Baby Taken

It seemed unjust, unfair.  Yet desire overruled what seemed right.  This was not a cultural misunderstanding.  Yet living in a foreign culture was allowing this activity to take place.  We watched more then curious spectators.  This event would impact our week,our lives, our home and perhaps more.  Were we up to this challenge? 

Andrew removed the baby parrot from his parents a week ago.  

To hand raise a parrot has been Andrews desire since he was a boy of about 7 or 8 years old.  Roll back time 6 or 7 years ago.  Jessica had an eclectic parrot.  She would bring it to church and tell stories with her bird.  This bird, Kiwi, would ride up to the front of the church on a remote control car.  Kiwi would hang upside down and would allow Jessica to spread his wings out and show us all the vibrant colors under the wings.  That is when Andrew started asking for a parrot.  This type of parrot in the States can easily run eight to nine hundred dollars and they can live to be 80 years old.  That sealed the “NO” right there.  I had visions of Andrew going off to college and leaving me with a parrot that would outlive me.  No, thank you. 

So why did moving overseas change whether or not Andrew could have a parrot?  Well……  many reasons.  The male and female parrots were for sale on the side of the street.  With chains around their legs and stuffed into a rice bag.  It really was a merciful act to “rescue” them.  The pair of parrots cost less then U.S. $60.00.  Moving with your family across the world is kind of radical…..it then opens your heart to doing things like adopting parrots.  And sometimes it is nice as parents to give GOOD GIFTS to their children, especially when their children do hard things (like uproot and leave all their friends and way of life).  I’m still drawing the line with, no snakes.  The birds may still live a long time; however, I am sure someone will love to adopt them when we need to find them a new home.  It will not be possible for us to bring them to the States.  It used to be, but not anymore.   The parents we adopted about three years ago. 

Eight weeks ago we began to hear evidence of a baby parrot in the nesting box.  Each week, Andrew would tape his phone to a wooden spoon and send it into the nesting box with video mode on.  The mother was very aggressive.  How fun it was to see a little baby with no feathers, change and fill out each week.  On line it tells you to run to the store and buy this special bird formula for the baby parrots, but those stores do not exist here.  Heni was able to give us advice.  Heni has lived in Papua for over 30 years (maybe 40?) and he has raised many birds.  Heni knew what formula we should make.  Honey, oats, lactose free milk, papaya….all blended together.  So last weekend we prepared the formula and Andrew brought the nesting box into the house.  The mother and baby were down inside it and we didn’t know how aggressive the mommy would be to Andrew.  So Andrew wore “protective” gear and proceeded to take apart the box.  He then removed the mother.  Which went very smoothly and put her back in the outside cage.  Then tah dah…..Andrew’s dream came true.

The nesting box and Andrew in his “protective” gear.

The Mommy, being taken outside to her cage.

The baby…..moments after being scooped out of her nesting box.

First minute or two with “Georgia”.

 

Midweek feeding.

After one week of living with us.

Unjust, unfair to the parents and the baby?  No doubt.  The parents were great caregivers.  The baby was thriving.  Desire overruled the babies cohabitation with her parents.

It has been a great week to have “Georgia” in our home, as there has been no school this week.  She has done really well.  Andrew and her have spent hours together.  Georgia ate from the curved spoon right away.  As the week has gone on she has become more playful and curious.  She has also began to self feed with some of her eating: banana’s, boiled eggs, passion fruit and her favorite: popcorn!  Georgia has already had to go out for some day care as we went to the beach all day and I have already had to do a feeding or two to accommodate a camp jungle sleep over and a surfing trip.  Where does the action fun end?!!!

Georgia is already adding more color and joy to our home.  We are embracing this season and enjoying seeing wishes come true.  Andrew played one of the videos from when the baby was still in its nest with its mother and the baby squawked in response.  A baby taken is teaching many life lessons about responsibility and commitment.  Bring it on!  What’s next, Andrew, Jacob, Aubrey and Nathaniel?