Hossinn
New member
Hello All,
I'm sorry if my questions/concerns are addressed elsewhere. If they are, and anybody wants to redirect me, I'm fine with that. We're experiencing some of the following challenges with our almost 2 year old, IRN, Neelo:
- After molting in August, Neelo's feathers came back and he has had full flight. Even though he had his wings clipped previously, we like the idea of not taking away his flight, so that's how he currently remains. Challenges are the following:
- When he steps up and we tell him it's time for bed (take him to his sleeping cage), he simply flies off the finger and back to day cage or perch. He has more "control" over what he does than we would like.
- Before having full flight, when he was on our finger, he would "allow" us to scratch the back of his neck (he seemed to like it), however, now when he sees a friendly hand coming toward him, he flies away. It feels like we've taken 2 steps back from the progress we had made.
- This is also difficult, for example, becaues I need to clip his toenails and it's going to be difficult for me to put my hand over him to hold him in a position where I can do the pedicure. Obviously, I can "make" it happen, which I'll probably end up doing, but I'm concerned that I'll be making an already difficult moment for him, even more difficult.
- Neelo is seemingly very interested in me (only adult male in house). He wants to fly to my vicinity when I sit on the couch. He wants to constantly nibble my ear. The initial nibbles don't hurt, however, if I let him continue they get harder and harder (not something I want). If I say "No", he stops momentarily but then goes right back to nibbling. If I put my finger up for him to step up, he jumps or flies away...then comes right back for more nibbling.
- A related issue, when I'm sitting on the couch is he wants to nibble the edge of the couch. I know "destructive" behavior is common with a bird, however, is there a suggested way to stop them from doing this, other than the command, "No"?
I guess I'm a little frustrated and overwhelmed with where to begin with "training". Is having full flight hindering our training efforts?
We were first training "target", but he doesn't like being on his training "T" perch, so just throws away the treats he otherwise loves, and is constantly looking for an opportunity to fly back to cage.
I'm sorry if my questions/concerns are addressed elsewhere. If they are, and anybody wants to redirect me, I'm fine with that. We're experiencing some of the following challenges with our almost 2 year old, IRN, Neelo:
- After molting in August, Neelo's feathers came back and he has had full flight. Even though he had his wings clipped previously, we like the idea of not taking away his flight, so that's how he currently remains. Challenges are the following:
- When he steps up and we tell him it's time for bed (take him to his sleeping cage), he simply flies off the finger and back to day cage or perch. He has more "control" over what he does than we would like.
- Before having full flight, when he was on our finger, he would "allow" us to scratch the back of his neck (he seemed to like it), however, now when he sees a friendly hand coming toward him, he flies away. It feels like we've taken 2 steps back from the progress we had made.
- This is also difficult, for example, becaues I need to clip his toenails and it's going to be difficult for me to put my hand over him to hold him in a position where I can do the pedicure. Obviously, I can "make" it happen, which I'll probably end up doing, but I'm concerned that I'll be making an already difficult moment for him, even more difficult.
- Neelo is seemingly very interested in me (only adult male in house). He wants to fly to my vicinity when I sit on the couch. He wants to constantly nibble my ear. The initial nibbles don't hurt, however, if I let him continue they get harder and harder (not something I want). If I say "No", he stops momentarily but then goes right back to nibbling. If I put my finger up for him to step up, he jumps or flies away...then comes right back for more nibbling.
- A related issue, when I'm sitting on the couch is he wants to nibble the edge of the couch. I know "destructive" behavior is common with a bird, however, is there a suggested way to stop them from doing this, other than the command, "No"?
I guess I'm a little frustrated and overwhelmed with where to begin with "training". Is having full flight hindering our training efforts?
We were first training "target", but he doesn't like being on his training "T" perch, so just throws away the treats he otherwise loves, and is constantly looking for an opportunity to fly back to cage.
trust me, it's worth it to make the adjustment; a flighted Ringneck is a true joy to live with!
