Hi

We are the Hunters Ian, Dawn and Emma

We found out about Birdline when we visited Paignton zoo earlier this week. Last time we visited Paignton zoo was 12 years ago when Emma was just 10 years old. We live in Dorset.

We have a fantastic Blue and Gold Macaw called Charlie - we have had him just over 5 years since he was weaned. We call him a him but are not 100% sure. We bought him from a breeder who had been breeding all kinds of birds for over 17 years. This was when we lived in Florida, we bought him home to England with us when we moved back. I do not know who felt more traumatised about his journey -  but it certainly was not Charlie!!

He is a comedian and has us in fits of laughter - he is a real chatterbox and show off!!  He loves to be the centre of attention singing and dancing. He loves to lay on Ians lap and have his head rubbed. He always brightens up a dull day!!

Dawn

Hi Ian, Dawn & Emma and welcome to Birdline. Everyone on here is very helpful so if you have any questions about anything there is always someone who will know the answer.   Whereabouts in UK are you??????  'm just nosey lol

 Gillie.x 

Hi All

Thank you for the very warm welcome 

Gillie as Sharon said we are in Dorset, we do not know any one local to us.

Hi Sharon - we thought the photo was you, really pleased you told us about BL

There is lots and lots of photos to post - Charlie loves posing for the camera and singing and dancing on video!!

He is totally loopy and we love him to bits

Dawn

Hi Gillie

I think we are ok here at the moment thanks lol       - prefer Florida, do you prefer Oz??

hi  definately.  we were in Qld  semi tropical.   warmer in winter there than the summe here

It was not easy bringing him back from Florda! 3 months of hard work sorting out licences ans defra and usda - then cancelling existing flights and driving 250 miles to Miami  airport - the only airport he was allowed out from!!

For all it was stressful to sort out and one of the most difficult things to organise we could not and still cannot imagine life without him

Dawn

Hi Gillie

The story is sooo familiar one saying you need a licence from the other and being passed from pillar to post!  I am quite a tough cookie but my god it was enough to give anyone a nervous break down all the tooing and froing and the lack of help from DEFRA or the USDA. 

 I am just glad we did not run out of time.

It is good news for youu and I hope your new addition settles in really well.

Hi

yes we ran out of time.  We were told that Percy had to go on the same flight as us.  We were at the stage that had the main problem been in Oz someone would have been strangled but we couldnt get to the UK mob lol.  Anyway it all ended up good in the end although I must admit I cried from Rockhampton in Qld to Korea, including a stop at Brisbane.    I know my |Percy is ok with Iryna and that he will have an absolutely fantastic life so I am happy for him

so sad in one way but happy in another