Trust.... It's a 2 way street

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Too often we place too much emphasis on earning our birds trust while not focusing so much on them earning ours. Kiwi has really made leaps and bounds behaviorally and EARNED himself a new privilege. I thought I would share some photos:) I was not sure he would ever be a bird trustworthy enough to ride on my shoulder being he has bit my face in the past (though not while on my shoulder). BUT, since he has really been showing his trust in me lately by letting me kiss his head+back and preening my head, I thought I'd reciprocate and show him I also trust him too. He seemed very happy to have the privilege, and no blood was shed:D

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(I sometimes forget about just how big he is! Not fat, just overall a big boy!)

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Kisses for mommy!

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Checking for hawks (there were none, but you know, we have to check anyways;))

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Preening my head (Thanks for trusting me mommy!)

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LOVE this guy!
 
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Kyoto

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Mar 18, 2015
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Halifax, NS, Canada
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Kyoto (AKA Kyo)-Green Cheek Conure
Charlie - Canary
Tommy - Budgie
Sunny - budgie
awww how sweet :) He looks really happy to be with you like that.
 

Ann333

New member
Jan 8, 2015
1,119
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New Mexico
Parrots
--PUMPKIN - male YS GCC. Hatched Halloween Day 2014. Came home Jan. 4, 2015. Started talking in July '15!

-BUTTERNUT- female TYS GCC Hatched in late Jan. 2016 and came home March 14, 2016
Awww. I'm so glad he's earning your trust! :) He looks very pleased!
 

labell

New member
Feb 17, 2014
1,988
5
East
What a long way you both have come in your relationship...what a wonderful moment, gave me goosebumps, thank you for sharing it with us.:D
 

JerseyWendy

New member
Jul 20, 2012
20,995
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WOW! More awesome pictures!! The last one is worth a million words. "That" guy loves you, too, no doubt about it. :D
 

witchbaby

Member
Feb 4, 2014
551
2
Virginia
Parrots
cinnamon turquoise gcc - luna,
pineapple gcc - drago,
galah/rose breasted cockatoo - merlin,
timneh african grey - jasper,
pied cockatiel - picasso,
blue & gold macaw - mia
I'm glad to hear Kiwi's been doing his part to bring you two closer. Those are some great photos!
 

RavensGryf

Supporting Member
Jan 19, 2014
14,233
190
College Station, Texas
Parrots
Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
Yay great to hear! Good boy Kiwi :) you've come such a long way. Great pics too!
 

Pinkbirdy

New member
Feb 26, 2013
2,203
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Clifton Springs Newyork
Parrots
macaw,LS2,congo grey,2Blk Hd caiques,Hawkhead,yellowstrk lory,Blue frnt amazon,sun conure ,Yellow sided greencheek ,Goffin ,Rosebreasted Cockatoo,Greenwing Macaw,Blue and Gold Macaw,Nanday conure,Ecle
WOW!!! Great pictures :) My favorite [the 5th]
 

GreatBlue320

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May 5, 2015
771
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Parrots
Baxter - Illiger's Macaw (hatch date 5.1.15);

Taylor - Black capped Conure (RIP 3.14.15 - miss you every day little "Girlie")
Really wonderful photos. Seeing the trust you both have earned with each other is truly inspiring.
 

henpecked

Active member
Dec 12, 2010
4,858
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18
NC/FLA
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Jake YNA 1970,Kia Panama amazon1975, both i removed from nest and left siblings, Forever Home to,Stacie (YN hen),Mickie (RLA male),Blinkie (YNA hen),Kong (Panama hen),Rescue Zons;Nitro,Echo,Rocky,Rub
Congrats. Most members don't remember the issues you've had. It's so great that you have shown that a bit of caring can make such a huge difference. I have a well socialized hen who can be friends with many different folks. The biggest favour you can do is to expose them to to the world around them. You've done an excellent job. it's it great to reap whose rewards.

Socialize,socialize, socialize.The effort you have invested will insure his well being beyond you. Well done.
 
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Allee

Well-known member
Oct 27, 2013
16,852
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2
212
Texas
Parrots
U2-Poppy(Poppy lives with her new mommy, Misty now) CAG-Jack, YNA, Bingo, Budgie-Piper, Cockatiel-Sweet Pea Quakers-Harry, Sammy, Wilson ***Zeke (quaker) Twinkle (budgie) forever in our hearts
Fantastic photos, April! The bond you have with Kiwi is priceless, and knowing how far he has come makes it even better. Thank you for sharing your special journey.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
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Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Very true...

Trust is earned by being trusting AND TRUSTWORTHY...

Trust is one of those things, if you can't give it, you don't get it...

Abuse that trust, and you lose the privileges that come with it.

And that is just TRUE on so many levels, not just in dealing with our parrots.
 

KevH

New member
Aug 31, 2013
187
0
ENGLAND
Parrots
5 year old CAG GIZMO
4 year old DYHA RIO
2 year old YELLOW NAPE RUBY
4 month old greenwing macaw Myha
2 year old CAG ROXY
12 year old rescue CAG MARLEY
15 year old rescue CAG SMOKEY
Kiwi there amazing pictures aren't you scared in case he gets spooked and flies off or is he clipped
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Congrats. Most members don't remember the issues you've had. It's so great that you have shown that a bit of caring can make such a huge difference. I have a well socialized hen who can be friends with many different folks. The biggest favour you can do is to expose them to to the world around them. You've done an excellent job. it's it great to reap whose rewards.

Socialize,socialize, socialize.The effort you have invested will insure his well being beyond you. Well done.

Can't possibly agree with this enough... and your reward for this is the interaction factor, friendliness, and bonding goes through the roof!
 
OP
Kiwibird

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #17
Kiwi there amazing pictures aren't you scared in case he gets spooked and flies off or is he clipped

He is clipped and never learned to fly, but he's also been coming outdoors for a LONG time (since maybe a year after we got him). He also doesn't scare easily. There is, of course, always a risk and each owner has to make the decision whether or not coming outdoors 'free' is right for their birds or a risk they are willing to take. Though, I'm personally in the camp of thinking that it's one of the best things you can do for a (trained, bonded and startle-trained) bird.
 

Anansi

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Staff member
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Dec 18, 2013
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Somerset,NJ
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Maya (Female Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Jolly (Male Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Bixby (Male, red-sided eclectus. RIP), Suzie (Male cockatiel. RIP)
Such a wonderful sight. Kiwi earning his shoulder privileges after such a major setback is a huge milestone! Congratulations, April! And thank you for sharing that moment with us.
 

Giggleagain

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Jul 5, 2014
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Missouri
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All my rescues: Pepita, Rocky and Eva, my Quaker Parrots Clover and Sweet Pea, YNA Willie Buttons, and TAG Coca.
What beautiful photos Kiwibird, and what a wonderful moment! I need to read about the road you traveled from the moment you got your baby, until you felt he was ready for your shoulder. I'm sure I will learn a lot of things I need to know!
 
OP
Kiwibird

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #20
What beautiful photos Kiwibird, and what a wonderful moment! I need to read about the road you traveled from the moment you got your baby, until you felt he was ready for your shoulder. I'm sure I will learn a lot of things I need to know!

Thank you:)

Actually, we had already had Kiwi for a few years when I signed up here. Though I have learned a lot and changed a lot in how we feed/interact with him after learning on this site!
 

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