“Pluma” – A Very Special African Grey Congo

Those words remind me of the first time I met Pluma. As I recall, I was at the exotic bird store doing my usual perusal of the parrots that were being boarded while their owners were away. There is usually an eclectic mix of species and they are all competing for attention. I did my best to entertain a few of them, just to break up the monotony of their day. Eventually I made it to the back of the room where I was stopped in my tracks by an African Grey Congo. She had such an engaging gaze and gentle demeanor, that I knew immediately she was a sweet soul. I automatically looked at the ID card on the front of the cage. Instead of seeing the bird’s name, the owner’s name and her check out date, there was a simple card stating she was up for adoption. 

I noticed that she had given to mutilating her feathers which is an all too common trait with African Grey Congos. There is a lot of debate as to whether the problem is diet or environmental, but once they start, it is almost impossible to get them to stop. It interesting to note that their close relatives, the African Grey Timnehs, seldom imitate this behavior. Perhaps they are more resilient with regard to changes in their surroundings. At any rate, the condition of her feathers did not phase me, I needed to know why someone would give this little girl up. 

Debbie added that the bird had such a sweet nature, that she simply gets along with everybody. Anyone that has spent a little time around Congos, knows that they can be very selective when it comes to their people. That is one of the reasons we typically gravitate toward the Timnehs, because they will bond with more than one member of the family.

I asked Debbie if I could handle her and she gave me an emphatic go ahead. When I approached Pluma the second time, she acted as though she was anticipating my arrival. Her little foot was raised in expectation of my hand, and she practically hopped on! We made fast friends, and she was just as receptive to Korina. The decision to take her home was an easy one, and she has fit right in from day one.

We decided to call her Pluma and she seems agreeable with the name. Like Tica, she gets along well with the dogs but tends to reprimand Mocha. Whenever Mocha gets a little rambunctious, or sometimes for no good reason at all, a stern “Mocha, no!” is uttered. She also chimes in with Tica when the dogs bark out the front window “Quiet!” she repeats with an air of authority.

 We have tried every product on the market, to get her to stop ripping at her feathers. Her cage is well stocked with toys, and she spends most of her day on a variety of play stands, that are also furnished with lots of toys. On nice days we make sure she spends some time outside, to get vitamin D from the sun. None of our efforts have changed her grooming behaviors. Sometimes she will grow as many as eight red tail feathers, but she normally likes to keep only one or two. I must confess that for someone who takes pride in having his birds in perfect feather, it has been an adjustment to accept that I am powerless to improve her plumage. But she is a very happy bird and that is the ultimate goal.

I am normally up very early, and start the day while the bird room is still dark. The birds are often roused by my morning routine of making coffee, thereby starting the morning soundtrack. “Good morning!” “I love you!” “Hi sweet heart!” are Tica’s favorite phrases. Pluma’s often calls out “Kisses for dad!” Diane welcomes the day with a series of whistles along with the other Timnehs. A pleasant way to start the day!

My shared history with Pluma, has proven the power of a glance. There have been no surprises, she is exactly who she said she was, from the very first time we met.

Read about “Romeo” our African Grey Timneh