- Dec 18, 2013
- 22,301
- 4,211
- Parrots
- Maya (Female Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Jolly (Male Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Bixby (Male, red-sided eclectus. RIP), Suzie (Male cockatiel. RIP)
With all that had happened with Bixby, from the end stages of his sickness through to his passing, training had taken something of a backseat in my household. It was a rough few months.
But now, with Jolly settled in to his new digs, school is officially back in session!
It's been nice to have an aviation student in Jolly, again. (Maya wants no parts of flight thus far.) There have been some maneuverings that I've had to work with him on, but for the most part it's like working with a gifted child. He picks up on flight related skills so swiftly! It just goes to show the difference it makes when a bird is given the chance to fully fledge.
While waiting for Bixby to wean, I hadn't allowed them to clip his wings. But that didn't give him much opportunity for flight, either. So he didn't get to begin flight training until I got him home. Through consistent training, he got to the point of becoming a proficient flier, but it was never quite 2nd nature the way it is with Jolly. (Laura allowed him to fly about throughout the entire fledging process.)
The latest learned flight skill? Flying up the stairs. I sat on the top step and called him up from down in the living room. He was nervous at first, doing that little back and forth rocking thing birds do when trying to build up the nerve to do something a little scary. (That was a first for Mr. Natural Aviator!) So I talked a little smack, telling him that Bixby used to do it. I think that's what did it! Lol! He flew up strong and landed lightly on my proffered forearm.
The whole experience has been both amazing and bitter-sweet. The way he can now fly to me from any room, or fly from my shoulder and through the dining room and kitchen to his cage in the family room just for a sip of water, is exactly what I'd envisioned for my Bixby. If not for an irresponsible breeder, he would be doing this, too.
But Jolly's obvious love for flying brings such a smile to my face. We've all definitely fallen hard for him.
But now, with Jolly settled in to his new digs, school is officially back in session!
It's been nice to have an aviation student in Jolly, again. (Maya wants no parts of flight thus far.) There have been some maneuverings that I've had to work with him on, but for the most part it's like working with a gifted child. He picks up on flight related skills so swiftly! It just goes to show the difference it makes when a bird is given the chance to fully fledge.
While waiting for Bixby to wean, I hadn't allowed them to clip his wings. But that didn't give him much opportunity for flight, either. So he didn't get to begin flight training until I got him home. Through consistent training, he got to the point of becoming a proficient flier, but it was never quite 2nd nature the way it is with Jolly. (Laura allowed him to fly about throughout the entire fledging process.)
The latest learned flight skill? Flying up the stairs. I sat on the top step and called him up from down in the living room. He was nervous at first, doing that little back and forth rocking thing birds do when trying to build up the nerve to do something a little scary. (That was a first for Mr. Natural Aviator!) So I talked a little smack, telling him that Bixby used to do it. I think that's what did it! Lol! He flew up strong and landed lightly on my proffered forearm.
The whole experience has been both amazing and bitter-sweet. The way he can now fly to me from any room, or fly from my shoulder and through the dining room and kitchen to his cage in the family room just for a sip of water, is exactly what I'd envisioned for my Bixby. If not for an irresponsible breeder, he would be doing this, too.
But Jolly's obvious love for flying brings such a smile to my face. We've all definitely fallen hard for him.
