Conure Corner - Niblet's Blog

Who Knew?

8/1/2026

I had my first annual checkup with the new flock last week, and got a clean bill of health. I also learned something about my parronts and flock, as well. It seems they ran into one another at a Metallica concert in May 2025, and share a love of music. Turns out they were both at the same Operation Mindcrime concert in Charleston last February, too. Who knew? I learned a lot about grunge and heavy metal that day. He even gave them recommendations of bands to check out.

Not my type of music, but thankfully the parronts like a wide variety. I like jazzy stuff, and it turns out I like mysteries as well. I really liked Dark Winds. No wonder Mommy read all of those books. They're good!

But the vet did make one suggestion that I just can't get behind: the scale. He recommended getting a digital scale and checking our weight every couple of weeks, just to make sure we stay happy and healthy. Good luck with that! It arrived yesterday, and none of us want to go near that atrocity any more than the humans want to step on their scale.

We'll see how it goes. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this website refresh inspired by ChatGPT! Mommy was so pleased with how it helped her website that she decided to do it for us, too. I must admit that's a fetching picture of me. It's appropriately me.

That's all today. Take care, and have a great day!

Luv,

Chaka

Happy Birthday, Bubbles!

6/16/2026

Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday dear Bubbles!
Happy birthday to you!
And many more - we want you to have many more.

We love you, Bubbles! Have a Happy 12th Birthday/Gotcha Day!

Luv,

Daddy, Mommy, Zack, and Chaka

Feature Interview: Zack

6/9/2026

Interviewer: We’re here today with Zacchaeus. Welcome, Zack!
Zack: Hey!
Interviewer: You’re quite a successful business bird. How did you get started?
Zack: I got started way back in 2000 when I was a baby under the tutelage of my Uncle Skeeter. He was a cockatiel. He taught me everything I know.
Interviewer: That’s impressive, and now you share your knowledge with a brother and a sister. How do you feel about that?
Zack: Great! Bubbles is a brilliant scientist, and I’ve invested in her research and space ventures. Chaka is learning and growing. He’s a smart bird, sweet and an eager student. He’s just a bit shy. We’re working on that.
Interviewer: A flock affair, how great! What’s your main business?
Zack: The backyard. I rent all of those bird houses, and work with Daddy to keep our yard as a safe space for our bird friends. They know they can come here for rest, protection, fun, and friendship. This is a bird-friendly, safe space.
Interviewer: You’ve all built a beautiful space for them.
Zack: Thank you. It’s been decades of work, and we’re here for the duration. We love and welcome birds! I’m here for them.
Interviewer: You’re so friendly.
Zack: Thanks! I’m full of joy!
Interviewer: Your brother and sister have science leanings. Bubbles is feisty with her discoveries and spacefaring, and Chaka is showing an interest in healing arts. Do you all work together?
Zack: We do! Bubbles sticks close to me because she’s designated me as “her man.” She really loves her boys and is protective of us. I admit that I’m learning along with Chaka on his ventures. I fully support him and love seeing him settle in and succeed. I do get a little jealous when he goes to Daddy –
Interviewer: You were an only bird for 10 years, and always a Daddy’s boy. I know that won’t change!
Zack: It won’t. I picked Daddy and am his forever snuggle buddy. Sometimes Bubbles joins us, and Chaka is welcome too. But my spot is my spot.
Interviewer: I know you all have a special place in the flock. You’re each unique and joyful in your own way.
Zack: That’s true! We embrace it and together, we’re one big, happy flock.
Interviewer: Any final words for the fine folks out there?
Zack: Be happy! Life is great!

Feature Interview: Chaka

5/23/2026

Interviewer: Hi Chaka, and thanks for talking to us today!
Chaka: Hi.
Interviewer: So you’re new to the flock, as of January. How are you settling in?
Chaka: These humans are different, but I’m adapting. Zack and Bubbles are helpful in figuring out life on the other side of town.
Interviewer: I see you recently opened a medical practice in the neighborhood. Tell me about that.
Chaka: It started a few years ago, when Mommy and Daddy were my godparents and kept me while my Mommy had surgery. They kept me a few times during health crises and travel over the years. Zack saw my caregiving tendencies, and funded my education. Bubbles fast tracked it, and I completed it just in time for moving here. Daddy got sick 3 months ago, and he was my first formal patient. I tended him carefully, day and night. He’s not only successfully recovered from that infection, but recent surgery as well.
Interviewer: A flock affair! How sweet!
Chaka: It was easy. Daddy is a great man. The best!
Interviewer: You like having a Daddy, don’t you?
Chaka: I do! I miss my Mommy. We still talk on the phone. This flock is good, though, and it feels good to give back to the birds in Zack’s habitat. I’m getting to know them. I think I’m finally reconciling my confusion.
Interviewer: It seems you’re fitting right in, too.
Chaka: I’m watching and learning. Daddy is retired now, and spends a lot of time with us. And this new mommy is a whirlwind of activity! I wonder if she knows how to sit still. She’s always on the go and doing something!
Interviewer: She’s energetic, eh?
Chaka: (Bobs head). She’s creative, too. I’ve been helping her with this trilogy she’s writing. I don’t know where she gets it from. I wonder if she’s ok in the head. The doctors say she is, but I am new to this –
Interviewer: I know she loves you!
Chaka: Oh, she does! All of that energy is a bit scary. It takes getting used to. I’m surprised she meditates. Then again, it’s just a few minutes a day and if she shuts up –
Interviewer: So what about the rest of the flock?
Chaka: Zack is wide and friendly. He’s a great brother. Bubbles – she’s like mommy.
Interviewer: I talked to her. She’s a spunky one!
Chaka: Indeed.
Interviewer: But she loves you too.
Chaka: So she says. Frequently.
Interviewer: Thanks for talking to us, Chaka, and welcome! It’s a pleasure to get to know you! Do you have any advice for the readers?
Chaka: Thank you. I guess my advice is to never give up. Life is unpredictable, but I’m learning that love and joy are eternal and can help you adapt to anything.

Feature Interview: Bubbles

5/15/2026

Interviewer: Welcome Bubbles! We’re happy to talk to you today!Bubbles: I’m excited too! (Bobs head).
Interviewer: So you’re both a brilliant scientist and an astronaut, and you’re only 11! That’s amazing! How did you do it?
Bubbles: Quakers are smart parrots. My personal story is more ordinary than my brethren who have spread, thrived, and multiplied all over the world. I graduated kindergarten with a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics. When Daddy rescued me from the science classroom back in 2016, I had more time on my hands with the stability of a home. Zack was kind enough to fund my research, but I was yearning for more, and the sci-fi shows that Mommy watched inspired me to explore space to actually see how these theoretical physics could work. I did my training and built my spaceship, the BOOM, while the parronts were at work.
Interviewer: You built a spaceship! So you’re an engineer, too! How did you do it?
Bubbles: Spare parts from Daddy’s shop.
Interviewer: What does Daddy keep in his shop?
Bubbles: (cheeks turning pink). Ok, I also raided Granddaddy’s workshop and a few others in the area. They never noticed.
Interviewer: Ok.
Bubbles: Now I mix my research with space travel. I even opened a small commercial business that Zack is a co-owner of to do casual tourist travel around the solar system.
Interviewer: Really? That’s amazing! Are there a lot of wild birds who want to travel the solar system?
Bubbles: (Bobs head). They get adventure and fun, and I confirm my theories and build my research. It all works together well.
Interviewer: Have you published any of your findings?
Bubbles: Have you read any of Mommy’s books?
Interviewer: So you help a writer too!
Bubbles: I’m prolific. What can I say? I get bored easily.
Interviewer: You’re smart and spunky!
Bubbles: (Bobs head). That’s right!
Interviewer: What an inspiration! Thanks for talking to us. Anything else you want to tell the audience?
Bubbles: Love you!

Things That Make Me Happy

4/21/2026

I find the longer days agreeable. It’s nice when the sun is coming up while Mommy feeds me my morning apple. We stand by the window over the kitchen sink and watch the woods come to light (and life!) as the new day dawns. It’s also great having sun later in the day while the flock enjoys supper each evening when Mommy gets home from her day work.

I’m also loving that Daddy is retired. I’ve been snuggling him back to health after and surgery, but he’s healing up well and back on his feet. It’s good to have him home more and see him up and around, enjoying this new season of life. And best that he’s not so stressed! Daddy is so good and sweet. It’s good to see him happy.

It’s also great to see Mommy happy as she works on building her writing community and her next book release. Mommy loves intelligent, creative work, and it’s great to see her joy. She’s really excited about her new trilogy, and it’s been refreshing to take a new approach to writing and promoting it. We’ve learned a lot and had some great fun with AI, especially this awesome picture of “Executive Me.” That’s just great. I sense more silly AI pictures of me, Chaka, and Bubbles will be forthcoming!

It’s been fun to see more family and friends around too. They really helped out with Daddy’s recent health issues, and continue to be supportive. We love our friends! You guys are our “extended flock!”

Spring might have had a bumpy start, but it’s improving and I sure am thankful! Here’s hoping you’re enjoying the season, and on track to celebrate joys to come.

Luv,

Zack

Settling In

3/17/2026

Did you know your eyes are part of your brain? Godmommy shared that fun fact that she learned yesterday with us, and I’m not sure what to do with it. Zack and Bubbles said this is normal. She likes to read, and she also likes to talk to us and share what she’s learned. I’ve learned a lot in the past 2 months living here, and even helped to pre-publish a book. It involved Godmommy staring at the computer a lot, Bubbles pacing around the computer and chattering, Zack ignoring us and playing with his toys, and some words she said not to learn.

Ok.

This home is different from my last one. Having a Daddy is great! He’s a pure, kind soul. I know he loves me and will protect me. Godmommy, on the other hand, said when God made her, He spilled the spunk, and used it for Bubbles so they totally go together. I see it! Those girls are feisty. Look at what she did to my picture with ChatGPT! But Godmommy does take good care of me, and Bubbles is protective of her boys. I’m getting used to them. Daddy was easier, since he has a calm, kind spirit. That feistiness takes a bit more getting used to. Zack said I will in time, and will even find that it makes life fun. I hope so. I could use some fun, especially since I’m molting and not at my best.

I miss my Mommy, but we do still talk on the phone. She’s happy to know that I’ve been adopted into a good home. It’s still an adjustment, but I’m making it a day at a time. One day, the silliness of this flock will be normal to me. It takes time.

That’s all today. Take care, and have a great day.

Luv,

Chaka

Absurdities

2/10/2026

We didn’t watch the Super Bowl, or the Winter Olympics. Mommy and Daddy said the drama was just too much, and they aren’t big enough sports fans to mess with it. We like college football, and that’s over. So no, we enjoyed the silence. Or rather YouTube videos, tinkering with ChatGPT, and helping Mommy with writing research and edits.

At least it was a productive night. All of the drama out there, not so much. Good grief, we’ve even seen it first hand (or wing, in our case). Daddy came home from prayer breakfast this morning to five police cars. Somebody in a car hit a man on a bike between our house and the neighbor’s house! And mommy thought we’d be hermits in the woods. No place is safe! At least everybody is ok. The bike isn’t, but it’s not sentient so it being one with our fence is another issue.

Life is weird sometimes, and I think “the crazies” happen to us all. We’re just going along our business and BOOM! Something absurd happens. And while absurd is normal with a writer, sometimes it bust out of the confines and really gets you. Like a car hitting a bike. Or sports drama. Or idiots with chainsaws, like that funny video Daddy was watching Sunday night. Or "gaslighting." What's up with that? Mommy calls that "light it up time." We truly bring the boom!

Humans are so silly. I guess we can be too, which is why we go together so well.

That’s all today. Take care, and have a great week!

Luv,

Bubbles

Popping With Joy

1/15/2026

I’m popping with joy. Bubbles and I have a new brother! As you saw in the last post, Mommy and Daddy permanently adopted Chaka, and I’m thrilled to have another sun conure in the house. What a joy. Now he’s not just my friend, but my brother as well. I’m looking forward to teaching him to embrace the joy of life in our happy and silly home.

I’m an expert at this. I started out as a “lonely only” bird back in 2000, with occasional visits to my uncle, a Cockatiel named Skeeter. Skeeter was a great and wise mentor. He would whistle beautifully, and he taught me so much about being an adorable, supportive bird. Now I am the master, after guiding Chloe, Oliver, and Bubbles through similar processes, and I’m proud to utilize my skills again to spread more love and joy to my birdkind! As you can see, training is underway - here I am in Daddy's shirt showing Chaka how to snuggle a bathrobe. Chaka is already saying “hey!” We both said it to Mommy when she got home from work one day this week, and she was thrilled. Then Bubbles chimed in with a “love you” and it was a great big snugglefest of laughter and happiness.

Chaka is settling in nicely. He’s been here several times, which helps because he adapted to living here quickly. The big thing now is adapting to one big change: Daddy is retired, so our daily schedule has changed! It’s ok. We’re adapting together, and the house is filled with more love and joy now than ever before. It’s so much fun!

That’s all today. Take care. Have a happy Friday tomorrow and a wonderful weekend.

Luv,

Zack

A Big Announcement!

1/3/2026

It's a boy! Our Dymanic Duo is now a trio. We permanantly adopted Chaka on January 2, 2026.

Circumstances changed for his mommy, and she will be moving out of state, and asked if we would adopt him. Of course! Zack and Bubbles are happy to have a brother!

See the video below for a full introduction.

Luv,

Sherri, Rick, Zack, and Bubbles!