Finally got a bird!

[Feu]

I was on the forums a few months ago considering an eclectus, but then my boyfriend and I met some caiques and fell in love with them. The owner of my local bird shop got in a black headed within days of that and it's become the sweetest bird I could have asked for. A few days ago my boyfriend surprised me by buying the little guy in secret for me! I've been doing my research on them, but I wanted to get some opinions. One of the store people (not the owner) has a white bellied and says it's best to spend time with them once a week at first so they learn to entertain themselves, but seeing how hyper and intelligent they are, I can't help but think that's mean. Also, what would you suggest in terms of bonding, feeding schedules and potty training?

 

[antoinette]

A bird is just like a baby, would you spend time with your baby once a week? NEVER Sorry some people are so ignorant, it makes me mad......
Spend as much time as you can with the bird. Sit near the cage, talk, sing and read to the bird. He will become familiar with you voice, your action and a bonding relationship will begin to take place.
As for the feeding, you have not mentioned the age of the bird, depending on the age. Sounds like the bird is still young, find out what the bird is eating now, (formula or pellets) and we will assist you. As for the potty, give the bird a few weeks to settle in, get used to a routine, and again we will assist you with the potty training.

 

[IolaniAviary]

I would never ever suggest spending such little time with a new bird, that's a good way for it to revert back to being un-tame. You should be spending adequate time with the bird EVERYDAY, the only time I leave them alone is the first 24 hours they are home. But sometimes you'll get a bird who wants to come out and socialize. Enjoy your new baby! Now is the time to form a bond. I also wouldn't be buying from a pet store who has false information like that, chances are there's more that they don't know about.

 

[Feu]

I thought so - I was wondering where the bonding time was supposed to go in there! The owner is much more knowledgeable and has been at his trade for many years - it's just that this guy is the only one in the store who owns a caique and I thought to ask him. It's three months old and mostly weaned, but I won't be taking it home until it's on a stable non-formula diet (maybe 1.5 months). I'll be getting a checkup and sex test on the way home.

I had a lovebird when I was younger, but he wasn't very trick oriented. I'll of course give the little guy some time to settle in (he doesn't even have a name yet!) but I'm wondering what some easy things are to start him off with. Teaching him to fly is on the list eventually - we have two cats and don't want to take away any methods of escape if he ever needs to.

 

[antoinette]

You mentioned
Teaching him to fly is on the list eventually - we have two cats and don't want to take away any methods of escape if he ever needs to.

When you get the bird please never let the bird out the cage, when the cats are present. Accidents have happened so quickly, and many many guardians have lost their birds tragically through their cats.

 

[Feu]

No worries, he'll never be out in a room without me watching the cats very carefully. I've had cats and birds together before - just never this species. It's mostly just a precaution. I never intend him to need it.

 

[Amber]

You mentioned
Teaching him to fly is on the list eventually - we have two cats and don't want to take away any methods of escape if he ever needs to.

When you get the bird please never let the bird out the cage, when the cats are present. Accidents have happened so quickly, and many many guardians have lost their birds tragically through their cats.

Agreed. Unless you trust you cats 110%, I'd never even let the bird out without them locked out of the room. My housemate has two cats, and while they are gorgeous cats and very well mannered, to the extent that they MIGHT be ok with Alex, I would never risk it. Because all it takes is one accident. If you want to have your bird flighted as a back up plan (ie, somehow a cat gets in) thats fine, but it's doesn't mean they can be together just because he might be able to escape... MIGHT being the word Cats are quick!

My own cat, who resides with my parents while I am at uni, is another story though. He lives with two cockatiels, has lived with a myraid of other birds and small (and edible!) pets over the years. One he knows it is ours and part of the family, he never touches them. Mice included. Alex likes to cruise on his back around the house when we go stay there. Free kitty transport! My cat is one in a million when it comes to birds though, so not recommended.

Congrats on your new birdy! You'll have fun!

 

[mtdoramike]

I have always suggested when it comes to cats and birds, (You need to make a decision, one or the other) because cats usually don't live well with birds. My daughter has a bird dog and a boxer dog and when she brings them over, the boxer doesn't pay my bird any attention at all. But the bird dog on the other hand sits at Tiki's cage and watches her intently and even trys to knock down her cage if we aren't watching. So I have begun to move her cage to another room when my daughter shows up with her dogs. Fortunately her cage is small enough to be able to do that.

I'm afraid it will give Tiki a complex hahahahahaha. My wife is thinking I have a female gene in me because I'm overly sensitive to Tiki's needs. I tell her she is just jealous hahahha.

 

[Spiritbird]

My kitty is an exception. She is a very laid back Maincoon cat and my bird has actualy landed on her and she did not even move. I would never leave a bird out and not watch. A cats natural instinct is to get a bird but my kitty knows they are part of our family.

 

[mtdoramike]

I forgot to congratulate you on your new family member. You will have so much fun. Also, I think the breeder was just trying to help you out by not spoiling your bird right off. Which would make it almost impossible for you to leave the room if the bird gets too attached to you.

But the information he gave was stupid in my opinion. You need to spend a certain amount of time with your bird and be consistant with it. If your home life and work situation only allows you to spend 4 hours a day with your bird then don't get him used to being around you eight to 10 hours a day. Try to limit you bonding time to the amount of time that YOU KNOW you will have to share with him. If you can't spend at least 4 hours a day with your bird then a bird is not the right pet.

This way, your bird will learn to play on his own in his cage and not be dependant on you for constant attention. These birds are very active and intelligent so you need to keep them stimulated with plenty of activies like TONS of toys and mainly foraging toys that you can hide food in and they try to get at the food. It will keep him busy for hours. You MUST swap out toys frequently if your bird spends a maximum of eight hours a day in his cage in order to keep him stimulated. How frequesntly depends on your wallet. But a maximum of every two weeks, but once a week is ideal.

 

[mtdoramike]

And by the way, I NEVER trust a cat no matter how well I know them.

 

[Amber]

My kitty is an exception. She is a very laid back Maincoon cat and my bird has actualy landed on her and she did not even move. I would never leave a bird out and not watch. A cats natural instinct is to get a bird but my kitty knows they are part of our family.

Interesting, my cat is a maine coon x turkish van. I wonder if it's a breed thing?

 

[Remy]

Congratulations! I just got my baby 2 weeks ago.

I've had birds (and other "edibles") and cats together okay, and my mom does currently. Just keep an eye on them when they're in the same room.

When I was growing up we would both sit near each other, one of us holding the bird, and the other securely holding the cat (or dog), and let them get used to each other. That way you get to safely observe how the cat (or dog) is around the smaller animal, and determine how safe it is to have the two together. Just use good judgement.

 

[Abzeez]

My friends Rott knew its kitty friend was part of the family too, while playing the rott rolled over and killed the kitty... Just a thought.

 

[IolaniAviary]

I have dogs and cats, my female cat was raised around a bird who used to play with her. So I trust her more then anything. He used to fly right to her and they would goof around. My other cat is a darn hunter, but he is on an entire different story of our house. I don't even risk it, not worth it at all. Cats are way too fast, you wouldn't be able to stop it. My dogs stay outside except for at night, but they are trained that going near the bird cage ends in a squirt and nose bite from one of my Fids lol!

Also, just because someone has been dealing with birds all their life does NOT mean they know what they're doing. I've found that out the hard way with breeders. Many of them are stubborn and won't listen to new information so they end up giving out a whole lot of false stuff.