Betrisher
Well-known member
- Jun 3, 2013
- 4,253
- 177
- Parrots
- Dominic: Galah(RIP: 1981-2018); The Lovies: Four Blue Masked Lovebirds; Barney and Madge (The Beaks): Alexandrines; Miss Rosetta Stone: Little Corella
Every morning when I get up, I toddle out to our outdoor dunny before uncovering the three bird cages. Every morning, I uncover the Beaks, wish them a cheery 'Good morning!' and then uncover the Lovies, speaking to each of them by name. Then, I uncover Dominic and open his cage door to take him on my hand and bring him inside. Dominic has never been much of a flyer, so he just steps sedately onto my finger and rides indoors with me, occasionally having a go at the mosquito netting on the back door justforkix.
Well, this morning, Dommie seemed a little agitated when I picked him up. I withdrew him from the cage and he immediately stuck his hat in the air and squawked. Before I knew it, he'd launched himself off my hand and taken off out into the back yard! He flew much more strongly than I've ever seen him fly before and he made it as far as the side fence, where he surveyed the neighbours' back yard with interest. As I approached him and said 'Step up', he stuck his hat up again, but was obedient and stepped onto my hand. I didn't think to grab hold of him, just turned to go back inside the house.
Next thing, Dom took off again, this time up into the Pittosporum tree that grows beside the dunny. Completely unable to do anything, I raced inside to call my son, Matthew. Matt came running and was able to reach up and step Dommie onto his finger, then gently cupped him between his hands so he couldn't fly again.
Whew! That was a close call! Dommie wouldn't last five minutes out in the big wide world, what with dogs and cats and raptors all over the place! So now, we have to think of a safer way to transfer Dominic between the indoors and the outdoors every day. My husband is going to be doing the (un) Happy Dance if I ask him to cut another hole in the house so Dommie can come indoors. LOL! Oh well. If that's what it takes...
Well, this morning, Dommie seemed a little agitated when I picked him up. I withdrew him from the cage and he immediately stuck his hat in the air and squawked. Before I knew it, he'd launched himself off my hand and taken off out into the back yard! He flew much more strongly than I've ever seen him fly before and he made it as far as the side fence, where he surveyed the neighbours' back yard with interest. As I approached him and said 'Step up', he stuck his hat up again, but was obedient and stepped onto my hand. I didn't think to grab hold of him, just turned to go back inside the house.
Next thing, Dom took off again, this time up into the Pittosporum tree that grows beside the dunny. Completely unable to do anything, I raced inside to call my son, Matthew. Matt came running and was able to reach up and step Dommie onto his finger, then gently cupped him between his hands so he couldn't fly again.
Whew! That was a close call! Dommie wouldn't last five minutes out in the big wide world, what with dogs and cats and raptors all over the place! So now, we have to think of a safer way to transfer Dominic between the indoors and the outdoors every day. My husband is going to be doing the (un) Happy Dance if I ask him to cut another hole in the house so Dommie can come indoors. LOL! Oh well. If that's what it takes...