Introducing little beaks to slightly larger beaks?

Sterling1113

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Hey all- I've come to a sort of stump! As some of you know I have my two smaller birds, Kiwi and Loki, they're best best friends and tend to do most things together. (Follow each other, copy the same sounds, it's really cute.) Unfortunately that usually means if one of them takes flight for any reason, the other is right behind. So once or twice(maybe more depending on what's going on outside) a day, they both fly around aimlessly looking for a place to make an emergency landing.

This is my issue.

I've had Pascal for about 2 months now(Maybe more or less? I lose track.) and we haven't "introduced" the three. They all coexist rather peacefully in the living room, but I still try not to have them out at the same time.(It has happened, I'm just really cautious.)

Today Loki flew(tried to follow me to the kitchen) and landed on the counter, a few inches from Pascal's cage. Pascal RUSHED to the side of his cage, squawking, flapping, and trying to attack Loki from inside his cage. I scooped him up and caged the conures for while I was occupied, had Loki landed on his cage(which wouldn't be surprising) that would have been a SERIOUSLY injured leg! Yikes!

I'm not sure what to do. Do we(my boyfriend and I) take all three somewhere that they won't be territorial, and just spend time together? Pascal has never charged the conures while outside of his cage, I think it was just a territorial response. They don't need to be BFF's, just to have a mutual respect of each others' space so we don't have fights.

Obviously I don't want to keep the conures caged all the time, and I don't want to cover Pascal while they're out either. We were thinking about waiting until we move into a house(6~ months or so) and THEN introduce them, since everything will be new... would that be better? I feel like they would have an easier time living in a larger space so it's less likely they'll "accidentally" invade boundaries.

I guess I'm just at a loss! I'm sure you know conures think they're big birds(relatives of macaws, yeah?) and I don't want one of them getting a 'tude with Pascal, cause it only takes a split second for something to go wrong..

Sorry for rambling so much, but any and all advice is appreciated. :)
 

getwozzy

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I would strongly suggest station training all of them, that way they'll stay put unless told otherwise. I think that would help immensely if your goal is to have all of them out at the same time.
 
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Sterling1113

Sterling1113

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I'll have to look into that- I've seen it mentioned but never done much research on it. Thanks for reminding me about it!!
Would that also help with the fright-flying, though? Honestly it's probably 7-9 times out of 10 they fly because something has startled them(loud engine, bird flying by the window, neighbors knocking the walls, etc) Hopefully I can get them to re-direct themselves back to their cage/stand while flying, rather than looking for the nearest thing to perch upon.
 

getwozzy

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I'm currently working on station training chili because she likes to fly over to the ps3 and chew on it [emoji51] lol

It could help with the fright-flying... As long as you have que words to direct them where they need to go. So if they fly off you can say "perch" and they should fly to their designated perch. Or you can also work on recall trying and call them to you mid-flight.
 
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Sterling1113

Sterling1113

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Hehe luckily none of mine have taken an interest to any type of cord. The most destructive thing Kiwi would do was fly on top of the ceiling fan and chew the ceiling. But she's stopped that(knock on wood!) hah.
 

getwozzy

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Lol oh yeah- cords, remote controllers, my purse *sigh* typical toddler- after things she's not supposed to have. Lol

Another thing you might want to try is maybe conditioning them to loud noises...carry them with you and make loud noises on purpose- I believe birdman calls it "startle training"? That could also help.... Chili is used to loud random noises all the time with a 2 yr old in the house- she can handle screams, banging, you name it... The only thing that seems to scare her right now is the afternoon sunlight coming through her window :rolleyes: which means I have to close the blinds.
 
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Sterling1113

Sterling1113

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I'll have to make sure I cover Pascal while we do "startle training" then. Just in case they take flight the first few times, if they land on his cage they can come out with all their toes!!
 

getwozzy

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You could also add dancing to your routine- turn up the music and dance around with them... The goal is for them to stay perched on you as you move around. Start out with some slow dancing and work your way up to gettin jiggy wit it hahaha
Keep treats/rewards in your pocket so you can reward the desired behaviors as you go...

Good luck! [emoji4]
 

Anansi

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You could also add dancing to your routine- turn up the music and dance around with them... The goal is for them to stay perched on you as you move around. Start out with some slow dancing and work your way up to gettin jiggy wit it hahaha
Keep treats/rewards in your pocket so you can reward the desired behaviors as you go...

Good luck! [emoji4]

I'm not certain I quite follow exactly how we should go about "gettin jiggy wit it", Shirre. An instructional video might be in order. ;)
 

getwozzy

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When I was typing that I had Will Smith's song "gettin jiggy wit it" playing in my head LOL

But no- I'm not doing an instructional video for that one Stephen! [emoji23] haha. Nice try.... Lol
 
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Sterling1113

Sterling1113

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You could also add dancing to your routine- turn up the music and dance around with them... The goal is for them to stay perched on you as you move around. Start out with some slow dancing and work your way up to gettin jiggy wit it hahaha
Keep treats/rewards in your pocket so you can reward the desired behaviors as you go...

Good luck! [emoji4]

I'm not certain I quite follow exactly how we should go about "gettin jiggy wit it", Shirre. An instructional video might be in order. ;)

I agree, I'm not sure I'll do it right without proper instruction!
(I'm not sure my doctor would exactly approve me "getting jiggy with it" for a few more weeks... hahaha.)
 

Anansi

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For shame, Shirre! Poor Ashley is reaching out to you for help, knowing that gettin' jiggy wit' it might be the key to harmony in her flock! You would deny her this one wish?
 

getwozzy

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HAHAHAHA!!!!! You know what's funny- I might actually have that CD out in storage [emoji50] but I'm not sure if I can find it or that I want everyone to see me dancing like a fool [emoji16]
 

Anansi

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HAHAHAHA!!!!! You know what's funny- I might actually have that CD out in storage [emoji50] but I'm not sure if I can find it or that I want everyone to see me dancing like a fool [emoji16]

Jiggy! Jiggy! Jiggy! Haha! Bring it, Shirre!
 

GW.Joe

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HAHAHAHA!!!!! You know what's funny- I might actually have that CD out in storage [emoji50] but I'm not sure if I can find it or that I want everyone to see me dancing like a fool [emoji16]

NO PROBLEM..... You don't need the CD LOL

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1znWQB73ks"]Will Smith - Gettin' Jiggy Wit It (Lyrics) HQ - YouTube[/ame]
 

Anansi

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Hahahahaha! That's what I'm talking about, Joe! Well, Shirre? Die has been cast!
 

getwozzy

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I see how it is. I step away for a couple hours and now you're all conspiring against me lol

I did play the song for chili though lol seems she's likes it better than I thought she would *sigh* lol
 
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Anansi

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Still waiting for that how-to-get-jiggy video, Shirre! :p
 

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