LittleHawk's Story

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Mar 12, 1999

I had never heard of a parrotlet until the November 1997 issue of BirdTalk. It arrived in my mailbox, and I immediately became enchanted with the cute little green bird on the cover. I flipped to the article written by Sandee Molena, owner of the Parrotlet Ranch, and soon, like most other people introduced to these bundles of feathers, wanted a parrotlet.

My husband had endured the parakeets, but after showing him the pictures in the article, he too wanted a parrotlet. These little birds with big bird personality seemed to be perfect. We lived in an apartment, making larger birds impractical for pets. I called around, and soon, was on a waiting list for a clutch of parrotlets due to hatch in late November.

I went to the local bird club's annual October show in search of these tiny birds. Perhaps, I thought, maybe one of the venders will have one for sale. Luck rode with me that day, for a gentleman had one for sale. Bred by the same breeder I was waiting for chicks from, the deal had fallen through on this little bird. The seller offered to let me hold him, and I did. This three-month-old parrotlet climbed onto my fingers, and immediately began to cuddle. I bought him.

The bird came home with me, and I soon found out about the parrotlet's fearlessness. This little guy dive-bombed the cats. I named him LittleHawk for his fearlessness.

For months, LittleHawk and I were buddies. I would come home from work to spend time with him. He rode on my shoulder most of the evening or spent time on his play gym while I typed. Either way, LittleHawk was happy.

Still, I wanted a bigger bird. In March 1998, I went to the fair held at the local botanical center. There, I met Braynon, a baby blue head pionus. He was bigger, and snuggled. LittleHawk had gotten into the bad habit of demanding that he sit on my shoulder, nothing else would do, and I thought maybe with a new bird, I'd have a better chance. I came home, cried to my husband, and Braynon came to live with us.

LittleHawk viewed the newcomer with distrust. Soon, baby Braynon, as I called him, took up most of my time, and LittleHawk became delegated to his cage. He chirped at

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