dskidd
New member
- Dec 6, 2012
- 384
- 0
- Parrots
- Eliza -- Black Headed Caique
Henry -- White-Bellied Caique
As I'm sure I've mentioned before, Eliza (who is approaching four...I think!), was a rescue caique. I don't know anything about her past, although it was probably untypical. She exhibits very few expected caique behaviors: she doesn't surf, and I've never seen her hop, for example. She is the sweetest, most loving bird you can imagine; but I'm the only one who knows that. She can be aggressive towards other people, but mainly she just kind of ignores them and stays close to me.
We have an incredible bond; and I'll admit I brought Henry into the household with a bit of trepidation; I wasn't certain how it would affect the bond Eliza and I have.
In fact, there was no change to our bond; plus Henry and I are bonding as he grows more self-confident. So the bird/human interaction has been great with both of them (plus Henry loves meeting other people, which is a bonus!).
With the two of them together, the best way I can describe their interactions is that Henry is looking to Eliza to be his big sister. They're generally always around me, but if Eliza goes off exploring, Henry follows her like a shadow. There's no overt hostility, but Eliza certainly appears to be saying "Hey, look--no one helped ME when I wound up here, so you can figure it out for yerself!"
Yesterday afternoon, I was sitting on the sofa while the two of them were in the entryway. I heard a couple of noises I hadn't really heard either of them make before, glanced over, and they were playing together!
I can't stress enough how much of a breakthrough this is...for both Eliza AND Henry. (Plus it was absolutely hilarious watching this green, yellow, orange and black-colored mass with four wings and four legs slowly roll around the floor.) This went on for twenty minutes or so, then I suppose they decided they'd had enough fun and it was time to go and irritate Dad...
Apologies for the long post. It was just a wonderful sight--something I'd been hoping for, and trying to create an environment conducive to it happening; but nevertheless, uncertain they would ever interact that way.
It proves again the number one best piece of advice I've ever been given about bird ownership (not to mention having more than one of these little hellions): patience. Don't force anything, just try and create a loving, nurturing environment, and let things happen as they will.
Derek (and my all-star wrestling team)
We have an incredible bond; and I'll admit I brought Henry into the household with a bit of trepidation; I wasn't certain how it would affect the bond Eliza and I have.
In fact, there was no change to our bond; plus Henry and I are bonding as he grows more self-confident. So the bird/human interaction has been great with both of them (plus Henry loves meeting other people, which is a bonus!).
With the two of them together, the best way I can describe their interactions is that Henry is looking to Eliza to be his big sister. They're generally always around me, but if Eliza goes off exploring, Henry follows her like a shadow. There's no overt hostility, but Eliza certainly appears to be saying "Hey, look--no one helped ME when I wound up here, so you can figure it out for yerself!"
Yesterday afternoon, I was sitting on the sofa while the two of them were in the entryway. I heard a couple of noises I hadn't really heard either of them make before, glanced over, and they were playing together!
I can't stress enough how much of a breakthrough this is...for both Eliza AND Henry. (Plus it was absolutely hilarious watching this green, yellow, orange and black-colored mass with four wings and four legs slowly roll around the floor.) This went on for twenty minutes or so, then I suppose they decided they'd had enough fun and it was time to go and irritate Dad...
Apologies for the long post. It was just a wonderful sight--something I'd been hoping for, and trying to create an environment conducive to it happening; but nevertheless, uncertain they would ever interact that way.
It proves again the number one best piece of advice I've ever been given about bird ownership (not to mention having more than one of these little hellions): patience. Don't force anything, just try and create a loving, nurturing environment, and let things happen as they will.
Derek (and my all-star wrestling team)
