My Boomer is a Blue Crown Conure, approx 13 years old. She spent the first 6 years of her life living on the shoulder of her male human companion. She never had a cage. She went everywhere with her owner & slept on a T-stand on the night table beside him. Long story short, this man decided to get married but the wife to-be said "NO bird!".

 

At this time my sister was set up as a small rescue so she took Boomer in. Boomer had never seen a cage let alone a toy, it was a very tough transition for her but she did seem to like my sister, although she couldn't hold her at all, but she would get on her shoulder if offered. 

 

One day my sister called me in a horrible panic! Boomer had some how gotten out of her cage while the cockatoo was out & had nearly been killed! The Too had ripped off Boomers beak. There was blood everywhere & Boomer was nearly lifeless. Of course this was on a Sunday & no emergency clinic in the small town. My sister called the vet she knew here in the city & he agreed to meet her at the office (a 3 hour drive away)

 

When the vet saw Boomer, he said there was really nothing he could do. Too much of Boomer's beak was missing to ever expect it to grow back & the risk of infection was inevitable. His best advise was to put her down & spare her starvation & suffering.

 

My sister refused, she couldn't do it without at least trying to save her. Well long story short, my sis treated the wound topically & hand fed Boomer for 6 months or more while little by little her beak repaired it's self. Amazingly you can hardly tell there was ever a problem!

 

When my sister had to go back to work full time, I took Boomer so she wouldn't be alone. I have had her about 5 years now. She is wonderful & very loving, especially towards men. It took me the better part of 2 years to encourage Boomer to play with a single toy but she's doing much better now. There are several toys she will accept on her gym & actually plays with them from time to time. After all these years, she can finally eat whole nuts again, almonds are her favorite but it took a very long time.

 

Boomer is an amazing birdie as far as I'm concerned and a tremendous testimony to what a lot of love can overcome!