MeganMango
New member
- Oct 13, 2012
- 522
- Media
- 3
- 0
- Parrots
- 1 red bellied parrot (Mango), 3 cockatiels (Bugsie, Alfie, and Bananas)
Hey guys,
I know its been a while, but Ive been so incredibly busy! I thought I should update the on situation with Mango being fully flighted. The last time I was here I was really frustrated and considering having him clipped again. Long story short, he was out of control. Mango's philosophy is as follows: If I can reach it, it goes in the beak, if its in the beak, its mine. Needless to say he destroyed my house. We were trying to train him, but it wasnt really working out, and he was "visiting" my foster bird who wanted to eat him. Just to recap, we hung perches in the safe places around the house and give him treats when he goes to those places along with praise "look at you! Good boy" (his new favorite things to say). When he goes to other bird cages or the computers (Ive now replaced two keyboards!) he goes in his cage for a time-out. For the record, this is my first bird and I have very little experience with these things.
The first thing I would like to say is that Im REALLY glad I didnt clip him and I waited to see if the training would stick. He now knows where is suppose to be and where he is not suppose to be. This does not mean he does what he is suppose to do :20: and if he thinks we arent watching he will still try to visit other birds or tear apart a keyboard. We are ALWAYS very vigilant and take him with us if we need to leave the room. We've also had to put lots of perches in strategic locations and carry treats at all times (he is now on the hefty side). We screened in the back porch so that if someone forgets and opens the door while he is out and he sneaks out the door he is still confined. Also, he can come outside with us! We are putting an extra screen on the front porch for similar extra protection.
Mango is a different bird since he has been flighted and given some boundaries. He is way more affectionate, and aside from the odd tantrum from being put on a time-out (he now knows what we are up to when we step him up from the no-bird zones) he has stopped biting, stopped screaming, and overall appears significantly happier. He is much less anxious and far more independent. Its been weeks since Ive seen even a glimpse of snotty-bird. If you are considering allowing wings to grow out, my advice is to try it. Of course I recognize not everyone can do this, but I thought I should share my experiences. The training period is awful. I was so frustrated and worried, but it just sort of clicked almost over night, and everything got better. There are definitely downsides, he has stuck his beak in a chocolate pie, a brick of butter, two keyboards, and a TV remote just to name a few. You must ALWAYS be watching since its impossible to eliminate all danger, and your entire house will look like an aviary with perches in all manner of places. Ive stepped on enough Harrison's pellets, pistachio shells and shredded bird toys all over my floor to make me literally throw a fit. I understand if you cant do it, but I do not regret my decision. There is nothing like calling your bird and having him/her fly right to you. When he is feeling particularly wonderful he starts whistling and flying all over in pure joy.
The harness is still a disaster, but I havent completely given up hope, just set it aside for now.
I know its been a while, but Ive been so incredibly busy! I thought I should update the on situation with Mango being fully flighted. The last time I was here I was really frustrated and considering having him clipped again. Long story short, he was out of control. Mango's philosophy is as follows: If I can reach it, it goes in the beak, if its in the beak, its mine. Needless to say he destroyed my house. We were trying to train him, but it wasnt really working out, and he was "visiting" my foster bird who wanted to eat him. Just to recap, we hung perches in the safe places around the house and give him treats when he goes to those places along with praise "look at you! Good boy" (his new favorite things to say). When he goes to other bird cages or the computers (Ive now replaced two keyboards!) he goes in his cage for a time-out. For the record, this is my first bird and I have very little experience with these things.
The first thing I would like to say is that Im REALLY glad I didnt clip him and I waited to see if the training would stick. He now knows where is suppose to be and where he is not suppose to be. This does not mean he does what he is suppose to do :20: and if he thinks we arent watching he will still try to visit other birds or tear apart a keyboard. We are ALWAYS very vigilant and take him with us if we need to leave the room. We've also had to put lots of perches in strategic locations and carry treats at all times (he is now on the hefty side). We screened in the back porch so that if someone forgets and opens the door while he is out and he sneaks out the door he is still confined. Also, he can come outside with us! We are putting an extra screen on the front porch for similar extra protection.
Mango is a different bird since he has been flighted and given some boundaries. He is way more affectionate, and aside from the odd tantrum from being put on a time-out (he now knows what we are up to when we step him up from the no-bird zones) he has stopped biting, stopped screaming, and overall appears significantly happier. He is much less anxious and far more independent. Its been weeks since Ive seen even a glimpse of snotty-bird. If you are considering allowing wings to grow out, my advice is to try it. Of course I recognize not everyone can do this, but I thought I should share my experiences. The training period is awful. I was so frustrated and worried, but it just sort of clicked almost over night, and everything got better. There are definitely downsides, he has stuck his beak in a chocolate pie, a brick of butter, two keyboards, and a TV remote just to name a few. You must ALWAYS be watching since its impossible to eliminate all danger, and your entire house will look like an aviary with perches in all manner of places. Ive stepped on enough Harrison's pellets, pistachio shells and shredded bird toys all over my floor to make me literally throw a fit. I understand if you cant do it, but I do not regret my decision. There is nothing like calling your bird and having him/her fly right to you. When he is feeling particularly wonderful he starts whistling and flying all over in pure joy.
The harness is still a disaster, but I havent completely given up hope, just set it aside for now.