May 11th, 2010
The Travels of Tweak
Tweak was hatched on 24/07/09 and has been DNA tested as female. I purchased her from Paula at AGPC as a hand reared baby so she was already very tame and friendly.
Seems as my main goal was to take Tweak out and about with my family Paula introduced Tweak to her harness at a very young age, this made getting the harness on her very easy and after a few tries of putting it on and taking it off successfully we ventured outside!
Tweak has many ways she likes to travel.
The good old fashioned way of flight:
By car:
By Pak-O-Bird -
And by Push chair:
By getting Tweak into a harness she now joins us on the school run, goes to the park, comes to the library and many more ‘exciting places’.
I hope you enjoy following Tweaks Travels.
Posted by: Toria
Tags: african grey parrot centre, Pak-O-Bird Carrier, parrot news
Posted in African Greys, General | 1 Comment »
April 10th, 2010
10/04/10
We woke up to a lovely sunny morning so decided to go on one of our favourite day trips to Barmouth in Wales. We got the kids strapped in the car then put Tweak in her Pak-O-Bird and strapped that in the car. After alot of whistling and ‘giss a kiss’ from Tweak we arrived .
On the way there Owen had started being sick, we thought he just had travel sickness but it turned out to be a tummy bug.
We went on the beach where the kids were happily building sand castles
I was enjoying wathing and Tweak was all fluffed up on my knee
This was the first time Tweak had been to the sea side so the first time she had seen the sand. It was funny watching her walk on it at first, her feet would lift really high with each step but she soon ruffled up and started chirping and snuggling her beak into the sand.
Owen was seeming pretty Ill so we decided to make a move from our spot on the beach. Megan wanted to go on a donkey ride so we headed in that direction. We drew quite a crowd round the donkeys with more people interested in Tweak than the donkeys! The ‘donkey lady’ also had a hold of her so if your ever in Barmouth ask her if she remembers the day she had an African Grey Parrot visit her.
Whilst Megan was on the donkey Owen was ill again so we went for a sit on a bench and an ice cream to cheer him up a bit. I know ice cream wasnt really ideal with him being ill but I couldnt leave him out! When we were sat on the bench I sat Tweak by a tree and she got alot of people pointing in amazement.
When I had finished my ice cream I gave Tweak the cone which she really enjoyed shredding! Then we went home and put a poorly Owen to bed.
Posted by: Toria
Tags: african grey parrots, Pak-O-Bird Carrier, parrot news
Posted in African Greys, General, Parrot & Other News | 1 Comment »
March 10th, 2010
Well I thought fro those of you who may be interested in purchasing a Pak-O-Bird carrier at some point I thought I would write a review of how I find it as its a little pricey at £130 (from Parrot Comforts http://www.parrotcomforts.co.uk/) So best having some idea why its so expensive.
The Pak-O-Bird arrived in a flat box and was very easy to assemble! The main body of the carrier is in one piece that just needs 2 roof supports added that press stud into place and a roof bar for extra sturdiness that also press studs on. Then all you do is zip up the sides, velcro along the front bottom and add the carry straps! There are two ways of carrying the Pak-O-Bird, on your back or on your shoulder. The back straps also have a strap that can be clicked together to join them so that its more secure when carrying. The sides of the carrier are made from a very fine stainless steel mesh so that fresh air can get into your feathered friend but insects cant! There are also flaps that cover the mesh if your bird gets a little spooked.
On the back of the carrier are two loops that enable your carrier to be fastened into a car by a seatbelt. Inside the carrier the bottom is lined with a thin vinyl sheet thats easily wiped clean and on the roof of the carrier are two D rings for hanging toys. The perch provided is a dragon wood perch which tightly secures to the sides of the carrier and can be set at 3 heights. Two food bowls also secure to the sides.
Over all Id say this product is of excellent quality and you can see its been very well thought out. No stitching is visible, so your bird wont easily be able to chew and destroy the carrier, its very light in weight making it comfortable to carry and there is plenty of room inside for your bird to sit comfortably on its journey. The whole thing can fold flat for storage and is easily wiped clean. So if your the adventurous type Id say the Pak-O-Bird is a must!!! Id give it a 9/10 only on the basis that its a little expensive for everyone, but well worth it if you want to let your grey explore the world with you.
Introducing Your Bird to Pak-O-Bird
After setting up the carrier I brought Tweak over to it. At first she flapped like crazy so in a calm yet excited voice I showed her her new ‘toy’. First of all I sat her on it for 5min or so to let her explore herself and see it wasnt scary or going to hurt her. Then in the feeding bowls I put some sunflower seeds and got her to go inside and quickly pulled over the closing flap securing her inside. Once zipped up she sat there gringing her beak and falling asleep!! I was quite amazed how well she took to it but I think the design of it makes them feel its a safe place to be. I think if Id have fastened up the side panels to cover the mesh she would have fell asleep and stayed in there So after say 20min of her inside looking rather relaxed I picked the carrier up and put it on my back, had a little walk round then placed it down. She was fine! Then I opened it up and let her come out in her own time.
Im not saying everyones birds will be as comfortable as Tweak was with it but with a little patients and a few treats you can get there
I hope this has helped anyone thinking of buying this.
Toria.
Posted by: Toria
Tags: african grey parrots, Pak-O-Bird Carrier
Posted in African Greys, Parrot & Other News | No Comments »
