New Meyers, and feeling very anxious...

[ziggybird]

Hi there!

I grew up in Chicago in a house with a double yellow headed amazon (Ziggy) and a blue and gold macaw (Max). My parents had the birds before I was born and they still happily live with my parents in Chicago.

I moved to Los Angeles about 2.5 years ago and have been DYING to get a bird of my own.

The other day my brother (best brother in the world) bought me my own bird. I initially wanted an African Grey but because I live in an apartment and sometimes work long or irregular hours I thought that perhaps this wouldn't be the best bird for my lifestyle right now.

I decided to get a Meyers because everything I read about them was that they were pretty independent and fairly quite (as far as parrots go) and that they were very good at adjusting to a wonky routine. Even though she wasn't my dream species, coming from owning larger birds I always imagined myself also owning larger parrots, but she seemed to fit best with my life.

Things have been going just ok so far... It's been 3 days now since I've had her. She is eating alright and lets me pick her up, and loves playing on the play gym I got her.

What I am having difficulty with (besides picking out a name) is adjusting to this new bird.

I'm use to my birds back in Chicago that love to let me scratch their heads, share food with me, and also love to have quiet down time watching tv with the family.

She seems to want VERY little to do with me at all... she just wants to play on her gym, and tweet A LOT. She also flaps her wings a lot if I hold her more more than a minute. And she never really calms down until I put the cover on her at night.

I am freaking out thinking I made the wrong decision. I know it will take time for her to trust me before she will let me scratch her and all of that... and I'm not expecting her to be the same as my other birds... but I am just so scared that I made the wrong decision.

I'm scared that maybe Meyers are TOO independent and she won't ever want much to do with me. And even though logically I know that in time she will trust me... I can't help but feel so anxious and like I made the wrong decision and I should have gone with a grey or an eclectus.

I feel SO guilty for feeling like this, especially cause I haven't even given her a chance!

Is it kinda normal to feel anxious like this? Or do you think it's my gut telling me something? Can someone calm my nerves please?

Sorry for the long post... I just never thought I would feel this way.

 

[weco]

Since you sometimes work crazy hours, it actually may work out better than you think. A bird that is not used to crazy hours might be to dependent & it end up a problem down the road, whereas, one coming in on crazy hours might be more forgiving, just be careful about offering more than you can give...time wise.

For the past 9 years, all of my birds have lived with me coming & going, sometimes up to six months at a time. To help them keep from getting too upset with me, I made a couple of DVDs & 3 CDs.

One particular time I left, I'd come home for a week to re-home two birds for a friend whose doctor had told her it was either her health or the birds. She'd found homes for all but her bonded sun & nanday conures. She couldn't find a home she trusted, where she lived, so I'd offered to take them.....she was afraid someone would split the up & sell them. I went & got them & brought them home, was there for a few days & had to leave again.

A couple days later my birdsitter was cleaning cages & the birds were out, so she played one of the CDs & when I started talking, the new nanday walked all around one of the speakers trying to find me...he never did figure that one out, because sometimes I'll tease him, by playing the CD by remote, them popup in a window & he'll look from the speaker to me then usually decide to fly to me in the window & I haven't said a thing.....

Before I downsized, I would come home & as soon as I opened the cages, I'd have 16 birds on me & nobody would fight...they all just wanted to be on me & get some scritches they'd been missing.....

Once a bird is used to crazy hours, they can usually handle changes much easier than one that's used to an established routine.....just give it what attention you can & see where it goes, you may be surprised.....good luck.....

 

[Turquoise]

Welcome to the forum. You didn't mention how old your Meyers is or if it is a re-homed bird. This info can help with answers to your questions. I have never owned a Meyers, so I don't know their general personality. I can tell you that 3 days is really too soon to worry about her not liking you or wanting to interact with you. She needs time to adjust to her new home & you. I know you already know this, I just mean that she should come around if you let her settle in first.

Good luck with her & don't give up on your girl too soon.

 

[ziggybird]

She is 9 months old and was bought from a bird store where she was hand raised.

I think I'm just having a new mom freak out. I know 3 days is nothing.

I'm anxious cause it's so new... and she just has SO much energy and chirps almost constantly and I wasn't expecting that at all. I'm worried that she will never calm down.

 

[ziggybird]

I will also say that I am feeling better this morning.

Tukki is much calmer this morning and so am I.

I think there was a vicious circle thing going on last night where she was anxious, which made me anxious, which made her more anxious, which sent me into a panic!

 

[Turquoise]

very understandable about being anxious. I am every time I bring a new bird home. I think probably we all do. Love the name Tukki and she is young so I bet she settles in to your schedule really fast.

Not owning a Meyers in the past, I can't help with if her behavior is just from being in a new place or is just her. I'm sure someone who keeps them will be able to give insight on their daily activities. I didn't mean to sound like I didn't think you knew what you were doing. I apologize for it sounding as I did. Glad to hear Tukki is calming down now, I think she is liking her new home.

 

[ziggybird]

Thanks so much! It's really helpful to know that I'm not the only one that has been sent into freak out mode.

Tukki has been really good today. Playful on her gym, but not super anxious like last night. She's eating better too and has had a good bit of quiet time with me as well.

I was home most of the day today, we'll see how she does tomorrow when I have my first super long day away!