What we can learn from Alycia Antheuniesse

Alycia Antheunisse pets a toucan at her Lodi store, Cedar Hill Birds. Antheunisse runs the store with her husband, Eric. Her children Ashle, 8, and Brenden, 6, also pitch in around the store. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

What we can learn from Alycia Antheuniesse

Tips for finding the perfect feathered friend

By Amanda Dyer
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Monday, February 25, 2008 6:35 AM PST

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Alycia Antheunisse's favorite birds are macaws.

"They are clowns with big personalities, but not for the timid," she said.

Her husband, Eric Antheunisse, on the other hand, is a sucker for cockatoos and conures.

The Antheunisses own and operate Cedar Hill Birds on Cherokee Lane, along with Alycia's father and their children.

When buying a bird, Alycia Antheunisse recommends buying from a well-known source. Visit the place you plan on buying from a few times, she said, and make note of how well the employees maintain the birds and their cages. If the birds' cages look like they haven't been cleaned in a while, move on.

Finally, she said, develop a relationship with the people you're buying from. See how they operate and find out how much they know about the birds they're selling.

Alycia Antheunisse offered this and other advice on birds and their care via e-mail.

If you're a first-time bird owner, what type of bird should you be looking for?

Because there are so many different birds with so many different species traits, it is hard to say that there is one bird that is better than another, but there is a bird for almost everyone.

For children, we really recommend something smaller. For example, a cockatiel is a great starter bird for smaller children. There are also green-cheek conures and all of their great color mutations.

We also recommend the African Senegal as a great first-time pet, whether it is for a child or an adult.

Some people will jump into a big bird, which is OK. But make sure you do your homework first. We try to help people make the right decision, and have actually on occasion talked people out of buying a bird.

If you don't like noise or mess, buy a goldfish.

Some birds live quite a long time, don't they? So if you pick out a bird, even if it's your first one, isn't it a lifelong commitment?

Birds can live a very long time. Even the very domestic cockatiel can live for 25 years. But to think that your life won't change in that amount of time is being rather unrealistic.

As with any pet, you should take the responsibility quite seriously and understand that they have the potential to live a long time.

Some people will put them in their wills. Others will rehome (their birds) if something changes in their lives.

How much time and money should a bird owner expect to spend on his or her new pet?

Your initial investment can be rather large, depending on the type of bird that you are buying. It also depends on the type of cages and accessories that are appropriate for the bird.

One rule of thumb: If you can't afford the bird, you definitely can't afford to give it the care it deserves and needs.

Handfed pets do require a certain amount of time.

I think the greatest misconception is that any bird has to be glued to you at all hours of the day. Most (if raised properly and taught to be independent) are quite happy to just hang out during a meal or while you are doing chores around the house. Some will enjoy a movie with you, while some don't want to hang out that long.

Some people will take them to sporting events or for rides in their cars. The birds should be considered a part of the family.

I've heard that if treated well, birds can be great companions, possibly even more so than dogs. Is that true?

Most people who own birds relate how "human" they are. The African Grey especially is known to acknowledge events. For example, people coming home (can be) signified by a certain phrase.

One of our African Greys, Tinker Bell, has a favorite friend, Maya, the double yellow-headed Amazon.

Whenever they are out together for the day Tinker always greets Maya, "Hi Maya," and then taunts (her and) chases her around the play tree.

Tinker Bell will also moo like a cow, answer the phone and tell you to stop it when you are acting badly (which is actually her acting badly).

Contact reporter Amanda Dyer at amandad@lodinews.com.

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