Casper223
New member
- Apr 27, 2019
- 327
- 2
- Parrots
- Umbrella Cockatoo "Zoey"
About two months before Ms Zoey was weaned, I talked with my breeder on the topic of training. I asked that Ms Zoey not have her wings clipped, so we could immediately within reason of her arrival, be able to start recall training, and also I could bring her outside, on her aviator harness and allow her to fly. The breeder gave several reasons that Ms Zoey should be lightly clipped, but not fully clipped, all of which were scary scenerio's, in which I felt I was getting good solid advice. so Ms Zoey was lightly clipped. Upon her arrival, and finally releasing her from her crate, Ms Zoey took a short 20 foot flight, straight and level, however not elevated. Within the first week, I could easily see, Ms Zoey was very flighty, and would not hesitate to fly at the bat of an eye. I also noticed, she was careful to gently land. Well as of yesterday, her short flights came to an end. Ms Zoey is now flying the length of the house, and anytime I'm out of her sight, she will scream once, then come search in flight of course. Several times yesterday, whether I was folding clothes in another room, feeding Rocky at his crate, or wherever, She would scream once, then I could hear her wings as she roamed the house. I was waiting for her wings to grow out a little to start her recall training, However I guess, she let me know she was ready. She either landed on my shoulder or on my arm, guessing whether I was expecting her or not lol. She loves to play on her tree, or in her cage with her toys, but the moment I walk out of her sight, here she comes lol. Elevation is no longer an issue for her. I keep treats (Sunflower Seed) in my pocket, and when she lands on my shoulder or arm, I immediately give her one. So between last night and today, I've noticed, if I'm in the living room as she is playing on her tree, she will drop everything and fly directly to my shoulder. If I am out of the room, say in a back bedroom and walk into the living room, she will get between 20 and 25 feet of her tree and fly back to her tree and play. She loves her cage, as she plays constantly while the door is closed, However she will fly to it, and play on it, but I can ask her to get inside and she immediately gets selective hearing. The picture I've added is the look she gives Rocky, as soon as Rocky gets within her sight, she immediately fluffs up, but as Rocky gets right next to her, she will put her feathers back down and place her beak on his nose, I guess just acknowledging him. So far they have gotten aquatinted, but haven't made friends yet. Rocky is jealous he can't keep up as she flies, and Ms Zoey knows if she tries to walk to where I'm at, she has to first confront Rocky who insists on sniffing her lol I've had her out on her harness a few times, However Ms Zoey has showed absolutely no desire to fly. I've placed her in the fresh cut grass, and within 30 seconds or so, she's trying to climb up my pants leg lol. With the terrible Rain we've had, I've elected not to place her in the grass, as the water carries Red Ants around in the grass, and the last thing I want is for her to get bit by red ants. Oh and as Ms Zoey lands on my shoulder, she makes this chewing sound with her beak, I'm not quite sure where she's learned that from yet, but she's learning much more than I've seemed to give her credit for, and has excelled exceptionally faster than what I thought she would be ready to so far.
