Silly Question

[crzybird]

Ok, I've got my birds seperated and Sunny is doing ok. I'm a little concerned with Kiwi(Nanday). She will still come and sit on my shoulder, but she's doing this thing where she's wiping her beak on me, and then she'll rub her head against my cheek, but when I try to pet her she's still biting me. She wont let my fingers get anywhere close to her unless there is food in them. Whats she doing with the rubbing her beak on me? And why does she want to rub against my cheek but not letting me pet her? And then does anyone have any advice on getting them to talk? I know she says pretty bird but she only does it when she's in her cage covered up and its quiet in the house. I cant get her to say it for me any other time. Also...I have seen mixed opinions on this but some people tell me that conures love popcorn but I was told they cant have salt because they cant excrete it. What do you do here? And can they really eat just about anything they want to? Kiwi loves breadsticks but I dont know if its safe to actually let her have them once in a while. And my last question.....Can you rub them on their bellies? I was told that this is a favorite of most birds but then I was told not to because it could possibly make them aggressive as well as rubbing them on their backs? Is this ok or not ok to do?

 

[BillsBirds]

Popcorn is okay occasionally, not salted, no butter. Just natural. She's what we call a "closet talker". She'll probably eventually come around to talking when someone is around. You can help that by repeating what she says alone during the day when she's with you. Her flock instinct will make her identify with your sounds and eventually she'll talk with you there. Just like everything else, things have to go at her pace. The fact that she touches you shows she's not afraid. But, unsure. Give her time. Still keep trying to pet her occasionally. And the belly scratch is a big debate. Some people think it makes them aggressive and hormonal. Others say no. Try it if you want, and if you see more aggressive behavior, stop. Her back & rump is a definite no-no.

 

[Remy]

The rubbing she is doing is called "surfing", which is a sign of affection. It sounds like she's still not completely comfortable, but the surfing is a good sign.

With all those foods, she can have them a little bit as a treat (the less salt and butter the better), but not as part of her regular diet. You could make plain popcorn. Just like with humans, too much salt and butter is not good.

Where the bird can be petted depends on the bird. Puck is the only bird I've had that likes to be touched on the belly.

 

[roxynoodle]

Honestly, my Nanday really doesn't let me pet her either and we've been together for more than 11 years. She also rubs her beak on my cheek or hand or neck or even my shirt. She loves to kiss. I can usually pet her beak a little and touch her feet. Anything else is a maybe. She was 8 months old when I bought her and hadn't been handled much. Maybe if I had gotten her right after she was weaned she would like petting. I love her just as much though as any other bird I have/had. She is a very active girl, always wanting to run or fly here and there, and get into everything. She loves to be on me, but she runs all over my body sampling the different fabrics I'm wearing, tries to pick off my freckles and loves to preen my hair.

She does love popcorn but she goes so crazy for it, I hardly ever eat it, lol! I give her some before I salt it by setting it aside in another bowl. But, she would honestly eat 30 pieces if I let her, so I very rarely make it. It might be her favorite food, but I don't want her gorging on it. But, it's not really fair either to sit there and eat it in front of her without giving her some.

Bread is fine, but multi grain bread is healthier than white. Again, just don't go overboard. Try to keep pellets at 70-80% of the diet.

As for talking, they will talk to you when they are ready. Sometimes they like to practice first, like when the cage is covered. Or you might hear them doing it when their heads are in a toy. Just keep talking to them. My Nanday actually knows more words than my amazon and Grey put together. Although she doesn't talk a lot. She seems to do it more when she has a reason, like she needs/wants to tell me something.

 

[crzybird]

Again I appreciate everyone's input and advice. I've had to make a hard decision recently pertaining to the Sun conure. Something terrible happened to this bird before we got them. He cowers and hides his face whenever he can if we try to interact with him. We decided that a home as full as ours probably isnt the best place for him. There is a man that lives down the street that has experience with birds. He has a dove right now that is tamed and he said he could work with Sunny and promised to love him. I think that it would be better for him in the long run. I love him very much but I'm worried about his health if he's this scared around us. Kiwi my Nanday doesnt seem at all spooked or scared of us, I mean I've got pictures of her on every one of my kids' heads. My mom and grandma came to visit and she was on their heads. She's active and friendly in that aspect of things. So I've decided to let Sunny go with someone who has more experience than I do. It makes me sad though. I've always wanted a bird I can pet and love on, I'm a stay at home mom so I'm pretty lonely without someone to talk to during the day. i was hoping to have a bird to be a companion, sad as it may be its the truth. I'll continue working with Kiwi and i'll also be keeping my eye out for a new baby. Maybe I can find one young enough that I can do stuff with.

 

[roxynoodle]

I totally understand where you're coming from. My BCC was the cuddle bunny. Now it's my Grey. I love them all the same, but it's nice to have one that just wants loved on all the time.