Unsure how to proceed...

[Ladyeclectic]

Some of you may have surmised that, last weekend, my boyfriend (and by default, I), adopted a 4-month old baby Sun conure. It was pretty obvious she'd never been in a cage before but seems to be getting the hang of moving about on the bars and various perches.

My boyfriend, bless his heart, is like me when I first got Mishka: he wants results now, so he's taking the breeder's advice and towelling the bird daily. He's as gentle as he can be but no matter how much I've tried to tell him to let the poor dear be, just be with it and let it get used to his voice and presence, he sends me updates when I'm at work or running errands on how the towelling session went. *sigh*

I'd love to do with this bird what I did with Mishka (hang out constantly beside her cage just talking, reading etc until she gets used to me), but I have my little Mishka to hang out with (happy to oblige! ) and we're enforcing a strict quarentine so I can't hang out with both. Mishka is VERY interested in the Sun which I find cute - she hangs off every part of us she can, straining for the bedroom - but it'll be a while before they're introduced.

Obviously towelling is one method that can be employed to tame a bird since so many (our vet, the breeder, various websites etc) espouse it. Should I put the kabosh on the towelling exercises (he'll listen to me if I put my foot down), or is it alright for him to continue? He (the Dude) is so like me when I got my Green-cheek, excited to interact with his new baby. I'm just curious if there's any long-term consequences with his method (my experience has been with this forum's knowledge and what I gleaned from PFD).

Thanks in advance.

 

[Von1983]

I'm no expert in towelling....no expert at all obviously!!!!

But, I have to say....this "forced" interaction.....I just can't get my heart to agree with it. My head says: In a way it could be good for bonding if the bird doesn't mind it at all? My heart says: You know full well parrots aren't like dogs, it needs to be on their terms....

I don't know. I'm afraid I'd choose your method which was the same as my method. It took Cal to go from no interaction to velcro in a month. I have to hand on heart say that it was so rewarding letting her do it on her terms, knowing she was interacting with me of her own accord and not "learned" behaviour.

Also, sunnies as a rule, are way more outgoing than green cheeks so I doubt rushing things will be necessary or productive for your Calypso!

Just my thoughts on the matter

 

[Ladyeclectic]

Yeah that's my thought too. On Tuesday or Wednesday she was out and about her cage while I laid on the bed beside her, and almost took a cracker out of my hand (before realizing she didn't like it lol), but after he had to "tire her out" yesterday all she wanted to do was hide in her snuggle-hut.

I think this afternoon I'm going to have a talk with him. He wanted to do this with Mishka when we first got her but I insisted on holding off until she was more comfortable - when we actually tried handling her on day 10, she was nervous but sat still on our fingers with minimal fuss.

I'm just not keen on how fast he's taking things - I don't think she perched much before coming to us, and now we're insisting she take to being handled.

Lol I guess my mind was already made up, I just wanted to talk it through.

 

[Von1983]

I'm with you, always the best way to talk!

Cal rarely ever sits on her perches - too active!!! Still, you know your Calypso has to get used to her cage surroundings comfortably as well as toys etc. Proper bar hangers are the sunnies but really, you want her to whizz round the cage and explore - not moping in her snuggy hut because too much has been asked of her. From what you just said, it doesn't sound like she's appreciating the gung-ho method.

 

[Pheonix Rising]

3 words he needs to remember when dealing with birds

Time
patience
respect

Take your time be patient and show your bird respect by letting it come to you in it's own time
pushing a bird to do things Is not a way to build a loving lasting relationship

 

[SharonC]

I read that some prefer the "towelling," but I too, can't get my heart to agree. I think the bond will be much deeper, if he earns the bird's trust first, before he handles her...

 

[jonsbabykake]

my breeder told me to towel the bird for the first 3 days too, and we did that obviously while we were at the breeders cuz he was showing us how, but at home i didnt do it. i tried to get her out of the cage once like that and she was very scared, so i said no this isnt going to work. she was very aggressive toward the towel and even tried to tear at it much like an angry dog would. she was aggressive toward us the first day or two and would lunge at us, biting at the bars. but just sitting next to her everyday and telling her shes a good bird, saying her name and all that has calmed her down. she only lunges at night now when its bedtime lol. it is always up to the individual person though what they think is right. my husband wanted me to towel but i didnt want to, and it takes much longer this way then being forced to sit with u all the time, but its going to have a great reward with it.

 

[Tarislar]

My boyfriend, bless his heart, is like me when I first got Mishka: he wants results now, so he's taking the breeder's advice and towelling the bird daily.

First thing is to get him to stop doing this immediately. Your breeder is an idiot.

Toweling is traumatic for the bird. Don't do it. Forced interaction like this will lead to other psychological issues down the line, screaming, biting and destructive behavior.

Stop it now.

Parrots give you results when THEY feel like it. Either have patience or don't get a parrot.