[nanay]

The bird store got baby capes in last weekend, and I have been cuddling them all week.

Two are already sold. One sold before the store opened on the first day they arrived, lol, to a worker. It was the youngest and a female. The oldest is a male, and he sold yesterday, which was one week after they arrived.

Only the middle one, a female, is left. She was very scared when she first arrived, but now she is becoming calm. I won't be allowed to play with her once she sells, but for now they are letting me hold her whenever I ask.

Their beaks and heads are huge!

The worker who bought the youngest female will keep me posted as to their development and personalities even after the final one sells.

 

[Sharon]

Capes are lovely birds...Lucky you to be able to spend time with them!

 

[Jenny]

Oh, lucky you! They have a very special place in my heart.. I want an African Grey and an African Cape, and I will truly feel like my flock is well rounded and complete :lovehearts:

 

[The Brute Squad]

I just looked them up and they seem to be rare, and dieing off in their natural range. They are interesting with the over sized beaks!

 

[Eliza]

Un-capes are so interesting looking. I've only seen one - very handsome.

 

[nanay]

Brute Squad,
They are very rare, and, yes, endangered in the wild. The species, or subspecies as the case may be, I'm not sure whether they are now considered two separate species or not, but I THINK they are, which is the most endangered is not found in North America to my knowledge. I know they are not found in the USA. They are the "true" cape parrot, but I'll look up the scientific names in a bit and make a better, more accurate post.

This one is from the species or subspecies that is the least endangered in the wild, but I still think they are threatened.

Well, I better stop rambling and look up the real information.

OK, I was right in my thinking - IF my source is correct, lol.

The three birds were once considered the same species, Poicephalus robustus. Now, what was the nominate sub-species, Poicephalus robustus robustus, is the ONLY member of its species. There are no longer any sub-species. These birds are extremely endangered, and there are no members of this species in the USA. These birds have a limited habitat in South Africa. I believe they also have a specialized diet, and the trees they inhabit and find food in are also being wiped out.

The ones we have in the USA were once classified as poicephalus robustus fuscicollis and poicephalus robustus suahelicus. No longer. Now they are classified as poicephalus fuscicollis fuscicollis and poicephalus fuscicollis suahelicus. The suahelicus sub-species is the most common in the USA, and that is the subspecies being hand-fed in the bird store right now. North Americans have tried calling them both un-capes as well as calling fuscicollis fuscicollis the brown-necked parrot and fuscicollis suahelicus the grey-headed parrot. Nothing seems to be sticking consistently.

The birds don't seem to care what we call them. They seem pretty happy just to be alive.

 

[The Brute Squad]

When are you bringing her home?

 

[nanay]

I originally checked out these babies for a friend. I fell in love with the capes in the process. Given the poicephalus penchant for phobias, I didn't even recommend the little female I am absolutely in love with, but she is as brave as her clutchmates now, and she is going to make someone an excellent companion.

I do not expect to get this particular bird. She has calmed down nicely, and she will make someone an excellent pet. I held her for a very long time again today while Cannary visited Daisy. She will now fall asleep snuggled up next to my hands.

I expect to be able to get a cape by this time next year. I would predict this bird will sell very soon, long before I am ready to commit to one. I am already planning the space for the cage. There will be clutches of capes when I am ready.

Perhaps, since I am not able to get this baby, something that will suit me even better will be coming along soon. At this point I feel it will be another cape, but how can I be certain?

(I sound very reasonable, don't I? It is an act, but I'm trying not to let myself know that.)