Stuck with a bird?

[mgarvie]

I was just wondering, how many people here got stuck with another family member's bird?


It's cage cleaning day so I always rant for an hour or two every Sunday. My mother got an Amazon KNOWING it would out live her! Now I'm stuck with a bird that I do not want but won't give away for fear he wouldn't get the proper care. At least he gets pampered until I die, after that?????

 

[noodles123]

LOL---
I applaud your honesty and it is great that you understand the importance of a good home for your mom's "baby". I chose my bird... but
I worry about this ALL THE TIME--because it's something that is hard to do if you don't fully WANT to be doing it (heck, I grumble sometimes and I made the call to get Noodles). I'm in my 30s.
I'm hoping somebody has a kid who really likes Noodles so that by the time I'm old, they can take her. Covid certainly has me anxious about what would happen if things took a turn for the worse sooner!

How long have you had him?
Do you guys get along okay?

A lot of people set up trusts for them and put them in their will so that the care-taker is obligated to abide by certain standards legally...a lot of work, but food for thought.

This forum is really helpful in terms of all sorts of advice (bonding, safety etc etc). I know there are other people on here caring for birds that they "inherited"

 

[mgarvie]

He turned seventeen last month and he's been with us three years. He hates everyone but tolerates me. I'm the only one that can pick him up. Seems to like the dogs better than people.

 

[T00tsyd]

Oh dear this is a major dread for me. What happens to Syd when I go? Your reaction is exactly how I would imagine my daughter will feel. Much as she has said she will have him and he really likes her, I know that on her part it is toleration rather than love. I have tried to rehome him twice - neither worked out, so this really concerns me.

 

[noodles123]

haha! My cockatoo loves dogs too (which isn't the safest attraction lol)

If he has any shadowy spaces in his cage---like huts etc, consider removing those (1. they are dangerous but 2. they are hormonal triggers and can lead to moody/aggressive behavior). Never partially cover the cage or anything during the day-- covering should only be at bedtime.

How much sleep does he get nightly?
What does he eat?
Does he has a large cage?
Does he seem to know how to play with toys?
Do you pet him at all? If so, stick to the head and neck only- the rest is generally sexual.

I'm just throwing things out there to see if maybe you can increase bonding if you can get some potential environmental triggers taken care of.

 

[mgarvie]

How much sleep does he get nightly?

Bedtime is 8:30 most days in our house and he does not want to get back in his cage. We're up at 4am when he gets fed and back in the cage while I'm at work. The wife sits next to the cage and watches TV during the day.

What does he eat?

Pellets are always in his gage but mostly fresh fruit and veggies. Pickier than a little kid.

Does he has a large cage?

Pretty good size.

Does he seem to know how to play with toys?

He's never been interested in toys. Seems happy with a book to shred and cardboard tubes with paper and an almond inside to shred.

Do you pet him at all? If so, stick to the head and neck only- the rest is generally sexual.

Anytime I walk by the cage he gets scritches. Or the dreaded times he has to sit on my hand on the patio while I have a beer.

 

[noodles123]

lol @ patio.

If you can get him 12 hours a night on a schedule (10 bare minimum) that can really mellow them out a bit in terms of hormones and it also is essential for immune function. So, you might want to try gradually getting him to bed earlier if he's waking at 4...or darken his sleep space and put him in a quieter room so that he can sleep past 4.


You didn't mention the huts/tents. Are there any in his cage?

You CAN teach them to play with toys (by introducing them really slowly from many feet away and modeling play/rewarding any interest/proximity to the toy once you get to the point of moving the toy closer), but what you said abt being picky also applies here-- they don't all like the same types of toys. You might try wood, sea-grass or shredding types of toys (based on his paper-towel interest). You do want to be careful with paper-towel rolls due to the adhesive on them. Same with books- the inks/adhesives can be unsafe, so just be aware of that.

To improve your relationship, try to associate yourself with as many low-key/low-stress things as possible and positive things that he likes (without trying to force him to do things if he hesitates) They move in slow motion.

You may want to try cutting back on fruit some, as the sugar can impact them. It's fine to give a little bit daily, but think about how small he is, and think about the fact that a grape to him would be like 100 to you lol.

Does he step up willingly?
Any behavior issues?

I am not criticizing what you are doing-- AT ALL. I am just trying to see if I can help, but if it "aint broke"....