Charlie's Story
by Katie Dulin
(owned by Charlie)

    My first encounter with parrots was through a friend I was visiting and horseback riding with.  She had a blue fronted Amazon, a budgie and a young crippled green Indian ringneck named Chester.  She had his wings clipped but gave him free run of her house.  Never locked in his cage.  I fell in love with the little guy.  He was sweet and friendly and quiet - which was a big change from her Amazon!!  Chester and I just seemed to get along well.  And she gave me Chester, cage and all.
    I was in the process of learning about all the do's and don'ts of bird raising when I learned a very hard lesson.  I didn't change Chester's life style when I brought him into my home.  I should have - through sheer common sense.  Several children were visiting and running in and out of the house. Sometime during the activities a cat got into the house.  The rest is a common story.  Chester was "clipped" and crippled....he didn't stand much of a chance.  My heart was broke and I cried.
    After several months, my friend persuaded me to go to the lady that had Chester's parents - a small local breeder.  And she had had another clutch from the pair.  And yep, I brought home Charlie.
    He was not quite 3 weeks old, and so ugly (as baby birds are) that only a mother could love them.  I finished hand feeding him and weaning him.  I could not find the formula locally, nor anyone really experienced in hand feeding birds.  But we managed to get some shipped.  Then it was on to baby food days!  My friends thought I had gone crazy!  And let me tell you, it is not an easy job (but well worth it).  The good Lord must have been watching over us.  For we managed to get through it and onto solid food.  Much later that was necessary - or so I am told.  But we did it gradually.
    I had kept him in an aquarium with a heating pad under it.  The day he graduated to a cage, I was as proud as any parent could be!  We had passed the "baby" stage and he was strong and balancing well on perches!
    I had talked softly to him all his life.  But was still caught off guard the first time he said "hello".  He wasn't even six months old!
    And I knew I had a male when he was only eight months old.  He had a pink feather on his neck!
    I can not even begin to write all that he has brought to my life.  Now days I wonder if I have not deprived him through...not intentionally.  But I heard so many "wife's tales" about ringnecks that I kept Charlie from very much "social interaction" with others. He is a "kissy pooh", tame, gentle and loving fellow with me....but appears apprehensive around people and has been known to bite.  And if I am gone for more than 24 hours - he quits eating.  I think we are bonded!!
    But he is a healthy, beautiful guy over 20 years old with a vocabulary of close to a hundred words and phrases.  He loves beach music and Motown music (will dance up a storm hollering "boogie" which is his name for me!).
    My life has been much richer with the bond to this fellow.  He may be small in size but a giant in personality!  He has never been a "screamer" - he may get a bit demanding with his "give me a kiss" followed very shortly by a "now" if not given!  I think he's just a spoiled brat!
    I have had several other species of birds (from budgies to amazons) but none will ever replace the ringneck with me!
    My fiancé gave me a blue hen (2 years old) from John LaTorre for Christmas 1998.  I have since acquired an Isabel blue male and a lutino hen from Stan Dumke.  I have not made up my mind to become a "breeder" but we will see.
    I sincerely hope that anyone who loves birds will give this very dignified, regal and endearing bird a fair chance and not believe a lot of "wife's tales" about the negative aspects.  Their good qualities more than make up for any slight "flaw"!!

Revised from article written for QPR (Quarterly Psittaculid Review)
A publication of the Asiatic Parrot Association International. 1999

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