Bedtime Success! (plus a silly update)

Remy

New member
Jul 13, 2011
1,905
1
California
Parrots
Darcy (Golden-Collared Macaw), Puck (Caique - RIP)
Anyone remember my post a while back, asking about how to get your bird to go to bed? WELL, now Puck decides to put himself to bed! If I walk past his cage (holding him, of course, what else would I be holding?) and he wants to go to his cage, I let him. At night he goes to his sleepy spot after 11 or 12 or so (I'm a night owl; maybe I should have gotten an owl instead of a parrot), sometimes later, depending on what's going on. Once he's there, he absolutely REFUSES to leave! He's very nice about it and doesn't bite, just politely declines, although he allows in-the-cage (I have to go half way in the cage) snuggles and feather-ruffles.

When I first started, I was putting him to sleep in his travel cage (which I still do if we're not at home [at my bf's house, or if he's staying with my mom]) and mostly covering the cage. I found out that he seemed to feel better if he could see me, so I'd uncover the side of his cage that was facing my bed (he always sleeps in the same room I do, unless my mom is babysitting, in which case he sleeps in her room). I felt bad when he would wake up a few hours before I would, since his sleep cage was so small, so I started opening the travel cage so he could get out of it while I still slept. He always stays put as long as he can see me (and usually when he can't see me), so getting into trouble hasn't been an issue. Then one night I didn't feel like dealing with the travel cage, so I just let him sleep in his big cage, which was fine with him. Well, to be honest, I just fell asleep with him on his play table, and then put him in his cage.

This is sort of off topic, although I guess I am off topic tonight, but one time my boyfriend and I fell asleep without putting him to bed (or ourselves), and somehow he got onto the bed where we were (same room, different piece of furniture, wings clipped) and got on top of us and started playing with his hair and biting my boyfriend's nipple. It was annoying at the time, but funny later. He still goes for my boyfriend's nipples when he gets a chance!

Now he sleeps on his boing-with-toy-attatched, and the top of his big cage covered. I usually leave the door of the cage open, which he prefers. When he wakes up he'll stand on the door and chirp a bit, but he generally doesn't make much noise until I get up. If I wake up enough before I really wake up, I'll try to make kissy noises or something at him. He's quite polite when I sleep longer than him, and knows not to make much noise, although sometimes he does if he's feeling impatient, but it's not bad. When I do get up, then he starts chattering and singing! He makes up his own tunes too, which I need to record one of these days.

I love Puck soooooo much! He's so smart and emotionally intelligent! He's comforted me when I was sad, makes me laugh, goes lots of places with me, is friendly to strangers, and is overall an awesome companion! He seems like he is pretty in tune with my emotions (except when he's annoyed with me, lol).

I've been having to budget my spending more since I got him because I keep spending money on him that I didn't anticipate. I did anticipate some toys, a cage, vet visit, good food; but I didn't anticipate the volume of toys (I think about $300ish so far), the amount of extra food I buy (I buy organic fruit just for him, much of which I don't eat), or the need for extra lighting (that he brought to my attention, might I add, I thought my lighting was okay). My next major purchases for him are going to be a bird light and another cage. I could have bought a newer car (which I could really use) for the financial price I have paid for him, but I'm completely happy with my decision! I just have to pray that my car lasts until I can comfortably afford another one. Somehow things always seem to work out though, no matter now dire they appear.

This may seem silly, but I have been having baby cravings on and off for the last few years), and thankfully they have completely gone away with Puck! They never were logical, just hormonal I think. Now I have a cute feathery baby to spoil, and I feel much more satisfied in that department! I've always been a bird person (dogs are great too, lizards are cool, cats are okay if they don't kill birds and if they go potty outside and I stop being allergic to them).

I know that Puck looks a lot like other black-headed caiques, but I am fairly certain that he is the cutest one in the universe.

Also, is there anyone else here in Southern California? I live in Ventura and I got to Los Angeles a lot. I would like some local bird friends. I'm also considering moving to Portland, Oregon, or Kenmore, Washington, (potential colleges) so friends in those areas would be great too.

Uh, thank you if you read this entire thing. I know I'm rambling tonight. Lol. I will post more pictures when I can. We went to the pumpkin patch today, and last weekend we went to a pumpkin carving party where he was friendly with people and pigged out on pumpkin guts.
 

Most Reactions

Top