Domnijoe - The Art Studio and Bird Herder's Residence

[Vampiric_Conure]

Maybe you should let them play on it. Seeing someone else who's enjoying it may be motivation!

Most definitely! LOL!
Vortex is so.... curious when she's outside her cage .

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

Served the dinosaurs their breakfast just now. As usual, Vortex is digging in, Redshift is parked on the bowl staring at it, and Yvons is feeding the dog. Okay.... he's wiping off his beak, so SOME of it must have gotten into him.

Charlie prefers his pellets.

I'm gonna see if I can get some Bird Street Bistro again. My guys really enjoyed the apple and berry flavors. Never tried it with Yvons, so it should be an interesting development in his life, should I get it again, LOL!

Tried picking up Yvpns yesterday with a stick. He promptly shoved it away with his head, and after 2 tries, I wasn't going to push him. I'll try again today and see if he'll go to the play stand

 

[rheashard2]

Served the dinosaurs their breakfast just now. As usual, Vortex is digging in, Redshift is parked on the bowl staring at it, and Yvons is feeding the dog. Okay.... he's wiping off his beak, so SOME of it must have gotten into him.

Charlie prefers his pellets.

I'm gonna see if I can get some Bird Street Bistro again. My guys really enjoyed the apple and berry flavors. Never tried it with Yvons, so it should be an interesting development in his life, should I get it again, LOL!

Tried picking up Yvpns yesterday with a stick. He promptly shoved it away with his head, and after 2 tries, I wasn't going to push him. I'll try again today and see if he'll go to the play stand

Feeding the dogs is an annoyance for me. It was done deliberately and with calculation! I call it to doggie lure with chum. Dogs aren't allowed within beak distance of cage. It's kinda funny now. Dogs watch me to see if I'm watching them.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

Tried handling Yvons with the stick again today. He firmly and fiercely told me no with a head shove. He wasn't interested in moving from his spot. Once I get more nuts, I'll start stick training him . He tried climbing to the top of his cage, though, much to my amusement! It was like he was telling himself, 'I'm gonna go up here!.... Mebbie not. Meh.. naaaaa.' Comical to see the thought balloons practically form over his head!

And here Yvons is, considering climbing to the top of the cage:

Vortex has been craaanky all day today. Kept trying to bite me through the bars of the cage. Little stinker.

 

[rheashard2]

I've decided that all larger parrots have a basic toddler to 5 yo emotional mind set. The 'I'm not going to do it because...' 'you can't make me...' 'you want me to do this, so I'll do that..' And similar. Yvonn has been with you in what is a short interval in parrot time frame. Remain patient and consistent. Remember that large parrots Grey, Amazon, Cockatoo etc also work on human training. The type depends on human and parrot personalities, environment etc. Yvonn is still learning and establishing routines, limits etc. Be consistent in what you want. But alter the times and situations. He'll be less likely to do birdie planning for or against. He's had changes in his living situation. It can be frustrating and confusing on both sides. He may not like the stick. Why? It could be simply you're holding it too wobbly for him. Stick could be associated with environmental and people change. Look for why he doesn't want to get on top of cage. Shape? Color? Location? Surroundings? Plus things you can't imagine. Nameliss will get on top of cage. But I am permitted only to place food, water and treats. Cleaning etc requires putting her somewhere else. It's a just because personality trait.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

I have a perch at the top of the cage that Yvons has ignored since he's been at my place. So about 2 months or so. Suddenly, today, he decides it's the perfect place to sit at the top of the cage! Little stinker!!

 

[rheashard2]

Yeah! That's wonderful. Did he see your other birds perching on similar?

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

Yeah! That's wonderful. Did he see your other birds perching on similar?

Nope! It was his decision! .

 

[rheashard2]

August POTM is the perfect theme for pic of Yvonn hanging from that rope perch. So consider entering it!

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

August POTM is the perfect theme for pic of Yvonn hanging from that rope perch. So consider entering it!

I posted a picture of him on his perch. Hope it fits the theme, LOL! Thanks for the suggestion!

I tried 4 times to lift Yvons onto a handheld perch today. The first time, he backed away from it. Then he backed away from it and fluffed up. The last 2 times he backed so far out of the way, he hid behind the perch. I did this over an hour and a bit, but it's clear I'm gonna have to get more training treats and train him to sit on the perch. My other birds are so... accustomed to the perches I offer. It's different from Yvons. He's so uncertain. I'm glad I'm learning this stuff as we go along and I'm not being a complete ass about it, heh.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

Broght Vortex to a friend's place for some socialization. She got nutriberries and almonds while there, despite the chaos of two strangers, 4 cats, 2 dogs, and my friends, whom Vortex had only met once before. Oh.... PLUS 2 bus rides. Vortex then got freshly cooked veggies when she got home, which she was happy to eat. She was in bed early. Long day for the stinker. I would have pix, but I forgot my phone at home. Sorry folks!

Everyone was happy to have their veggies once I was home. Yvons had a hoot throwing his unwanted ones at the dog.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

You took Vortex on two bus rides? She sounds like a pretty chill parrot to do that and keep her cool, plus all the new people and animals! I'm a big believer in exposing my birds to as many novel safe situations as possible while they're young so they grow up secure and self confident. My budgies never seem to get freaked out or panicked by anything including loud noises and vibrations. I'm having an addition put on my house this summer and my budgies have been watching the progress. Even huge excavating machines right outside the window don't bother them. Very loud banging on the outside of the walls of the room as siding is being removed and drilling into the structure making the house shake doesn't bother them at all. They don't seem to be afraid of anything. They'd probably try to make friends with a Coopers Hawk if one flew into the room! I do wonder if they would be afraid of a very loud noise if I wasn't home. Maybe they don't react because I don't react. Do they see me as their protector?

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

You took Vortex on two bus rides? She sounds like a pretty chill parrot to do that and keep her cool, plus all the new people and animals! I'm a big believer in exposing my birds to as many novel safe situations as possible while they're young so they grow up secure and self confident. My budgies never seem to get freaked out or panicked by anything including loud noises and vibrations. I'm having an addition put on my house this summer and my budgies have been watching the progress. Even huge excavating machines right outside the window don't bother them. Very loud banging on the outside of the walls of the room as siding is being removed and drilling into the structure making the house shake doesn't bother them at all. They don't seem to be afraid of anything. They'd probably try to make friends with a Coopers Hawk if one flew into the room! I do wonder if they would be afraid of a very loud noise if I wasn't home. Maybe they don't react because I don't react. Do they see me as their protector?

Part of the reason why I take Vortex out for walks and to my friend's place is to socialize her to strange noises and people. I'd do it with Yvons, but he's so unwilling to be pushed, and I don't want to push too hard with him. Vortex is so chill.... She might not like something, but she takes it like a champ, LOL! I might use her as a service animal instead of Yvons just because she's THAT chill.

And wow- no doubt your birds see you as their protector, especially with so much noise and stuff from construction! It's good that they're relatively unfazed by everything. MY dog was more freaked out by the fire alarm testing last week than my birds. After a few times of NOISE! BUZZ! MORE NOISE! The birds were like... 'yeah, whatever'. Meanwhile, my dog was Yappy McYap... bark bark! Whine! I think I was more stressed from her barking than from the fire alarm testing!

 

[rheashard2]

Good for you. Have Parrot and Travels was planned to be my life style. I was encouraged by an article that I read with pictures. A long distance truck driving couple traveled with a pair of parrots. Part of the cab's sleeping area was converted for them. I didn't know this wasn't common. I was a newbie parrot owner. No knowledge resources except for books, Bird Talk, articles and my vet. I applied same logic that I used for training dogs and horses. Varied exposure in controlled doses is the rule for well rounded, healthy and safe pets. To me travel with bird by bus, subway, auto is normal. I encourage by example that proper training means easier travel. I'd go easy and not rush Yvonn. For him travel means uncertainty and change. If possible allow him to see empty travel carrier often. With occupants upon occasion. Even take occupants out of area and return. This will aid in decreasing stress. Nameliss enjoys traveling. Especially non vet related travel! Occasionally she'll get on carrier. Start saying..bye, bye, I gotta go or I gotta get going, come on. I am expected to put harness on, place in carrier and leave. The destination depends on my mood and finances. The least is a trip to convenience store, soda for me, peanut butter cheese crackers for her. The most is a trip to pet store. She looks at people and can pick out a toy. In cold weather I have even transported her on bus, (harness on) under my jacket. I carry the carrier. Her attitude and training has been handy. We were forced to live 3 days/4 nights in car during a blizzard related city power outage. She thought it was normal. Her flock of dogs, cats and humans were all present. I would not describe Nameliss as chill. She's a 'tolerate with suspicion' type. That applies to people, animals, loud noises etc.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Good for you. Have Parrot and Travels was planned to be my life style. I was encouraged by an article that I read with pictures. A long distance truck driving couple traveled with a pair of parrots. Part of the cab's sleeping area was converted for them. I didn't know this wasn't common. I was a newbie parrot owner. No knowledge resources except for books, Bird Talk, articles and my vet. I applied same logic that I used for training dogs and horses. Varied exposure in controlled doses is the rule for well rounded, healthy and safe pets. To me travel with bird by bus, subway, auto is normal. I encourage by example that proper training means easier travel. I'd go easy and not rush Yvonn. For him travel means uncertainty and change. If possible allow him to see empty travel carrier often. With occupants upon occasion. Even take occupants out of area and return. This will aid in decreasing stress. Nameliss enjoys traveling. Especially non vet related travel! Occasionally she'll get on carrier. Start saying..bye, bye, I gotta go or I gotta get going, come on. I am expected to put harness on, place in carrier and leave. The destination depends on my mood and finances. The least is a trip to convenience store, soda for me, peanut butter cheese crackers for her. The most is a trip to pet store. She looks at people and can pick out a toy. In cold weather I have even transported her on bus, (harness on) under my jacket. I carry the carrier. Her attitude and training has been handy. We were forced to live 3 days/4 nights in car during a blizzard related city power outage. She thought it was normal. Her flock of dogs, cats and humans were all present. I would not describe Nameliss as chill. She's a 'tolerate with suspicion' type. That applies to people, animals, loud noises etc.

Nameliss sounds like an amazing CAG. They have a reputation for being so sensitive to change but Nameliss must be very self confident and secure. You raised her right and that's not easy to do with a CAG.

 

[rheashard2]

Blame me being a newbie with minimal bird knowledge. I used logic and common sense. I spent months looking, of OT, planning, purchasing cage and finally getting CAG. I kept doing reading and learning, ordering books and more. Along the way I discovered that bird folk use neurotic, emotional, and self destruction with CAG description. The breeder minimized this. She said activities+stimulation = happy healthy bird and minimal problems. That's basically my approached for all my pets. The potential for negative behavior is always present. In my travels avain vet visits for routines were normal. At a visit outside of D.C, vet found out I was a travel RN. 3 month assignments were my norm. Then travel, new state, city, hospital and schedule. He wanted to know why my mischief maker wasn't feather plucking in such 'unstable' and changing living conditions. My CAG was even cooperative with vet (within reason). We'd been doing it over a year then. I told him, I wasn't aware of the problems. I thought in terms of bored dogs chewing up furniture. Prevention is 1000% more effective than stopping. Why would a parrot be different? Granted that they are smarter than dogs. So I have to be a bit more creative and varied in my distraction.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I think sometimes people buy into stereotypes about Greys too much and anticipate neurotic behavior instead of anticipating healthy behavior. Maybe overprotecting them sets them up for being neurotic. Showing that you have confidence in them maybe gives them confidence. Kinda like raising kids that aren't fearful. They say that fearful parents raise fearful kids. Same with smart parrots, perhaps? I just know that I raise my budgies to be fearless and nothing seems to bother them.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

I think sometimes people buy into stereotypes about Greys too much and anticipate neurotic behavior instead of anticipating healthy behavior. Maybe overprotecting them sets them up for being neurotic. Showing that you have confidence in them maybe gives them confidence. Kinda like raising kids that aren't fearful. They say that fearful parents raise fearful kids. Same with smart parrots, perhaps? I just know that I raise my budgies to be fearless and nothing seems to bother them.

Yvons is characteristically grey in some ways (Fearfulness of some items, contact calling) but not in others. He seems to be well-balanced. Whoever had him before me did a great job with him .

On a COMPLETELY different note, I had to trick Yvons to get him in his cage. He would get all excited over the thought of getting an almond, but in order to get it, he had to stand on his platform perch, where he usually gets goodies. Took him about 3-5 minutes to decide that yes, indeed, getting into the cage was a good idea. I, of course, told him he was a good boy and gave him another almond after he ate his first (and threw his second to the dog).

Charlie says 'WHAT NOW?" a lot and clear as day, I heard Vortex repeat him in her gravelly Pionus voice, LOL. Too comical. Yvons hasn't picked up any yet except for the beeping of the microwave, which I use ALL the time. I figure it might take a while for him to talk beyond what he picked up at his former owners'.

 

[rheashard2]

It's good Yvonn is fitting in. Bet you can't wait for the beak gates to open. Will his preference be a talker? Animal mimic? Sound mimic? A combination?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Yvons is characteristically grey in some ways (Fearfulness of some items, contact calling) but not in others. He seems to be well-balanced. Whoever had him before me did a great job with him .

On a COMPLETELY different note, I had to trick Yvons to get him in his cage. He would get all excited over the thought of getting an almond, but in order to get it, he had to stand on his platform perch, where he usually gets goodies. Took him about 3-5 minutes to decide that yes, indeed, getting into the cage was a good idea. I, of course, told him he was a good boy and gave him another almond after he ate his first (and threw his second to the dog).

Charlie says 'WHAT NOW?" a lot and clear as day, I heard Vortex repeat him in her gravelly Pionus voice, LOL. OToo comical. Yvons hasn't picked up any yet except for the beeping of the microwave, which I use ALL the time. I figure it might take a while for him to talk beyond what he picked up at his former owners'.

I think all your birds are very lucky to have you as a parront. then so much and seem to have a lot of patience with Yvons, giving him the time he needs to feel comfortable in his new home and not taking his behavior personally must be tough on a parrot to be rehomed after a long time with one owner even if the new owner is a really good one.