Visited Flower again today

[aether-drifter]

And it went really well! Her owner brought her downstairs, away from her cage, and she was a lot more outgoing than on my first visit. She warmed up to me quite a bit (even though she's still a little standoffish), and actually puffed and let me give her cheek and head scritches. I was also very relieved to see that she isn't as emotionally damaged as I thought. She seems to like wandering around on the floor, exploring, and getting into trouble like a normal galah. She went straight for my shoes, so it seems the sneaker dangly toy was a good choice! I can't wait to spoil her with lots of things to chew on.

I was also relieved to see that she does know how to fly. A noise spooked her, and she instantly flapped up into the air, gaining a surprising amount of lift for an overweight, out of shape, partially clipped puffball. She's not exactly graceful, but it does seem like she was allowed to fledge and knows the basics of flight control.

She's a really well-behaved bird. Doesn't nip or bite at all, barely makes a peep, doesn't make a fuss when she's put back in her cage. She's skittish, but even after she gets spooked, she settles down quickly and rolls with the punches. Honestly, she really doesn't seem to have any behavioral issues. I think I really lucked out in finding her!

 

[MikeyTN]

When you going to bring her home???

 

[aether-drifter]

On the 18th...can't wait! I'm shopping for her in the meantime. Must have everything ready for her arrival.

 

[MikeyTN]

The shopping part never stops....everytime you look at something you would go um she would like to have something too.....lol

 

[aether-drifter]

I keep having to restrain myself from ordering more toys! I already have a bunch at home, and more on the way...plus, I don't know her preferences yet!

Important things are ordered -- cage, play stand, perches, and food.

 

[getwozzy]

She looks like a sweetheart!!! The 18th will be here before you know it

 

[Maria_Metropolis]

What a cutie!!! I just want to kiss her!!!

Congrats, she's beautiful.

 

[aether-drifter]

Me too Maria! She seemed unsure of me, but when I leaned my face in toward her that's when she made a little noise and fluffed up her head for scritches. She loved it, but then when I was done, she hissed at me...she's a sassy thing.

 

[Jayyj]

Hissing from a galah doesn't seem to mean the same thing as in some other species - round here it's a sure sign she wants a cuddle off someone. It really threw me at first, as I assumed it was a fear response to warn me off and couldn't understand why she'd do it whilst burrowing her head into my neck. But there's a whole lexicon of galah specific body language to pick up - they're such expressive little things!

 

[MomtoPercy]

Oh my word, she is gooorgeous!! I can totally understand your excitement!!

 

[strudel]

My girl looks positively anorexic compare to yours I'm so glad she's looking forward to coming to live with you. She's gonna love it!

 

[antoinette]

Flower is toooooo beautiful
Bet you are counting the hours

 

[aether-drifter]

Hissing from a galah doesn't seem to mean the same thing as in some other species - round here it's a sure sign she wants a cuddle off someone. It really threw me at first, as I assumed it was a fear response to warn me off and couldn't understand why she'd do it whilst burrowing her head into my neck. But there's a whole lexicon of galah specific body language to pick up - they're such expressive little things!

Ah, that's funny! I look forward to getting to know her and her odd galah mannerisms.

My girl looks positively anorexic compare to yours I'm so glad she's looking forward to coming to live with you. She's gonna love it!

Yeah...she's pretty pudgy! lol. But the good thing is, she doesn't appear to have any lipomas or liver issues. I guess she's young enough that poor diet and being a perch potato hasn't had time to do severe or lasting damage. I should probably take her for a new bird vet check and have her assessed, but I don't see any obvious signs of illness.

 

[getwozzy]

I think I know what you mean by the hissing- I never thought of it as a hiss though because Chili does it when she wants more snuggles.... But if you ask betrisher- her galah does it when he's charging after her!! haha

 

[strudel]

Yeah...she's pretty pudgy!

I'll take your word for that, you've been up close, it's just when you've got somebody at home "the same" who doesn't have so much bird "out the front" you really notice the difference in their appearance. I think Flower looks lovely, she's a very pretty bird (but I'm biased, I think all galahs are lovely)
Was the hissing the weird puffing noise? They do that when they are happy. When she's sitting with me my girl just does that all the time. She "puffs", she's like a little puffing billy steam train. There are no associated body movements, it's just the noise by itself.

 

[Jumpingtadpoles]

She's soooo cute!

 

[mtdoramike]

What a pretty bird.

 

[drlisaort]

She is stunning!!!!!! What a beautiful, beautiful feather child you are getting....

 

[aether-drifter]

Was the hissing the weird puffing noise? They do that when they are happy. When she's sitting with me my girl just does that all the time. She "puffs", she's like a little puffing billy steam train. There are no associated body movements, it's just the noise by itself.

It might have been! I interpreted it as a hiss because she didn't seem totally sure whether or not to trust me, even though she asked me for scritches...but there were no other body movements when she made that sound.

She's soooo cute!

What a pretty bird.

Thanks...I agree.