Coqui Is Doing So Well! Need toy or game suggestions!

[Blancaej]

We have had a great couple of days with Coqui. I can now pet her head, beak, play with her tongue and feet. Today she let me pet her under her wings. She is so sweet when she is relaxed. She is fitting right in!

She seems to be getting used to us already. She has already started walking on the floor! Which surprised me. We don't want her wandering, so we are training her that she needs to stay put. That is actually going well. But she still is testing us and tries now and then.

Her reaction to the kids is quite funny. She truly doesn't know what to think of little people. Especially my 3 year old. Her feathers fluff up and she lifts her wings. I'm trying to teach the kids to slow down when the come by her. But at dinner last night I think she found them entertaining. She had dinner with all of us including our other fids in the dinning room. I think she really enjoyed that.

I have noticed that my b&g has lots of energy! If anyone has any good suggestion for toys or activities for her that would be great! Any ideas are welcome as I want to make sure I am keeping her nice and busy to burn off some of that energy!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Blanca I just got goosebumps reading this!! I KNEW she would do fantastic with you and your family!!!

I honestly don't think she is showing aggression towards Marcus and/or Morgan, she is simply confused, trying to place them, trying to figure out what to make of them. If she was scared of them, she'd be screaming, flipping out, trying to get way (even in the cage), and she'd be shaking/shivering.

I have an idea: Have Morgan and Marcus sit on the floor by the cage, and then you grab a story book and read to ALL of them (Coqui included). After a few paragraphs, when you see Coqui is relaxing, have the kids offer Coqui a goodie through the cage bars and see how that goes. You can hold their hands while they do it.

Toys or activity? Get some (cheap) plastic toys she can throw around in her cage, like toddler's hand held toys (a set of brightly colored, plastic keys, for example). Get a piece of wood and play tug of war. You can do that while she's in OR out of the cage. Get some plastic balls, attach a string, and dangle it, while she has to try and get it. Let her get it a few times, but then tug on it so it will slip away.

 

[Blancaej]

All fantastic suggestions Wendy!

I think you are absolutely right about her and the kids. And you are also right that she has not been doing any of the things you described with the kids that would indicate she is scared of them. I think when they are running around it ads to her excitement! LOL! She will lunge at them but that is to be expected right now. She is just being a macaw! LOL! The kids know to keep their distance. Luckily I have well trained kids when it comes to birds!

I love love love the story telling idea with the kids. I will have to try that!

I have some toddler toys for Quincy already so I will give her a couple. I like the other toy ideas as well. Thanks again for all the great suggestions. You are awesome!!!

 

[MikeyTN]

Do you have foraging toys for her to go at it??? That would keep her busy for a bit unless she figures it out quickly then you gotta find her something else to do. Play gym like what Tab have for Fargo is actually the best thing to keep them occupied. They love to be talked to like little babies, play peekaboo games, etc. I also play tickle feet and tickle wing game with mine.

 

[Bundiibird]

So glad to hear that Coqui is doing well and settling.

 

[crimson]

I'm really happy for you!....so glad to hear things are going smoothly, sorry I can't offer any advice.

 

[noblemacaw]

For one on one games I play peek a boo, cuddle wrestle, kiss me, and I do a lot of recall flying and hide and seek. If you free fly her indoors she can learn to find you with the sound of your voice. This is by far Valentino's favorite he plays with me. That and bathing in the kitchen sink. I also do a lot of one on one training with Valentino when it is just the two of us. He is learning with hand signals along with verbal commands.

For cage play this has been a real challenge for me. He gets his giant wood toys to destroy and makes toothpicks but I need to also stimulate his mind so I have been experimenting with foraging and brain toys. How is Coqui's independent play time in her cage? Does she go though toys quickly? Does she prefer to gently play and talk/sing to her toys? Does she like to take things apart? I would figure out what her style of independent play is and cater to that.

Right now I am on a mission to get this metal toy for Valentino. It is expensive but will challenge his intellect well and I believe it will be worth the money spend. Gotta wait until I can afford it then find a retailer that has it in stock.

I love hearing about your parrots and how they have adjusted. Your success with them all make me smile.

 

[Blancaej]

Do you have foraging toys for her to go at it??? That would keep her busy for a bit unless she figures it out quickly then you gotta find her something else to do. Play gym like what Tab have for Fargo is actually the best thing to keep them occupied. They love to be talked to like little babies, play peekaboo games, etc. I also play tickle feet and tickle wing game with mine.

I am working on getting some foraging toys together for her and hope to make some on my day off this week. I think she will like that as she loves tearing up paper, so digging for goodies wrapped in paper should make her happy! I have play gyms in 2 locations for her right now. I am actually finding she loves watching the kids. They enterain her a lot. I hope to work on getting her cage set up with more foraging toys so she has plenty to do when in there. When on her play gyms she is busy watching everyone right now and doesn't bother much with toys. I am hoping to teach her toys are good once she is used to us and watching us isn't the only thing on her mind. Thanks for the tips Mikey!

So glad to hear that Coqui is doing well and settling.

Thank you Bundiibird!

I'm really happy for you!....so glad to hear things are going smoothly, sorry I can't offer any advice.

That's OK Crimson! You are a great resource for my linnies!

For one on one games I play peek a boo, cuddle wrestle, kiss me, and I do a lot of recall flying and hide and seek. If you free fly her indoors she can learn to find you with the sound of your voice. This is by far Valentino's favorite he plays with me. That and bathing in the kitchen sink. I also do a lot of one on one training with Valentino when it is just the two of us. He is learning with hand signals along with verbal commands.

For cage play this has been a real challenge for me. He gets his giant wood toys to destroy and makes toothpicks but I need to also stimulate his mind so I have been experimenting with foraging and brain toys. How is Coqui's independent play time in her cage? Does she go though toys quickly? Does she prefer to gently play and talk/sing to her toys? Does she like to take things apart? I would figure out what her style of independent play is and cater to that.

Right now I am on a mission to get this metal toy for Valentino. It is expensive but will challenge his intellect well and I believe it will be worth the money spend. Gotta wait until I can afford it then find a retailer that has it in stock.

I love hearing about your parrots and how they have adjusted. Your success with them all make me smile.

Great ideas. Thank you so much! She doesn't play a whole lot with her wood toys. She loves ripping up paper though so I think foraging toys with paper to shred will be something she will love! She likes to make noise, so something she can clang around will be fun, too! Maybe a nice heavy duty bell! And thank you for your last comment. You all are great on this forum and I certainly enjoy reading stories about you guys as well!

 

[Bundiibird]

Not sure how long this one would last but I have started stuffing empty milk cartons full of shredded paper, wrapped toys and treats for Bundii. This way she has to destroy the mil cartons and the gets the added bonus of the wrapped treats inside. I also stuff some wooden chucks, paper stickers, leather and anything else that I think she will like. As I said though, not sure how long this would last for a macaw.

 

[Blancaej]

I really like this idea! I will give it a shot! Thanks!