One of my favorite photos of Sally!

[Birdman666]

She blends into the tree, and becomes one with it. That is a big old birdie smile. Pure contentment if you ask me!

 

[Taw5106]

That is a great pic. How long did she get to hang out in the tree?

 

[Birdman666]

I try and get them all outside in a tree for an hour or two every night. (The macaws prefer a lap to a tree, but the rest of the birds play in the tree.)

Sally has special tree privileges... she gets tree time for about as long as she wants. She's been out in the tree for as long as 8-9 hours at a time. When she feels like coming down she calls me, even if I'm inside. When I tell her it's time to come in, I call her and she comes down.

 

[Phlox]

That's some powerful recall training. How do you get a bird to that point? (not that I'm real likely to try, too many hawks around here but I'm totally amazed.) Is it a matter of bonding or a matter of training?

I'd really love to hear more about it.

 

[Birdman666]

It's both.

My reputation down at the rescue was "somewhat" made because of my work with this bird... This was a bird that was due to be destroyed because she was vicious and unable to be handled. She was badly abused by a former owner, and had a panic disorder, and would attack with intent to maim...

She was a five hour per day, seven day per week project for about four months. INTENSE rehab and training. But I was pretty determined to prove my point... and along the way, I got a bird that was super bonded, that there is no way I could ever part with. (I actually took her on as a foster bird, thinking I wasn't going to keep her. Just prove my point that she wasn't past the point of no return. Get her tame, and find her a new home.)

It's part bond, and part training. She is recalled. She is startled trained. She is stay put trained. She is out and about trained. She is car seat trained. She is bite pressure trained. She is socialized around other birds, dogs, and cats. She knows a couple of tricks, but really didn't have the temperment for it, so she knows bowling, and plays catch, and does a couple of other things (wooden puzzles and such) but that's about it.

But I would say the bond is the bigger component.

She is also my flock leader. She mother hens the other birds, and keeps them in line.

She's a very special bird!

 

[Pinkbirdy]

That is a gorgeous picture

 

[Kiwibird]

Where is she? Is that just a red flower or a brilliantly camouflaged parrot in that tree I think it's wonderful your birds get to hang out in real trees. We've tried setting Kiwi in (small) trees before, but he gets all indignant like "what is this filthy thing your setting me on". He is definitely a diva bird. He does love grass (Though I do not. He used to run in the "no animals allowed" gated courtyard at out old apartment complex. When we have a backyard with a fence and I can be sure no dogs have been using it as a toilet, he can run in the grass again but a public park is a no-go).

 

[RavensGryf]

Very cute. I love how she blends in. I think Red Loreds are so gorgeous to see in person.

 

[4dugnlee]

How beautiful! What a great thing you did for her...and I'm sure all your other birds are just as happy!

 

[PetoftheDay]

Awww, nice photo, she looks quite at home there! What a story, too! You should sooooooooo nominate her for Pet of the Day sometime!

 

[TessieB]

Oh yeah, she's a happy bird!

 

[witchbaby]

Great photo! Gorgeous bird.

 

[Taw5106]

I say nominate her, gorgeous pic.

 

[Abigal7]

Sally is very pretty.

 

[Birdman666]

Where is she? Is that just a red flower or a brilliantly camouflaged parrot in that tree I think it's wonderful your birds get to hang out in real trees. We've tried setting Kiwi in (small) trees before, but he gets all indignant like "what is this filthy thing your setting me on". He is definitely a diva bird. He does love grass (Though I do not. He used to run in the "no animals allowed" gated courtyard at out old apartment complex. When we have a backyard with a fence and I can be sure no dogs have been using it as a toilet, he can run in the grass again but a public park is a no-go).

Tusk, my CAG actually has several phrases he uses in context:

1. Wanna go outside.
2. Wanna go for a walk.
3. Wanna go in the tree.

The amazons both just not their heads at the door or the window that looks out on the tree, and make flipping gestures as if they were flying. (That's take me outside and put me in the tree.) If Sally does it, and I set her down again, she will give me an initial burst of Amazon yell... and then do the head motion, and wing flipping...

That's "apparently you didn't get the message. Wanna go outside RIGHT NOW!"

I try and get them out every day, though lately it's been triple digits, so it's been too hot.

 

[Anansi]

Sally is a beautiful bird, Mark. I'm glad you "proved your point" and saved her from being put down.

You have quite a gift. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Birdman666]

Sally is a beautiful bird, Mark. I'm glad you "proved your point" and saved her from being put down.

You have quite a gift. Thanks for sharing.

Trust me, so am I! This little bird and I have been through a lot together.