Jamyang, newest friend to the aviary!
I have always loved birds and it breaks my heart to see them mistreated, especially in pet shops. Many of the birds in the Tsem Ladrang aviary are rescued from pet shops that did not take good care of them.
Among the birds we have, there are two very beautiful African Greys – Aki and Jamyang. I brought Aki back from a pet shop two years ago. There were two African Greys at that time, one was Aki and the other was a younger African Grey. Aki was in the pet shop for 4 years when I met him… no one expressed any interest in him as he was already 45 years old. It broke my heart that Aki was left in the pet shop for so long in a small cage, with no hope for a good life. Without much thought, I decided to adopt him. Now he is happily living with the other birds in the aviary.
Jamyang is the other African grey, and he’s estimated to be only one year old. About 2 months ago, I was walking around a shopping mall and decided to walk into a pet shop. Inside, there was an African Grey chained to a perch. You could tell that he was lively, but didn’t have much moving space… Instantly, I knew I had to adopt Jamyang. It broke my heart to see him contained in such a claustrophobic pet shop in the basement of a shopping mall. It was not an appropriate living space… there was no sunlight and proper air ventilation…
African Greys are very loving, playful and intelligent animals. They are known as the “Einstein’s” of the parrot world because of their incredible speaking ability. If well taken care of, they can live for up to 50-60 years, although there are cases where they have lived up to 73… or even 93 years old! Both male and female African Greys are similar in appearance, while the younger ones can be recognized by a dark grey or black eye, grey-tinged undertail-coverts and a darker red tip to the tail.
Jamyang now lives in a separate cage from the others as he is still adapting to the new environment. I had the Ladrang put in toys for him to play and to also feed him fresh fruits daily. The doctor told us that Jamyang is underweight so it is important that we give him fresh vegetables daily besides his regular seeds… his favourites are corn and carrots! Just a few days ago he has been moved to a new and happy large aviary where he is enjoying himself.
I am glad Jamyang, Aki and all the other birds in the aviary have a proper living environment now. It gives me a peace of mind to know that the birds are living happily and healthy.
Tsem Rinpoche
P.S. I got the Ladrang to research on African Greys and below are some of the information they found.
CHARACTER & BEHAVIOUR
Unlike other parrots, wild African Greys are quite intelligent and have been documented imitating the calls of several other species. Dr. Irene Pepperberg’s research with captive African Greys has scientifically demonstrated that they possess the ability to associate simple human words with meanings, and to intelligently apply the abstract concepts of shape, colour, number, zero-sense, etc.
According to Pepperberg and other ornithologists, they perform many cognitive tasks at the level of dolphins, chimpanzees, and even human toddlers.
Many pet Congo African Greys learn to speak in their second or third year. Timnehs are generally observed to start speaking earlier. Both subspecies seem to have the same ability and tendency to produce human speech, but vocal ability and inclination may range widely among individual birds.
One notable African Grey is N’kisi, who in 2004 was said to have a vocabulary of over 950 words and was noted for creative use of language. For example, when Jane Goodall visited N’kisi in his New York home, he greeted her with “Got a chimp?” because he’d seen pictures of her with chimpanzees in Africa.
A study published in 2011, led by Dr. Dalila Bovet of Paris West University Nanterre La Défense, demonstrated that African Grey parrots were able to coordinate and collaborate with each other to an extent. They were able to solve problems set by scientists—for example, two birds could pull strings at the same time in order to obtain food. In another example, one bird stood on a perch in order to release a food-laden tray, while the other pulled the tray out from the test apparatus. Both would then feed. The birds in question were observed waiting for their partners to perform the necessary actions so that their behaviour could be synchronized. It was also noted that the parrots appeared to express individual preferences as to which of the other birds (partners) they would rather work with.
Their sociability and intelligence make African Grey parrots excellent pets. However, the same qualities mean that African Greys require a special commitment by their owners to provide frequent one-on-one interaction and supervised time out of their cage. They must be kept entertained and busy with people and toys or they may become stressed and develop self-destructive behavior. African Greys require large cages, a varied diet that includes fresh foods, and plenty of safe and destructible toys. If not provided with these items, African Greys quickly develop unpleasant behaviours and may eventually develop health problems such as feather-plucking that are difficult to remedy.
Even the healthiest, happiest pet African Grey will generate a fair amount of mess and noise. Like most parrots, they are non-domesticated, and even a well-socialized, hand-raised, aviary-bred bird is only one or two generations removed from its wild predecessor. Despite this, there is a long recorded history of African Greys being kept by the ancient Greeks, wealthy Roman families, King Henry VIII, Portuguese sailors, and others.
FLOCK INSTINCTS
African Greys have strong flock instincts. The significance of the flock to our Greys can be used to ease assimilation of our new African Grey with other birds.
In cases of assimilating an older Grey that had a “difficult” history, there was a case study where a 4-year-old female Grey assimilated successfully into its new surroundings. This female Grey was nervous and fearful, did not much like humans, could not be handled, would not eat anything but seed, and did not know how to play with toys. Since she had not previously developed a real bond of trust with a human, she presented a special challenge. It could have taken months to develop trust from this bird.
However, by using their flock instinct the caretaker allowed the other Greys to develop the bond and trust that will ease and speed up the assimilation process. The result: within a very short time, this grey was eating fresh food and playing with toys. It also became more animated and “outgoing” because of the stimulation of “the flock” she encountered daily.
It is also beneficial for a young grey to be raised among older greys. They learn faster just by watching their seniors.
Although general experiments and practice of flock instinct showed signs of success, we cannot assume that all situations will bear the same results. Sometimes, the sensitivity of the grey towards each other can also cause disharmony.
GREYS AND PUPPIES/ DOGS?
A puppy can be trained to live with your grey. However, the Grey, because of his/her age, might not be so tolerant. They are natural enemies. So, it just depends on both the bird and the puppy and how they react to each other and how they are trained. NEVER leave the puppy and bird alone together for any length of time, even if you think at some point they are both compatible.
On the other hand, they might end up being best of buds. Some parrots ride on the backs of dogs and others playing with one another. But it just depends on the individual personalities of both of the animals.
He loves interacting and all the attention!
Jamyang’s temporary cage with lots of toys
Jamyang is one beautiful African Grey!
KB playing with Jamyang
Jamyang eating a carrot. Isn’t he cute? hehe
For more interesting information:
- Tsem Ladrang Aviary
- Rescued a baby Conure Tonight…
- New Sun Conure Report
- Canary Adopted
- Oscar Is Really Betty!! Cute!
- Tweety gets a friend?
- Meet Our Little Avian Friends
- Katrina Ann Volunteers!
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The Chair
I have one chair I usually sit on to do my sadhana, watch a program, read, write, research and so on. But many times I return from my bathroom, Oser girl has taken over my chair. She gives me this look like, it’s her chair! She’s a spunky little schnauzer. The room has so much space, other sofas and places of interest, but my Oser has to hijack my chair always. I have to gently move her over and squeeze in next to her like I did last night into the same chair. We sat together for hours and she fell asleep in my chair huddled against me. Love is sharing a chair even though it’s meant for one occupant at a time. ? Tsem Rinpoche
It is incredible how smart Oser girl is. She can steal the treat away from Dharma boy and so casually. Wow. She is so smart. A must watch short video!! Tsem Rinpoche
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGQcQh3S12U&feature=youtu.be
Mumu boy was Tsem Rinpoche’s little Schnauzer. Partly because of Mumu Kechara was started and you must find out why that is. Do read more and see very cute adorable pictures: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=122472
Tsem Rinpoche’s two adorable cute Schnauzer dogs Oser girl (white) and Dharma boy up to their various antics. Short videos that will warm up your day and give you a ‘cute attack!’ Enjoy!
“Tsem Rinpoche’s Schnausers Oser and Dharma trying their luck”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGD7CtNmnuI
“Tsem Rinpoche’s adorable Schnauzers Oser and Dharma have a challenge!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX1UdH7IjQ8
“Friendly Encounter”-Oser and Dharma meet Johnny & Casper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVFk77PAOYk
“Friendly Encounter”-Soer & Dharma meet Johnny & Casper (2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkuXAcveV0E
“Tsem Rinpoche’s Pet Schnauzer Oser’s Treat Time!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ANtRnEFREA
“Tsem Rinpoche’s doggie Oser girl and Dharma boy getting treats”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMUWYvWk3no
“Dharma fights Chip! Showdown between Tsem Rinpoche’s pet Schnauzer and a dog on wheels!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmGg6g8waNg
“Dharma & Oser Getting Treats in Playhouse”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2dp8Fm87CQ
A poem by Tsem Rinpoche
Tsem Rinpoche at Kechara Forest Retreat, Bentong, Malaysia
No matter if some one searches for hhis vital thing, so he/she
desires too be available tha in detail, therefore that thing is
maintained over here.
It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of info. I am
happy that you ust shared this helpful info with us.
Please stay us up to date like this. Thhanks for sharing.
Hello to every one, it’s truly a good for me to pay a visit this site, it includes important Information.
Dear Rinpoche,
It breaks my heart as well when i see animals being abused, being killed for their meat or coat. I also hate it when pet shop owners stuff lots of birds in to one small cage just to safe space as well as well as saving time to wash the cages and clean up the poo.
Getting back to Jamyang he is so cute and adorable especially the way he stand on KB’s shoulder.
Rinpoche is always so kind and caring towards animals and that Rinpoche is also always on the look out for stray dogs that need food as well as animals that are in a pet shop but are stuffed up in a small cage.
I love Rinpoche’s kindness and that is why I too am inspired to feed stray dogs when I have the time to feed them, the feeling after one has done a good deed is so heartwarming that it inspires me to have love and care for not just dogs and cats but also other animals.
It is also nice to know the fact that when I go vegetarian for 2-3 days a week i have done a good deed for animals to be slaughtered slightly later. Though it is quite sad that there are still millions of people in the whole world eating meat i believe that one day the world will be meat free.
Thank you Rinpoche for spending time to share with us about Jamyang as well as some knowledge on African Gray’s.
Love
Jutika
I like Jamyang very much! He is now living with a lot of other friends in the Ladrang aviary. Among all the birds in the aviary, Jamyang is the cleverest! He can speak very well and clearly… and it’s also not very difficult to teach him to speak. Some people say that this species of bird, which is African grey has the intelligence of a 5 year old, so no wonder he pick up things pretty quickly!
Jamyang is so cute! hehe I’ve never been a big fan of birds.. but Jamyang is too cute!! Just like any other animals, they need proper care and we need to do our homework and research in order for us to understand the nature of our pets. Rinpoche is so kind and loving towards all animals.. =) My idol/hero, Rinpoche! hehe
Thank you, Rinpoche!
Thank you for sharing this article.Welcome Jamyang to the aviary.
Jamyang is such a lively and active bird and can finally be free and fly freely without any restrictions.I wish that Jamyang can have long life and be closer to dharma in his next life!:D
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing this informative article! Rinpoche has great concern for animals, I can see Rinpoche shower to AKI and JAMYANG with lots of love and care . They are very fortunate to meet Rinpoche in this lives.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing. I had no idea African Greys were so intelligent and so beautiful. Rinpoche’s compassion is not only to human beings but to all beings. I wish that Kechara Animal Sanctuary to manifest starting from Kechara Forest Retreat.
Jamyang and Aki was so fortunate can meet up Rinpoche and adopted by him with full love and care.Hopefully more and more people can really take care and love the animals.
This article reminds me of Rio the movie. I know a little more about birds through this movie – which was a treat by Rinpoche to Kechara staffs.
Rinpoche always educates us through many ways and skilful ways about compassion, with knowledge and education about other beings.
Thanks Rinpoche for articles like this and etc, because with these teachings I become less ignorant and practice to be more compassion to others including birds and animals.
When Rinpoche adopt animal, he would not just adopt and put at Ladrang to keep, he will always go to the internet and search for more info re the animal so that we can understand the animal better and take care of them in the right way.
Rinpoche’s compassion to human or animal are the same, he always make sure he will give the best to everyone, because for him, all lives are equal.
Hehe… Jamyang looks so adorable. I have not heard a parrot having a conversation in real live before. Always see them on tv though. Maybe 1 day I will get to see Jamyang and see how smart he is… And thank you for the information about African Greys…
Jamyang baby is so cute 🙂 I love intelligent animals like parrots. The sad thing is that when animals are shown to be intelligent, it reminds me that all animals are intelligent enough to feel pain and suffering as humans do. So, it increases my sorrow upon seeing animals getting abused or killed.
Jamyang is so cute. I remembered Rinpoche told that we put Buddha images near the feeding bowl for the birds, it will create good imprints for the birds and animals. We can also pray that they will reborn as Dharma teachers in their next lives.
Thank you for sharing this article,Jamyang is adorable and beautiful. Ladrang team is taking good care of the aviary. Jamyang is one lucky bird save to join our big dharma family.
At the future, Rinpoche also creating aviary at KFR and cabin for 5 mumus to stay, they are able close to the nature environment. KFR is created for all the sentient being will be bless by this holy place at the future.
Fascinating, I had no idea African Greys were so intelligent. It certainly is awful to imagine these wonderful birds living out their days in cramped cages. Interesting too that parrots and dogs can get along. I would love to see a parrot riding on a dog’s back!
I love this article, very informative and beneficial, especially to people with pets at home. Furthermore, Beng Kooi gave very good in depth informations on “Rinpoche gives all the animals in Ladrang Tibetan names to bless them.”
Having pets with us can be our past life inclination with the animals ? We should well treat our pets and give equal love and care to all animals, they do not say thank you but they can be as loyal as man.
Welcome Jamyang to the aviary, how fortunate of Jamyang !
Jamyang baby is very clever! I meet Jamyang yesterday ! Joy non stop chanting Om Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhi . Jamyang baby stay there and listen !
So cute.
Human and animals also need love.
I fully agree to what BK said and claimed that, “whatever animals Rinpoche rescued, are believed to have a closed connection to Rinpoche from a previous life.” And, as through BK’s past observations, it seems like every single one of these animals, Rinpoche takes extracare to ensure they are fine! True to what Dharma indicated and according to BK, when you take refuge, the Guru makes a commitment to guide you through till enlightenment. Even though you come back as an animal, wouldn’t the Guru out of true compassion not bless you with dharma seeds till you ready to return again in a more suitable form for more Dharma practices! Congrats and thank you for a well-researched explanation, BK! Om mani padme Hum.
Jamyang is super cute and friendly. As he spends more time in Rinpoche’s care, Jamyang is opening up more and more. We can hear Jamyang say “hello” to people who passes by.
I was also told that our Kakak in the Ladrang really likes Jamyang and spends a lot of time talking to him. She taught him to call her “kakak” and this has become Jamyang’s second word 🙂
Besides Jamyang, Rinpoche has a few other pets like the infamous Mumu and gang. All these animals are very special: they display a high level of EQ and IQ. As BK mentioned, I believe this stems from the love and care from Rinpoche.
We should learn from Rinpoche to display care and love that is vital for the positive growth of all beings.
Yes Jamyang is friendly. Even Gizmo likes him alot and always sits by Jamyang’s cage and just stares at him. Perhaps they were friends in their previous life. So cute. Such good karma Jamyang has, to be saved by Rinpoche. Hope he takes on a higher rebirth after this.
I love Jamyang! He’s too cute. Everytime I walk pass the cage, Jamyang sure will greet me with hello! After reading the article above, now i know why my cockatoo at home keep plucking feather, I should give more attention and buy more toys to keep it entertained.
Jamyang and all the animals, birds, fishes, etc under Rinpoche’s care are so very blessed. They will be blessed by Rinpoche’s daily prayers and eventually have a good rebirth. I have seen birds settling down after Rinpoche blew mantras over them. So imagine how those pets in Rinpoche’s ladrang are benefiting daily.
Yes, Milly not only are the birds, fishes, animals, etc are blessed. Everyone under Rinpoche’s care are blessed. Rinpoche’s love is for all beings. No discrimination. Period.
I had the good honour to clean the aviary in Ladrang. During the course of cleaning the aviary I got to know a lovely African Grey Aki, he is so gentle and nice. I have fond memories of handling Aki :).
Jamyang is so cute and lovable,i can see he is very friendly too with KB. Hope to meet Jamyang one day and hear him talk or say hello to me.I am very happy he has a good home now and well taken care of by Rinpoche.
If it’s true that the animals Rinpoche has saved has past lives connections, those who has taken refuge with Rinpoche is truly fortunate. I remember I was told the the reason why Rinpoche is so passionate about an animal sanctuary is because many of us will return as an animal in our next life. That knowledge is scary but nevertheless there are more opportunities for us naughty ones to have dharma seeds planted in us continuously.
Rinpoche thinks way ahead and foresee what is required to help us in many ways. Let’s pray for the Kechara Animal Sanctuary to manifest starting from Kechara Forest Retreat (KFR). Martin was sharing with us that the immediate plans for an aviary in the KFR will be nestled amongst the greens with one side of the aviary walled off by trees so that the birds are in their most natural habitat as possible. This will be completed very soon. 🙂
I forgot to add that I have always felt that rinpoche doesn’t just rescue all the Ladrang animals on just a whim. I actually believe that every one of the permanent Ladrang animals (excluding those that are rescued and rehomed elsewhere) are actually those with connections to Rinpoche from a previous life.
I have been with rinpoche during those times when rinpoche suddenly decides to bring a certain animal home. For instance, Dorje was chosen out of over a hundred koi in an aquarium/koi store. Yogi/Mumu was the “runt” of his litter, and was chosen after months of research about schnauzer. Drolkar was one of several cockatoos on the sidewalk of a bird store. And with every single one of these animals, rinpoche takes extra care to ensure they are fine.
Proof of my theory? I know that Mumu was a monk in his previous life. Perhaps a naughty monk to come back in animal form but a monk nonetheless. If you spent time with him, Mumu is almost human. Dorje, the koi, is more like a dog than a koi. Drolkar is a traumatized cockatoo yet exceedingly gentle. Kadro and menlha are possibly the only tortoises that can climb fences that are 4ft high.
Every one of Rinpoche’s animals is particularly different in temperament and character from their fellows. I see this as yet more proof that reincarnation is real. I mean, when you take refuge, the guru makes a commitment to guide you till enlightenment. So, if you come back as an animal, wouldn’t the guru keep you close and bless you I your current form with dharma seeds until you are ready to come back in another form more suited to dharma practice? Makes sense to me.
Yes BK it makes sense and reincarnation is real.
Once we take refuge, our Guru will guide us till Enlightenment. In this life time, we are so fortunate to be born a human and to meet our Guru again. We may not be so fortunate in our next rebirth and may end up like all the animals that Rinpoche saved. Rinpoche did mention before that many of us will take rebirth as animals and if we do, I hope that we will be saved by Rinpoche and be taken care of in Kechara Animal Sanctuary. So it is important that in our present form, we support Rinpoche’s vision of Kechara Forest Retreat so that in the event we come back as animals we will have a more conducive environment to live in
Very true BK & Patsy. We are very fortunate to have Rinpoche as our Guru. He takes care of us not just for this life but for our future lives too. Even if we will be born as animal, Rinpoche also has prepared a way for us to be closed to Dhama and him.
i hope jamyang has a great time in the avery and that he will always be happy no matter what. i hope jamyang has a very long and happy life
Jamyang is short for Jampelyang, which is the Tibetan name for Manjushri. And Jamyang sure is one clever bird. He even says hello when he sees you across the room, so that you’ll go give him some attention.
Rinpoche gives all the animals in Ladrang Tibetan names to bless them. For example, we have:
– Oser (schnauzer) which means Clear Light. Short for the buddha Oserchenma or Marici
– Dharma (schnauzer)
– Yogi (schnauzer)
– Kadro (tortoise) which means Dakini
– Menlha (tortoise) which means Medicine Buddha
– Drolkar (cockatoo) which means White Tara
– Dechog (cockatoo) which means Heruka
– Dorje (koi) which means vajra
More recently, I was fortunate enough that Rinpoche named my adopted toy poodle “Norbu”, which means precious jewel. Well, she is a precious jewel alright (think Chenrezig) and ever since she came, we have secured many more jobs in the Captiv8 office (think Dzambala).
In all seriousness, all these animals are very fortunate to have Rinpoche’s blessings. I sure hope that we can have an animal sanctuary soon, so that many more animals can benefit!
I’m glad Jamyang has well taken care of and he is very fortunate to meet Rinpoche, we all knows Rinpoche always rescue animals from pet shop. Thank you Rinpoche for the information about African Greys. They are very intelligent hehe.. For me I always encourage my friends to adopt animals instead of buying them from pet shop. There are so many animals out there whom need us to care and love them. So I hope all of us can encourage our friends to adopt instead of buying them.
I love it that Jamyang has a new and better home. I hope he is having a god time withe the other birds inside the aviary. And i love te he picture when he is eating the carrot, i find it so cute. Rinpoche is very nice to adopt Jamyang from the pet store. I am glad the Rinpoche has done so.
All kinds of animals who can get Rinpoche’s attention are the lucky ones. They are certain of abundant foods, toys and attentive cares from Rinpoche.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this post on Jamyang. Jamyang is yet another lucky guy!
This is a very informative article. Jamyang is certainly very intelligent. It is so sad to read about all the animals in the pet shops being kept in such a poor condition. In general, I found out birds are not a popular choice of pets for most people here. After asking around a few people around me, most of them preferred to have puppies or even rabbits as their pets. Rinpoche is so compassionate to rescue these birds from the pet shops. I can’t imagine the fate of these animals that are not ‘sale able’. From this article, I have learnt so many interesting facts on this species of bird. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing all these facts with us.
Jamyang baby is so cute. He is so beautiful and smart. I remembered i was at Hevan, he said hello to me when I was going to KFR. So cute hehe.
Dear Rinpoche
This post reminded me of a documentary I saw not to long ago about how intelligent animals are. I was really surprised to see just how clever they are. There are some clips here of animals being really smart!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01by613