Kiko's late One year Anniversary with me.

Since the 6th of this month, I have owned Kiko for a year. It's surprising how quickly a year can pass,and how much can change. Although he wasn't my first difficult parrot, I thought our relationship with each other would be an entirely different one from the one I have with him now. Although there is no cuddling or petting, there is still love and devotion in a different way, a relationship just as great as any other. Even if I won't be able to touch him(because of poor ownership before I got him), we have come to an understanding that we can trust each other. Although our relationship seems to end at bedtime, when he's grouchy. That's the only time he lunges and hisses at me now.

He was tolerates the others now, too. But he hates it(lunges, hisses, screams, squeeks) when my mom or sisters comes to sit on the bed when I'm laying down or I'm sick. At least he likes me enough to protest against the others when I'm in those conditions.
He can fly again now, and I nearly had a heart attack when he first took off. He only flies when he is spooked, though.

Sorry for rambling guys, but I'm proud of my little bugger.

Happy belated Hatch Day Kiko!!

Thank You So Much For Sharing, And giving him the love the previous owner failed to give him!!

Happy belated 'gotcha day!!
I understand what you mean, I've had Loki for a little over a year and though he isn't hands-on and prefers the company of Kiwi, we still have a unique bond. He likes to hang out with me while I make toys and will sometimes follow me around if I'm doing something interesting. Even if the bond isn't physical, it's definitely special and every bit as rewarding!
So glad Kiko has a good home with you.

Happy 1 year adoption day to Kiko! Sounds like you're doing a great job with him. Who knows, maybe down the road it will progress to where you'll be able to handle him a bit . He's loved regardless!

Oops, I mean "gotcha day" LOL, a bit tired tonight (thanks Ash )

Thanks guys! Your encouragement and replies mean a lot to me. He first came to me feeling very scared of humans. It broke my heart because he desperately wanted attention, but didn't know if I could be trusted because everyone else he knew were not his friends. He was always kept in his cage and one time I asked why he never came out and his owner said "because he's so grumpy and old." Six isn't old. >8u

On top of that, and receiving no new toys ever, little hands loved to grab at his tail or feathers and pull at them.

But since then he accepts treats from my fingers leisurely and allows them to rest near him if they are still. I think it might be just a hand problem because if he's in a good mood he'll let me rub my cheek against his back. And he screams when I leave the room now, too. Even of it's loud, I find it endearing. If I don't respond in time, he says in the saddest of voices with a "peek-aboo."

He also loves to come and hang out no and sometimes approaches one of my shiny books to talk to his reflection. So he hates hands, I move him around with his little ladder. That's the only thing he'll step up onto anyway. But it avoids conflict.

I think some people believe that if a bird doesn't want to be pet, he's just grumpy and old and because of that, they don't need any attention, especially for smaller birds. But I think old, grumpy men need the most attention.


I still have my downs with him too.:31: Although I love him as it is,I sometimes wish I could give him a little scratch on his head, or convince him fruits are great to eat. I fear he's not that healthy because of it, though I try and try. Huuuge improvement though. His diet has willingly expanded to Bountiful Harvest mix, Zupreem pellets, birdie bread, broccoli, millet, and seeds. I also wish he would like toys, too. He refuses to play with most of his large assortment of toys and tends to be a perch potatoes, occasionally nibbling on a particular wooden toy.

I agree, 6 is NOT old!! He just needed some TLC.

If it makes you feel any better, my first bird was a 'tiel, given to me by my aunt when she was in her late teens/early twenties. She lived to be in her mid-late twenties before passing in her sleep overnight.

She lived through a smoking-home(my aunts house), a poor diet(little me didn't know any better.) and an attack from a Doberman! She had a broken wing and required stitches and splinting, and it drooped after it healed. But guess what? Good ol' Diddy made a fabulous recovery and even taught herself how to fly again! She was a real trooper and showed me at a young age what bird companionship was like. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for 'tiels.

It's heartwarming to hear about Kiko's more recent life with you. You're doing such a great job. Kiko proves Cockatiels can be just as smart as any parrot

Loki sounds like a very wonderful bird, and your relationship with him does sound very rewarding. C8
Loki and Kiko should start the "Old, periculous, pennate, prickly, parrots" club.

Tangie said:

Loki sounds like a very wonderful bird, and your relationship with him does sound very rewarding. C8
Loki and Kiko should start the "Old, periculous, pennate, prickly, parrots" club.

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Loki is very bird-friendly, so I'm sure him and Kiko would be the best of friends given the chance. (If Kiko would allow it.)

Oh wow, that little bird was certainly a trooper! To be truthful, I never really planned on getting a Cockatiel, but they asked me to take him in,and I knew I wouldn't,t be able to live with myself if I refused, due to his conditions. I think he is pretty smart, too. Maybe not as smart as some, but I think Cockatiels are smarter than others think. I hate it when people treat small birds differently than other birds, they aren't dumb little rocks that can be replaced like an ornament. Of course, I know many people don't always think that way.(getting off subject, I know. XP)

And thanks Raven, you have inspired me to try even harder to work with his issues more.

I'm not sure what Kiko would do if he came across another bird. He might, as long as it's before his bedtime. By bedtime his mirror is even his worst enemy.