New Ekkie Dad!

I'm a new member of the forum here, but been stalking behind the scenes for several months. I've learned so much from reading many helpful posts. Thank you all!

If you are inclined, I started over in the welcome new members area with some background. Here's the link so as not to repeat the same stuff here.
Hello from a new Ekkie Dad! - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

I'm very grateful to be in the company of such knowledgeable and helpful people. I love suggestions and questions if you have them. Thanks!

Jon

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Patches! Making gains every day. Shower time is interesting so far, and he sure looks silly when he's done

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Wet parrots are SO funny looking!! Even with the plucked area, he's still a real cutie!! Congrats and WELCOME to the PF Family!

Squeekmouse said:

Wet parrots are SO funny looking!! Even with the plucked area, he's still a real cutie!! Congrats and WELCOME to the PF Family!

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Thank you! He is really a handsome guy, feathers or not. It's all about the personality. I'm really glad to be here.

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I never had a full appreciation of how LONG these guys necks are til we see a bare one stretching out for those kisses. Boy does he love his kisses! [emoji7]

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LOL! I know what you mean. I love how my Yoda can go from looking like a completely spherical butterball, and then stretch out and be so crazy long and skinny. It's like he's made out of rubber. I love it! Super cute picture!

Always great to see a new ekkie parront hereabouts! Patches seems quite taken with his newly chosen family. Just wondering how much he learned from his past homes. Does he step up reliably? Is he target trained? Bite pressure trained? At the very least, we know he's got the kissing part down. Lol!

Looking forward to witnessing the journey as Patches grows even more bonded to your family.

Anansi said:

Always great to see a new ekkie parront hereabouts! Patches seems quite taken with his newly chosen family. Just wondering how much he learned from his past homes. Does he step up reliably? Is he target trained? Bite pressure trained? At the very least, we know he's got the kissing part down. Lol!

Looking forward to witnessing the journey as Patches grows even more bonded to your family.

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Not much info on his past, other than about six months of vet records from the "rescue" he was at from 2011 til about 8 months ago. He was in rough shape, plucked almost completely bald, pellet diet and some veggies. Attention starved. Andrea at her refuge has worked wonders with him. He now steps up well, but sometimes on his terms. His body and legs are largely covered in grey fluff except for his upper back and most of his neck. He looks like a pretty green boy wearing fuzzy grey pajamas!

Sometimes some dominant posturing, which I turn away from and ignore for a moment, and turn back and praise when it has stopped. Bite pressure, possibly, but he clearly has no intention of hurting me so if he grabs on at all, it's entirely to move my hand away. He has bitten people he didn't care for that didn't understand the warnings. Targeting, no other than lips lol! He's generally quiet, other than an occasional screech if I walk by without paying attention to him. Periodic triggers get him talking, singing, whistling, and dancing. He has quite a vocabulary, but we don't hear it a lot yet. I accept that he's new here so not entirely settled in, and some of these guys only talk on their terms.

I did get him to play peek-a-boo with me yesterday. He can say it but didn't. I covered my face and started. He turned and walked away, came back, grabbed my hand away and swung his head around to look at me, gave a kiss and walked away again. It continued for a good five minutes or so. CUTE!

I'm so excited to see his whole personality when he's really settled in. I'll wait for him. He's so worth it!

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saxguy64 said:

He now steps up well, but sometimes on his terms

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Quintessential male eclectus. They are the polite parrot. They don’t respond to force well. They respond great to requests.

You’ve seen Harry Potter? Ekkies are the hippogriphs pf the world. To even approach involves a long ritual involving bowing and food offerings. Then, if you ask politely, do you have .01% chance of having them acquiesce.

I actually have two different step up commands: one for when he has a choice (“come ‘ere” or “wanna come”) and when he MUST step up (“step up”).

You get to know their moods and body language quickly. Which is why I have two different commands. Sometimes they’re just not the mood to sit with you. So you ask politely and see if he’s interested. If not, Move On.

Yay for patches! He's adorable!!!
Welcome to the flock. I'm looking forward to reading more about him and maybe seeing some more pictures?