Dinosrawr
New member
- Aug 15, 2013
- 1,587
- 9
- Parrots
- Avery, a GCC born on March 5th, 2013 & Shiko, a blue IRN born on February 25th, 2014
WOW. Let me just say that I'm incredibly amazed right now by Shiko! 
Today I decided it was a good idea to have the birds get more accustomed to my boyfriend's parents, so we all watched a movie together with the birds. I'm generally always concerned about Shiko when we try and watch movies or play games simply because he always needs stimulation - he needs a toy, to preen, something to destroy, something to explore... the list is endless :52:. But today he was TAMED. And to my incredible surprise, it wasn't even by me. It was by my boyfriend's mother.
So, we're sitting there watching the movie and I'm talking to them about Shiko, his likes, dislikes, yatta yatta, and how he's always been great around strangers. He's incredibly gentle, doesn't bite, and while he gets scared at first he will step up if bribed with a treat. He also takes "forced" cuddles, where you lay him against your chest with your hand and he kind of just calms down and sits there while you stroke his head. He's never particularly loved this nor hated it, rather he tolerated it and it was my way to kind of get my snuggles in when I could no longer handle how cute he was. Of course I NEVER recommend this to anyone - Shiko is exceptionally tolerant and never holds a grudge and was claimed to be a very cuddly bird by his breeder. I never believed her until tonight.
So, as I'm discussing how you can "force-love" Shiko and how it was my guilty pleasure, I hand him over to Kathryn to try it with. Lo-and-behold, she starts stroking him from head to tail like you would a dog. I would NEVER do this because one, Avery hates it and so I never consider it, and two, it's somewhat of a no-no in the birdy world. Well, to my great surprise she doesn't have to force-love him anymore. He melts into her hand like a big blue puddle, makes happy purring sounds, and becomes the mushiest bird I have EVER had the chance to meet
. I thought it was sheer luck and that he was stunned at being handled by a stranger, but no. During two out of a nearly three hour movie, he cuddled into my neck while I stroked him from head to tail lightly and softly to the point where he fell asleep on me. I have never had a bird do that, and it melted my heart completely.
I don't have any pictures, but I promise I'll get some soon and add them here! I never thought I'd ever be able to cuddle him, despite his breeder's claim of being a very lovey, cuddly bird. So I just wanted to share how absolutely thrilled I am that I have not one, but TWO cuddle monsters on my hands! Though one hates to admit it
Today I decided it was a good idea to have the birds get more accustomed to my boyfriend's parents, so we all watched a movie together with the birds. I'm generally always concerned about Shiko when we try and watch movies or play games simply because he always needs stimulation - he needs a toy, to preen, something to destroy, something to explore... the list is endless :52:. But today he was TAMED. And to my incredible surprise, it wasn't even by me. It was by my boyfriend's mother. So, we're sitting there watching the movie and I'm talking to them about Shiko, his likes, dislikes, yatta yatta, and how he's always been great around strangers. He's incredibly gentle, doesn't bite, and while he gets scared at first he will step up if bribed with a treat. He also takes "forced" cuddles, where you lay him against your chest with your hand and he kind of just calms down and sits there while you stroke his head. He's never particularly loved this nor hated it, rather he tolerated it and it was my way to kind of get my snuggles in when I could no longer handle how cute he was. Of course I NEVER recommend this to anyone - Shiko is exceptionally tolerant and never holds a grudge and was claimed to be a very cuddly bird by his breeder. I never believed her until tonight.
So, as I'm discussing how you can "force-love" Shiko and how it was my guilty pleasure, I hand him over to Kathryn to try it with. Lo-and-behold, she starts stroking him from head to tail like you would a dog. I would NEVER do this because one, Avery hates it and so I never consider it, and two, it's somewhat of a no-no in the birdy world. Well, to my great surprise she doesn't have to force-love him anymore. He melts into her hand like a big blue puddle, makes happy purring sounds, and becomes the mushiest bird I have EVER had the chance to meet
. I thought it was sheer luck and that he was stunned at being handled by a stranger, but no. During two out of a nearly three hour movie, he cuddled into my neck while I stroked him from head to tail lightly and softly to the point where he fell asleep on me. I have never had a bird do that, and it melted my heart completely. I don't have any pictures, but I promise I'll get some soon and add them here! I never thought I'd ever be able to cuddle him, despite his breeder's claim of being a very lovey, cuddly bird. So I just wanted to share how absolutely thrilled I am that I have not one, but TWO cuddle monsters on my hands! Though one hates to admit it
