a_osborne
New member
- Feb 17, 2013
- 121
- 0
- Parrots
- Green cheek conure - Eva
Lutino Indian Ringneck - Adrian
Blue head pionus - Milo
Hello all! I haven't been on in forever and don't know if anyone will remember me. My name is Abbey and I have a lutino female named Adrian. She is about 14 months old now but I first started talking to you fellow IRN lovers when we got her at just 8 weeks old. We had a really bumpy start and, if anyone remembers, I was desperate and posting on here all the time trying to get help. The bluffing stage was LONG and exhausting with Adrian, but I am happy to report that she has come so far! We started out not even being able to get her to step up. She was mean and nasty from day one and stepping up alone took months to teach. Stepping up onto my hand without immediately biting took even longer. Then sitting on skin for an extended period without biting was EVEN longer. I thought for sure I would never be able to touch my bird. That's all over now! She still has plenty of growing and improving to do, but she has come so far. She now steps up no problem and is happy to just sit on my arm and preen. She gets bored pretty easily, so I have to keep her almost constantly entertained (when she isn't preening) or she will begin to nibble, but her bites are nowhere near as severe as they used to be. She finally earned shoulder privileges within the past few week! She is only allowed on my shoulder for brief periods at a time as I still don't 100% trust her not to bite my face since I can't see what she is doing. She still can't be trusted with our conure (and she might never, but that's okay), but she is civil with her as long as the conure isn't close enough for her to reach. I think it's a jealousy thing. She has learned to mimic several whistles I do to her but hasn't spoken. I know some never do, but I am still hopeful that she will. She seems to try when she thinks I'm not listening
Anyway, sorry I haven't been on in so long. I'm so thankful for the help you all gave me during the most challenging times with Adrian and I'm so glad I stuck with it. Definitely worth it!