Sparty

MEET SPARTY

Say “bang” and she’ll play dead. Ask for a high five. Sing Ring Around the Rosie. She clicks her beak on cue, whistles, catcalls, laughs at suspiciously appropriate moments, and has been known to tell another bird to “shut up.” Fair. Somebody had to chair the meeting.

She’s about eight, a female Black-headed Caique, and very capable of being affectionate with her chosen person. She likes head scratches and help with those pin feathers, especially when she’s winding down for the evening.

She is also a Sour Patch Psychopath. The tiny circus performer and the bird who has decided somebody needs to bleed share a management team.

It’s all in the eyes. Learn her signals, respect the flashing eyes, and give her space when she’s worked up. Rough play is part of the package; pushing past her boundaries is not a bonding exercise. She needs somebody who can enjoy the ridiculous without assuming every interaction is an invitation to touch her.

In our experience, she prefers women. She has made friends with a man before, but that didn’t mean the ceasefire was permanent. She chooses her people individually.

We haven’t allowed her to interact with other birds, so there are no promises about bird friendships either.

Sparty has plucked her belly and some other areas. We can’t promise feather regrowth. What we can look for is a home with routine, appropriate food, enrichment, safe places to play and somebody who pays attention to the actual bird in front of them.

She came from a home where her vocal needs weren’t a good fit. She needs an experienced person prepared for a loud, busy, opinionated bird—not just the cute tricks.

If your ideal roommate does high fives, has strong opinions and occasionally needs everyone to leave her the hell alone, meet Sparty.