so he has been showing signs of having a blocked nostril again. Plus it looks like the first signs of feather picking. so yesterday we took Salty to see his veterinarian. The blocked nostril turned out to be some dust that was partially blocking his nostril and the picked feather is from missing two central tail feathers and two broken feathers. The vet felt that because of the broken feathers Salty has been having trouble preening the remaining ones, so we are to keep a close look out on his remaining tail feathers. As far as any trick training goes he is still stuck on getting the roll over command. If I start him he follows through and completes the trick but it is hard to get that initial rollover motion through his very stubborn little bird mind. As far as talking so he is always trying to make new words and sounds. His laughter is a particular source of humor because he has several different laughs now some funny and some that have a distinct satirical sound to them and he uses all of them appropriately. He does a full belly laugh when we are all seated at dinner and somebody makes a joke, and he will do a downright sneaky voice laugh when he steals a piece of food or candy. We had to leave him alone for 5 hours today when everybody was out at a memorial service and he seemed to be pissed off at me because he was left alone. But nothing that pine nuts couldn't cure. It really seems as if he understands much more than everyone gives him credit for.. we have to get him a new carrier because he has chewed a hole in the small animal carrier. We got for him originally. Thats all for now, Salty fans ( I know I am one !).
