Name: Sarah
Type of bird: Cockatiel
Gender: Female
Color: Pearl
Arrival Date: June 2004
Age: 3 years old

Background:
Sarah's story is probably a pretty common one. Her original owner was a man with a violent temper, who used her purely for breeding purposes. She was not particularly cooperative and would not breed easily. He insisted she was mean and bit hard. (If you are wondering how I know this, I met the man later and found out more about Sarah from him).

What ever the reason, whether Sarah was thought to be mean or a poor breeder, she was unwanted by the time she turned 3 years old.

She was then given to some children who kept her in an aviary with a disgusting dirt floor and algae covered water to drink.

I don't really know why but they took fairly good care of their hamsters so I offered them a few hamsters in exchange for Sarah.

When I brought her home she screamed incessantly until I put her in the same room with me. She did not want to be left alone. I clipped her wings and put her in a nice large cage. She has never bitten me once but her original owner had a nasty temper so I think she is fearful due to him. She panics if I reach into the cage towards her. I am somewhat fearful of her having a heart attack before she realizes I will not harm her, so I do not take her out of the cage often. She is even more fearful of men (which is not a surprise). She is now living in a small aviary and seems very happy with Andy as a companion. When I do have to handled Sarah she never bites me and is actually very gentle despite her fear. She has a permanent home with me where she will not be forced to breed. If she wants to breed, that will be her choice. I never consider any of the birds to be little baby machines as many people do.

Update: Andy and Sarah have paired up and were so determined to breed that I allowed them to have a few babies this year. See current birds for pictures of two of the babies available for adoption.