Dipper Prepares for her first Trip!

We've had Dipper (8 year old WCP) for a few months now and she's doing great! Loves being out with us, getting more adventurous and brave (although still startles easily when out), super gentle, loves her head scratches and time out with us. We're working on trick training - its going slow but she's so well-behaved that I'm sure once she picks it up she will have it. Sometimes she forgets that she needs to turn all the way around and will step off her perch after 180 degrees. Sometimes she will turn around 3 times in a row and then stare blankly at me on the 4th time. So training sessions are short! She's starting to play a bit more with her toys but still - based on amount of times during the day and duration of play - absolutely prefers simple, crumpled/folded plain paper most of all. At least its cheap!

This weekend we are taking her with us on a holiday so she will be taking her first trip with us. We have been getting her used to being in her Poquito Avian Hotel by bringing her outside with us in it, letting her have treats in it etc. She is OK in it but we will see how it goes once she's in it for a few days straight as its small. She's pretty easy going so I think she will adjust well as long as we bring some almonds and share fruits and head scratch time with her.

Here are some photos of her testing her new cage and playing with a block on the couch. Our most common phrases that we say to her are "good girl!" and "awwww". Her only words (that we can make out) are "pretty bird" (or pity boo) which stands for please most of the time. She's very sweet!

She is gorgeous! Enjoy your break ! Jim C

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Dipper is such a gorgeous girl! Please take lots of pictures on your trip and have fun!

Dipper is a real cutie. Hope you have a successful and fun trip.

She sounds like such a happy little pi! I love the photos.

They are so incredibly smart. I'm sure the trick training will continue to get better and better.

Jimmy trains me. Every couple months I have to figure out a new way to lock her travel cage, because she always figures out the door lock mechanisms (and carabiners, and toy clips and everything else to keep the door shut!)

I hope everyone has a fun holiday. Even if the Avian Hotel is little, Dipper still gets to be with her family love goes a long way in making them feel comfortable.

Good on ya for trick training. You'll see, once she gets it, she will be eager for training sessions, not only for the treats but I think they genuinely get a sense of pride and accomplishment. I can't explain it any other way. Salty jumps into any new trick with such gusto, a sense of 'Look what I can do, dad' . And it really builds a bond and trust, I think, as they look forward to a regular session. Be consistent with your commands, reward immediately after the trick is done right, use both voice and hand signals, and lavish a special phrase with her when it's done right too. I use birdigirls 'good job' with Salty, but only in training sessions (thanks mary). She is in beautiful feather BTW. Have a safe and happy trip.

Good-looking! And the bird's gorgeous, too...

Please... how did she get named "Dipper"?

We are back! Will post a few photos soon. Dipper did very well and even made a few "tolerable acquaintances" (my husband's cousin and her husband) whom she could tolerate with only a few level 1 & 2 alarm reminders (rather than level 4 constant craziness). She quietly sat on her rope perch in the car with only a few beeps and laser sounds to remind us of her presence (other than the first day when we drove past her bedtime and she couldn't settle down as it got dark). She was very happy to get back to her big cage, though, and has been snacking, chortling, snoozing, and paper chewing since we returned home.

Our conure had a few good tricks although progression to more complicated ones was hard with his high level of excitement around almonds. Dipper will get there, I think, she's putting the turn around together OK. Good to hear about all of your positive training experiences (although maybe Jimmy the escape artist is not such a great trick?). No rush or agenda from me since she is such a well-behaved bird already - just some extras to keep her mind active and happy!

Gila - she came with the name Dipper (because she dipped her food in water - as most parrots do!). With all the changes for her when we adopted her, we kept her name so that she could keep her identity even as she changed addresses and families! We often shorten it to Dip, Dippy, Dip-Dip, or stinky D (since she has that lovely Pi musk).

Chortling - how cute! I'd love to hear her! Welcome home Dipper

Her name makes me think of the constellations (probably moreso Little Dipper, just so endearing). Ever play the old video game Ecco? The marks on your head look like stars in the sky..

The pi musk.. muahaha! I met someone who said pionus smell so great, like flowers. I did a double take, because I think poor Jimmy Pi smells more like a gym sock! I love the little stinkpot though

I said I'd post pictures but then was distracted by Olympics! Here's one of Dipper surveying her temporary mountain kingdom (from the other side of some glass patio doors) and enjoying a break from navigating from her perch in the backseat.

We are leaving on a trip tomorrow out of the country for a week so Dipper has her first babysitter. Its always a bit worrying to leave the parrot behind but they don't stay quiet enough in the carry-on to tag along. My brother will be looking after her and she does know him even if he still sometimes earns a level 1 or 2 alarm.