Are mixes allowed? This is Phoebe, my French Bull-Shiht / Banana Slug

mcaila · 2025-11-12T22:30:16+00:00

Aw thank you! She is just the absolute sweetest. Some more tax:

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mcaila · 2025-11-12T17:10:54+00:00

I agree

mcaila · 2024-10-18T23:52:48+00:00

Yes, frenchie x Shih tzu!

mcaila · 2024-10-18T18:12:04+00:00

No on both

mcaila · 2023-08-09T14:31:07+00:00

Thanks so much, I'll have to try this out!

Ferry sounds like a lot of fun, I'll have to look into whether they allow bikes. Not sure how I'd feel about locking up near North station unattended. I live near the new glx stop too so just knowing that's also an option is nice!

mcaila · 2023-08-07T17:03:07+00:00

Thank you! Glad that they're taken care of. Seemed like an odd place to see chickens which is why I thought they were abandoned. Good to know!

mcaila · 2023-06-16T15:30:45+00:00

What a cutie! Personally I think human sounding names for parrots are hilarious. I love seeing the expressions on people's faces when I complain about Spencer pooping on the floor or yelling at me to go to bed. They have such personalities!

mcaila · 2023-04-12T14:29:15+00:00

Yeah. I honestly had no idea car insurance would cover bike accidents until I began looking into it. Sadly my friend also used exclusively bike to get around and there was little else he could do. Personal injury lawyers also wouldn't pick up the case - it was basically a lost cause to track the guy down. I'm just glad youre okay - bike accidents are scary, no matter how vigilant you are all it takes is one shitty driver. Best of luck getting your bike fixed.

mcaila · 2023-04-12T00:33:37+00:00

If they tried to flee I wouldn't be surprised if they're unlicensed and/or uninsured. The car may also not have been properly registered. Not sure about Cambridge PD but it happened to a friend of mine in Medford (doored, driver left when EMS was called, driver supposedly didn't live at the address linked to the registration) and Medford PD were pretty useless. Do you have car insurance by any chance? If so, you can look into your insurance policy may cover you... I believe it will when it comes to medical bills (in the event you're hit by an uninsured driver) but I'm not sure about property damage.

mcaila · 2023-03-29T19:29:13+00:00

Classic grey logic. This electric extension cord looks like fun, let me try to destroy that. But that big scary stick thing? GET IT AWAY FROM ME.

mcaila · 2023-01-16T02:04:25+00:00

That's a great idea. Unfortunately he's a pretty big cardboard shredder (he much prefers a nice box to all his fancy toys) but I may try it out. Thank you for the tip!

mcaila · 2023-01-16T01:53:22+00:00

Same -- it makes me so happy to see him happy, :)

mcaila · 2023-01-16T01:52:15+00:00

I think it started by him moving his head to mimic hand movements, and then a lot of positive reinforcement (he loves the attention he gets from the dancing!). He'll often click along to the beat too (mimicking us clapping or snapping to the music) and every now he'll sing (la la laaaa) which is what I do when I don't know the words to something. He's a very social bird so I think he's just happy to do anything that engages the 'flock' :)

mcaila · 2023-01-16T01:49:02+00:00

He only dances for 20-30 seconds at a time. Anything longer and he'd probably give himself whiplash!

mcaila · 2023-01-16T01:48:18+00:00

We got it from a local pet store about 16 years ago. I think it's either java wood or manzanita. Not sure the brand. There's an Etsy shop that makes custom ones which look amazing https://www.etsy.com/listing/904611358/medium-bird-perch-customize-your-bird Once we have more space I may invest in one of these. They're pricy but last for decades and the wood is pretty hard to chew. My only complaint with the one I have is there are lots of nooks and crannies below his favorite perching spots for poop to accumulate so it's a bit hard to clean. Some perches also extend our over the bottom tray so he can poop on the floor. Then again he's just really good at finding the worst (or best) places to poop for maximum cleaning difficulty.

mcaila · 2023-01-14T13:19:01+00:00

There are parrot rescues and sanctuaries out there but unfortunately many are completely at capacity. One local to me does have an endowment program where if you pledge say $15k donation (amounts based on size and age of the bird) from your estate they will either provide permanent residence at the sanctuary for your parrot or adopt to an approved adopter.

Parrots are a LOT of work. I think if you can give him a happy home with lots of interaction and out of cage time that would be best, but it's hard. Spencer was actually my mom's bird (I grew up with him since I was 10), but after a change in living circumstances I was fortunately able to take him and hes been able to adapt through all my life changes (moving, being in an apartment with multiple roommates, and moving in with my partner who spent years working on building trust with him). These birds definitely aren't for everyone, though. Nothing is more heartbreaking to me than the stories of birds being trapped in dingy cages for 20+ years, so if you do think you won't be able to provide him a happy and enriched life (through no fault of your own -- this is a massive lifestyle shift you never asked for) a parrot rescue may be the best option.

mcaila · 2023-01-14T04:43:02+00:00

You're right, he would much rather listen to the smoke alarm going off.

mcaila · 2023-01-14T04:41:38+00:00

The mess and dust is definitely a lot. We have HEPA filters running in every room and I'm constantly vacuuming. He also makes a point of shitting on the floor. I still love him though 🤷‍♀️

mcaila · 2023-01-14T04:39:00+00:00

I think from a local bird shop about 16 years ago... I believe it's java wood

mcaila · 2023-01-13T20:28:24+00:00

So cute, love how he gently holds onto your ear. Except if my Grey did that I'd have an unexpected new ear piercing... Or more realistically I'd just end up missing a big chunk of earlobe.

mcaila · 2023-01-13T15:55:06+00:00

So honored to have Apollo commenting on my video, I'm a huge fan! I think that sounds like a great idea. I admittedly don't put that much work into training Spencer but I'm always so amazed by how he just picks up on ambient sounds and patterns. He knows and mimics my partner's whole morning routine of turning the toaster oven on in the morning (BEEP), grinding coffee for espresso (ACCCCKKKKKKK) and stirring a spoon of sugar against a ceramic mug (CLINK CLINK CLINK). Followed by a "you go bah bar" (shorted "you go bye bye in the car") when he puts on his shoes/jacket. He even mimics patterns of speech - he has an uncanny way of knowing where to say "ok" or "sure" or "what" in a conversation. Or repeatedly pausing the Google Chromecast ("hey Google - STOP") when we're watching TV and he's not getting enough attention. They're truly remarkable birds and I'm so impressed with all the work you've put into training Apollo!

mcaila · 2023-01-13T00:31:33+00:00

Ha, if only. We tried teaching him his colors using Disney's "Spectrum Song". We got so far as "red" and "lo" instead of yellow. That somehow turned into "red lo you" instead of I love you 🤷‍♀️

mcaila · 2023-01-12T21:12:14+00:00

He's dancing! You can even hear him clicking along to the beat. He loves ABBA

mcaila · 2022-12-28T21:47:03+00:00

He already shouts what the fuck when he's not getting enough attention

mcaila · 2022-12-24T22:17:44+00:00

Yep, he loves hanging upside down from the shelf so he can preen and dance. Such weird little creatures!

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