Introducing Kiwi! And a bit of an update.

We finally decided on a name for my surprise bird! We have decided to call the new baby Kiwi. It’s gender neutral which is a bonus!

My little Kiwi is finally showing a bit of personality. He is eating seed very well now, and we are going to very slowly try to steer him onto a better diet once he’s settled a bit more. For now I’m just happy to see him eating substantial meals. We have him on Dr. Harvey’s parakeet seed mix. It’s the same mix we give the budgies. The budgies love their veggies, especially greens. The budgies demolish leafy greens almost as soon as we hang them, and they love their daily chopped veggies as well, so the budgies are eating significantly less seed than Kiwi. We have crushed up some pellets into a powder and that is on the seeds that we are giving to Kiwi. I’m not sure of the exact brand and flavor off the top of my head, but it’s a sample bag we bought from the only bird specialty store in the state. It’s dye free so that we don’t get the red poops like we do with Precious, our cockatiel, on a red “flavor” day. I’m hoping to start crushing the pellets down a bit less next week. We offer fresh veggies daily, but Kiwi hasn’t discovered that veggies are food yet. He mostly just ignores them. I might try to cut some apple and different colored peppers into shapes and find something to string it on. He seems to enjoy playing with toys that have different colored and shaped wooden blocks with string the most. I’m still trying to think it through, but that could be the way to get him interested in veggies. It’s also a bit of a project and the kids love those! We have 2 foraging toys set up and he seems to be trying to them out a bit. Those have the sunflower seeds that he loves so much. He gets 1 sunflower seed per meal in his bowl so if he wants them he can work for them now that he’s eating. The photos below are fairly poor in quality because they were taken on my phone from across the room. But he’s happy and playing and I just had to get the photos!

If anyone has ideas for stringing veggies let me know! I plan to make an attempt this weekend and I’d love to hear some ideas!










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Kiwi is perfect! Totally fitting name!! I'm happy to hear s/he's settling in and adapting. Congratulations!! I can't wait to see the pics when your Kiwi doing birdfies with you!!

If you can find a stainless steal chain you can put the veggies on that?

Kiwi is a great name!
I’d try cooked minced veggies with rice .
Also tho I’m not sure, I think this species dies eat more fruit. Fresh corn on the cob with some herbals cut off might tempt. Till get there. Remember the budgie took awhile before they learned how great veggies are

Laurasea said:

Kiwi is a great name!
I’d try cooked minced veggies with rice .
Also tho I’m not sure, I think this species dies eat more fruit. Fresh corn on the cob with some herbals cut off might tempt. Till get there. Remember the budgie took awhile before they learned how great veggies are

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OMG, I thought the budgies would never get there. The budgies definitely taught me “bird time” and honestly I’m amazed they have come so far. I’m counting my blessings and I owe this all to Skye. He’s still a “look and don’t touch bird” but he really showed us that “you get what you give” and that lesson alone is priceless! I’ve always known that, but with birds...it’s different. We try to give them patience and love, and they return that by showing us in their own way, which is so different than cats and dogs. It could be a quick stop on your shoulder, or head scritches, or even a certain little chirp...

Precious also helped open our eyes to the amazing bond that people can have with birds. It helped that Precious was 16, tame, and used to family life. But even then...Precious has come SO FAR with our love and patience.

The downside of having a “rare” species is not being able to actually talk to someone that has dealt with or gone through a similar situation I’m sure in the wild they do eat more fruit, BUT he’s not in the wild, and probably doesn’t need all that sugar. I hope to get him eating sweeter tasting veggies...

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Ceri said:

Kiwi is perfect! Totally fitting name!! I'm happy to hear s/he's settling in and adapting. Congratulations!! I can't wait to see the pics when your Kiwi doing birdfies with you!!

If you can find a stainless steal chain you can put the veggies on that?

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I’m thinking more along the lines of sisal rope...or maybe even twine...something I can get at a crafts store.


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Can you try a metal (steel) bird kabob w/ a screw end? (those are an easy option, and safe)
My fear is that bacteria could grow between sisal rope and room temperature veggies..I mean, you would have to throw it out after a few hours.
You also would have to ensure that sisal rope wasn't treated with anything...some have quite a strong chemical smell and actually leave an oil on your hands (my class discovered this during a PBL unit).

noodles123 said:

Can you try a metal (steel) bird kabob w/ a screw end? (those are an easy option, and safe)
My fear is that bacteria could grow between sisal rope and room temperature veggies..I mean, you would have to throw it out after a few hours.
You also would have to ensure that sisal rope wasn't treated with anything...some have quite a strong chemical smell and actually leave an oil on your hands (my class discovered this during a PBL unit).

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We have untreated organic sisal rope. It was a random find at a small craft shop near us. We only leave the veggies for 2-3 hours anyways, so I’m not worried about them spoiling.

We also have organic kitchen twine, but again, it would only be out for a few hours at the most.


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This species is listed as eating nectar, eating flowers , as well as the seeds and veggies so it evolved a little different then the average parrot. But heck is just google talk not experience

Some if the berries like black berries that are in season right now, have good stuff. More nutritious then an apple or banana. Pomegranate, plums, cherries ( no pit)

Cooked sweet potatoes hsve vitamin A, which seed eater lack, and peppers with tge seeds are a good source of vitamin A

Yiu can sprout seeds that active enzymes?? Somethings make sprouts healthier than I he seed lol

If Kiwi is anything like my Maz was he will a lot of different things, it just takes some time before he understands they are food. Love the idea of stringing up chunks of veggies. You can try a chunk of carrot too. FOr toys I would go with thinner pieces of wood so he has a change to really chew them up. Brotogeris beaks are not quite up to big beads and blocks. He does look busy and thats a good thing.
I love seeing someone with one of these little gems. You will see.