Finally... They discovered the coconuts!

[RavensGryf]

I put up these coconuts hanging on a rope around a couple weeks ago. So far it's just been a nice decoration. It's hanging right by Raven's cage.

Tonight, Raven decided to check it out...


Wow, this thing is FUN! I think I love it!


Hey! Where did YOU come from?!


Okay, we can share... But only if you let me preen you, okay?


They look like such good buddies, but I still have to stay close by to break them up because Raven will start picking on Griffin after a few minutes.

I've started to encourage them to play separately a lot of the time (teaching Griffin not to bug Raven excessively) and it seems to be working. He gets it most of the time. I find him near Raven but on his own toy more of the time lately thank goodness.

 

[GW.Joe]

Aww, Thanks for sharin that Julie, i would LOVe to see a video of Raven picking on Griffin

Is it scary or funny ?

 

[RavensGryf]

i would LOVe to see a video of Raven picking on Griffin
Is it scary or funny ?

The not funny kind.
Griffin has plenty of chances to back off at the first warning, but for some reason he ignores it. He acts like he just doesn't get it. I wonder if that's normal for a youngster?

 

[Dinosrawr]

Oh my word! That's so cute. I love seeing them preen each other, even if it's momentarily. I'm glad they're getting along so well... or at least as well as you would expect an old man and a young child will get along You have such gorgeous birds!

 

[GW.Joe]

Oh, sorry, I know the "not funny" feeling from many things in my life

Refresh my memory, how long have they been together now?

 

[RavensGryf]

Oh, sorry, I know the "not funny" feeling from many things in my life

Refresh my memory, how long have they been together now?

Oh yes, I know the 'not funny' feeling all too well lately too.... Anyway, Raven met Griffin about 3 weeks ago? I don't remember the exact date, but around 3 weeks.

 

[GW.Joe]

Right, now I remember the thread, has there been any progress between them?

 

[RavensGryf]

Right, now I remember the thread, has there been any progress between them?

The only thing different I can see is that Griffin spends a little less time running over to Raven's cage to seek him out and bug him. I will see him playing independently more and more. I hope that continues, and gets to the point where Griffin will learn when to leave Raven alone before it escalates too much.

 

[thekarens]

Great pics! They are so cute together!

 

[Birdman666]

My red fronted macaw loves those coconut toys, and bamboo. However, they don't last long with that beak...

Bamboo lasts about ten seconds. But I get those dollar store bamboo stalks, and cut them up. So, it doesn't matter. Gives her about 15 minutes of fun to destroy an entire stalk of bamboo. Got help any other bird that gets near her bamboo toy when she's destroying it either... THAT'S MINE!!!

 

[Terry57]

I love those coconuts! Where did you get them?
It is so wonderful when they finally start playing with their toys they have been ignoring

 

[Taw5106]

I love the pics and I love their playground. I keep waiting for Buddy to play with the kabob I got him. He's had it for 3 months and doesn't touch it. I looked at a coconut and want to get him one but I'm still waiting for the kabob to get some attention. I love that the two are now playing nice more, lol.

 

[RavensGryf]

My red fronted macaw loves those coconut toys, and bamboo. However, they don't last long with that beak...

At least with the Poi's and Pionus I can give them an "oversized" toy and it will literally last forever.
Robin is usually afraid of toys that aren't small, but Raven and Griffin love using the large stuff.

 

[Birdman666]

My red fronted macaw loves those coconut toys, and bamboo. However, they don't last long with that beak...

At least with the Poi's and Pionus I can give them an "oversized" toy and it will literally last forever.
Robin is usually afraid of toys that aren't small, but Raven and Griffin love using the large stuff.

Well, the coconut shells last a week or so. Once she gets them cracked, it's pretty much over. I use the pieces though, as the stuffing in the foraging toys I make. Pretty much all used toy pieces get recycled around here...

Bamboo, however, lasts about as long as peanut shells, and there is nothing left to save when she's through with it. BUT she has a ball doing it.

Wiffle ball toys don't last long around here either. Especially when I put stuff in them. Gone in seconds.

 

[RavensGryf]

Well, the coconut shells last a week or so. Once she gets them cracked, it's pretty much over. I use the pieces though, as the stuffing in the foraging toys I make. Pretty much all used toy pieces get recycled around here...

Bamboo, however, lasts about as long as peanut shells, and there is nothing left to save when she's through with it. BUT she has a ball doing it.

Wiffle ball toys don't last long around here either. Especially when I put stuff in them. Gone in seconds.

Wow. That's a lot of money in toys that a Macaw (not even a full sized one) can go through in no time. Something for potential Mac owners to think about. They need nuts too right? That can get pricey real fast too. It pays to get creative with recycling on the toys!

 

[Birdman666]

Well, the coconut shells last a week or so. Once she gets them cracked, it's pretty much over. I use the pieces though, as the stuffing in the foraging toys I make. Pretty much all used toy pieces get recycled around here...

Bamboo, however, lasts about as long as peanut shells, and there is nothing left to save when she's through with it. BUT she has a ball doing it.

Wiffle ball toys don't last long around here either. Especially when I put stuff in them. Gone in seconds.

Wow. That's a lot of money in toys that a Macaw (not even a full sized one) can go through in no time. Something for potential Mac owners to think about. They need nuts too right? That can get pricey real fast too. It pays to get creative with recycling on the toys!

Well, I make my own toys for the most part. Every once in awhile, a couple of times a year I buy one. I make most everything else. It's prohibitively expensive.

Maggie can easily destroy a $30.00 bird toy in a day.

Nuts I buy in bulk. Probably spend about $60 per month?! But that gets split five ways.

 

[RavensGryf]

I love those coconuts! Where did you get them?
It is so wonderful when they finally start playing with their toys they have been ignoring

Thanks Terry, I've had those coconuts for about 8 years or so (been packed away in storage until now) and I don't even remember where I got it lol! I'm pretty sure it is by the company Aronico? They make the cargo nets and rope type of toys.

 

[RavensGryf]

I love the pics and I love their playground. I keep waiting for Buddy to play with the kabob I got him. He's had it for 3 months and doesn't touch it. I looked at a coconut and want to get him one but I'm still waiting for the kabob to get some attention. I love that the two are now playing nice more, lol.

There are some toys that some birds just won't play with no matter what. Robin is very picky with the shape, size, texture, etc. of toys and won't touch a lot of things. Raven and Griffin aren't as picky and generally like to play more than Robin.

Edit: also sometimes they just need to get used to seeing it there first. They didn't start using the playground at all for the first couple weeks. 3 weeks is a while though. Buddy is probably telling you he doesn't like it near as much as you do!

 

[Birdman666]

The hot ticket for cargo nets is Pacific Fibre and Rope company.

They actually due REAL heavy duty shipping cargo nets for the maritime industry, but they custom make what ever you want, and they are reasonable. About half the cost of bird mart nets...

Pacific Fibre & Rope

 

[Kiwibird]

What cutie pies! Sounds like Raven got a little sibling for sure My MILs older dogs are like that whenever she gets a new puppy. The puppies are a little too excitable and the older dogs put them in their place. I would imagine a similar dynamic plays out in parrots. I see Robin decided to forego the coconut fun though.