird was $140. I have a male Solomon Eclectus that was almost $2000. African Greys, Congo and Timneh, range $2500-$3500. Macaws range $2500-$23,000, etc.

- Cages are expensive! A good quality cage that is not full of harmful metals or paints, will cost between $200 and $5000. My SL Eclectus’ cage is pure acrylic and was almost $800. He will be getting a larger cage and that is $1500.

- Birds do need annual vet check ups, and they require exotic veterinarians specialized specifically in Birds. Because they need a special doctor, it also costs more. Co-pays are usually around $150-$400, and procedures and medications can be off the roof expensive.

- If you cannot afford to feed yourself, provide yourself with necessities and a couple wants, and are living comfortably, a bird is not the pet for you.

Are you okay with them possibly destroying a few beloved things in your home?

- Birds are often described as animals that take and don’t give back. They are natural foragers, and need stimulation to keep them entertained. Your parrot may chew at your door frames, your door itself, couch cushions, Leather materials, kitchen supplies, etc.

- Birds have extremely sensitive respiratory tracts, so if you aren’t willing to give up that lovely PFAS chemical we Environmentalists like to call The Devil We Know, AKA Teflon, then a bird is not for you.

- If you aren’t willing to trade in bleach, vinegar, non-stick, cleaning sprays and window cleaners, for something organic, trusted and approved by your avian vet, then a bird is not for you. It is much more expensive, but it would not only keep your bird safe, but also you safe!

How much space do you have in your home?

-Even if your bird’s wings are clipped, you need enough space for your bird to spread its wings and maneuver about.

-Birds talk a lot, so if you appreciate your quiet time, don’t get a bird if you live in close-quarters.

-Talk to your neighbors first before you buy a parrot if you live in an apartment or townhome. Yes. The birds will scream. Yes, your neighbors will hear it.

-If you want more than one bird, even if they’re the same specie, never house them in the same cage, even if it’s giant! Birds are NON DOMESTICATED animals, and it’s important we mimic their habits in the wild as to not frustrate them. Birds are animals that while in flocks, are incredibly spread out unless they’re mates or conversing. Birds are always alert, and are watching and listening. They need their space.

What is the climate like yearly?

-Where do you live and what is the temperature in each season?

-Do you get snow in the winter? Many people up north have birds, but it’s also more pricey to own a bird up north due to the extra expenses needed to keep the bird warm.

-How warm/cold do you keep the air on in your house?

-What species of bird are you considering? They come from all different habitats. The Peach Faced Lovebird, for example, is native to sub-desert regions like Namibia and Angola. Probably not a good idea to get a Peach Faced Lovebird if you keep your home below 19°C/66°F.

-Birds NEED vitamins (D3) they get from the sun, just like people! If your weather is consistently unable to provide these vitamins to your birds, you either need to purchase a UVB/UVA lamp, or you just should not get a bird.

What is your neighborhood like?

- Down in Florida, Texas, and many other states with high-demand parrot breeding and shops, there’s a lot of thievery. Make sure you live in a safe environment.

- If you live near chemical/manufacturing plants, or has an immediate family member that does, a bird is not for you.

- Birds are very sensitive to pollution. Please make sure your neighborhood is clean, because not only is it bad for the pets, but also the people!

- How noisy is the neighborhood? Do you live in New Orleans and pop big celebrations for Mardi Gras? Do you live in areas with lots of fireworks or loud noises? This can startle your bird. It can bring them stress!

- If you plan on flight training and/or bringing them outside on a harness, is your town/city very busy? Is there a lot of traffic? Are there birds of prey that live nearby? Hawks WILL and HAVE swooped down to snatch a parrot off of someone’s shoulder for a snack, and have even snatched them out of the sky while free-flying. Please be careful!

How long per day are you away at work/school?

- If you work a full time job and are a college student, you will not have time to take care of a bird and be able to grant your bird’s needs.

- How many hours a day do you work/are away from home? Parrots on average need AT LEAST six to seven hours a day out of their cage!

- Birds need attention, but not in the sense where you need to throw them a ball or cuddle with them. Being in the room with them out of the cage is even plenty to make them happy. They want you to be with them, but not on them!

How much time can you devote to your bird? How patient are you?

- Birds are a lifetime commitment. Depending on the species, your bird can live between 15 and 100 years. Do not adopt a bird unless you have accepted that this bird will be with you through everything. If you move, if you get married or divorced, if you have children, if you get other pets, etc.

- If you don’t think you’ll want the same bird for twenty+ years, do not get a bird. There are countless in avian shelters and sanctuaries right now, and it’s heartbreaking to see. If you wouldn’t sell your child because you got bored of them or were struggling to care for them, don’t sell your parrot.

- Parrots grow extremely attached to the people they’re used to being around, and in that case have many emotions similar to humans. They put trust in you, and rely on you, and love you. Rehoming them after multiple years of building that relationship can cause self-mutilating behaviors, depression, aggression, and even death from loneliness and feeling abandoned. If you cannot handle strong emotions and a deep attachment, a bird is not for you.

- Many parrots love to learn, and many are stubborn. They are extremely smart animals and among the most intelligent in the world, so keeping them stimulated with daily training is essential.

- Birds bite, and when they bite, it hurts... A LOT. I have been bitten until bleeding by an African Grey, I have been bitten by a previously abused Yellow-headed Amazon, I am constantly bitten by my Lovebird that I am trying to train to be less aggressive. Birds bite, and no, if you don’t understand why you aren’t allowed to scream “Ow!” when it happens, a bird is not the pet for you.

- Birds are not dogs, nor cats, nor horses. Negative reinforcement will only enable Negative behavior in your parrot! You must have the patience to, even when they bite you, praise them for it. You want them to know that biting doesn’t get a reaction out of you and that it won’t make you give them more or less attention. They will eventually learn this and try to find other ways of communicating with you.

- Birds do not bite to communicate by nature. You must take time to learn your bird’s body language. They will always give you at least FOUR warnings before they bite you hard. Please, learn to speak to your bird. They cannot learn English fluently like everyone else.

Please, let me know if I should do some more of these helpful pointers! By no means am I insinuating you should not get a bird, because I love hearing about people’s emotions and excitement toward them. They’re wonderful companions. I merely aim to inform people before they make a big lifetime decision like adding a feathered friend into their family!

[dkkalu]

BASIC  INFORMATION.

FULL NAME: Dayo Kingsley Kalu

NICKNAME: D, Day | (Portland Alias) Kingsley, Kings

OCCUPATION: Student (& Board Member of Kalu Group)

AGE: 29

DATE OF BIRTH: October 3, 1990

NATIONALITY: Nigerian

GENDER & PRONOUNS: Cis male, He/Him

SEXUAL ORIENTATION: Unsure

RELIGION ( or lack thereof ): Christian

PHYSICAL INFORMATION.

DOMINANT HAND: Right

ACCENT + INTENSITY: He’s lived most of his life in Lagos, Nigeria and part of it in London; his early schooling had been in private British schools (in Lagos) and some of his university years were in London, so his accent is heavily Nigerian with a bit of a British lilt from time to time.

TATTOO(s): 1

SCAR(s): A faint burn mark from cooking about 2 years ago.

PIERCING(s): N/A

GLASSES: N/A

BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

HOMETOWN: Lagos, Nigeria

CURRENT RESIDENCE: Lake Oswego, Portland, Oregon

LANGUAGE(s): fluent in English, Igbo, & BSL (British Sign Language); familiar with but not fluent in French

SOCIAL CLASS: Elite

BASIC EDUCATION: His primary and secondary schooling was in private schools in Lagos

COLLEGE EDUCATION: He received 2 bachelor degrees, one in Cairo, Egypt and one in London, England

DEGREE(s): Bachelor of Commerce (Cairo University) & BSc in Business Management (Kings College, London)

MOTHER: Sade Kalu

FATHER: Adedayo Kalu

SIBLING(s): 2, 1 brother and 1 sister

SIGNIFICANT OTHER(s): None, currently.

CHILDREN: None

ADDITIONAL FAMILY: He has a few aunts, uncles and cousins

PET(s): Netherland Dwarf Rabbit (Shango), African Grey Parrot (Iago) & a few tropical fish.

RAP SHEET?: N/A

PRISON TIME?: None

CHARACTER PERSONALITY.

POSITIVE TRAITS: Kind, fun-loving, talented

NEGATIVE TRAITS: Selfish, impulsive & vindictive

BIGGEST FEAR: Getting trapped in a life he’s unhappy with

BIGGEST REGRET: He tries not to live with regrets

WHAT’S MORE IMPORTANT? SEX or INTIMACY?: Intimacy for him. Sex is encompassed in that, even though he hasn’t yet had it.

ARE YOU A LEADER or A FOLLOWER?: Leader

ARE YOU SPONTANEOUS or DO YOU NEED A PLAN?: He’s been a planner for most of his life and for the most part, he is one because he was raised to be; however, he’s taken more spontaneous actions of late

DO YOU BELIEVE IN TRUE LOVE?: He does

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN LOVE?: Once before

DO YOU CARE WHAT OTHERS THINK OF YOU?: Sometimes, but not always

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH STRESS?: Avoidance and procrastination until he can’t take it anymore or actually does something that allows him to de-stress--usually talking it out helps him best

WHAT IS A SONG YOUR CHARACTER RELATES TO THEIR LIFE?: []

VICES & HABITS.

DO YOU SMOKE?: No.

DO YOU DRINK?: Very, very rarely.

DO YOU DO DRUGS?: No

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDICTIONS?: He’s kind of very materialistic

DO YOU HAVE VIOLENT TENDENCIES?: No. He knows how to fight and defend himself but as far as physical actions go, he generally considers himself a pacifist.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SELF-DESTRUCTIVE TENDENCIES?: His impulsive behavior and materialistic tendencies have occasionally not boded well for him.

MISC CHARACTER QUESTIONS.

IF YOUR CHARACTER COULD CHANGE ONE PHYSICAL DETAIL ABOUT THEMSELVES, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

He’d like to be at least a few inches taller

WHAT IS YOUR CHARACTER’S FAVORITE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY?

Weight-lifting and soccer/football

WHAT IS YOUR CHARACTER’S LEAST FAVORITE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY?

Long distance running. He finds it boring.

YOUR CHARACTER CAME FACE-TO-FACE WITH THEIR WORST ENEMY. WHAT IS THEIR FIRST REACTION?

He’d get visibly upset but also do his best to ignore them/not engage with them.

WHAT IS YOUR CHARACTER’S FAVORITE WEATHER?

He's grown up in mostly sunny and warm weather but he’s come to enjoy rainy weather thanks to his time studying in London

WHAT IS YOUR CHARACTER’S FAVORITE SEASON?

Winter.

WHAT IS YOUR CHARACTER’S LEAST FAVORITE SEASON?

Spring.

YOUR CHARACTER KEEPS A PHOTO ALBUM OF MEMORIES FROM THEIR LIFETIME. IF THEY COULD ONLY KEEP ONE PHOTO, WHAT WOULD IT DEPICT?

The photo would no doubt depict a photo of himself standing on the tarmac in front of a plane, all smiles while preparing to board for his next adventure.

WHAT IS YOUR CHARACTER’S FONDEST CHILDHOOD MEMORY?

Going down to the beaches with his family and spending a large part of the day there, playing in the water and making up games in the sand.

SOMEONE ASKS YOUR CHARACTER TO DESCRIBE THEIR FAMILY. HOW DO THEY ANSWER?

If someone were to ask, he would say that his family is a strong and loving unit, and he feels very humble and blessed to be a part of them.

IS YOUR CHARACTER A MORNING PERSON, A NIGHT OWL, OR SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY?

For the most part, he’s a night owl unless something exciting is happening early in the morning; then he has no trouble at all with being up early.

WHAT IS YOUR CHARACTER’S LEAST FAVORITE COLOR?

Pale pink.

A STRANGER MAKES A CRUDE COMMENT TO YOUR CHARACTER. HOW DO THEY REACT?

He would probably say some sort of passive aggressive or backhanded compliment to them.