Classifieds meeting questions

[asterroc]

And another one just posted to parrot_lovers

Upon suggestions from quite a few people I started combing through Craig's List last night, responded to a couple ads, and will be going to see a Senegal probably this weekend. I'm a little nervous about selecting a bird via Craig's list - the last time I actually picked out a bird was more than half my lifetime ago, and I was 12 years old at the time so chances are my parents did lots of the important parts. So I have questions I want to ask the bird's current owner, and questions I want to ask you all.

Questions for owner / Things to look for
* diet
* age
* gender (and how do they know it)
* vet record
* origins (petstore, breeder, secondhand, etc.)
* feather condition
* eyes clear
* general behavior
* poop?
* frequency of calls
* volume of calls
* mimicking? (whistles, words)
* behavior issues
* tricks?
* flighted?

Questions for y'all
* What am I forgetting?
* How many times is reasonable for me to visit/meet him before I decide?
* How long each visit?
* How will I know if we "click"? (It'll probably be a personal thing, but I'm curious about others' experiences)
* Are senegals known for being nippy?
* How true is the "one person bird" reputation of senegals?
* I'm under the impression they're less loud than conures, is this true?
* Are they playful at all?
* What age is puberty in senegals?
* What is their lifespan? (I've read 20-30 in the wild, 50 in captivity.)
* Is it unreasonable to ask my boyfriend (we live together) to meet him as well?
* I've read that sennies are not sexually dimorphic (can't sexed by eye), but there are some subtle things that *might* tell the sex. What are these?
* Any significant behavioral differences in the sexes? (I've only had sweet loving female 'tiels so far, for a comparison)
* I read that in the wild there are a few subspecies - do these matter in pets? Are there any common interspecies crosses and if so should I avoid them for behavioral or health reasons?
* Should I be worried about my own personal safety when I visit? That is, should I bring someone with me? I tend to be paranoid about these sorts of things, but my inclination here is to treat it like a blind date - don't bring someone with me the first visit, but tell my boyfriend where I'll be and when I expect to be home.
* What else am I missing?

A few things she did say in her email to me is that he'll let anyone handle him (including the Step-Up command) but is most comfortable with his owner, but he won't let anyone pet him. She is not asking an adoption fee.

In case it's relevant, here's our communications so far.

Original post (thanks to the person here who linked it, I forget who it was, sorry!):

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/pet/537745884.html

Hello - I am looking to rehome a few of my birds due to a financially difficult time. I need to get another job and will have no time or money to keep these guys happpy. I love them all dearly, so i will be very picky - you must be experienced with birds and be an animal LOVER. Birds can be very loud and obnoxious sometimes to some people, and I dont want them going to a home where they are going to be locked away or get things thrown at their cages to shut them up.

That being said, This is a male senegal parrot, between 4 and 6 years old. He IS hand-tame, listens VERY well to the "step-up" command. He does need a little time to get used to a new owner, but with regular handling, he will let you pat his head, and im SURE at this point if he went to a home where he was an only pet/child, he would be an awesome companion bird. With him, I wil include cage, and a small bag of food to get you through the week, and whatever toys/perches/bowls he has in his cage. The cage is a good size for him, and its in fairly new condition. Please contact me by email and tell me more about yourself and any questions you have about him. I really need to find him a new home!!! Thank you!

--

My email:

Hi,

My name is ****, and I am interested in the senegal you posted about on Craig's List. I'm 30 years old, I am a responsible professional in academia, live in **** with my boyfriend, and I have had a bird since I was 6 years old. I had been considering taking on a mid-sized parrot for the past few years, and unfortunately my cockatiel Gabriel passed away in December, leaving this an approrpiate time for me to add a bird to my life.

I would be interested in meeting your senegal boy (you didn't mention his name) a few times to see how we get along - I am only interested in adopting a bird who I feel would be comfortable with me. How is he with new people? Senegals have a reputation of being one-person birds, and I would not want him to be traumatized by having more than just me in the house. Are you asking an adoption fee for him?

Feel free to contact me if you have further questions for me.

--

Her response:

Hello, you should come and meet him:) He is a very well-behaved boy, his name is Cowboy! He actually is not really a one-person bird!, He (for the most part) will let anybody handle him, he does seem to be more comfortable with me, but thats only because I handle him more than everyone else put together. He is definitely handleable, but needs some work with being less nippy. Hes not neccesarily nippy, he will go up all the time when you say up, and wont bite you once your holding him, but he is not used to being pet - I got him to the point where he would let me, but then life got really crazy and I havent been able to work with him as much as he needs me to. IF you were to hold him and hang out with him everyday, i think you would have him comfortable enough to pet him without him second-thinking about it. I would love for you to come meet him at some point, and if you decide he is the bird for you, I would like if you would just let me see where he was going. I have no problem making the trip. Let me know when you want to come see him, I am available mornings other than tuesdays and saturdays - but available sat after 3.

No adoption fee for him - I am not a shelter, I dont need the money to run a shelter, therefore no need for an adoption "fee":) ( can you tell that adoption fees annoy me)

He comes with a cage - but if you have something already that is fitting for him, I can use the cage myself - Its up to you though, its not a big deal, I just want him to be happier:)

I'm excited about the prospect of a new bird, I'm nervous I'll mess it up and get a bird I can't live with and end up having to rehome, I'm pretty sure I can tolerate most birds but toleration isn't the goal here... Bleh. *post*

Comments

[freakylynx.livejournal.com]

I probably won't be at a computer this weekend so, Happy Birthday in advance :)