Blue-Headed Pionus Rio, my new son

[Nykia]

Hello everyone! I am new to the forums and to medium parrot ownership. I brought him home sept 25th from a bird fair and he is just a doll! I have a few concerns though.

He seems to be pretty clumsy and i worry for his little bones when he falls! He was clipped by the breeder and i was wondering if i should let his wings grow out or keep maintaining the first trim. I used to clip my lovebirds wings all the time so i do know what i am doing somewhat.

Also, when should i start introducing showers? I am terrified of doing the wrong thing and start to scare him when he is still adjusting to his new home.

Anything that you friendly folks could help me out with will be much appreciated! I researched for months before i decided to go with a Pionus and have been scouring the net for any information i can find on these wonderful parrots.

Rio and I thank you!

 

[coral1]

what a pretty little birdy i also have a BHP hes awesome and hes a rescue i would use a spray bottle first because mine is still afraid of the shower lol xD

 

[Kiwiwade]

Hi Nykia,

Rio is sooooo cute! He is about the same age as my Poe, 5 months Bue Headed Pi who I took home a few weeks ago.

Poe was clipped so short by the pet shop and also very clumsy. I can see that he was clipped before she can learn to fly and sometimes she would jump off from places unexpectedly and scares me.... I would like to let the wings grow out a little so she can at least glides when she jumps off.

I was also scared to let her take shower, just like you, I didn't want to scare her. One da I took her to she her daddy ( my hubby) taking shower and my husband splash a few drops of water on her. She then spread her wings and lifted them high which is the stance they take to get max amount of water all over them. So I carefully put her in the bath tub, change the shower head setting to the softest also warm and slowly sprayed on her.... She loved it! She was super excited and just danced around in the tub with joyful chirping. She takes shower daily since then either in the tub or simply by spray bottle like Coral1 said. She loves it either way. Spray maybe less scarily at first, just don't spray directly to their face in the beginning though. Best to spray up and let the water drop on him.

I also wipe her down after the shower so she is not just dripping wet. She stinks like a wet dog after it.... But it's actually so funny and cute how she just go crazy happy about her bath time!!!

 

[Nykia]

Hi Kiwi!-

That is awesome how fast Poe took to the shower! I have tried a spray bottle since my initial post and Rio was having none of it! He took off flying when the droplets fell down on him. I havent tried since but i will not give up because i know how beneficial baths are for parrots. I was thinking of just turning the shower on and putting thunderstorm sounds on the stereo. I read somewhere that it will help "Trigger" the bathing instinct.

He is warming up to us nicely and seems to like the view out the window (we are in a high rise so he can see for miles). He flies to my head all the time now! I dont want him to make a habit of it though, at least until he is trained and potty trained.

I also read somewhere that Pionus learn words by association? I have been saying "poopie" when he does his business and "good morning" and good night" as well as "Streeeetch!" when he stretches his wings.

I feel like a new mama because i worry when i leave him alone and if he is warm enough or fed/watered. I just adore this little bundle of feathers. I am glad we can share our experiences in raising our new Pi's

 

[Kiwiwade]

Hi Nykia,

Hehehe... How funny! I said the same thing, " streeeeeetch" when Poe stretches her wing and a leg. I totally worry about Poe when I'm at work! What if some loud sound spook her? What if she is not eating? Too hot? Too cold? I think this is how mother of new born would feel and Nykia, our new born babies will never grow up!

As for the bathing, I think you should try and let him hear the sound of shower. I noticed when Poe hears shower, she starts to react to it by lifting her wing so it may work!

By the way, Does Rio eats vegetables? I give Poe a mixture of fresh and cooked veges daily, but she only takes a few bites from each veges to taste. So far, I haven't found any food item Poe loves. She is not finicky but not food motivated...

 

[Nykia]

Kiwi-

I am so glad he will never grow up! I like knowing he will be there each morning to start the day with me for a long while!

He does eat some fresh vegetables. I dice up carrots and fresh green beans along with some red pepper and beans. He absolutely loves the little green round beans inside the green bean pod. His favorite fruit is dehydrated apples and cran/blueberries. I will try more as time goes on. Right now i have him on Roudybush and Zupreem pellets that he was weaned onto so he eats them until the cows come home- hehe!

His baby begging noises are adorable! He also squeeks to himself when he is falling asleep.

What time do you put Poe to bed? I am giving him 12 hours from 8:30pm to 8:30 am. He seems to put up a fight before bed time though, just wing flapping mostly. We have a separate sleeping cage set up in my bedroom just for Rio.

 

[Kiwiwade]

Nykia,

I know what yo mean.... To know that I will be with her until I am old lady, it's basically like a marrying someone and when the someone is chubby little parrot, your marriage will be amazing!

I feed Poe Roudybush as well. I remember having such hard times converting my lovebirds to pellet food, I was expecting some resistance from Poe but she loved it right away. I feed her carrots too, but not green beans. I will try that!

As for the bed time, she goes to bed around 8 to 9 pm like your Rio and wakes up at 9 am. She usually snuggle with us and get scratched when she starts to get sleepy. By the time we finish the intense massage session, she is super relaxed and sleepy so she doesn't put up too much fight. Only sometimes she would runs around in the cage like a crazy bird and protests her bed time and night like that, we can hear her running in the cage even after covering it up....

Is Rio quiet too? Poe does not scream. I've heard a few times louder screech but really, she is just quiet through out the day. Not complaining, since I live in Condo but I just wonder if she will remain this way or wil be noisy when she is sexually mature....

 

[Nykia]

Here you go Kiwi- here is a video of Rio at play and some of the ADORABLE! sounds he makes.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmHK_9q3N9U]My Blue Headed Pionus, Rio - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Kiwiwade]

Hehehehehe....
That piggy squeaking, that's exactly like what Poe makes. They sound like they got cold don't they?

Poe doesn't play with hanging toys so much... She seems to prefer foot toys, but I saw Rio playing with toys in his cage ( by the way I have the same toy in the cage too!)

I'm planning to post more pics but since I use my iPad most of the time, cannot upload pictures...

Thanks for the video and keep it coming!! I love love love to see other people's babies. I don't have any friends who are interested in birds like people at this forum, so it's so nice to be able to communicate with others with same love for parrots!

Kiwi

 

[rlchic93]

The solution we had to use for my bhp is a "mini" shower in the kitchen sink and sitting on the shower bar while I got my shower. My baby was also a rescue and absolutley hated squirt bottles too. But I can tell you this my fid is a rescue and he only gets cuter and more precious as the days go by. So don't worry about him growing up and just take lots of pictures

 

[Nykia]

I have enjoyed this past week and a half with my new fid! He is sitting next to me as we speak, practicing his whistles/talking. I have discovered that he loves music! The soundtrack to the movie "Rio" and Adam Lambert are his favorites so far!

rlchic- I definitely to not want him to grow up to fast! He has filled up an album already on my laptop with pictures! hehe. I will try the mini showers as well because i know how important they are to keeping his skin clean and healthy.

Rio also does not like to be in his cage! I have spoiled him to being out so much that when i need to leave or cook dinner, he climbs frantically all over his cage. He eventually settles down, but i want him to look at his cage as a "sanctuary". I have been putting him in a bit more the paste couple days and waiting until he is settled down before I open the cage. Anyone have any advice?

 

[Kiwiwade]

Hi Nykia,

Poe doesn't like her age either. Though she does not scream to get her out, the moment I step into her room, she jumps up t the perch closest to the door and lift one leg up, ready to go pose.....hahahaha
But past few days, she has been s weird and independent. She would not play with us once she is down stairs on her play stand. She tuen around and show her back to us when we try to get to step up to our hand. Basically, she reject us! But then towards end of the day, she is obsessed wit cuddling and demand to have her whole body scratched all night.
Baby birds grow fast and change daily. This is why they are s fascinating! I'm so looking forward to see each morning what new things she does and what kind of mood she is in!

 

[Nykia]

New pictures of Rio being an energetic baby!

And a new video of him chirping away during Freebird!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oazh_1_HUzY"]My Blue- Headed Pionus, Rio likes Freebird! - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Kiwiwade]

Hi Nykia,

Thanks for the beautiful pics! Rio looks great!
Did you have DNA testing done to know Ri is a boy? I am considering to have it done but cannot bring myself to poke her ith a needle.... At least not until the bond is tighter...hahaha

I was wondering what kind of veges Rio likes? Poe trys everything, but only a few bites and don't eat much of veges or fruits. I will continue to try but wanted to see about your baby.

I would like to post more pics but since I am posting these messages from iPad, it's hard!

Kiwi

 

[Nykia]

Kiwi-

No, i have not had a DNA test done, the breeder actually has it on file for $20 I need to order it. He just looked like a boy to me - lol dont ask why, just personality i guess. I know you can take a few feathers from the belly and send them in as well.

Rio loves legumes, carrots, sweet potatoes, corn(fresh or frozen/thawed) cucumber slices and dried apples. I tried sprouts and wheatgrass but he doesnt seem to like them much. He has stopped eating his Zupreem pellets for some reason but still loves the Roudybush. Unsalted baked corn chips are his "treat" because he absolutely LOVES them.

I noticed you were on pionusparrot.com as well, and was wondering how you signed up? It will not let me register!

Sorry I took so long to respond, my classes have been keeping me pretty busy.

 

[QuackQuack]

Really lovely bird - they are on my current 'considering' list

 

[Kiwiwade]

Hi Nykia,

Drop by to say hello and see how's Rio is doing?
Poe has adjusted pretty well and became very spoiled too! She still does not eat as much veggies as I would like her to, but slowing but surely getting used to the idea of eating veggies rather than just chew and throw them out of her cage for fun.
She has learned to " turn around" on cue! But she has not learned to sa anything other than what are you doing which she has not said for a long time.

Looking forward to see more pictures of beautiful Rio!

Quack quack, Blue Head Pi is wonderful! My Poe, 5 month old baby BHP is such a joy to be around. She has been absolutely amazing..... Quiet, yet playful, independent but cuddly at night..... And as you can see from pictures of Rio, they are so beautiful and cute with the unusually big for their head beady eyes!

Kiwi

 

[Nykia]

I noticed you were on pionusparrot.com as well, and was wondering how you signed up? It will not let me register!

Rio is doing wonderfully, he has already chewed a toy up to the point i had to tie up the leather strips to fix it! He climbs all over his cage after he eats and "argues" with one of his toys lol. I read somewhere that they will have one particular toy they like to attack lol. He said his first word a few days ago! he said "Rio"! more like "REEE--OOHH!" lol.

I would appreciate any info you can give me so that i can get on that pionus website! The Pi forums here seem to be a bit dead at times. Hope you and your fid are doing well!

 

[BirdieNumNum]

Hi! I just came across your thread today, have you gotten him to shower yet? My birds like to bathe in their water dishes, so maybe if you give him a large sized water dish (big enough to dip his chest and head in while he stands on the edge) he might bathe himself. One of my budgies will take baths in her water dish but hates going in the shower!

 

[noblemacaw]

OMG..that video is so cute! I love baby parrots. Rio is gonna learn how to open that side door on his cage. I already saw him investigating the knob on the door and someday..he will liberate himself and you will find him on top of his cage with that door open. This was on the first video you had posted on page one.

I love the noises he makes in your second video. Such a cute baby.

Enjoy the babyhood. It does not last long but the memories are forever.

Noblemacaw