Suddenly much less affectionate

aether-drifter

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When I first got Sakura, she would constantly wanted me to preen her. Pretty much any time I went near her, she would fluff up her head for scritches. She was always a little reluctant about stepping up. Well, not anymore...now, any time she sees me coming she can't wait to climb onto me and start chewing on my shirt or otherwise playing. The only time she wants affection is when she's really tired and mellowed out, and the rest of the time she seems to want to play. However, she's still acting more affectionate toward my boyfriend even though she doesn't seek him out and she would rather be on me than on him.

I know it's completely normal for cockatoos (especially galahs) to be a little beaky and hyper. I'm glad she likes me and trusts me enough to open up. I just think it's interesting that she seems to be more affectionate with people she's less secure around. Even before she trusted me 100%, she was letting me rub her head. Now I seem to be her favorite, but with me preening is boring. I don't know how much I should let her use me as a play gym, because I don't want her to become too clingy or not be able to entertain herself on her tree anymore. She rarely ever beaks me hard, except when she gets a little too carried away with my ear. When she does that, I make a screech noise and put her down for a minute.
 

Birdman666

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Sep 18, 2013
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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.)
Sounds like a well adjusted parrot if you ask me!

"Not now mom, I'm playing!" Beats the hell out of "Not now Mom, I'm plucking!"

And these are flock birds, so it's natural for them to be curious, and try and "win over, or make friends" with potential new flock mates...

So, sounds very stimulated and healthy to me.
 
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aether-drifter

aether-drifter

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Haha, yep...much rather her be playful than plucking! She wasn't given enough attention or things to do in her first home, so I'm sure she's just happy to have found a "playmate" and is making up for lost time. I'd also much rather she see me that way than as a mate mate.

I'm a little jealous that she would rather other people give her affection than me, but in the end I just want her to be happy.
 

Birdman666

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Sep 18, 2013
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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.)
Well, most of mine are pair bond birds, so I had to work just to get them to step up and interact with strangers...

As parrots go, this is a very good "problem" to have!
 
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aether-drifter

aether-drifter

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I guess you're right! She's initially wary of strangers, but she'll start to trust just about anyone quickly if they take a few minutes to show her they're a friend. She doesn't ever get aggressive to people or try to defend me (though she does hate other birds and animals).
 

getwozzy

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Sounds like she's settling in well! :) I bet here in a short time she'll be hanging upside down, playing and screeching and getting in touch with her inner galah hahaha You should see chili playing on her boing :rolleyes:
 
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aether-drifter

aether-drifter

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She's not doing any hanging yet (still pretty clumsy), but she is screeching a bit! Sounds like a possessed robot dinosaur. Also talking and babbling a lot. She says "pretty bird" "Flower" and a lot of made-up stuff. :p
 

getwozzy

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LOL!!! Possessed robot dinosaur!!! Exactly!! Chili makes this sound that makes me think there's a velociraptor hiding in my house!! Haha

Chili prefers me, but when daddy gets home- oh boy, am I old news!!! And when new people come over she just stares at them "what?" "what?" "what?" until they acknowledge her and then she either fluffs for scritches or puts her foot up because she wants them to pick her up- COMPLETE STRANGERS lol
 

Birdman666

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Sep 18, 2013
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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.)
These really are my favorite toos, by far... although Black Palm's are also very nice...
 

strudel

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I feel bad when my girl doesn't want to come inside with me.... I guess I'm lucky there's nobody else for her to love more than me. :D
 
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aether-drifter

aether-drifter

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LOL!!! Possessed robot dinosaur!!! Exactly!! Chili makes this sound that makes me think there's a velociraptor hiding in my house!! Haha

Chili prefers me, but when daddy gets home- oh boy, am I old news!!! And when new people come over she just stares at them "what?" "what?" "what?" until they acknowledge her and then she either fluffs for scritches or puts her foot up because she wants them to pick her up- COMPLETE STRANGERS lol

Chili is much more of a social butterfly than Sakura! That's awesome. I'd like to work on socialization more, but honestly I'm surprised at how well she's adjusted considering her upbringing. The fact that she likes both me and my boyfriend is already wonderful. He hasn't spent quite as much time with her, which is probably why he's still getting the 100% sweet act and I'm getting a mix of sweet and sassy. :D
 

Birdman666

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Sep 18, 2013
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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.)
My girlfriend has one. It's now her mother's bird.

Their behaviors are similar to a shy macaw... rather than a too. They are different.
 

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