Do your birds like walks/good bonding idea?

[Mishcka]

Last summer I started takeing sophie out to the pet store to pick out her own toys, she loved it so much i thought i would try taking her to the park when i took my dogs. It was a small park and i was the only one there most of the time. I do have a baby stroller so i would take him and sit him on the handle of it and push him around. He started looking at the trees and woundering if he could climb them LOl so i put him in a tree and his would just sit there and love it ! i had him a leash so i never worried about him going to high and stuff. I also let him go to the little brook and look in the water. We had a great time ! I think Kiwi will really love it.

 

[Mishcka]

here is a pic of sophie in the park

 

[SoCalWendy]

I think I'm more concered about how Kiwi my parrotlet reacts to strangers then my Senegal. LOL it's the funniest thing. My parrotlet is a lil monster when someone gets to close. She will stomp around shaking her head all fluffed up with her beak open saying god know what ever she is says protesting and waiting for her chance to get a mouthful of flesh!

Anyone else who owns one of these knows exactly what I am talking about. Rio on the other hand takes it all in and nothing so far seems to bother her too much. On the other hand if you wave a piece of Kleenex, Shake a plastic bag or clap your hands is enough to set my adorable lil demon off. We just laugh at her.

 

[ImmunoGoblin]

In terms of temperature, I've read that birds can actually handle a more dramatic temperature variation *if* they're exposed to it frequently and acclimated to it. I wouldn't do it with a sickly/vulnerable bird, but I think a robust and healthy bird could probably build up a little tolerance for "outside time." We found that out exactly the wrong way what Amazons can handle and be fine - Tater escaped for 26 hours a few weeks ago and spent the night outside in weather below 20F. Frankly, we were extremely concerned that he did not survive, but he was found through a miracle (and Craigslist!) and we were able to retrieve him. He was very puffy, a little weak and tired, and extremely hungry, but honestly, he bounced back within an hour of being brought inside and put in a warm room with a heat light and having a hand-feeding to get his core body temp up. He's had no lasting side effects - within an hour, he was yelling "c'mere!" whenever we walked away from his cage. I'd never do that deliberately or accidentally again, but I wouldn't feel bad about putting him outside on the front porch in his travel cage while we work in the yard if it's in the 60s.

 

[MomtoPercy]

Jeez Birdman, you're brave! . I'm such a paranoid freak I wouldn't allow anyone to even come close to Percy, let alone touch him. (I was like that with my human baby too :54 But I do see the wisdom in that - for vet visits especially.

 

[Kalidasa]

I got the backpack carrier for Kumar, and during the warm months we go for walks everyday. It evolved into bike-rides which I found out was much smoother for him. He loves it, and it's good for both of us. Plus, on a bike, no one is going to stop you and ask what sort of pet is in the carrier . We do about an hour every day. During winter we go for drives. I put him in the carrier, then as soon as we get in the car I let him out and he sits on my shoulder. I usually stay on the side streets for that.

 

[Birdman666]

Jeez Birdman, you're brave! . I'm such a paranoid freak I wouldn't allow anyone to even come close to Percy, let alone touch him. (I was like that with my human baby too :54 But I do see the wisdom in that - for vet visits especially.

Nah. My birds are trained, and they control their bite pressure. And the only way to keep up that training is to have the occasional stranger step them up.

Maggie, my greenwing, is generally the only bird that allows touching.

Sally and Sweepea will occasionally, but very rarely.

I want them to step up to people without biting. And the birds themselves draw the line, usually by growling and pushing fingers away, if there is an unwanted attempt at touching. A second attempt will result in pinching. And anyone attempting to hold them is told this up front BEFORE being allowed to step them up.

They are socialized around dogs and cats too, so they don't freak out when they see them.

Bicycles still sometimes freak Sweepea out.

 

[Birdman666]

here is a pic of sophie in the park

I love to see stuff like this! I do the same thing with mine.

I don't know if you've had the same experience that I have, but getting them outside in a tree seems to make mine immeasurably happier when they come in...

 

[Kiwibird]

I got the backpack carrier for Kumar, and during the warm months we go for walks everyday. It evolved into bike-rides which I found out was much smoother for him. He loves it, and it's good for both of us. Plus, on a bike, no one is going to stop you and ask what sort of pet is in the carrier . We do about an hour every day. During winter we go for drives. I put him in the carrier, then as soon as we get in the car I let him out and he sits on my shoulder. I usually stay on the side streets for that.

A tad embarrassing- but I never learned to ride a bike:54: Though we do take Kiwi for car rides. He LOVES car rides. On weekends when I go to flea markets and yard sales, Kiwi comes in his travel cage in the car. We'll stop and get Joe breakfast to go, and the boys eat in the car while I'm off doing my thing at the flea markets. Everyone is happy

It was a warm day yesterday, so I brought Kiwi (on my hand) up to help (well we more watched) my husband bring in all the groceries I had just brought home. I ran him around the driveway a couple times so he could flap his little wings outside. He was VERY happy, excited, fluffy and making all his adorable little nature noises (he has a whole routine of sounds he makes when he's outdoors). The more I think about Kiwi, the more I think this is going to be a good idea

 

[BirdyMomma]

When Bacci was alive, we used to bring him to the beach. My boyfriend built a special perch we dug into the sand. We would set it up between our beach chairs, shaded by an umbrella. He LOVED it. He would just sit and look at the ocean, and watch the seagulls, and eat treats and drink water from a bottle. Best days ever.

Bacci also loved riding in the car, singing along to the radio cranked up.

The Starbucks near us has a drive through. All of our birds (except Knucky the panic master) have gone through with us. They always offer us treats for them. Once, the lady working the window tried to GIVE us her Senegal, because everyone in her family "HATES" the bird.......we politely declined. (I am a pillar of self restraint.)

One time a cop stopped us, just to see if our birds were real! I told Bacci to wave to him (he did) and it was really cute.

Loki has been to the Post Office and the super market. She likes to ride in the hood of my sweat shirt. People see her and remark at how cute she is.

What has happened on occasion, and I also find quite astounding, is that while out with our birds, we have gotten dirty looks from people. I really don't know why, and while focused on my birds safety, I can't well walk up to them and inquire as to what the hell their problem is. It's only happened a few times, but it makes me feel terrible. I'm not out with my bird because I want attention (both BirdyDaddy and I are anti-social. haha) I'm out with them because they deserve to live a full life and experience all sorts of surroundings.

I think it's a great idea for you and Kiwi, and I look forward to hearing how it goes!

 

[Anne]

I got the backpack carrier for Kumar, and during the warm months we go for walks everyday. It evolved into bike-rides which I found out was much smoother for him. He loves it, and it's good for both of us. Plus, on a bike, no one is going to stop you and ask what sort of pet is in the carrier . We do about an hour every day. During winter we go for drives. I put him in the carrier, then as soon as we get in the car I let him out and he sits on my shoulder. I usually stay on the side streets for that.

What kind of backpack carrier is that? That sounds really good. Is it "payable"?

 

[Birdman666]

When Bacci was alive, we used to bring him to the beach.

Bacci also loved riding in the car, singing along to the radio cranked up.

Once, the lady working the window tried to GIVE us her Senegal, because everyone in her family "HATES" the bird.......we politely declined. (I am a pillar of self restraint.)

What has happened on occasion, and I also find quite astounding, is that while out with our birds, we have gotten dirty looks from people. I really don't know why, and while focused on my birds safety, I can't well walk up to them and inquire as to what the hell their problem is. It's only happened a few times, but it makes me feel terrible. I'm not out with my bird because I want attention (both BirdyDaddy and I are anti-social. haha) I'm out with them because they deserve to live a full life and experience all sorts of surroundings.

I think it's a great idea for you and Kiwi, and I look forward to hearing how it goes!

When we lived in CALI, the birds went with us to the beach, and occasionally if the hawks weren't around, they went with us to the Drop Zone.

All my birds love the car.

See it isn't just me!

Most of the feedback I've gotten was positive. Every once in awhile stuff like this happens. Especially when you are out with more than one, and one of those birds is an XXL Macaw... The most ironic and amusing comment I ever got (and it came at a time when my bird was playing in a tree) was "WHY ISN'T THAT BIRD AT HOME IN A CAGE WHERE IT BELONGS?!" And the fact that this closed-minded and ignorant a$$hole was DEAD SERIOUS made it twice as funny to me...

Near as I can tell, there are some folks that just don't like animals, and/or birds, and feel it's "inappropriate" for us to be out in public with them.

Frankly, who cares what they think?! Scowl at the friggin' world for all I care.

 

[DanR]

What has happened on occasion, and I also find quite astounding, is that while out with our birds, we have gotten dirty looks from people. I really don't know why, and while focused on my birds safety, I can't well walk up to them and inquire as to what the hell their problem is. It's only happened a few times, but it makes me feel terrible. I'm not out with my bird because I want attention (both BirdyDaddy and I are anti-social. haha) I'm out with them because they deserve to live a full life and experience all sorts of surroundings.

Non animal lovers are disgusting in their behavior around animals, and I found this out the hard way. First off, I'm a HUGE animal welfare conscious person, especially pets. Second, I don't have the best temper in the world, especially for stupid people. So when I became a foster home for Mira dogs (Mira is the largest foundation in Canada that raises guide dogs, they are VERY well known in Canada, especially quebec and it's very common to see the familiar red bandana with the Mira logo on their training dogs out in public), I was so happy to be doing something so very important. Foster families take a Mira puppy and you basically have them shadow you 24/7 for the first year of their life and expose them to every situation possible. After the year or so, they go back to the Mira foundation for their formal guide dog training. You would not believe the amount of ignorant jackasses that would confront me because I have a "filthy animal in the grocery store" or a "flea bag in the mall". The worst part is that I would be with my very young daughter so I couldn't even confront them or tell them exactly what I thought of them.

My foster dog's name was Simba, and when he was maybe 4 months old, I was walking out of a grocery store with him trailing along and I had a bag of milk in one hand, his leash in the other and a guy from behind me walks quickly past me with both hands full of bags and levels Simba. At first I just thought it was an accident but he then looks behind him at me and says "Goddamn dog, why is that thing in the grocery store?" and continues to walk off. Now bear in mind Simba has a huge red bandana on him identifying that he is a guide dog in training for Mira. So I realize that he had actually hit him completely on purpose. There is a grocery store clerk having a cigarette just outside the doors where this happens so I ask him if he would mind holding Simba and my bag. Openly grinning, he says no problem and eagerly takes the leash and my milk bag.

I ran over and grabbed the guy as he was loading up his bags in the trunk, spun him around, grabbed him by the front of his shirt and told him he was a disgusting excuse for a human being and a piece of garbage and demanded an apology telling him that this dog would do more for mankind than anything his worthless ass would ever do. He mumbled his apology while turning red in embarassment (he was completely taken offguard, he had no idea I was coming for him), I let him go and told him to get lost and grow up, and then went to retrieve my little Simba.

I know, it wasn't mature on my part, but I can only take so much before my cord snaps...

Always be ready to protect your pets... there are some real jerks out there and you never know when you might meet one that will do something to your feathered or furry loved ones.

 

[Kiwibird]

Most of the feedback I've gotten was positive. Every once in awhile stuff like this happens. Especially when you are out with more than one, and one of those birds is an XXL Macaw... The most ironic and amusing comment I ever got (and it came at a time when my bird was playing in a tree) was "WHY ISN'T THAT BIRD AT HOME IN A CAGE WHERE IT BELONGS?!" And the fact that this closed-minded and ignorant a$$hole was DEAD SERIOUS made it twice as funny to me...

Near as I can tell, there are some folks that just don't like animals, and/or birds, and feel it's "inappropriate" for us to be out in public with them.

Frankly, who cares what they think?! Scowl at the friggin' world for all I care.

We used to go to a flea market where this man (he was a regular vendor) brought his B&G and scarlet macaws out every weekend with him, weather permitting. He had fitted up his tent with 2 hanging perches for them to sit on, and both birds always seemed excited to be there with all the attention they got. Now these birds were OBVIOUSLY very loved, well cared for and friendly. He had them both for 25 years or something, so they were not just "novelty show-off" pets either.

He actually had to stop bringing them out because the flea market got several "complaints" that he was bringing them out there for the sole purpose of showing off with them to their "detriment and misery" (obviously not the case, those birds were always having a blast) and they belonged "at home". Guess some nasty and ignorant people must've thought those birds also belonged in cages at home too.

On the flip side, I also remember a man coming into my work once with a sun conure on his shoulder. This man REEKED of booze, smoke and shame, was missing some teeth, dirty/grungy- you know the type. The bird was absolutely FILTHY (probably never had a bath), clearly petrified of all the noises and things going on around him, and that bird had the look of utter misery in it's eyes. Didn't help the guy was moving around in such a way the poor thing could barely hang on. Even more charming- he went on to explain how he liked to take (whatever it's name was) down to the bars on weekends because it was great to pick up women with. It took everything in me not to smack him and steal (aka rescue) the bird. It's probably people like that who give good bird owners a bad reputation and get you dirty looks when your out and about with your well loved, happy birds.

 

[Birdman666]

If you really want to amuse yourself and/or your bird, take them through a drive through car wash sometimes...

I wish we had that one on video!!!

 

[SoCalWendy]

If you really want to amuse yourself and/or your bird, take them through a drive through car wash sometimes...

I wish we had that one on video!!!

Hmmm...

 

[BirdyMomma]

Wingnut is a relentless window licker in the car. We tease him, and tell him we are getting him a helmet!

.....my car actually really DOES need a wash!

 

[Birdman666]

There are two car wash videos I wish I'd made...

Maggie's first trip through the car wash where she just got the full on goofy macaw eyes lit up/head turning all directions in amazement/squealing thing...

And Sallybird, who actually ducked when the sprayers started, flew to the back seat when the scrubbers came down, then popped her head back up flashing when she realized that everything was "out there" and couldn't get her "in here."

Followed by eye flashing and chattering away at the machine while perched on the steering wheel...

They were both PRICELESS...

 

[Birdman666]

Wingnut is a relentless window licker in the car. We tease him, and tell him we are getting him a helmet!

.....my car actually really DOES need a wash!

My friend has a greenwing named "Lucy."

Lucy loves riding in the car BUT she likes to stick her head out the window, and actually TALKS to people in the next car at stoplights...

NOT THAT THAT BIRD ENJOYS GETTING ATTENTION OR ANYTHING...

Cruising with Lucy is such a trip... the funniest one of those was when we came to a stop light, and Lucy did the wolf whistle and yelled "HI" at full volume at some girls -with attitude- in a convertible. They had considerably less attitude when they figured out it was A BIRD that was coming onto them...

PRICELESS!!!

 

[Frumpydumple]

Cookie is clipped and I have started taking her everywhere with me.

She isn't scared of anything apart from trees and streetlamps...

The first time I brought her outside she acted like she had been always been outside, she was really calm.

She isn't scared of cars or people either, she just sits calmly on my hand. She is clipped, but I do hold her feet while she is on my hand just to make SURE she can't fly.

She also gets car sick if I feed her while the car is moving, but other than that she is fine and she loves being outdoors.

I think it is a great idea to take our birds out to get some sun and meet new people.

Especially young birds. I think taking them out while they're young is a great way to socialize them.