Milo The GCC Diary Scrapbook :)

[lollipoppy]

I absolutely adore writing (my bread & butter job is freelance writing!) and so I wanted to play along and make a Milo “scrapbook” on here [emoji4]

Milo The (Cinnamon/Pineapple) Green Cheek Conure! [emoji3079]

I have been dreaming of having a conure for about 10 years now. Three months ago, my fiancé’s boss was considering rehoming one of her budgies, and my fiancé asked me if I wanted him. She ended up keeping her budgie (thank goodness, she’s really attached so I’m glad that worked out!)

Anyway, my fiancé knew I was so excited about the possibility of having a bird again, and was (mildly & selfishly) heart broken when that didn’t work out. So, he suggested we consider adopting a different bird.

At first I thought I would only adopt a budgie, as we are currently in an apartment and noise was a concern. Plus, it’s been nearly 4 years since I owned a bird, so I wasn’t so sure I was ready for a “big girl bird!”

After some thought and research I realized - budgies are beautiful and while I would certainly love my budgie through and through if I had one, I wanted a conure soooooo badly! So, we researched and realized that GCCs tend to be quieter. Plus, our neighbouring apartments didn’t mind -some- noise, as they have dogs (and so do we) so animal noises aren’t totally frowned on here.

Anyway - after all that I Googled GCC breeders in our area and found Milo’s breeder. At first, I was going to wait for an all green gcc, then I thought maybe a yellow sided. She just had a clutch of them hatch, so they would’ve been ready around June.

But then she showed me Milo. He was a little more costly because of his colours, but the moment I saw his face, I was IN LOVE! I could tell he was such a sweet baby, and that he would fit stunningly with our family. (Yep, all that, just from a picture and one little video, haha! Call it intuition?)

Anyway. Saturday, April 18, 2020 was GOTCHA day! (Feb 18, 2020 was hatch day!)

I am SO thrilled with this little boy. Can’t wait to share more of our updates! In a few minutes I’ll share his “coming home story” below. This thread will officially be dedicated to our adventures.

PS have fun giggling at all my faces from the different angles and from me trying to stay focused on photographing without letting Milo see the camera! He LOVES to attack my phone lmao

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lollipoppy]

Milo The GCC Diary Scrapbook [emoji4]

4/18/2020

I’d asked Milo’s breeder how he was doing on the eve of the 17th. When she got back to me in the morning of the 18th she said he was doing great, and he would be ready to come home anytime!

I said, awesome, when can I come get him? And she’s like, it’s your drive to make, when works best for you chickie? Haha! Well, I said “today works, if he’s ready enough!” And she said he was!

So, at 1:30pm I fixed up my cat carrier to make it safe for him to travel in, brought my COVID19 gloves, mask, and hand sanitizer, and hopped in the car to go get him! We arrived at 2pm.

Milo’s breeder was holding him and snuggling him when I arrived. She gently placed him in my carrier, then handed me some of the food he was eating - fresh and seed - and a special cat toy and his hatch certificate. We said our dues and we were off!

The adventure home was exciting and overwhelming. My mind was full of “oh he’s so pure!” And “OMG are we really going to do this for 30+ years? No going back now, baby, just you and I!” I was feeling the magnitude of this commitment, knowing that no matter what happens, my boy will be with me! (Or girl! I didn’t get him DNA’d yet... an entry for another day [emoji23])

Upon getting home, we stripped & washed our hands and got into fresh washed clothes as per COVID19 protocol. Strange that this pandemic will be forever woven into our story, isn’t it?

After making sure we were completely cleaned up, I sat Milo’s carrier on the coffee table and opened the door. Well! This somewhat frazzled and totally noisy little boy instantly quieted as he looked me in the face, with no bars in the way, for the first time.

I carefully reached my hand out and he approached it slowly, then hopped on my finger. From there we spoke. I said, “Hey Milo! I’m hoping you’ll accept me as your new friend, would that be ok with you?” And he carefully watched me.

Not wanting to disrespect his space, I held him slightly away from my body and never tried to pet him. I just let him decide what to do next. He sat quietly taking it all in, and then ran up my arm and sat on my shoulder. Ha!

We stayed for several minutes with him sitting there, and me feeling awkward because a bird I just met was VERY close to my face (the last gcc that close to my face tried to bite my mouth and ears, several times!) even so, he was so gentle and kind.

About 10 minutes went by and I thought it was time for Milo to check out his cage. He didn’t agree. He wanted to be with me! So, I let him climb back up my arm and we sat down.

Over the course of the afternoon I placed him in his cage several times, encouraging him to stay a little longer each time. He was never too thrilled with it, but he grew more comfortable. Within an hour he was eating like a pro, drinking, and playing with some of his toys - while also scaling the front and crowing at me to come get him, of course, ha ha!

He slept wonderfully that first night. Not a single peep after bed time, not even after I anxiously checked in on him 4-5 times like a nervous mother.

He was such a babe!

I’ll update day 1 with him later today, then day 2 so that we’re all caught up. Then, I’ll just update as I feel like it [emoji56][emoji175]

Milo seeing me for the first time ever:

First time on my shoulder:

First nap on my shoulder:

He found a more comfy spot and shyly hid his face, opening his eye only to keep a watch on the bright pink phone, ha ha:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lollipoppy]

4/19/2020

Day 1 together was all treats and cuddles. I work from home, so I was able to chat with Milo while I worked. He happily chattered back. He was much more content in his cage this day, after sleeping in it all night.

It’s hard to believe this was only one day, as we had accomplished so much. By bed time, Milo was starting to “spin” for treats, and was waddling over to me anytime I called.

He snuggled on me, napped on me, played with his toys, and... bit my finger! Yep. His “content” coo and “annoyed” coo are very similar, though I’m now starting to recognize the differences between the two.

Anyway, I totally misread it yesterday and after scritching his chin for too long he bit my thumb. He kept pressing harder and harder, but never broke skin. Surprisingly, I did NOT jump or wince or anything. (I have fibromyalgia so I was worried this would be hard for me - not responding to the bites. My pain threshold is very low. I did well!) I gently and slowly removed my thumb by taking his bamboo finger trap and distracting him with it. I then left him completely alone, but he came back to snuggle. It turns out, he wanted to be with me, he was just sick of the scritches [emoji23]

This day was perfect, though it had its oopsies. The missed signal being one, and me completely forgetting to remove his chop from his cage after the 1 hour being the second. (It sat for like 6 hours before I remembered it was in there... fortunately he had eaten most of it in the first hour so by then it was mostly just seed he was eating.)

Oh! He took a bath, too. He kept splashing in his bowl so I thought, why not? And he loved it!

We had a great snuggle to sleep after, too. That’s where these pictures came from!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Inger]

The level of cuteness displayed here is really out of control. It seems that you found a wonderful breeder to get such a tame, happy baby! And the look of delight on your face in the picture of the first time he sat on your shoulder says it all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lollipoppy]

The level of cuteness displayed here is really out of control. It seems that you found a wonderful breeder to get such a tame, happy baby! And the look of delight on your face in the picture of the first time he sat on your shoulder says it all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hehe! Thank you! She is amazing, she hand feeds her babies from 2 weeks up and teaches them “step up” and how to snuggle and shoulder politely. She also teaches them not to bite from a young age, and shows each of her baby’s new parronts how to handle biting and such in the same way she does. (She gently rubs their nose to discourage it and then says to quickly find out why they’re biting and fix that. That way, you teach them biting is not the answer, but you also take away the reason for biting so they know you respect them.)

I suspect we’ll have periods with more challenges, maybe after our “honeymoon” phase ends and the real settling in begins, and during hormones, but so far he’s absolutely delightful! And I think him already being so well adjusted may help us work through it all a little easier. Maybe! [emoji2957][emoji847][emoji175]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lollipoppy]

Milo learned spin last night/today. He’s already doing it without me showing him how!


[ame="https://youtu.be/Cz7U8JGMyLE"]Milo Learned to Spin! - YouTube[/ame]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wrench13]

Good thread, I think you will enjoy looking back after years to remember the initial days with Milo. I know I love re-reading Salty's thread. And after 89,000+ views, I think a lot of other folks do too!

 

[lollipoppy]

Good thread, I think you will enjoy looking back after years to remember the initial days with Milo. I know I love re-reading Salty's thread. And after 89,000+ views, I think a lot of other folks do too!

Aww that’s awesome! I believe I am one of those views [emoji41] I love reading stuff like this!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lollipoppy]

Milo is such a fun birdie to have. So far our morning routine looks like: waking up, him pooping in his cage, me taking him out and us snuggling then playing with his toys. We do a little training session then I feed him fresh food. He eats that while I have coffee & relax, then we play again after. Then he naps on me. Then he goes to his cage for a pellet/seed lunch, then he naps in his cage while I get things done & then rinse repeat about 2-3 times throughout the day. Then he goes to bed

Tapatalk isn’t letting me upload pictures just yet but as soon as I can I have the cutest ones of him on his back napping


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lollipoppy]

Today has been a bit of an up and down day. Milo laid on his back in my hand to nap, twice. But he also had more mood swings - nipping (no skin breaking,) making his angry little shrill noise at me, and seeming frustrated with us not yet knowing how to communicate very well.

I suspect we will go through a phase where the honeymoon dust settles & he realizes he’s not going home to his original family. I can’t imagine the grief of losing your whole flock & the lady who fed you from 2 weeks old so quickly. It’s really impressive that even after all that these babes can still bond so greatly with us.

We spent the day relaxed - nothing pressured or forced. Skipped bath because he seemed stressed, and skipped any sort of harness stuff. (Previously I was giving him treats all around it and he was crawling through the wing holes and poking his head through the neck hole.) We did some “spin” because that’s a good positive form of communication we both understand, and we played target for some safflower seeds.

He was a bit nippy near my face so I needed to assert that that was a “no,” and have him sleep away from my face at times. He had plenty of downtime in his cage, too, and I only invited him out after he made it obvious he wanted out.

I feel bad for the little guy, he wants so badly to be with me, but then grows frustrated with me when he’s out. I’m not yet the person he’s looking for, or the one who understands him. I’ll keep learning.

In the meantime, even with the obvious frustrations on his part, he was still incredibly sweet. He willingly rolled over in my hand. He snuggled into my neck for naps. And he wanted to be with me most of the day.

One day at a time we’re learning what it means to be in each other’s lives. [emoji175]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jkeasterly]

I can't believe he already lays on his back to sleep in your hand! My god what a sweet baby!

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[lollipoppy]

I can't believe he already lays on his back to sleep in your hand! My god what a sweet baby!

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Haha! It is not all simple, though. As is usual for conures, he’s a mouthy boy [emoji23]

We’ve been working on finding a balance, as he ALWAYS wants to be out, but he gets overstimulated and overly excited and bites, either if you take away the object of his pursuit (like a cell phone or glasses,) or if you try to move him from his favourite spot (shoulder, or top of the couch.)

Trying to make sure he settles in & feels confident and safe around his new life, and giving him the freedom he seeks is a balance I’m not so good at yet [emoji38]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jkeasterly]

I can't believe he already lays on his back to sleep in your hand! My god what a sweet baby!

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Haha! It is not all simple, though. As is usual for conures, he’s a mouthy boy [emoji23]

We’ve been working on finding a balance, as he ALWAYS wants to be out, but he gets overstimulated and overly excited and bites, either if you take away the object of his pursuit (like a cell phone or glasses,) or if you try to move him from his favourite spot (shoulder, or top of the couch.)

Trying to make sure he settles in & feels confident and safe around his new life, and giving him the freedom he seeks is a balance I’m not so good at yet [emoji38]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Seems you are doing great. I'm sure you guys will find balance as he ages and settles. Keep up the good work

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[lollipoppy]

Seems you are doing great. I'm sure you guys will find balance as he ages and settles. Keep up the good work

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Thank you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lollipoppy]

Cheeky clown boy [emoji1782][emoji7] Milo LOVES his baths!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lollipoppy]

I have to be honest my friends, Milo and I went through the classic settling in period the last couple days. I’m not convinced it’s over yet, but we’re coming into a sweetheart stage again right now. (Ps it’s now been 9 days since Milo came home!)

Milo seemed confused with how to communicate with me and I, not knowing all of his tiny (easy to miss) signs like teeny head movements, almost inaudible noises, and little shifts in where he was facing, had no idea when I was receiving a message. So, he had to give nips to let me know what was up.

Anyway, I’m getting better, and so is he. We’re learning how to flow in harmony together! Tonight we had our training - playing on his play gym (he’s becoming more independent now. He needs to know where I am but he will keep himself occupied for up to about 5 minutes as long as I’m close) and flying to me. He even landed on the floor once and crawled all the way to my shoulder LOL!

At the end he did the cutest thing. I usually make a cuddle cup with my hand - like I cup it over my chest and he crawls up under it. Tonight I did that and he snuck up under my hand and flopped onto his side, throwing his head very dramatically down onto my hair. I pet him and we snuggled for a half an hour, while I told him the story of the three little pigs and told him what a good boy he was.

Today we had our first 2 real cuddles in about 3 days and it was soooo welcomed after a couple days of sass and both of us learning.

I wonder what tomorrow will hold in store with my boy [emoji3059]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GaleriaGila]

Hello!

Welcome!

I don't know who looks more enchanted... you or your darling.

Thank you for sharing the beginning of your journey. You remind me of...
ME... and the Rickeybird. I got him when I was still in school, and I'm now retired.

I wish you a long and wonderful adventure together.

Thank you again for a precious reminder. The Rickeybird and I wish you and Milo the very, very best. You couldn't have found a better Community to settle into. Stick with us!

 

[lollipoppy]

Hello!

Welcome!

I don't know who looks more enchanted... you or your darling.

Thank you for sharing the beginning of your journey. You remind me of...
ME... and the Rickeybird. I got him when I was still in school, and I'm now retired.

I wish you a long and wonderful adventure together.

Thank you again for a precious reminder. The Rickeybird and I wish you and Milo the very, very best. You couldn't have found a better Community to settle into. Stick with us!

Thank you!

Awww, Rickeybird is a Patagonian, right?

I’m looking forward to settling in even more here and enjoying our time together, and many years with my Milo! He’s such a charmer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lollipoppy]

Milo has been doing the CUTEST thing the past 2 nights and I actually got pictures tonight... at night he runs up under my cupped hand then literally tosses his head down and stretches it out (as shown below), and shrill cheeps at me until I scratch his chin. We spent the whole last half hour of the day with me telling him nursery stories while he snuggles me.

AWWWWW [emoji7] I feel so loved. Also, today he flew to come find me - and when I came back in the room he flew straight up onto my shoulder. So much for being clipped! [emoji23] I’m feeling like we will probably let his wings grow out and let him be a flighted boy. [emoji1360] my only fear is with people’s stories of them flying around and nipping then flying away, as I have a small and very anxious/overwhelming 4 year old. As it is, though, we don’t let them out together because she’s just way too hyper for him right now in her life. I’d hate for him to get squished or hurt. He seems very happy to have his 2 x outings too - first thing in the morning and then for a good hour or two after my daughter goes to bed. [emoji175]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[saxguy64]

Awww, Milo is so cute! Your progress with him is amazing Something to keep in mind though. Right now, he's a baby, and seeks out the snuggles and pets. As he gets older (puberty) he'll interpret anything past the head and neck as, umm... exciting... and that can make for a frustrated Birdy, and possibly some aggressive behavior. Other folks will surely explain it better and in more detail than I, but definitely keep it in mind moving forward.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk