IRN bonded to "bird in the mirror" and other questions?

[Katyo91]

I have a 2 year old male IRN (named Beaker) who within the past month just got his ring (soo pretty btw)! Anyway, I've had him since February and he's progressively gotten more interested in his reflection--doing anything he can to get to a reflective surface or mirror. Is this bad? I've heard not to let him do this bc then he won't bond with me ?? I usually try to close doors to rooms with mirrors, but he can even fit under the door sometimes, crazy bird..

Also, right now he steps up and is mainly a "shoulder bird" but doesn't like being touched. I keep him flighted so he can leave me whenever he wishes. I know that he trusts me bc he willingly goes in the shower when he is completely wet and vulnerable. I'm trying some training but could use some tips. I try to use a clicker and he's learned how to give kisses. Lately I've been giving a verbal cue of "touch" and then trying to let him touch my finger with his beak nicely so i can move on to his head or other parts but he always comes at it like he wants to bite so i am not really making progess.... :/

I have a really snuggly sun conure and would just love to have my IRN be a little more cuddly too if possible. he's very independent and fun to watch (and certainly not as clingy as my sun haha!)

Any suggestions would be great! thanks!

 

[Mitchan]

Oh gosh, you don't realize how happy it makes me to hear that you keep him flighted and are working on a trust-based relationship! That's just awesome, and definitely the way to go with birds, in my opinion.
Anyway, I'm sorry I don't have any tips about the mirror thing - I used to have a lovebird who was very obsessed with mirrors, but I solved it by removing the only mirror in the room.
I don't think occasionally hanging out and talking to the mirror would be that bad of a thing for him, but I'm not sure.
Maybe he would be happy with a friend? I'm all for same-species birdie friends, it's healthy, enriching and so, so natural - and also, who the freak would NOT want TWO adorable IRNs?

As for the cuddliness - IRNs aren't usually known to be cuddly birds. Sure, there's a few cuddly ringnecks out there, but I think a lot of our ringies just simply don't like being touched. You can keep trying for a while (and it's so great that you seem to be clear about your intentions and not just sneaking up with a surprise scritch now and then, because that could make him associate touch with scary experiences), but if he doesn't catch on in the end, I'd just leave it and be happy with a hands-off shoulder bird. My IRNs rarely let me touch them, but they're wonderful in every other way, which kinda makes up for that.

 

[Katyo91]

haha unfortunately i cant remove the mirrors bc that just doesnt cut it with my beaker. he goes to Anything reflective. he keeps doing the "heart display" mating call that IRN's do...i wonder if he's just hormonal? especially since he recently got his ring? Do you know how long this stage might last? he's ridiculous but i love him! haha he does have a friend, not same-species however :/ he grew up with a sun conure that's maybe a year older than him and I found them at a rescue center. They came together sharing a cage and get along great. theres the occasional moody bickering, but overall they're fine. Sometimes it does seem as though he's trying to speak "IRN language" to my sun who is totally clueless haha he's even learned to mimic a lot of my sun's calls. wish I could get another IRN though! they are just too cute and curious for words. maybe someday

Also, i made gains yesterday in my training session! i was so excited and proud. he finally let me touch the top of his head without him freaking out looking frightened. Sure, it only happened a couple times out of the entire training session--but i'll take what I can get! Progress is progress.

 

[Jaicee]

My 4 year old male ringneck also has a penchant for his reflection and in moderation he seems to do ok although he goes through spurts where he tends to get possessive and just downright mean if you touch his mirror. Thats my cue to take it away from him, usually for a couple weeks but there has been times when it has been an entire month. I finally got tired of the back and forth and took it away completely and he only gets mirror time about once a week when i put him in front of the bathroom mirror for about 45 minutes. Now when he wants mirror time he will say "want the mirror" in my opinion its a judgement call on your part. If you think he is bonding or getting aggressive about it take it away and dont think twice about it. He will find another form of entertainment in no time my bird is also flighted and im still in awe that he can easily fly through the entire house and back to his cage in one swoop

 

[SilverSage]

I have 2 IRNs, and neither one of them enjoys being petted. The female, Blue, is taking her time tolerating me, but will fly to me when called for a peanut. Scout, the male, is a stinker! e is incredibly smart and curious, and loves to spend time with me -on my hand, on my shoulder, especially on my head; as long as I do not try to pet him. He is not afraid of being touched, he simply doesnt prefer it, and will fly away (sometimes only a little ways and then back to my hand - it is a very clear "I dont want to be touched" message). In general you are not likely to have a snuggle buddy with an IRN, but the training you are doing to teach him to let you touch him is a very good idea, especially for vet reasons and if you ever want him to wear a harness. Sorry I dont know what to do with the mirrors - it could be he is just fascinated by them, not trying to bond with them. Also, IRNs don't typically mate for life, which makes them a good choice for families as they are less likely to mate bond with a person. This tendency might make it so the mirrors are less of an issue, but I would love to hear from a more experienced IRN owner.

 

[Jaicee]

Oliver will tolerate touching on top of his head without nipping but its not his favorite thing in the world either. As for the bonding, my husband is his obvious favorite. He loves to sit, perched on his shoulder watching youtube videos of other ringnecks if hubby is home he will also screech when hubby leaves the room, "calling" him back. Oliver rarely pays any attention to me at all but is never agressive when i handle him.I havent figured out the bond since i am the one who cleans his cage, feeds him and the only one he will let clip his wings. Even hubby cant do that without getting bit but there is a definate bond of some sort going on