How do I keep Kizzy off the ceiling fan and other non-approved surfaces

[Ladyhawk]

Kizzy is my first flighted parrot. Today she's been flying around the house like a pro. Sometimes she lands on the ceiling fan blades. If she flaps, she ends up making them go, which scares her a bit, so I don't think she'll end up liking them as a landing spot. However, she managed to land ABOVE that today. I'm worried she could get to wires or something else that could hurt her.

Some guidance would be much appreciated.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I'd hang something that would scare the beejesus out of her from the blades or from the motor.
Now REMEMBER! Don't have the fan on while Kizzy is zooming all round your place!




Jim

 

[LordTriggs]

the only thing you can really do is inspect to see if there are any spots she can get to wires and try to cover the wires with something she can't get through.

A java Tree perch stand thing will probably be the easiest way to get them to stop going on there. Essentially make approved places more enticing to them. If there's no other choice and you're really worried you may have to get her wings clipped. It's unfortunate but a clipped bird is better than an injured bird

 

[henpecked]

Welcome to the trials and tribulations of having a young flighted amazon. Like the last poster said. Give her a better place to hang out. Reward her with lots of attention when she is in a good spot. Have you looked into perch stands and cargo Nets

 

[Ladyhawk]

Thanks everyone. I've been trying to create approved places. The main issue is Kizzy likes being high. I believe she is aiming for the perch on the spot where I hand-feed her, but her instinct is to fly high, so she misses. Also, she has to fly around my head if I'm sitting on the computer, so it's a bit tough to stick the landing. Remember, she turned nine weeks old on Monday. She fledged earlier than most blue fronts, probably because she's petite and quite streamlined. She's come so far and seems so full of joy that I will do just about anything rather than clip her wings. She loves flying.

No one turns on the ceiling fan. I've always disliked them, fearing they would fall. It's a mostly irrational fear, but it's my main fear when Kizzy is up there. My second, more rational fear is that she'll get into the wiring. I will find a way to keep her off.

I'm not sure what would scare her, though. I've been trying to habituate her to towels, harnesses, etc. She's used to a lot of things at this point. Maybe I should try putting a scary stuffed Homer Simpson doll up there? Then again, she's seen it in the flight room and doesn't seem to fear it. Birds usually hate hats and and umbrellas, but only when they are worn or opened.

I don't want her to develop phobias, so maybe I should stick with my plan of getting her down every time she gets up there and praising her when she lands on approved places. If I have to, I'll get a sheet and tack it to the ceiling so she has to go around the fan.

Two flight training perches came in the mail today, so I will find good spots for them, hang a toy from each one and let her play there. I want so many approved places that she doesn't feel a need to go up to the ceiling fan. If that doesn't work, I'll have to try to find something she is afraid of.

Thanks again.

 

[Kiwibird]

I taught Kiwi the concept of "mine" and "yours" and he understands those 2 cue words along with my body language/tone of voice. Things which are "mine" are off limits/no chewing/no parrots allowed here. I did this by tapping the object/furniture etc... that was off limits and saying firmly "mine" then either removed him and put him elsewhere OR like if he was chewing the couch or a chair or something, I tapped and said "mine" then handed him something he was allowed to chew (I always have toys around) and told him "yours" as I offered the toy. It did not happen over night, but he eventually got the picture not to chew furniture, not to chew clothes, to stay away from the vivarium, that the floor below his cage was off limits (i.e. not to climb down off his cage) etc... Also a helpful concept when introducing new things, like toys, perches etc... as he understands when it is declared to be "yours" that it is safe and he is allowed to mess around or play with it right away I'd designate surfaces she is not allowed on as "mine" and remove her and give a time out if she returns after being removed. It takes time for them to catch on, but if you're consistent, they do eventually catch on. Kiwi caught on well enough (over the course of years) to be allowed out of his cage all day long unsupervised and there are no parrot chew marks anywhere because he sticks to where he's been shown he is allowed to be and stays away from where he isn't allowed (and also doesn't chew things deemed "mine").

 

[Katu]

You can also remove the blades from the fan to be certain it will never be a problem. They are simple to disassemble.

 

[Ladyhawk]

I taught Kiwi the concept of "mine" and "yours" and he understands those 2 cue words along with my body language/tone of voice. Things which are "mine" are off limits/no chewing/no parrots allowed here. I did this by tapping the object/furniture etc... that was off limits and saying firmly "mine" then either removed him and put him elsewhere OR like if he was chewing the couch or a chair or something, I tapped and said "mine" then handed him something he was allowed to chew (I always have toys around) and told him "yours" as I offered the toy. It did not happen over night, but he eventually got the picture not to chew furniture, not to chew clothes, to stay away from the vivarium, that the floor below his cage was off limits (i.e. not to climb down off his cage) etc... Also a helpful concept when introducing new things, like toys, perches etc... as he understands when it is declared to be "yours" that it is safe and he is allowed to mess around or play with it right away I'd designate surfaces she is not allowed on as "mine" and remove her and give a time out if she returns after being removed. It takes time for them to catch on, but if you're consistent, they do eventually catch on. Kiwi caught on well enough (over the course of years) to be allowed out of his cage all day long unsupervised and there are no parrot chew marks anywhere because he sticks to where he's been shown he is allowed to be and stays away from where he isn't allowed (and also doesn't chew things deemed "mine").

VERY helpful. What a smart little Kiwi bird you have there! He's also very handsome with those yellow shoulders. Amazon parrots are so intelligent. I think this is worth the time it will take. I really want Kizzy to have more freedom than Gabby had.

Thanks!

 

[SailBoat]

As stated above, simply removing the blades of the fan is a great idea!

I can understand the want to land there because it is higher than most everything (view of the World). And at that age, height seems safer and better.

There is a product sold at Hardware stores that are used to keep Wild Birds from landing or building nests on outer areas of homes. I do not recommend that product, Aluminum rods about 5" (130 mm) tall that has causes the Birds to avoid landing on them. Clearly not recommended for indoor use and clearly not for a baby Parrot! But, a concept for something that would prevent landing of surface.

 

[Ladyhawk]

You can also remove the blades from the fan to be certain it will never be a problem. They are simple to disassemble.

This may become a "thing" in my house. We'll see.

 

[Kiwibird]

VERY helpful. What a smart little Kiwi bird you have there! He's also very handsome with those yellow shoulders. Amazon parrots are so intelligent. I think this is worth the time it will take. I really want Kizzy to have more freedom than Gabby had.

Thanks!

And it will take time! Don't give up if she continues to defy, just keep the reactions consistent for her. Remember, they are smart and she is going to test your patience. Don't let her win! She should give in by abandoning the undesirable behavior, not you give in to her continuing it. A baby may learn faster though than the obstinate and defiant teenaged critter I ended up with Kiwi pushed me to my limits with how hard he tested me and how defiant and unresponsive to training he was in the beginning

All parrots are unique individuals of course, but in my experience amazons seem to be one of the most suited species to life as companion animals, including the privileges other pets enjoy. In my observation on these kinds of forums, more amazons seem to be trusted enough by their owners to be "free range" than any other species of parrot. They just need to be shown what is expected of them by their "flock" and they are relatively obedient (for a parrot at least!). Fitting in with the flock is essential for their survival and as highly social beings, being in good standing socially is also important to them. This can be used to our benefit in training them for their benefit later in not being so restricted and caged up all the time

 

[wrench13]

I agree, my amazon once he understood that in this flock, you do better when you learn things; gets stuff so quickly, it's amazing. The act of learning becomes the point rather then the outcome of the learning. You see the light bulb go off, its very cool to watch.

 

[Kiwibird]

You see the light bulb go off, its very cool to watch.

You can tell the gears are turning because the beady orange alien eyes are going CRAZY:45::45::45:

 

[LordTriggs]

You see the light bulb go off, its very cool to watch.

You can tell the gears are turning because the beady orange alien eyes are going CRAZY:45::45::45:

its an Amazon's "loading animation"!

 

[Ladyhawk]

I agree, my amazon once he understood that in this flock, you do better when you learn things; gets stuff so quickly, it's amazing. The act of learning becomes the point rather then the outcome of the learning. You see the light bulb go off, its very cool to watch.

You've done an amazing job with Salty. He seems like such a fun little guy. YSA's look a bit like DYH's so it reminds me of when Gabby was a young silly fellow like Salty.

 

[Jottlebot]

I think something that flutters as she flies towards it would put her off landing, but if you don't use the fan why not have it changed for a different light altogether? Taking the blades off might still leave quite a lot of perching options and holes to get her feet and beak in to.

A friend of mine attached a bungee rope from the ceiling so his parrot could be high up and safe.

I guess the final thing is to just not react when she's somewhere she shouldn't be, if you talk to her or try and get her down it could just become a great game!

 

[Ladyhawk]

I taught Kiwi the concept of "mine" and "yours" and he understands those 2 cue words along with my body language/tone of voice. Things which are "mine" are off limits/no chewing/no parrots allowed here. I did this by tapping the object/furniture etc... that was off limits and saying firmly "mine" then either removed him and put him elsewhere OR like if he was chewing the couch or a chair or something, I tapped and said "mine" then handed him something he was allowed to chew (I always have toys around) and told him "yours" as I offered the toy. It did not happen over night, but he eventually got the picture not to chew furniture, not to chew clothes, to stay away from the vivarium, that the floor below his cage was off limits (i.e. not to climb down off his cage) etc... Also a helpful concept when introducing new things, like toys, perches etc... as he understands when it is declared to be "yours" that it is safe and he is allowed to mess around or play with it right away I'd designate surfaces she is not allowed on as "mine" and remove her and give a time out if she returns after being removed. It takes time for them to catch on, but if you're consistent, they do eventually catch on. Kiwi caught on well enough (over the course of years) to be allowed out of his cage all day long unsupervised and there are no parrot chew marks anywhere because he sticks to where he's been shown he is allowed to be and stays away from where he isn't allowed (and also doesn't chew things deemed "mine").

Would you be so kind as to share exactly what you did to make Kiwi understand what "mine" and "yours" means? Sometimes any attention makes a parrot happy, even telling him no and removing him to a new locale.

 

[GaleriaGila]

The Rbird is fearless, disobedient, and not that bright.
I watch him like a hawk (hehe). He is never out of my sight when on the loose. He can land on things past my reach, but all hazards above 7.5 feet (my reach) have been rendered hazardless. I do have a couple of side tables here and there which can be used to scare him off something high if necessary. All I have to do is pick one up and he chooses a different spot.

 

[Ladyhawk]

The Rbird is fearless, disobedient, and not that bright.
I watch him like a hawk (hehe). He is never out of my sight when on the loose. He can land on things past my reach, but all hazards above 7.5 feet (my reach) have been rendered hazardless. I do have a couple of side tables here and there which can be used to scare him off something high if necessary. All I have to do is pick one up and he chooses a different spot.

Sounds like you've had your hands full with that silly Patagonian conure. He's a very unique species. What is he like? Does he try to "burrow" into anything in your home? Does he have a strange fetish for sleeves? Is he cuddly? I know he's loud. XD I've never been around a tame one. In fact, I think the only ones I've ever seen were at bird shows.

I've wondered if Rickeybirds should be re-classified into their own unique offshoot. They're so different from the other conures. Nesting anywhere but a tree hollow--in this case, burrowing--is unique. Their looks are unique, too. I just looked at the genus classification and they're in their very own: Cyanoliseus. That makes sense. I wonder how closely related they are to the other conures?

As for using an item to keep Kizzy off the fan, my mother said, "Squirt her with water." I laughed and said, "Mom, she would like that." And indeed she does. I wish I had filmed her first "big girl" bath.

Hearing your story, I might pick a "bad bird" object and go with it. I hate to hurt her feelings because she's so sensitive. She also strikes me as quite bright, so I'm going to have to be very careful about how I discipline her. At this point, I'm convinced she's landing on the fan because she is missing her intended target. This morning as I was preparing her hand-feeding formula, she flew back and forth between a perch near her cage (still refuses to go inside) and the top of my head. XD She has also started landing on my shoulder. Once, she almost ended up on the ceiling fan, but made a quick adjustment and voila!. Bird on the head! I know there's a "woman walks into a psychiatrist's office" joke in there somewhere.

Thanks so much for the ideas. Once I'm sure she's going up there on purpose, I'll consider finding something she is a bit afraid of.

 

[Ladyhawk]

I've figured out why she flies up to the fan. It's on her "approved flight path" for getting to me when I'm in the kitchen. She's no longer afraid of the broom I was using to make her fly down. I have to physically nudge her off the fan blade. It's pretty soft on her belly, too, so I'm doing a great job of desensitizing her to the broom, but that wasn't the goal. XD

So, now I'm doing two things: 1) I'm going to put streamers around the fan so she can't fly to it without thinking twice. 2) I'm nudging her off the fan with no fanfare and no attention. At first, the fan landings were mistakes. BUT she realized she was getting immediate attention every time she flew onto the fan blades, so now she does it to get attention. Today, I started nudging her off the blades and immediately going back to what I was doing. If she uses the approved flight path (perches), I immediately acknowledge her and maybe ask if she wants to play, "Rawr! I'm a dinosaur!" Yeah, that's a thing. She hangs upside down or lies upside down in my hand, attacks a toy and play-growls. I want her to add, "I'm a dinosaur! Rawr!" to the mix.

Right now she's saying, "Pe-e-e-e-e-ek-a-boo!" and it's killing me. XD XD XD So cute. She learned it from my mother.

As for the cage, I think it may be time to make her go inside. I was going to make her spend time in her 20 gallon long first. One way or another she has to learn to be confined. The only issue with the cage is she still isn't a great climber. She'd learn quicker inside the cage...just a thought.

I'm thinking she needs to be fed, well-hydrated and perhaps a little tired before I put her inside for the first time. I'm worried about letting her out while she's fussing and worried she'll fuss for a long time. Maybe I should warn the neighbors they're going to hear some very weird noises?

Input? I'd appreciate it. I think Gabby's death made me feel guilty and now I'm letting Kizzy's cuteness and 1337 human-training skills control me just a bit. OK, maybe more than just a bit.