okay, so here is Pretty's story...

We didn't know if we had a girl or boy (the pet shop man said boy) but then I found this place and it was mixed because of the shape of his head, the whitish rings around his nasal opening, his chirping behavior etc.. Some people said wait for the first molt.

 

My daughter wanted to name him Lovey hence my screen name, we never decided on a boy name. We just called him Pretty because he was Pretty Boy

 

Well he has molted into a beautiful male budgie.

 

Last night while I couldn't sleep I though I should change his name to a more manly name or at least a boy name

 

What do you think? - And what comes to mind when you see him? (and don't say pretty )

 

Edited April 12, 200619 yr by lovey

I'd stick with Pretty or Lovey either one if you or your daughter like them. He's not going to care one way or the other

Edited April 12, 200619 yr by jamieo

Pretty has grown into his name and you have used it for too long to change now. It would be too hard....the old name would keep rolling off your tongue....you would have to stop and think everytime you used the name ( whichever one you ended up with ). If you did change the name try and keep it similar like rhyming with Pretty.....like Chitty or Ditty or something almost the same to make it easier.

I say go for it. Unless he responds to his name he probably won't even realize much of a difference. Especially since it's something you'll be calling him casually anyway ("Pretty boy, Pretty bird, etc.)

 

I could change my cockatiels' names right now and they'd just cock their heads to the side and stare at me. That's what they do when I say their names to begin with.

 

I'm not saying they can't learn a name and don't realize you call them by it but it's so much different than a dog. That is, unless you've trained him to come when called. Piper's my only bird who I know for sure knows her name.

 

So yeah, go for it. I've thought many many many times about changing Mr. Molly's name. I just couldn't settle on something I liked. And it's changed from Phoenix to Mr. Molly anyway and he doesn't act any different.

 

Another interesting (but irrelevant in this case) fact is that I've read sometimes, if you adopt a parrot that has been abused and/or neglected by a previous owner it helps to change the name as it is associated with bad things. Obviously that's not the case here but I figured it was worth throwing in there because I think it's really neat. Some abused parrots have needed little more than a complete name change, better diet, and better cage to completely turn around "bad" behaviors that resulted from a bad home. (If you're interested in reading more, I first read this in the book Second Hand Parrots.)

 

But back on topic, Pretty will be fine with a name change. Besides, like I said earlier, you'll still be calling him pretty in other ways I'm sure. Even if your tongue slips (Richard's does with Phoenix all the time) you're just calling him a pretty bird. You're very lucky as far as that goes!

Edited April 12, 200619 yr by eterri

I stay stick with Pretty. I like the name what can I say!

I think lovey and pretty are both great names. Trust me I have been throughthe name switch many times before and it seems to work out fine. So if you want to give him a more manly name I say go for it.

 

As for names that I think of when i look at him there are...

Petrie, that could be male or female, and its because he looked like my Petrie. Cirrus, because he looks like a fluffy cloud, and cirrus clouds look like feathers. I also like the name Sky for him. I hope this helps!!! Let us know what you decide.

I like pretty, pretty boy, PB for short

I think its okay to keep Pretty, but if you really want a more masculine name you could call him Petey. I really like Petey for a bird.

I'd just keep the name. I've had a girl called Jeremy and i have a boy called Lilly....doesn't seem to trouble them too much! :(Laughing out loud):

If you read my other post about that book "What Animals Tell Me", apparently, animals get confused if you try to change their names. However sometimes the animal doesn't like its name and wants a name change. It depends on how you and he reacts when you say his name. If you think of good things when you say his name, chances are, Pretty will like his name, especially if he reacts positively when you say it.

I hope that helps :ausb:

 

Before you decide, I suggest reading that book (get it from your library), to tell what animals really think of their names.

Here is the website of the lady that wrote the book: http://www.petcommunicator.com/ you could try emailing her, she might be able to help.