Birdmans Parrots: What a Wonderful Experience! Eli: A truly wonderful and honest man!
I had an African Grey Temneh for 30 years. My bird would call me "Commere Boy!" whenever he wanted something. He was just a little lover. Yes, all he wanted to do is love. He was a stinker and get into things but, he was truly one of the family. He very seldom bird talked. When he opened his beak, he would speak English and would tell you what you wanted. He had certain whistles and sounds that he made that were unique. We knew exactly what he wanted. We never worried about food and water as he would tell us specifically what he wanted.
He got real sick on weekend and we didn't catch it in time. I was laying somewhat back on a recliner with him on my chest (his favorite place). I said.... I love you... I love you.... And he lifted his little head and put his beak to my lips and kissed me. A little later, he had a seizure, squawked, wing shot out, and he died on my chest. No one could ever know what my bird meant to us. My children had grown, left the house, came back, and left, but our little lover bird was always there and so glad to see us.
The pain was so great that we threw everything out (His cage...everything). The hurt was too great, and we missed him so much and it caused me to start looking around for an African Grey. There are many of them out there but, it had to be a male Temneh. They are hard to find as the African Grey Congo commands a higher price, so all the bird shops want to carry Congos.
I found Eli (or should I say the Temneh) through an add. I called up about the Temneh and that was how I met Eli. He is a very good and caring man! He listened to me (his empathy plainly coming through the phone). Eli's store is in Chicago and I live in South Florida. No way I am going to be able to see the bird.
Eli went out of his way to make sure I had a Timneh with my bird's personality and to make sure that it was a male. The business was a side matter as all Eli seemed to care about was a good home for his baby bird and my broken heart.
We have had my new bird for a week now. He had been taken home, wings and nails clipped, put in a carrying cage, then on an airplane (which really had me concerned) as it was close to 6 hours including a 2-hour layover in Atlanta.
We got my new bird with no hassle. His plane landed and 10 mins later they brought him right to us. He was a little meek and was touching our fingers with the end of his beak through the mesh. We drove him home, opened the door, and gave him a few minutes to come out on his own.
By the end of the day, my new bird was stepping up on our finger and would call us if we put him in his cage. He wanted us to be right there.
The next day, I took my new bird to the Vet and had him examined. There were no issues in his stool sample and he checked out just fine. The Vet said that my new bird was in perfect health. The Vet also remarked that my new bird had "some personality" (meaning that my new bird was unique and outgoing). The vet said that I had a great little bird and was really impressed with my new bird's demeanor.
Within 48 hours, my new bird is calling us, eating like a little bird piggy, and is very happy. We got him a very big cage with toys and poles/perches all over. He must learn to get from one to the other to get to his food and water. Boy, he took to right to it! Rope ladders tied together hanging toys, having to negotiate different obstacles.... I could just go on and on. He has his favorite place to sleep and is very quickly becoming the Great Afro-American Bird Ninja Warrior! He is perfect, and we just love him.
Eli is great!!! He has been a man of his word and upfront every step of the way. I haven't figured out which he cares about more, his little birds or his customers. I can only say that he is a very honest and caring person and I will always be indebted to him for how he has treated me and the perfect little bird he personally picked out for us.
I can only tell you that Eli can be trusted, and he DOES know what he is doing. Remember, I had my bird for 30 years. I would come in and pick him up, love him and hug him, play with him, etc. I have had my new bird for exactly one week. I forget and pretty much treat him like my bird. He gives kisses, loves to be petted, I hug him, he calls for me or my wife (pretty much insists that we are both together). Eli's hand fed babies are as advertised! From my experience, when you get your baby bird from Eli, the baby will be in great health, well adjusted mentally, and a perfect specimen. The little baby will bond with you and expect to be spoiled within a couple of days.
Again, expect nothing but honesty and high quality when dealing with Eli at Birdmans Parrots!!!
Eli, Thank you, Sir!
Allan read more