Bluey, a charming Indian ringneck parakeet, has become much more than a pet to Chin Kuo Ren: she’s his buddy, his bundle of joy, and his endless source of entertainment.
“Animals have been my thing since I was a kid. I started with small fish,” Chin, 38, told FMT Lifestyle.
His journey into the world of avian companionship began innocently enough, with a visit to an exotic pet shop that left him captivated by the kaleidoscope of colours and personalities on display.
He was particularly drawn to the striking Indian ringneck parakeets – a type of Asiatic parrot – with their vibrant plumage and playful demeanour.
“I asked the owner for a bird that would be friendly and easy to train, and wouldn’t be prone to flying off. He introduced me to Bluey,” Chin recalled.
The moment he saw Bluey, just three weeks old, Chin knew she was meant to be part of his life. And like a dedicated dad, he took care of the chick, carefully feeding her with a syringe five times a day.
“The focus has to be on point when they are young,” he said of the dedication and attention required to raise a baby bird.
Today, she eats a healthy diet of sunflower seeds, fruit pellets, and cut fruit. Her favourite is guava. “Every time I give it to her, she grips it with her talon and it is gone in a blip!”
Their journey together hasn’t been without its challenges. One particular incident involved Bluey taking flight unexpectedly, testing the limits of their bond and Chin’s resolve.
“I chased her around the house and quickly closed the windows. Bluey couldn’t see the glass and knocked into it. She dropped to the floor and was very disoriented.
“I tried to pick her up but she thought I was a predator and got terrified. I later learnt that chasing birds is a no-no. So that trust was broken.”
Despite the setbacks, Chin’s love for her remains unwavering. “She is like my baby. I adore her. If she doesn’t eat, I get worried. I hope we can fully recover her trust again.”
Nevertheless, she eagerly anticipates feeding time by showering Chin with her trademark chirps and squawks.
“The moment she hears me coming down the stairs, she screeches to greet me. It’s very cute. She doesn’t do that with my parents. Somehow, she knows it’s me.”
Yet, following the aforementioned incident, she now gets apprehensive if he comes too close to her.
It’s not just Bluey’s playful antics that make her special; it’s her little quirks that make her truly one of a kind.
“She enjoys regular showers. She stands under the garden spray, closes her eyes, and just takes it in,” Chin said with a laugh.
Trying to capture Bluey on camera often turns into a game. “She will try to take a nibble out of the phone. She likes things that are shiny!”
Chin loves taking Bluey out for walks with a leash on her leg while she perches on his shoulder. They would be quite a sight, attracting smiles from passersby, especially kids.
“It’s fun to bring her out,” Chin said, adding, however, that these moments have been fewer and farther between since the incident.
“I do want to rekindle that feeling of trust with her. But I know I have to be patient. I will definitely not give up,” he promised.
This article was written by Dinesh Kumar Maganathan @ FMT Lifestyle. Read more pet stories here.
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