Reviews from

Is a Parrot for Me?

Prose Potlatch Challenge-Magazine Article

24 total reviews 
Comment from closetpoetjester
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Haha great write mate...yes lifestyle is the major factor and duly noted...NOW!

I do recommend that mothers of a three year old and a two month old should NOT I repeat NOT consider owning or continuing to look after a pair of cockatiels. Oh that's right...I fucking well didn't!

Admittedly ONE was ill, but the other poor bird (of 16 years mind you) "Buddy" I starved to death. He was a delightful pet but he DID need to be fed. I somehow managed it for 16 years and then when I had the second kid it went to the pack...I have been on a guilt trip ever since. The hubby said "Better the bird, than the child!" I tend to agree, but we had a great bond and I'm very sad he is gone.

I even posted a poem very early on for my dead bird...

Ahem, it goes a little somethin' like this:ode to a dead bird...
:
MY BUDDY:

I had a little cockatiel
and BUDDY was his name,
I starved him of his tucker though
So hang my head in shame.

He was my little BUDDY,
He was my little friend,
But I forgot to feed him, see?
And now he's met his end.

He never really learnt to fly
His cage he would not leave
Would grip his perch and rub one out
Thrice daily, he'd achieve

That precious bird named BUDDY,
He was my little mate,
But I forgot to give him seed
And now its far too late.

We had a special friendship,
More special over time,
I really miss my tiny friend,
That lies beneath the lime.

My long time friend called BUDDY,
He only needed food,
But I deprived him of his needs
In essence he was screwed.

I'll never get another bird,
You can be sure of that,
My BUDDY can not be replaced,
Perhaps I'll try a cat!!

So anyway back to your post...well researched, informative but I am not sure about the cockatoo. They screech like fuck mate. Well the ones here do. Our native cockies are Sulphur Crested, the Pink Galah and some other black loud obnoxious creature, I think the Mc something.

Have a six! Well written and highly amusing.

P

 Comment Written 02-Dec-2016

Comment from patcelaw
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Polly wants a cracker. Squawk! I had a friend who owned a number of parrots and in the daytime her home was almost impossible to hold a conversation as the parrots were so noisy. Patricia

 Comment Written 22-Nov-2016

Comment from Rasmine
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Excellent! I can clearly see this in 'Bird Talk.' I don't think I'll get a parrot, if I did, Kameo would love it, though!
I really liked this sentence: These fur balls and feather bunches can take over our hearts and lives like we never dreamed possible. This is also so true!
Happy Thanksgiving!

 Comment Written 22-Nov-2016

Comment from l.raven
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Hi Michael, I love birds...all of them...they are so entertaining...and beautiful to watch....I enjoyed reading this...even learned a few things....but like any pet I get...I want them older...I don't want a animal of mine being raised by someone else...I spoil my pets...and I wouldn't want them going to a family that wouldn't treat them just like I did...animals can die from depression...I have the ashes of my last pet of 14 years...and he is going to be buried with me...very well written you...love Linda xxoo

 Comment Written 21-Nov-2016

Comment from ~Dovey
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Hi Mikey!

Choosing a pet is a great idea for an article and I think you've met the requirements for your magazine of choice. One question came to mind while reading. You mentioned that parrots rear their young and then kick them out of the nest. What if you own a pair and they have a baby? Do you have to separate them then? Also, I guess it is two questions lol how long does it take a baby to grow to adulthood, given their long life spans?

I just found one small fix: But if you want to be the birds focus, buy one.(bird's)

The articles are a fun idea!

Thanks,

Kim

 Comment Written 21-Nov-2016

Comment from nancyjam
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This is a great article for "Bird Talk" Magazine.
It clearly defines the attributes of various kinds
of Parrots, and lets the reader know the pros and
cons of owning and caring for one.
Great job.
Nancy

 Comment Written 21-Nov-2016

Comment from Gloria ....
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Terrific magazine article, Mav. I'd be thinking twice about the commitment a bird requires. Even though the cockatoos sound rather adorable they'd sure get in the way of the FanStory addiction, yes?

Your article is informative but even more importantly it is entertaining. I'm not sure the kids would enjoy inheriting their parent's bird, specially if it's a stool pigeon.

Very nice indeed. You could make real money writing these kind of articles.

Great stuff and you put on a really good potlatch. Maverick for president. Yeeeeeees.

Ange

 Comment Written 21-Nov-2016

Comment from sandy montgomery
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I liked your article because it was informative. It was also humorous and enjoyable to read.
There was one thing that I would take a look at.
"Macaws are usually one person birds with extremely powerful beaks. They have extremely high "... As you can see you have used the word "extremely" twice very close together.
Other than that I found your article fun and I learned alot. I even found myself opening to the possibility of becoming a bird owner. (My cat might have issues with a bird though). Thank you for sharing your work.

 Comment Written 21-Nov-2016

Comment from Ric Myworld
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I've gone through two wives and I never could teach them a damn thing. They did teach me a lot though. They taught me to never marry a damn women. You can't make them happy, no matter how hard you try. They don't want to be happy. They would rather have something to bitch about. So, I bought two parrots for companionship. They were much better than women, but they still never stopped talking. The boys all came over for a Monday night card game and to watch football. And Moe, one of my birds, said, "Yep, Marty's one cheating some-bitch. Cheating some-bitch Marty." Needless to say, Marty never came back. Thanks for another fine read. :-)

 Comment Written 21-Nov-2016

Comment from Ulla
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Hi Mikey, very informative piece and very well written. All I can say is that parrots are very sociable birds and will hugely benefit from a companion. In other words. If you want one then better take two. You will have happier pets then. All the best. Ulla:))

 Comment Written 21-Nov-2016