I consider my dear Humphrey a rescue, even though I 'rescued' her from a pet store.

I went into this crappy pet store one day, already in love with birds and parrots, but not ready to have one of my own. I saw Humphrey - skinny, cowering, and bullied by a bigger bird in the same TANK as her (like a little fish tank). The other bird (I can't remember what kind ) was pecking Humphrey on the head, and wouldn't let her near the food or the perch. So Humph cowered on the floor of the tank, in the corner. I burst into tears at this poor creature. She had a bald spot on her head from being pecked by the other bird. What was wrong with the staff in this place that they didn't notice?

I called my husband on my cell phone, and he thought something really bad happened, the way I was crying (I guess it was that time of the month or something!). I could only get out..."poor bird" at first. When I told him the story, he said, "go in and buy the bird, if you want it." But I didn't. Not that day. But the very next day, I did, after I couldn't sleep all night thinking of the bird.

I went the next day, told the staff member I wanted to buy that bird and a cage, and he said, "are you sure you want that one? We have lots of prettier ones.' That just made me sadder and more determined to give my unwanted bird a home. I was told that the bird was given to the pet store by a woman who owned it, was a year old, and was male. (I now know my Humphrey is female, but I have no idea how old).

I brought her home and she hid for two days, shivering behind one of the toys I bought her.

Gradually, I worked hard to win her trust. First, just sitting a few feet from the cage, then gradually getting closer and closer. Then, I tried to get her to eat from my hand. It took weeks of holding a sunflower seed (her favorite) in my hand, in the cage, while watching tv. I was the proudest mom ever on the day she plucked up enough courage to snatch it from my hand!

Now she is MUCH more interactive, and much braver. I am a proudly cage-free parrot mom - she only goes in her cage when she wants to and when we put her to bed. She plays with toys. She steps up on command, but hasn't master *staying* on the hand yet. She loves to sit on my lap, on my shoulder, and on my head. She is my nap partner - when I nap on the sofa on my side, she perches on my hip, asleep. She is my darling sweet girl, and she has come so far! I can't believe how different she is from the early days (nearly 4 years ago!) and how different she looks in the photos.

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What a touching story. It was meant to be that you and Humphrey find each other. Very nice pictures, what a pretty baby she is. The love you two have just shines through!

Aww, what a sweet story!! She is so cute!! And she is very lucky to have found you!

That is a wonderful story. You are both very lucky to have found each other.

How unusual that you would find a Princess Parakeet in such a situation. I have never seen one up close. Did you know what she was, when you got her? I am so glad you have her. She is very pretty.
What kind of voice do they have? Do they sing or have a distinct call?

i love happy endings.... thanks for sharing

I've never heard Humph's whole story. Poor girl, she's very lucky that you came into that store when you did.

Your taming process sounds exactly like what Jerry and I went through when he first came home with me!

She's really pretty!! I'm so glad you gave her a wonderful new life!

LOL, what is it with Princess Parrots always wanting to sit on our heads? Tjinimin is always the first one to come to me on my head when I bring the morning veggies in. He's just so bright and eager! Manikay follows him everywhere, they are both boys BTW. I know they would love a pretty little girl like Humphey!

Yep, Tara - in fact my husband just came in this morning to wake me up, with Humph on his head. (and see photo below)

Thanks everyone for the nice comments about Humphrey (who has a boy's name, because that pet store told me she was a boy. I just say her real name is Humphrietta, Humphrey for short ;-)

Homebird, I didn't know what she was when I first saw her. That's one thing the pet store got right - they told me she was a Princess.

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