Vacation and Boarding, with a diversion into music

I dropped Diamond off to be boarded for a week. It's his first time away, as he's only been home for a month, and I was worried about it being extra stressful.

I kept going to the bird center with him once a week just to hang out, so he got used to the carrier and going for rides, where he can hang out with other birds and make a lot of noise. It's also the same place that hand-raised him, so that helps.

Rather than stay in the boarding room, he got a cage on the main floor, and right next to the counter at that. He seemed surprisingly not-freaked-out, and went straight to the food and then to the high perch. It was almost time for supper (fresh food) and his sleep time.

I took in a USB stick with his "tunes" on it, too. He really likes the music, and will just sit paying attention to his speakers. Here is one of the things he really likes. The first song on that playlist is in his normal mix, and the rest are OK too.

Here is another one (below). My wife has been practicing that piece to play from memory. So he hears the pro from the link below and he hears it live I wonder if he'll eventually squawk when she makes a mistake?

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKB71CEONGc]Liu Fang live - Chinese traditional music for pipa solo "??? " - YouTube[/ame]

So I'm off to “The garden isle” Kauaʻi for a week.

How peaceful! Thanks for sharing!

I dread the day I ever have to board my birdies, my avian vet boards so I would feel confident with the care they will be receiving but I can't imagine walking away and they not understanding why It must be hard for you after only a month.

That video of you wife is AMAZING, she is so talented! How long has she played that instrument?

Hello,

Some years ago I had a male Galah, I used to take him to a friend who knew him. Same cage, but someone he knew and in a different house. He also got car-sick, and would often throw up on me after the second corner. Always on me. Now these birds hang upside down from power cables swinging in the wind.

Birds are very much a creature of habit, but also like to explore things. A familiar person and their own cage and cover towel is far less stressful than a new cage, owner and home. ( and maybe coming from a store with lots of birds ) You can also bribe them with treats. If they are given a bit of time to settle in they should be fine. IMO