Birds are social

[Mulligan]

I feel bad that I am not giving my CAG the attention she requires. I am retired now, but remain busy with genealogy research and several other projects around the property.
When I first got her, I was running to work daily. A few years ago I started opening her cage and allowing her to get on top of the cage, but she is fearless and will walk the dog out of the room (Great Pyrenees Mntn. Dog). She wants to get down and explore, but I have to watch her since birds poop anywhere, and chew on wood to condition their beaks. I can't have my furniture chewed up. Like a child, you never leave them unattended to keep them safe. Now that she is 29 years old (hard to believe), she likes to walk over to our dining table and eat out of my dinner plate. This is new and odd. I have to pick her up off the floor to put her on the table, open a dinner napkin, and place it where I can put a few scraps for her to nibble (never food with salt or oil). Once she has had a few moments, I take her back to her cage and lock the cage door. At least it makes her feel like she has been somewhere and paid attention. Here cage sits in our great room facing our lounge chairs. This way she always sees our eyes and is a part of the action. It never occurred to me that she would outlive me! Something to think about because not everyone knows how to care for a bird. They are not like a dog or cat. And they require special attention as well. All animals do. Humans often forget. Sometimes I bring her to bed in the morning, and make tunnels with the pillows or blankets. It might only be 30 minutes, but she has received attention and enjoys it for the day. Careful they bite and chew and can make small holes in the linen. My husband protests, but I watch her and try not to allow it. I can always buy more linens. I don't do this often, but try to give her attention more often.

 

[osklvste62]

Parrots outliving owner is one thing we don't really consider. Your CAG behavior is normal. Mine is about 6 years younger. My internal clock goes off with silence. I never know what she is going to do. I have found her on top of the chest freezer and scratching on top of her large food storage container pistachio hunting. Hiding under the couch/bed calling peek-a-boo. She has her own set of identical crochet hooks to keep her from taking mine. She examines my food. She doesn't come get it. I get such a pityful baby bird act. Unless it's popcorn, pizza, pasta then it's every beak for themselves. Her idea of snuggling is crawling under my chin for a few moments. Lately I got her a new travel carrier. She's addicted to it. I have to hide it. Otherwise she gets in, looks at me. I pretend not to notice. She needs and enjoys the mental stimulation. So you enjoy it too. There are birdie diapers. Mine forgets she has feet. She just lays there. So I gave up.

 

[HarleY 068]

parrots =all parrots, both BIG and small, endeavour to train its bonded carer to care for it in the manner of its learning. They all learn - its just the difference of when, for as long as, and the history(unbringing) it has had. When a parrot bonds to you its not negotiable, and time limited. What you do makes all the difference, and that is not easy when your bird comes with an already history. You have to figure out as best possible and figure out how to improve your relationship. No set rules here, only the steps of your birds acceptance, of the effort you make, determines the improvement. Some want to be one of the family, and NOTHING less. others NO WAY. the majority forfil their place in the manner which pleases their carer. Like little children they will try every trick in the book to train you; not you training them!. It is easy to see this by the enjoyment shown after by your bird. Oskivste's CAG new travel carrier, is no difference than mine and the roost for it in my car. both these are a plus and beneficial in an emergency.
Someone here once wrote "no one rule fits all for parrots, Each has their own rules"

 

[osklvste62]

That's so true. Nameliss is the sweetest feather duster that can be found at sun up. Her voice is so sweet and coaxing. As soon as I am up the grey dictator appears. She's like that because I used to work night shift. I got home around 0800. If I stopped moving I didn't start moving again easily. She learned her coaxing voice motivated me to keep moving. After retirement she trained me to her preferred schedule, sun up and sun down. Didn't realize it until my sister came for a visit. She asked if my parrot had me on remote control or a timer.