Display

[Siobhan]

If you live with a 'too, you soon learn when it's wiser NOT to try to touch or pick up your feathered buddy. Display is one of those times. Crest up, face feathers out, sometimes wings a-flapping, too. Not a good idea. Excitement and playing can shift to chomping without warning.

But, if you live with a 'too, you can also tell the difference between upset display and silly display and concern or curiosity display, though to the layman they all look exactly alike.

Rocky displays when he knows I'm getting ready to leave. Full display. Yet, I know I can stand next to him and even reach out to stroke him and it'll be okay. This display is "awww, MOM, don't LEAVE again!" and requires reassurance that I'll be back just as soon as I can.

I really think most of the problems people have with parrots are the people's problem, not the parrot's. They don't learn to read their parrot's body language and other signals. They don't get to know their baby thoroughly and let their baby know them, so that they can communicate effectively. You might have to take a few bites while you're learning. I still take some occasionally. Sometimes that's their only way of letting you know what they want. "Put me DOWN!" or "That scares me!" or "I have to poop RIGHT NOW" which is usually why Rocky bites me. Bless his heart, he doesn't want to poop on me and never has. He displays and gives me a chomp to let me know I have to scurry him back to his cage and time's a-wasting. I get bruises, but he's never broken the skin, and he jolly well COULD if he wanted to.

 

[SailBoat]

I am an Amazon Snob and one of the many reasons that I so enjoy Amazons is that they are clearly the: What You See, Is What You Get Parrots! Point being, an over-loaded Amazon is presenting numerous 'signs' that All Heck Is About To Be Unleashed!

Thank-you for your Thread. For a non-Too person of whom any number of Too owners seem to love quickly placing their Too's on! I swear that its like I have a sign some place that states: 'Too' Stand, place Too here! I now have some idea what to look for and what I am seeing /understanding what the Too is communicating!

If there is any one thing that the Parrot Forum (we the members, etc...) needs to develop /enhance is a presentation of the Language of our Parrots. Yes, there exists Threads at the beginning of several of the Forums, but not all.

 

[Scott]

Display is so important to maintaining a great relationship with your fids! Amazons are definitely "honest" though a careful reading of a too display is possible. My hardest parrot is Angel the Ekkie - difficult to read as there is little physical display, no crest, and pupils that give some but very little movement. Fortunately she is always good with me, but others had better be careful!