Teaching Tiki

So I've started working on getting Tiki comfortable with being on a stand, just so he can have more out of cage time when I don't have two hands to devote to holding him. Unlike the chicken, he will never get shoulder privileges. He's too unpredictable, and I sorta like my face.



The biggest issue is getting him to completely explore the stand, so he learns the layout of it.

So what I started doing was setting him on the stand, then going to the side of the stand where I wanted him to go and calling him. I used my voice to lead him around, basically.

Like warning a blind person of a step, when he would come to a branch that was slightly higher up or of there was an easily covered gap, I would tell him to step up. With Tiki, when you ask him to step up, he reaches out and starts searching with his beak until he feels something to step onto, so it actually worked pretty well.

It's going to take him a while to really learn the layout, but we have a start. I hope he'll learn to play on it some, just for a little more exercise. Although I think he's already getting more than he had been, just with me taking him out of his cage every day. He has lost like 15 or 20 grams since he came home with me, but I am not concerned. For one, that isn't too terribly much since he started at almost 600 grams. I also took away his pellets during the day and he gets fresh food instead, which he loves. He stands and waits for breakfast in the morning and has a hearty appetite. Pellets are just so much more nutrient dense. Plus he comes out a couple times a day and does get some flapping in on occasion, but at least gets his feet moving because I encourage lots of stepping up. I am trying to figure out more creative ways to get him some exercise, like getting him to explore the play stand.

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Keep it up. Sounds like you're doing a great job with him so far

Echoing Chris's sentiments. It is possible as he gets to trust more the likely hood of bites lessens, you have come a long way very quickly. Good news his appetite is good and that he has lost a little weight also. I have a feeling that this story will be one that brings tears to the eyes. What you are doing is fantastic.

He is already biting much less than he did, and I hope to be able to handle him without gloves in time. However, I think he will always be more spook prone that most birds, so I will always be ready for a bite. I'd rather take them on my hands than my face.

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I think that when he gets to a point of trusting you completely you will see a different bird.

That would be nice, but I don't want to set my expectations too high. He has already come a long way. The biting is less frequent, as well as his screaming. I have noticed he tends to be more active in the evening, which also correlates with when he screams the most, so I'm hoping that as I find more ways for him to be active, the screaming will be even less frequent. I really think he just has so much energy and no go way to release it since he can't fly.

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You are doing such an amazing job with him. I enjoy following his progress.

When you do put him on the stand, do you always announce where you're taking him so that his mental picture transitions to the schematic of the tree stand rather than the cage?

Yes probably not something that would automatically occur to oneself IMO. Bit like doing an advanced driving course where everything you do and see has to be spoken. @ Outlawed you'll pass + flying colours I'm sure LOL.

Anansi said:

You are doing such an amazing job with him. I enjoy following his progress.

When you do put him on the stand, do you always announce where you're taking him so that his mental picture transitions to the schematic of the tree stand rather than the cage?

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Anytime I set him down, I tell him where he is being set. Occasionally, I've set him on the table to let him wander around, and I'll tell him it's the table. His cage is "going home". The stand is "the tree". I do the same if I am going to hand him anything, whether it is a treat or a toy, I'll tell him what it is, then touch his beak with it. If I touch his beak with my hand, then I tell him that I am going to touch his beak, so he doesn't think it's a treat.

Wow, you are doing such an amazing job! I love your determination and consistency in your approach to teaching Tiki. Just thinking about building a relationship with a blind bird like you are, it must raise so many challenges, and I guess, in turn, so many solutions too! Your dedication is admirable. The more I think about it, the more that I can see how much more involved you must be, in that - you must be empathising with him so deeply in order to understand his needs and his way of understanding the world around him. You should feel very proud of all you have accomplished so far!

The trust Tiki has in you makes my heart ache. What a beautiful relationship you have. How loving and kind you are to give Tiki so much opportunity for growth and quality of life. Bless you.

CherylCali

CherylCali said:

The trust Tiki has in you makes my heart ache. What a beautiful relationship you have. How loving and kind you are to give Tiki so much opportunity for growth and quality of life. Bless you.

CherylCali

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I agree whole heartedly. I am at a loss for words really. It seems that Tiki has an abundance of trust in you already..I wish we could hear what he is thinking!

Jim

I'm impressed... and a teensy-weensy bit jealous!
It's beautiful!