When I purchased "Nancy" A split to blue Gouldian hen, from Amy a few months ago, it was with the understanding that she had personality problems. Amy had found her to be ornery and unsubmissive as far as the opposite sex was concerned.

I named her "Nancy" because I had worked as a caregiver several years ago for a gal by that name who had personality problems. Nancy (the bird) was in great condition when she came to live with us and as the weeks passed her colors brightened, her tail grew and her beak turned black. She became totally "Twitterpated" when Joe wore his favorite yellow shirt. He seemed to always have his face near the cage and talked to her....weet, weet, weet, all the time. She always answered him and rubbed her beak on the perch, inviting him to join her. She kept us amused, but we were concerned about her confusion.

I talked a girlfriend into going with me to the ASOPS fair at the Seattle center. I needed birds to fill newly acquired cages ;-) While we were waiting in line outside for the doors to open, a red haired lady was unloading birds and putting cages by the entrance doors. A Yellow Gouldian Cock! Oh My God! A mate for Nancy! Not genetically the right thing to do, but it seemed a logical thing to me since she loved Joe in his yellow shirt!

I told the red haired lady (Whom I later found out was Kate) That I needed that bird! My friend Cheryl, Who knew the original "Neurotic Nancy”, mentioned on the way home that even THAT Nancy had eventually found a mate. Ah, yes, "Andy" The most patient man in the world.

In the weeks since their introduction Andy (the bird), has done everything in his power to be the model husband. When introduced to his cage Nancy was quite receptive of his advances and didn't try to chase him away or run from him. We were hopeful. He regularly invited her to share food and she obliged him. They sat side by side and she tipped her little tail in his direction. They roosted near each other at night.

I decided to give them a nest several weeks ago and see what would happen. Andy checked it out right away, and tried repeatedly to invite Nancy to check it out too, but she would have no part of it. He commenced to build a comfortable home for the two of them and she continued to ignore the process. The nest is finished. He did a beautiful job. He has called her and called her to no avail.

Now he has given up on her and has moved in to the new dwelling alone. He spends hours in there as if he were incubating eggs. I think his little heart is broken.

Nancy sits high on her manzanita branch and gazes out the window at the wild birds.. MOLTING!

Article © Margaret 2003