Hello From CT

[Munkys]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Ashley and I have a 9yr old Moustache named Meiko. Have had "him" since he was a baby. I use "him" loosely because even though they are supposed to be dimorphic, I end up with a bird who's got both colors on his beak.. Go figure. Hermaphadite maybe?

I'm looking forward to the discussions, as I will be starting to more seriously train him, and I have considered getting him a companion so I'm sure I will have a ton of questions. (Speaking of which if anyone knows of really good training books feel free to let me know!)

Hopefully see everyone at some point!

-Ash

 

[merlinsmom13]

Welcome to the forum. We love pictures.

 

[suebee]

yup as said above lol pics please an welcome, an funny things your bird likes to do

 

[Munkys]

I uploaded pics as attachments, and they are also in my album in case they didn't work. I, unforunately, had to move back home to help my parent's with their mortgage, however when my mother starts yelling at my younger sister, Meiko joins in. I find that to be amusing. He's a pretty mellow guy. He makes an adorable squeak sound, can make out "Hello Meiko," LOOOOVVVEESSS getting a shower- he'll lean forward so his belly is in my palm, and he'll stretch his legs out backwards, and he just gets a "This is HEAVEN!" look on his face. He loves cuddling in my hair when I let him up on my shoulder- he could stay there for hours.

Unfortunately, I'm the only one he's bonded with so I'm looking into ways to get him to bond with other people- specifically my boyfriend who I've lived with for the past three years so they can become pals. John gets a kick out of holding Meiko after he's gotten a shower and he's all wrapped up in a towel like a baby, and he's starting the bonding process by feeding Meiko Wheat Thins- its the only thing I've been able to find besides peanuts that he LOVES.

When I let him out in my room, I'll leave him out of his cage and he'll wonder around. When I come back in if he's not in plainview all I have to do is start saying his name, and we play a game of Marco Polo.

All in all, that sums up my baby. When it comes to me- he's a sweetheart. My only issue is getting him to "step-up" in order to get him out of his cage (Moustache's can become a bit cage aggressive/territorial), but once he's out he's a cuddlebug.

 

[suebee]

omg what a stunnin bird! have you tried a perch on the door?? so he could step up from that?? that way your hand does not go into cage??

an lol at shower time

 

[Munkys]

At the moment, considering our living situation I won't be doing it. The family has dogs, and one of which is an Akita with an extremely high prey drive, and I don't want to risk anything. I've already had a close call with him. However, my boyfriend and I will be moving out in August or September now that my parents are all caught up, and I'm looking into getting a new cage with a play gym on top- his current cage is dome shaped. But that is a great idea. I know when I open the cage door it'll take him a couple minutes, but he's out and exploring as soon as I give him space. I really need to reinforce the step-up command in his cage, and now I know how.... with WHEAT THINS!!!

 

[Munkys]

Oh, and when I blowdry my hair in view of Meiko, he charges in the cage trying to scare the blowdryer. I think its hilarious that he's trying to protect me.

 

[Echo]

Hey there I am from CT also! Welcome!!! I do have a Macaws cage I am looking to part with if you are interested. It is 48" x 36" X 76" A&E cage......Used but in great shape....

 

[Munkys]

Possibly. What's the bar spacing? Can't have anything bigger than 7/8". Whereabouts in CT are you from?

 

[Echo]

You know i was just thinking about the bar spacing......too big as it is 1"....

 

[Munkys]

Yeah that's unfortunately too big. I found a decent one on birds.com for $150. Just a matter of getting the money and figuring out when's a good time to make the transition. But thank you for the offer

 

[suebee]

lol you can add perches to top an sides of the cage on the ouut sid, hut has some that way as she too has a doom shaped cage

 

[Munkys]

That's a good idea. Never thought of that for some reason. Thanks a bunch for the idea.