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magicodine Loyal user italy 202 Posts |
Hello there,
I have an act in my mind using an African Grey. I don't own one yet; I just have doves, cockatiels, parakeet and a kakariki, but not a grey yet. Anyhow, in my mind, I'd like to open the act with the Parrot from Sketchpad. Just a few questions... I'd like to buy a chick and hand-feed him and start everything from scratch. Should I buy the sketchpad when I buy the bird, so that I can get the bird used to it from the very beginning, even though the harness will be too big? I just guess, but correct me if I'm wrong, that it'd be much easier to manage to get the bird used to the prop if I put it inside there from the very beginning. This takes me to my second question. How many months old should the parrot be to be able to perform in the pad correctly? I intend to buy the parrot in April. Would I be able to perform the effect in August (of course, this is providing that I train it well and so on; I'm not looking for shortcuts here, I just don't know how long it takes for a Grey to become as big as an adult Grey)? Can you buy refills for the effect, or once you perform it 100 times you need to spend another $1000? Can you rehearse without using the paper? I mean, of course you can avoid drawing, but I don't know if there's any special preparation you need to do to the sheets so that when the parrot climbs out you need to trash the sheet. Any other information regarding the loading or anything else is very appreciated. Thanks, Gaia |
bwarren3 Special user 518 Posts |
Hi Gaia,
I've got 5 different parrots, and my Congo African Grey isn't one of my choices to perform with. She's a diva....on the other hand, an Amazon or a Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo is perfect because of their size, and they love to be the center of attention. I would recommend finding a rescue close to you and go play with them, or a pet store, but the rescues have every bird you could possibly want plus 10 times cheaper. In a pet store you're looking at $1500 - $2000 for the parrot alone, then add in another couple of hundred for a large size steel cage. At most Rescues, you get the parrot & the cage for less than half of that. Wilson Parrot Foundation, Phoenix Landing, and Project Perry are just a couple of the really good ones out there, but they are all over. Bill |
magicodine Loyal user italy 202 Posts |
Hi there,
Thanks for your advice! What do you mean by "she's a diva"? The act I'm planning is in Dana Daniels' style. I don't know if you're familiar with him and his parrot. My first choice would be an African Grey because, as far as I know, they are not too loud, whereas my neighbours (and myself for the matter) can surely complain if a cockatoo or an Amazon start screaming. Am I wrong? I heard a cockatoo scream, oh my! :-D Actually, I'm not familiar with Amazons now that I think of it. Thanks on your advice on rescues; however, I must say that I'm Italian, and I have never heard of rescues here. Parrots are not as common as in USA. |
Lou Hilario Inner circle 2235 Posts |
My question is: Why do you want an African Grey? They are not colorful for stage work.
I have an African Grey. I tried training as a talking performer, but found out he is shy in different environments. He is now a pet and very enjoyable because he talks a lot. Get the parrot when it is fully weaned. Start early training. They begin to talk after 10 months. If you want a talking parrot that is not shy, get an Amazon. I used to have a double yellow-headed Amazon, but it flew away because a TV camera man bumped his T stand while filming. He could sing on command the whole Happy Birthday song. BTW, where will you be getting your Parrot from Sketchpad from? You don't need one if it's just a small parrot. Check out my website, and you can see some parrots I own. PM me if you need more help.
Magic, Illusions, Juggling, Puppet & Parrot Show ^0^
http://www.louhilario.net |
magicodine Loyal user italy 202 Posts |
Hi, Lou, thanks for your reply. My dream would be to own a macaw, but I don't think it's possible because I live in an apartment. It's very big, space wouldn't be an issue, but I'm scared of noises; neighbours might not appreciate them. Macaws are very loud, aren't they?
How loud is an Amazon? I guess they are pretty loud, too. Cockatoos are also loud, as far as I know. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I was leaning towards an African Grey because I was told they are not so loud. |
Kyle^Ravin Inner circle I slammed my head against 1070 Posts |
BTW, would PUCK MAGIC make a custom, smaller sketchpad for a cockatiel???
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puckmagic Loyal user Orlando, Florida 260 Posts |
Thanks for your interest in my Parrot from Sketch Pad. First off, after you use the 100 sheets that come with the prop, you only need to go to your local office supply store and purchase a standard sketch pad. This will give you another 100 performances. Unlike Bowl-A-Rama, you never need to re-make the gimmick pad but, instead, add pages as needed which takes seconds to reset.
I would suggest finding your bird first and getting him used to you. Once your parrot trusts you, getting him in the pad will be easy. Also, my pad works with the bird's natural instincts. This makes training very easy and very quick. As for Lou Hilario's comment that "you don't need it if it's just a small parrot," I think he should keep his comments to himself unless he has used my products! If you go to my web site http://www.puckmagic.com you will see footage of Dave Womach performing my pad with a small Rose Breasted Cockatoo. He gets the same great reaction that I get using my larger Sulfur Crested. Anyway, I hope this information helps you out in your future plans. Puck |
puckmagic Loyal user Orlando, Florida 260 Posts |
Kyle, I do not make one for a cockatiel as of now. Maybe you could use Dan Sperry's version that uses a dove?
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Kyle^Ravin Inner circle I slammed my head against 1070 Posts |
Sounds like an idea...however, I don't know if the cockatiel would be very comfortable in a holder. (I'm basing on how I think the effects work.) I felt the Parrot from Sketchpad method would be much nicer if it came in a smaller version. No offence to Dan here. His product is good, though I've not seen it in real life, but I don't know if my cockatiel would like a holder.
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motivationalmagic Regular user Pennsylvania 179 Posts |
I have been using Puck's Parrot from Sketch Pad for several months. As with everything that Puck does, I found the Sketch Pad to be exceptionally well made, and the training video explains everything.
I can tell you that the reaction from audiences is absolutely priceless!! Even the toughest of audiences are now jelly in your hands. You immediately generate a spark of excitement. It triggers the momentum that sets your show apart from every other show your audiences may have seen in the past. Even magicians are expecting a bowling ball, and it blows them away, too, when the parrot appears. What really looks fabulous is that in the way that Puck designed it, each of my hands are on either side, and to the audience it looks as if the parrot is levitating up out of the tablet. The visual impact is exceptionally powerful. I have had an umbrella cockatoo for a year and three months. She has gotten used to the effect, and now loves the attention. Just a few weeks ago, when I was preparing to place her into the hiding location, I was thrilled and delighted to watch as she walked over and climbed right in. I couldn't believe my eyes. Sure enough, for the show the following week, she climbed right in on her own once again. It was great! If you want a unique and innovative effect to open your show, then you will want to invest in Puck's Parrot from Sketch Pad. I can personally share that it brought my own shows and speaking engagements to a whole new level that I would not otherwise be enjoying without the Sketch Pad as my opener. Truly, if I could have anticipated how great the impact of owning the Parrot from Sketch Pad would be for my show, I would have bought a parrot years ago, just to have this opening effect. The other great thing is the outstanding customer service and support that you can expect from Puck. Unlike countless others out there looking to earn a quick dollar, you can tell that Puck truly loves the art. When talking on the phone, his passion and enthusiasm is energizing and contagious. He shares tips and secrets that will greatly accelerate your learning curve. Why waste time with trial and error when you can learn from a professional that has traveled the world with his art? |
lozey Veteran user UK 381 Posts |
I have an African Gray (smaller Tihmneh gray as opposed to the larger Congo variety). I assure you they can be JUST as noisy as a macaw!!!!!!!
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Meshuggina New user 92 Posts |
I'm NOT hating on greys in any way at all. Anyone who uses one can feel free to weigh in.
I have several birds and know many people with birds as well. While I don't own a grey, I know several quite well. They are very intelligent but, as others stated, they aren't "showy". By this I don't mean they are lacking the flashy colors, but more that they are more shy and reserved, especially in loud situations, and don't seem to thrive on it as much. Have said this, I've seen trained greys that do well, but I have to imagine that they take a great deal more training to become comfortable. We're talking hours a day, for a year or more. I'll also agree with lozey. The greys can be VERY loud, especially if they learn to imitate a sound you don't like, such as, say.... a smoke detector I would also advise against getting the baby bird and hand feeding yourself. Unless you really know what you are doing you can end up aspirating the bird or giving it cropburn, both of which could kill the baby. It is NOT as easy as jamming a syringe in the mouth and squirting it in, as much as a breeder or store who doesn't want to wake up every 4 hours to feed the baby any more might try to convince you may try to convince you it is. Again, Greys are great birds, but from my experience, though not with trying to perform with one admittedly, they may not be the best choice. Anyone who uses one, please weigh in to correct me if I'm wrong! |
paulapaul Regular user Nevada 173 Posts |
I can only agree with everyone on the disposition of the African Grey. They are not inclined to like performing, on command, often. They are very smart, but they do not like what they do not kike, and can make both of you miserable. The double Yellow Headed Amazon would like doing shows. If you don't get the one with a blue breast -that type is very noisy.
A bird that you never see is the Eclectus. The Eclectus females are vivid, flaming red, and the male is an irridescent green, just beautiful. I'm not sure why more of these are not in use. They are quiet birds, and very lovey-lovey. A bird with that type of affection will usually do anything to please their person. Please play with some of these before you make your choice. As for babies, I do what I have with any bird. We cuddle while watching TV, Then, I add the harness to the cuddling. So harnesses just become just part of love. I used Umbrella Cockatoos, but they will scream at home. They DO love audiences, though. IF I were to work with an Exotic Bird again, it would be the Eclectus. Cordially, Paula |
ARNOMAGIE Regular user France 200 Posts |
My eclectus is great !
He's 14 years in my show. See him at 5'55 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vO_S2jRkGg |
bwarren3 Special user 518 Posts |
I agree with Paula, go for the Amazon, not the Grey. Toos can be loud but give them enough puzzle toys and things to climb on and they should tone down.
Bill |
Cyberqat Inner circle You can tell I work on the net from my 2209 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-03-03 20:18, magicodine wrote: As the proud Papa of a Military Macaw, let me answer that. Yes they are VERY loud when they want to be. Its a natural thing for them. The Womacks say you can train them out of it. I'm still trying with mine. (Who is otherwise a very sweet and cooperative bird.) You cant just stick a big bird in a harness and be done with it, as you may already know, there is a lot of basic handling and stage behavior to teach. If you don't have them id certainly recommend the Womack's DVDs on bird training for magicians. One good soln for hand-feeding is to get your baby from a shop that hand-weens and will let you come in and help. My wife did this with her very-bonded cockatiel. Quote:
On 2010-06-24 08:33, ARNOMAGIE wrote: Wow, that is a wonderful act. And you have *beautiful* birds. You must love them very much. (We just have a single military macaw and hes a hadnful, wonderful, but a handful.)
It is always darkest just before you are eaten by a grue.
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bwarren3 Special user 518 Posts |
Arno,
Loved your act!!! Great stuff and beautiful birds. Bill |
magonicolas New user 33 Posts |
I Own an African Grey Parrot, And he Started very Shy ( He has 1 YEar and 5 month, I own it from 1 year and 2 month ago already weaned).
But now he performs cute tricks to every person that enter to my house, Like the Wave, Turn Arround, Ring on Peg, etc, etc, etc. He also know like 3 MAgic Tricks. Havent use it in performance Yet, But I think it is VERY possible. He talks a LOT! and he can be very noise! he imitates some birds that do ugly noises very LOUD! Arno, Great PErformance! |
paulapaul Regular user Nevada 173 Posts |
ARNO MAGIE,
Your act is flawless! There is every breed of bird. Your "tables" and perches are first-class. (Ooh, I envy those!) EVERYTHING is first-class. Movement, perfect. Get readies, absolutely no clue telegraphed. The way you handle silks, birds, paper, deliberate but not arrogantly so. You use time well, you change your levels in the act. So many theatrical and magic secrets,to insure your ultimate success. Thank you for putting in a link. It is a treat to see magic done that way. The Eclectus was the first I've seen in a manipulation act. So vivid! Cordially, Paula |
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