Yesterday and today were pretty uneventful.
Tully seems to have adjusted really well and the others are accepting her more and more.
Yesterday, Tully showed a preference for my boyfriend, today it was for me. Maybe it's because I shared a peach with her...she definitively likes food :)
She didn't squeak as much today either.
I don't think she made the sound because of being uncomfortable; it seems that today she was more in a whistling mood.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Day 3
I have found a nickname for Tully during her stay here.
Squeaky McGee.
Seriously, she's a squeaker. It's so cute.
(Don't ask about the "McGee" part, I don't know myself, it just came out that way..)
Squeaky McGee.
Seriously, she's a squeaker. It's so cute.
(Don't ask about the "McGee" part, I don't know myself, it just came out that way..)
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Birdsitting - Days 1 & 2
So for a little over a week I will have a third Meyer's here.
I am birdsitting her for a friend.
Tully has been here since yesterday. Her owner dropped her off around 12h30. It took no time for Tully to adjust to her new surroundings. Soon, she was out with the rest of my flock (and yes all birds are healthy and they have been hanging out in close proximity before, at Parrot meetings Tully's owner and I both go to). Tully, being an only bird, had to learn some parrot-socialization skills. She was a bit of a bully at first, but quickly learned to share bigger play gyms/areas. I also got to hear the cutest wolf whistle to have ever come out of a parrot (surprisingly none of mine do it...). She ate and drank like she was at her own place. She has no issue with the "up" command, a little more difficulties with the "down" (specially when it involves going back in her cage). Overall, the first day was a good day.
Day 2
She got out of her cage the moment I opened it. She went back and forth between my boyfriend and I, showing a slight preference for him, which can be somewhat of an issue at times since Petey spends a lot of time on my boyfriend and she doesn't really tolerate other birds on him at the same time (she's come to tolerate Joey if he's far enough from her), so extra precautions are taken when Tully might want to jump on the boyfriend if he has Petey.
Also, on day one, Zuri was a little afraid of Tully (I never thought Zuri would be afraid of another bird), but, in what is probably an effort to regain her reputation, Zuri changed her attitude today. I had to intervene on a number of occasions where I think she would of wanted to show Tully who is boss...maybe it's a jealousy thing, I'm not sure. However, I do make sure that I give my regulars their daily dose of one on one before doing the same with Tully. Just to remind them I haven't forgotten the flock order. Tully has also shared a smaller stand with Shade with no trouble (Shade is cool with just about any bird). This happened during Nutriberry eating time, and Tully actually stole Shade's half of a Nutriberry when she wasn't watching (Shade takes pieces off, deposits the bigger piece, and proceeds to eat the smaller one, starting over again when she's done).
So really, Food = Peace, at least when sharing a small tabletop perch.
It will be interesting to see tomorrow's dynamic, as it's back to work for me and less out of cage time for them.
I am birdsitting her for a friend.
Tully has been here since yesterday. Her owner dropped her off around 12h30. It took no time for Tully to adjust to her new surroundings. Soon, she was out with the rest of my flock (and yes all birds are healthy and they have been hanging out in close proximity before, at Parrot meetings Tully's owner and I both go to). Tully, being an only bird, had to learn some parrot-socialization skills. She was a bit of a bully at first, but quickly learned to share bigger play gyms/areas. I also got to hear the cutest wolf whistle to have ever come out of a parrot (surprisingly none of mine do it...). She ate and drank like she was at her own place. She has no issue with the "up" command, a little more difficulties with the "down" (specially when it involves going back in her cage). Overall, the first day was a good day.
Day 2
She got out of her cage the moment I opened it. She went back and forth between my boyfriend and I, showing a slight preference for him, which can be somewhat of an issue at times since Petey spends a lot of time on my boyfriend and she doesn't really tolerate other birds on him at the same time (she's come to tolerate Joey if he's far enough from her), so extra precautions are taken when Tully might want to jump on the boyfriend if he has Petey.
Also, on day one, Zuri was a little afraid of Tully (I never thought Zuri would be afraid of another bird), but, in what is probably an effort to regain her reputation, Zuri changed her attitude today. I had to intervene on a number of occasions where I think she would of wanted to show Tully who is boss...maybe it's a jealousy thing, I'm not sure. However, I do make sure that I give my regulars their daily dose of one on one before doing the same with Tully. Just to remind them I haven't forgotten the flock order. Tully has also shared a smaller stand with Shade with no trouble (Shade is cool with just about any bird). This happened during Nutriberry eating time, and Tully actually stole Shade's half of a Nutriberry when she wasn't watching (Shade takes pieces off, deposits the bigger piece, and proceeds to eat the smaller one, starting over again when she's done).
So really, Food = Peace, at least when sharing a small tabletop perch.
It will be interesting to see tomorrow's dynamic, as it's back to work for me and less out of cage time for them.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Reflection gazing
I sometimes wonder what goes through my birds' heads.
This occasion was such an occasion.
I really wonder what he was thinking of the reflection...
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Changing allegiance?.. - Part 2
Joey's idea of "favorite person" really seems to have changed, or at least it's moved on to "favorite people".
He is truly becoming more needy for my attention and slowly letting go of my significant other (which I don't think SO minds too much, specially in the morning).
As happy as it makes me, it's also a little troublesome. Having to deal with 3 other birds that show some preference for me, including one very needy Lovebird, I have to make sure I give them all equal time..which to them, doesn't always mean enough. Luckily, Shade and Zuri can be somewhat independent and do enjoy playing on the play gyms a big deal which makes it easier to manage but Piper on the other hand seems like she would be happy living on me perpetualy. Still, I have found myself at times with the 4 of them around/on me and the occasional jealous bickering was relatively easy to stop.
The only relieve is that I know I won't have to deal with Petey going to same route as Joey any time soon..meaning I'll probably have time to get a system going for sharing myself in four and be quite comfortable with it before she ever really likes me enough to leave her treasured(and deserted)shoulder on my SO to come over and see me ;) This doesn't mean I didn't wish my relationship with Petey was, how to put it, easier and I will still work at it with her (she does love me when favorite food is involved).
In any case, the one thing that this has shown me is that birds who start off with a preference for a specific gender can really come around to liking everyone.
He is truly becoming more needy for my attention and slowly letting go of my significant other (which I don't think SO minds too much, specially in the morning).
As happy as it makes me, it's also a little troublesome. Having to deal with 3 other birds that show some preference for me, including one very needy Lovebird, I have to make sure I give them all equal time..which to them, doesn't always mean enough. Luckily, Shade and Zuri can be somewhat independent and do enjoy playing on the play gyms a big deal which makes it easier to manage but Piper on the other hand seems like she would be happy living on me perpetualy. Still, I have found myself at times with the 4 of them around/on me and the occasional jealous bickering was relatively easy to stop.
The only relieve is that I know I won't have to deal with Petey going to same route as Joey any time soon..meaning I'll probably have time to get a system going for sharing myself in four and be quite comfortable with it before she ever really likes me enough to leave her treasured(and deserted)shoulder on my SO to come over and see me ;) This doesn't mean I didn't wish my relationship with Petey was, how to put it, easier and I will still work at it with her (she does love me when favorite food is involved).
In any case, the one thing that this has shown me is that birds who start off with a preference for a specific gender can really come around to liking everyone.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Drowned Rat Look
I love the look of wet birds.
I once heard someone referred to it as the "Drowned Rat Look". Given the context, I find it rather cute.
I once heard someone referred to it as the "Drowned Rat Look". Given the context, I find it rather cute.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Rewarding good behavior
I think Petey is getting it.
She's been less aggressive of late with my other birds. Mind you, if they get too close, she'll be wanting to attack, but her idea of what is too close had gotten better.
Lately, I've been rewarding her for not chasing birds if they flew to "her" playgym. She's getting praised and, most importantly (to her eyes I'm sure), she's getting a Nutriberry (only one of the treats I can bribe her with, dried papaya and noodles being also favorites of hers).
She's a bright bird. Didn't take her long to figure out that tolerating the others a bit better means getting treats.
Of course, if the others are out, they also get a treat. Piper, Shade and Zuri need to give me a kiss for it. I'm also working to get Joey to do the same, although he's not catching on as fast. Might be because I think he's the less food motivated bird I have. As I'm writing this, Zuri is eating the discarded half of the Nutriberry he got.
She's been less aggressive of late with my other birds. Mind you, if they get too close, she'll be wanting to attack, but her idea of what is too close had gotten better.
Lately, I've been rewarding her for not chasing birds if they flew to "her" playgym. She's getting praised and, most importantly (to her eyes I'm sure), she's getting a Nutriberry (only one of the treats I can bribe her with, dried papaya and noodles being also favorites of hers).
She's a bright bird. Didn't take her long to figure out that tolerating the others a bit better means getting treats.
Of course, if the others are out, they also get a treat. Piper, Shade and Zuri need to give me a kiss for it. I'm also working to get Joey to do the same, although he's not catching on as fast. Might be because I think he's the less food motivated bird I have. As I'm writing this, Zuri is eating the discarded half of the Nutriberry he got.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Nesty Meyer's behaviour
Petey's obsession with creating dwelling out of hand towels/blankets continues....
Changing allegiance?
Lately, it seems Joey might have change allegiance, where his "favorite" person is concern.
From day 1, he's shown a preference for Bram, and the male gender in general. Slowly, I got him to as readily accept women like he does men. Now, it seems that he wants to spend more and more time with me. Still, in the morning the first person he wants to go to is Bram; however, I think that Bram's laptop (which he in on every morning) has a lot to do with it (aka how fun it is to remove keys...).
However, as the day progresses, I'm the one he comes to for one on one individual time. Maybe it's because Petey is somewhat of an attention hog and will only want to really spend time with Bram (how I'm looking forward to being alone with her for just over a week...sigh) and he often gets chased away by her. I don't know.
All I do know, is I do have a Red-belly parrot around me much more often lately.
From day 1, he's shown a preference for Bram, and the male gender in general. Slowly, I got him to as readily accept women like he does men. Now, it seems that he wants to spend more and more time with me. Still, in the morning the first person he wants to go to is Bram; however, I think that Bram's laptop (which he in on every morning) has a lot to do with it (aka how fun it is to remove keys...).
However, as the day progresses, I'm the one he comes to for one on one individual time. Maybe it's because Petey is somewhat of an attention hog and will only want to really spend time with Bram (how I'm looking forward to being alone with her for just over a week...sigh) and he often gets chased away by her. I don't know.
All I do know, is I do have a Red-belly parrot around me much more often lately.
Zuri's progress
Zuri has been here for just over two months.
When we first got her, she was a little awkward, socially at least. She took to me straight away but was a bit leery of my significant other. She didn't as readily step up for him, pretending to bite (he did show some hesitance, therefore she was just taking advantage of the situation) when he wanted her to step up.
I did tell him to show more confidence and he managed to do it. I've let him deal with Zuri more, letting him be the "good" person getting her out of her cage. She's now very good about stepping up for him. Although she still shows signs of wanting to interact with me more, she does show some interest in him at times. Hopefully, this will continue.
When we first got her, she was a little awkward, socially at least. She took to me straight away but was a bit leery of my significant other. She didn't as readily step up for him, pretending to bite (he did show some hesitance, therefore she was just taking advantage of the situation) when he wanted her to step up.
I did tell him to show more confidence and he managed to do it. I've let him deal with Zuri more, letting him be the "good" person getting her out of her cage. She's now very good about stepping up for him. Although she still shows signs of wanting to interact with me more, she does show some interest in him at times. Hopefully, this will continue.
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