What not to do with a nervous galah

Betrisher

Well-known member
Jun 3, 2013
4,253
177
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Parrots
Dominic: Galah(RIP: 1981-2018); The Lovies: Four Blue Masked Lovebirds; Barney and Madge (The Beaks): Alexandrines; Miss Rosetta Stone: Little Corella
I outdid myself yesterday.

I'm in the middle of a sleep-study to see if I have sleep apnoea (well, duh! I snore like a locomotive) and yesterday I had to go to the hospital and have a faceful of electrodes stuck to me as well as wearing not one, but two monitor packs wrapped around my chest with industrial strength velcro.

(Aside: no one told me to wear what I planned to sleep in, so I was bound up in all this techno-stuff while wearing my very-best going-out blouse AND my very-worst most-uncomfortable underwire bra. THEN and only then did they tell me 'you have to sleep in that - no way can you take anything off till tomorrow morning'. Hnnnnnnnnhhhhhh...)

So, we arrived home, my Hunn and I, just in time for Animals' Dinner. The kids were doing the dog and cats and I thought to take Dominic down off his playgym and put him in his cage so he could have his tea. When I approached, Dom stuck up his hat and let out a bellow fit to wake the dead!

'OK, OK', I said, 'Don't get yer knickers in a twist! I'll get Matt.'

Calling to my son (whom Dommie likes better than he likes me), I stepped away while Matt lifted Dommie down from his fridge. I took a step toward them, intending to ruffle Dommie's hat, but he let out another screech and retreated up to Matt's shoulder. He was clearly quite agitated! Next, he began to lay into poor Matt's head, ears and neck with his beak, screeching and screaming like a mad thing! Good grief! What was the matter with him? The only thing I could do was to reach and gently pick Dommie up, enclosing his wings in my hands and removing him from poor Matt's now-bloody shoulder.

Dommie went ballistic!!! He chomped away on my thumbs till I simply had to let him go. He flew to his stand, which happened to have a pile of pizza boxes on it (for his private edification and confetti-making interests). Of course, the boxes slipped and Dom landed on the floor, whence he proceeded to raise his hat, screech like a banshee and rush after my (naked) toes! What the **** was going on?

Just then, my Hunn came and offered his hand. Dom ceremoniously stepped up, walked up Hunn's arm and bit him on the nose. I have to hand it to him: Hunn was a stout yeoman and never flinched. He just took Dommie up between his hands and put him unceremoniously into his cage.

I went into the bathroom to get stuff for everyone's (dripping) wounds. It was only then I realised. I looked like a misbegotten Dalek with electrodes and wires poking out of my face and a great, flashing black power pack on my front. The poor bird must've been out of his mind with terror and I kept trying to get hold of him!

I'm not usually this stupid, but yesterday, I was. I plan not to do that again in a hurry. So, dear members, learn from my mistake! NEVER approach a bird with something weird hanging off you - it can only end badly.
 

RavensGryf

Supporting Member
Jan 19, 2014
14,233
190
College Station, Texas
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Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
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English Budgie
Omg Trish, that made me laugh, although I'm sure it wasn't funny for you and your family at the time!

I had a similar type of incident the other day. I was getting ready to leave, so I had my wallet tucked under my arm in the armpit area. I reached into Griffin's cage near him, and he bit me to draw blood! Then again, hard! I was telling him "no, bad boy!" Though he can be nippy, and does bite at times, he's never lunged and "attacked" me like that and I was at a loss as to what had gotten into him. It was as I was wrapping my bloody finger in a tissue I realized my wallet was under my arm. That must be what it was! I put the wallet down, reached for Griffin again and bracing myself to get bitten, he just stepped up no problem :) lol. Then I felt silly for not realizing what it was sooner. The wallet is black, and honestly I'm surprised he even noticed it!
 
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Betrisher

Betrisher

Well-known member
Jun 3, 2013
4,253
177
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Parrots
Dominic: Galah(RIP: 1981-2018); The Lovies: Four Blue Masked Lovebirds; Barney and Madge (The Beaks): Alexandrines; Miss Rosetta Stone: Little Corella
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Yep! That's the sort of thing that can set them off and we poor humanians have no clue what's going on. When the Beaks first arrived, they got used to my husband with no glasses. After a year or so, he got glasses and for a period, they were petrified of him! Oddly, they love me whether I wear my glasses or don't. In fact, my old pair has been sticky-taped up to stop them from biting completely through the ear-pieces! LOL! My new pair has 'jewels' at the hinges, and don't Barn and Madge want them to death? They've learned, though: lunge for Mummy's 'jewels' and you go back in the cage. :)
 

thekarens

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Sep 29, 2013
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Trish that story was hilarious! My sennies freak when I wear a hat or jacket so I feel your pain.
 

strudel

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Sep 30, 2013
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Noted: Don't dress up like a dalek and frighten my cocky.

You learn something new every day. :D
 

Kiwibird

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Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
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1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Oh Trish, I am so sorry poor Dominic got such a scare and you and your son got some chomps:( Poor little guy must've been scared out of his mind! How's he doing today after his mommy is "back" and that scary stranger is gone?

Funny you bring up glasses. Kiwi goes BALLISTIC when I don't have my glasses on. Full on amazon attack mode. As soon as I put them back on, he calms right down and usually struts up proudly looking for kisses like "see, Kiwi is a good flock member, I scared that terrible intruder off all by myself!". I try not to be without glasses around him. It's funny because sometimes when I'm out and I take my glasses off to clean them, I instinctively recoil in terror waiting for the green demon to come for me...
 

Amanda_Bennett

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Sep 27, 2014
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Gresham, OR
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Zilla 29 Y.O. Orange Wing Amazon
I'm so sorry, but I did have to laugh! Zilla hates when I wear hats or scarves (and of course I love my scarves!) or my vests, which I wear a lot! I always have remember to take them off before I go open her cage or she will shrink to the back and not come out!
 

Minimaker

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Jul 29, 2014
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Illinois
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GW Macaw-Sailor, Goffins Cockatoo Mako, GC Conure-Tazzy, Turquoise Conure Yuki, Budgies-Percy, Annabeth, Elsa
I'm so sorry, but I did have to laugh! Zilla hates when I wear hats or scarves (and of course I love my scarves!) or my vests, which I wear a lot! I always have remember to take them off before I go open her cage or she will shrink to the back and not come out!

I have this fluffy cream-colored infinity scarf and Tazzy lost his mind over that thing. He tried to jump and attack me when I had it wrapped around my neck before we left the house. As soon as I took it off, he was fine-settled right down and climbed on me like nothing happened. Isn't that weird how something so simple can set them off?
 

Amanda_Bennett

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Sep 27, 2014
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Gresham, OR
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Zilla 29 Y.O. Orange Wing Amazon
I'm so sorry, but I did have to laugh! Zilla hates when I wear hats or scarves (and of course I love my scarves!) or my vests, which I wear a lot! I always have remember to take them off before I go open her cage or she will shrink to the back and not come out!

I have this fluffy cream-colored infinity scarf and Tazzy lost his mind over that thing. He tried to jump and attack me when I had it wrapped around my neck before we left the house. As soon as I took it off, he was fine-settled right down and climbed on me like nothing happened. Isn't that weird how something so simple can set them off?

I wear scarves a LOT, I have to be casual business attire for work even though my office is attached to my living room. I refuse to go out and spend hundreds of $$$ on clothes I will never wear anywhere else, so I have tons of scarves ($5.00 each is a much better price) and I can put a scarf on and "wala" I am business casual and ready for work! You would think after almost 5 months she would be used to them and not freak out, but nope, just yesterday she freaked out about the one I had on!
 

RavensGryf

Supporting Member
Jan 19, 2014
14,233
190
College Station, Texas
Parrots
Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
Funny you bring up glasses. Kiwi goes BALLISTIC when I don't have my glasses on. Full on amazon attack mode. As soon as I put them back on, he calms right down and usually struts up proudly looking for kisses like "see, Kiwi is a good flock member, I scared that terrible intruder off all by myself!". I try not to be without glasses around him. It's funny because sometimes when I'm out and I take my glasses off to clean them, I instinctively recoil in terror waiting for the green demon to come for me...

So April... Are you going to have to keep the same pair of glasses now for the rest of your life? Lol! I'd imagine if you got a different looking pair you might have the same thing happen!
 

Kiwibird

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Jul 12, 2012
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111
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1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
So April... Are you going to have to keep the same pair of glasses now for the rest of your life? Lol! I'd imagine if you got a different looking pair you might have the same thing happen!

I actually have several pair, including sunglasses. He doesn't mind different frames, it's the absence of glasses that offends him so:rolleyes:
 

Taw5106

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Mar 27, 2014
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Texas
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Buddy - Red Crowned Amazon (27 yo)
Venus - Solomon Island Eclectus (4 yo)
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Sweety - Budgie 1985 - 1986
I think he heard, "exterminate, EXTERMINATE!" In his head looking at you, lol. You all did good, poor baby! And how do you sleep with all that stuff stuck to you? Must be a guaranteed sleep apnea diagnosis, lol.
 

Scott

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Aug 21, 2010
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San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
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Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
What an ordeal, Trish! You are such a gifted story teller!!

Interesting how we are so comfortable with our Fids that we pay little attention to things they by temperament obsess over!!
 

Birdman666

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Sep 18, 2013
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San Antonio, TX
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Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Years ago, I had something similar happen when I dressed up in a halloween costume...

I went as a devil, painted red, authentic looking animal horns sticking out of my head. The macaws, the conures, and the too all fled in terror!

NOW HERE'S THE FUNNY PART...

The amazons were fascinated. Full on entranced courting behaviors, had to come check it out...

WHICH ONLY CONFIRMS WHAT A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE LONG SUSPECTED ABOUT AMAZONS!

They recognized me as one of their own...
 
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Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
I'm so sorry, but I did have to laugh! Zilla hates when I wear hats or scarves (and of course I love my scarves!) or my vests, which I wear a lot! I always have remember to take them off before I go open her cage or she will shrink to the back and not come out!

Years ago, I had a shirt with a great horned owl on it from the wildlife refuge I used to volunteer at. SILLY ME! THAT'S A PREDATOR...

Yeah, Sally actually dove UNDER her cage and wasn't coming out until after I changed my shirt....

Hats, other than ski hats, are a big no-no. Ski hats, are just additional perch material... The "tallest" perch on a human.

 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Mom was abducted by aliens, and she's now under their control...

Why can you people not see that?! You're in danger!!!

Run for your lives!!!
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
The amazons were fascinated. Full on entranced courting behaviors, had to come check it out...

WHICH ONLY CONFIRMS WHAT A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE LONG SUSPECTED ABOUT AMAZONS!

They recognized me as one of their own...

ROTFL! Yes, if I didn't already know Kiwi had the devil in him, you've just confirmed it here.
 
OP
Betrisher

Betrisher

Well-known member
Jun 3, 2013
4,253
177
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Parrots
Dominic: Galah(RIP: 1981-2018); The Lovies: Four Blue Masked Lovebirds; Barney and Madge (The Beaks): Alexandrines; Miss Rosetta Stone: Little Corella
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ROTFLMAO! It's so nice to know I'm not alone. I felt SO stupid, approaching a poor little bird with all that stuff on my face and wires sticking out all over. Taw5106, you have no idea how hard it is to sleep with all that stuff stuck on! The flashing red lights were what really did me in: I could see them through my closed eyes. I felt like I was haemorrhaging out my eyeballs all night! Thank you all for the nice words about my stories. I don't think I'm industrious enough to write a book or anything - I just like telling what my animals do. :)

The thing is, though, this has really brought home to me yet again how very sensitive birds can be to tiny changes. I know, I know: my Dalek look was pretty horrible (wish I'd taken a photo - LOL!) But as many of you have said, just a small change in clothing or a pair of glasses can be terrifying (or extremely seductive, Birdman?) to a little birdie. How often have we all been bitten 'for no reason' - I bet there's always been some small thing our bird picked up but we didn't.

I study Dominic all the time because I know he doesn't really bite out of viciousness. Things I've found out are that he'll bite if he really doesn't want to go back in his cage. He bites if my hand shakes or tilts too much. He bites if my daughter is anywhere within view (I'm quite sure it's her red hair that upsets him. Maybe he thinks she's a fox or something?) Gradually, I'm building a better picture of what Dom needs and doesn't need. It really is an ongoing study. :D

The Beaks on the other hand, are just laid-back and gorgeous. They never bite when they're in the house and have even stopped chewing on doorways and window frames (thank goodness!!!) The one time Madgie gets bitey is when she's in the cage and I come to speak to the Beakies outdoors. She gets quite upset if I put my hand near her and will lunge at me then. Of course, Barney comes to investigate and she immediately vents her spleen on him, poor baby. She's SUCH a girl!

Another thing about Madge is that she still does that baby-thrusting feeding thing. If I feed her stuff off a spoon (I share my morning cereal with all the birds each day), she'll thrust away at the spoon just like a chick in the nest. If I give her stuff off my finger, like peanut butter or honey, she'll do the same thing to my finger. I think it's really cute, but surely she should be over that by now? She's rising three after all...

Barney is fattening up again after his peregrinations. He looks SO sexy with his wicked black ring: he's positively rakish-looking when he tilts his head on one side and says 'Hello?' in that seductive little voice of his. Oooooo! I just love 'em all to bits! As my Matt says nearly every day: 'Aren't we so lucky to have all our birds?' :)
 

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