Feeding time was an adventure this am

[Birdman666]

So, this morning I actually slept in an extra hour, so I was late getting them fed.

For some reason both macaws were in clingy bird mode, wanting to be picked up and cuddled rather than fed... the other three? Not so much...

Tusk and Lila weren't waiting on me to have breakfast. They were already hard at work sorting through the mess Maggie made on the floor under her treat cups. Apparently she did the macaw beak swipe thing on the food remaining in her bowl, and these two forrage the way a wild bird would... if it hits the ground, it's up for grabs, and anyone can claim it!

We have a set order for feeding around here, and it generally keeps everyone in line. Each gets their turn, they get picked up, loved on, they "help" me fill their food bowls, and they go back, and then the next one gets a turn. My red lored amazon has been with me the longest, and is my "flock leader" so she always goes first. (It's a "status" thing... )

So as I am filling her food bowls, she rolls up into a ball with her head feathers up, and presses her face against my cheek. At this point, Maggie, my GW can't stand it any longer. "I want some of that too..." so down she comes from her cage, and she waddles over and plops down in a mushy pile of feathers on my foot.

So now, I am scratching Sally with one hand, and Maggie's neck with the other, while she tickles/preens/regurges on my foot... And of course, Sweepea is not about to be left out of this love fest, so guess who magically appears on the other foot?! Only now I'm out of scratching hands...

This, of course, means a sudden sneak attack, trying to drive Maggie off the "scratching foot" and take her place. (Now keep in mind that Sweepea is a red front about 600 grams. Maggie, however is a "Bolivian" greenwing, and is about 1850 grams, so more than three times Sweepea's size...

Bottom line: Maggie isn't gonna move. So Sweepea does the beak wrestling thing and backs off...

However, when Maggie turns to fend off the sneak attack, she swung that giant tail over Lila's head. So Lila expresses her displeasure, by grabbing ahold of it... Maggie swings around and backs Lila down. This, of course, is the opening Sweepea needs to grab a beak full of tail feathers...

Both Sweepea and Lila remain out of beak range, but poised to grab tail. At this point, Maggie backs up onto my lap and runs her tail feathers straight up my chest to protect them...

And that was when she cocked her head sideways and looked up at me, eyes pinning, and said CLEAR AS A BELL AND IN CONTEXT:

"What the hell?!"

I couldn't believe what I just saw and heard... had to share!

 

[Birdman666]

P.S. As it turns out, Maggie learned this phrase in context because Sarah has been using it when she waddles down and messes with her...

And as an aside: while all this was going on, my CAG recognizing a prime opportunity when he saw it, and raided the Nutriberry stash. So, he was grabbing them and chowing down and taking it all in from the safety of Maggie's cage. (Cuz everyone knows she doesn't actually go IN there.) Which I guess could be described as the birdie equivalent of: "Get Your Popcorn!"

Through all of this, Maggie remained a calm, mushy lap bird. She didn't go into "fixin' to maim" mode...

And once again I find myself asking the question How is it possible to love a damned bird this much?!

 

[Allee]

Thanks for the mid morning laugh! Sounds like Maggie was just stating the obvious! How dare Dad sleep late and upset the breakfast ritual.

Really, what better way to start any day, than with several parrots lining up for a hug?

 

[labell]

Great story telling, your flock sounds amazing!

 

[Birdman666]

Thanks for the mid morning laugh! Sounds like Maggie was just stating the obvious! How dare Dad sleep late and upset the breakfast ritual.

Really, what better way to start any day, than with several parrots lining up for a hug?

That's the way I start every morning, and the way they end when I put them to bed... It's part of what keeps me going. It really does bring joy to my life.

I wish more people "got that."

 

[Selestine]

Oh man, that is so cute and funny! Wish I could have seen it.

 

[thekarens]

Oh my! Your flock is so adorable! Love that! And that is one freaking huge greenwing

 

[MacawLoverOf3]

That is just too hilarious

 

[RavensGryf]

Great story! Ever feel like you need more hands? Lol

 

[Birdman666]

Oh my! Your flock is so adorable! Love that! And that is one freaking huge greenwing

Her daddy was apparently about 2150... Mom was around 1900. So, she's just a tad smaller than mom...

Not too far from Hy sized GW... and every bit as mushy! I still gotta post that cage size macaw swing pic...

 

[Birdman666]

Oh man, that is so cute and funny! Wish I could have seen it.

It wasn't just "What the hell..." It was the look on her face when she said it! My jaw dropped open on that one. I was laughing so hard...

 

[GW.Joe]

Now if you had a video of that it would be VIRAL in no time!!

Great morning visuals man, Thanks for shairin!!

 

[Sicilysangel]

Hehee! That sounds like a great way to get the morning off!

 

[Freespin]

Hahaha oh wow that is so funny! I can just imagine it all playing out =)

 

[Birdman666]

So, we had a repeat performance this morning, only this time I was ready for it.

When Sweepea climbed down, I intercepted her, and put her right back on the big playstand. Had to do it about 3-4 times before she got the message. Then I put Maggie back on her cage and let Sweepea hang out on the foot for awhile. That seemed to satisfy the macaws... I want to break them of this everyone waddling around on the floor at the same time stuff...

Lila however, has decided to go after macaw tails. She's so docile with me that I can just slide her across the floor when she moves in for the sneak attack, but she is rather persistent, and turns around and waddles right back...

This seems to be a kind of a new game to her.

I HOPE this isn't going to be an everyday thing... But, I think I can break them of it.

 

[Selestine]

If anyone can break them of it, I'm sure it'll be you

That said.. SET UP A VIDEO CAMERA TOMORROW o.o

 

[RavensGryf]

Ha! THEY think it's going to start being an everyday thing! They're probably conspiring when you're not there

I don't like when the birds are on the floor either, but in my case it's because they're not big and flashy, and can easily get stepped on.

 

[Birdman666]

Ha! THEY think it's going to start being an everyday thing! They're probably conspiring when you're not there

I don't like when the birds are on the floor either, but in my case it's because they're not big and flashy, and can easily get stepped on.

In my case, this is where the arguments and territorial behaviors can develop... I want to nip that one in the bud right now...

I don't mind Tusk and Lila waddling around, but once the two macaws go down on top of it, the zonstend to become defensive, and it's on...

Right now I'm just putting them back, but if they don't knock it off, they're going to lose thier morning out time rituals... Everyone gets caged until feeding time is over. For about a week. Til you start behaving again.

It's my job as a bird dad... make sure they maintain their training and discipline.

 

[Birdman666]

So this morning we were right back to our usual routine...

Apparently this new climb down onto the floor deal is a weekend thing. When I sleep in, they know I'm going to be home with them. When I'm up at the usual time, I don't have time for that... (either that, or they're still sleepy.)

 

[RavensGryf]

Funny. I guess they can sense the vibe... Whether it's relaxed or busy and no time for games . It will be interesting to see what they do NEXT weekend!