Caesar the plum – 10 Pics

The question I get the most is – what kind of bird IS Caesar?! The answer I usually give is – an extremely cute one! Most people have never even heard of plumheaded parakeets. So their next question is usually about how I decided to get one in the first place (for more information visit Instagram page: caesar_the.plumhead).

The beginning of the story goes back a long way. I had a budgie as a schoolkid and I loved him to bits. He was extremely tame and could talk up a storm. But then he got sick when he was about six and a half years old and we lost him. The whole family was heartbroken and we decided we didn't want to go through that again, plus no other budgie could ever replace our beloved Cira.

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But then one day, about three years later, my father and I went to a pet supplies shop to buy some fish food. The shop keeper came out from behind the counter with no less than a great alexandrine parrot on her shoulder! Dad asked her, just out of curiosity – how long do they normally live? Oh, this little guy will certainly outlive ME, the woman scoffed. It was in that moment that it dawned on me that I could get a bird with a longer life expectancy – and also how much I missed having a bird on my shoulder.

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So I went home, did some research and decided I wanted an Indian ringneck. They seemed fairly available, so I went to a local breeder and asked about them. Roughly 25 seconds later I left the shop, completely devastated. You live in a block of flats and want an IRN? – the man asked. It's up to you, of course, but if you ask me, they're far too loud for apartments, he explained.

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Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine that he would say yes the next day when I went back and asked if he had some plumheads around.

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See, I had recollected my thoughts quickly and remembered reading about a species of parrots described as “not as loud” – and they were gorgeous! Only, they looked so exotic that I was certain my local breeder didn't have them in his collection.

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It turned out he did have a clutch of baby plumheads – but with only one survivor. That year, the weather was harsh even in spring. One night, the temperature suddenly dropped below zero – and the rest of the clutch sadly didn't make it. That's when I knew – we were meant to be.

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Fast forward to seven years later, here I am with my gorgeous feathered baby Caesar, writing this. And we couldn't be any happier. I didn't get a plummie because they look beautiful – which they do. I got one because their personality goes well with mine.

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They aren't cuddly – so don't expect them to resemble dogs or cats – or conures and other cuddly birds, for that matter. They're way too proud and independent to let you ruffle their precious feathers! They aren't the best talkers either, so don't compare them to african greys. They are shy and reserved at first, and it isn't easy to earn their trust. But I am patient and I do love a challenge! Yes, it takes longer to tame them than most other birds, but once you do – the trust and bond you have is beautiful and I don't regret any of the effort and energy I put into building it.

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I will say one thing though – plumheads are NOT quiet. When Caesar gets excited, I can hear him screaming from outside – through the window, and then through another balcony window. But that's just the thing – when getting a bird, you have to accept some simple facts. All birds scream. And all birds bite. But that doesn't make them bad! It's just part of who they are. And if you can't deal with that – don't get a bird. Simple as that.

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All images and video we got from caesar_the.plumhead

Author: Anita Samanc