New Dad with no idea!

[Inverse]

See all this stuff I'm learning?
The open top cage isn't actually that bad, the "doors" are actually sprung and the perch is snug in there, I'll remember it though for if/when I get another bird.
I've actually already added a heap of gum branches to the cage for her to perch on.

 

[lene1949]

What a beautiful bird...

 

[JerseyWendy]

Generally speaking, it's not recommended to pet a parrot anywhere except the head region. Petting the back, wings and tail could be taken as either a sign of sexual intent, or an attack. She's too young at the moment, but I would suggest stopping now rather than later!

I actually disagree with you there, Monica, and I will use my 13 year old Yellow Nape as an example. I've touched her anywhere and everywhere from babyhood on, and she is SO used to it, I can do any kind of "maintenance" or "close inspection" on her at any given time.

I know her well enough to realize when she appears to become stimulated, and adjust my "caressing", "patting" accordingly, but feel it's important to let your bird get used to hands all over, so that they don't get scared/flighty/mistrusting if you HAVE to touch a certain part.

 

[MonicaMc]

Wendy, I'd love to hear about whether or not your zon is a 'one person bird' or if she enjoys interaction with strangers?


I've just seen far too many people unintentionally sexually frustrate their birds and then wonder why they have 'problem' birds!

Far too many people already don't know how to properly understand their parrots that I simply can't recommend for someone who knows nothing about bird body language to continually pet their bird in a manner that may one day turn into something sexual. In most parrots, the only reason that their backs and/or tail regions would be touched is during sexual contact... cockatoos seeming to be a bit of an exception there as I've heard and seen cockatoos preen each other all over the entire body - but again, this is a mate thing. Most other species that preen each other often stick to the head feathers, unless they are curious and try to preen other areas.

I even saw a video of someone petting a cockatoo, and the cockatoo becoming so sexually overstimulated that she was laying eggs for her owner... hernia's are most common in cockatoos and often caused by being sexually overstimulated to the point that even the males gonads are enlarged... and this person, who was petting their cockatoo, wanted to know how to get her bird to stop being so hormonal.

A good article that kind of puts it into perspective...
HOW NOT TO BE A TEASE - Discouraging Mating Behaviors In Parrots


I do think it's great if a bird is comfortable being touched all over the body, but I don't feel as if it's right that it should be a common thing. However, I do know a breeder who would agree with you! But again, she is an experienced bird owner and knows the correct and wrong ways of petting a bird!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hunter is handled regularly by ALL family members. We all can literally do anything and everything with her. She is EXTREMELY laid back, and VERY social. I've been around Amazons long enough to know she's not the "norm". She's just VERY special.

BUT - I have another Amazon and a B&G, whom I both handle any which way I want as well.

Niko, my B&G lets me open his wings, lays on my hand, lets me file or clip his toe nails if I have to, I can pat his head, belly, back, feet, beak...you get the picture.

Then there's Sam, my male DYH. I can and do handle him any which way I want to. He actually enjoys the rough and tumble play at times, while other times he snuggles like an infant. Now he does NOT tolerate anybody else to pat him (yet), but he's finally stepping up for my husband and youngest son.

I, personally, don't believe ANY parrot enjoys being overly snuggled, or being cuddled 24/7. If they do, something went terribly wrong in their upbringing.

 

[MonicaMc]

Then it sounds like you raised them right, and raised them well! I haven't met very many amazons who enjoyed interaction from strangers! You've done an amazing job with them!

A big thumbs up to!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Monica, please forgive me if you've posted this somewhere and I didn't see it. Are you a certified Avian Behaviorist by any chance?

 

[MonicaMc]

I haven't, but it is something of great interest to me. That said, I do read a lot about behavior and try to learn as much as I can. I know I've still got a lot to learn!

 

[JerseyWendy]

I haven't, but it is something of great interest to me. That said, I do read a lot about behavior and try to learn as much as I can. I know I've still got a lot to learn!

Go for it!!! I LOVE researching and reading, it's a passion of mine. With that being said, I would never consider myself an expert - and never will - because each and every day is a learning experience with my fids.

I've learned to never generalize, even within the same species of bird. Birds are all individuals, not 2 are ever alike. Just as our birds go through changes, so do we (I know I'm probably more hormonal than all my birds combined).

Common sense and keen observation skills are VERY important when being owned by one or more of those feathered babies. And they are our babies, afterall, there's a reason folks say that living with a bird is like living with an infant/toddler

 

[Inverse]

This begging for food is quite intense!

 

[MikeyTN]

Oh boy you got yourself a begger! Lory are like that, trust me I know very much so after bringing home a Black Lory. I had a hard time at first because I could not find the nectar anywhere in the pet shops here. I ordered it online and it arrived damaged, of course I'm not about to use it since it had holes all over the bag so I returned it and it was going to be another week before they replace my order. By this time I was about out of nectar and I started crying cause I felt like I was letting him down. Thank goodness for my breeder friend who had some so he give me two bags that would last until I get my replacement order. So now days I order his food way ahead of time to make sure I get it.

When we got Malachai he was not even 2 months old. But he was eating his fruits and nectar pretty good. He begs constantly non-stop. I was told it was called souking??? I talked to a Lory breeder in Australia that was well known, Jordan, whom was VERY helpful. They will beg like that all the time, even now he's over a year old. Always remember, they don't play well with others, especially my Black Lory whom went after my Eclectus just few days ago. I intervene right away cause Malachai will hurt them first cause he can be pretty evil. He NEVER leaves my side, always on my shoulders or hanging on my shirt. Going in my shirt. He lays on his back in my palms while I scratch his belly. They LOVE toys! We got him some plastic cat ball toys with bells in them, he LOVES it!!!! I'm sure you already know how messy they are. We wrap his cage with towels cause he shoots them like a squirt gun. Their food attract ants big time so be on the look out for that. You will enjoy your Lory as much as we're enjoying ours. He's such a wonderful addition to our family as he is VERY different from any other bird I've ever owned.

 

[Inverse]

What a beautiful bird!
I'm hoping that if I just pop her down if she excessively begs/bites, then she'll get the idea that it's not a good thing to do?

 

[ConureCrazy]

Mikey, GORGEOUS!!! Lorikeets are so beautiful

 

[MikeyTN]

When Malachai starts to beg excessively, I put him away. I know how you feel as it is very bothersome and annoying. Cause I know he's not going to quit. He gets to come out to play often, but not constantly cause I have other birds to attend, it doesn't work with him cause he tries to attack them. I think he enjoys having them around, but I also think he can careless about them. All he wants is to play on us constantly. He's like a baby that NEVER grows up....lol

 

[Inverse]

Oh OK, one more then.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wofL82bMUIg]Hollis enjoying bottlebrush - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Aims]

Hollis is beautiful. I love her name too. My Ecky was a begger.. he still is when I am cooking in the kitchen for the humans, I think he's trying to remind me he wants some too.

 

[Inverse]

Just trying to sort out some treats I can use for training.
Looks like she actually likes sunflower seeds but she drops them pretty quickly as she doesn't have her feet sorted out yet!
She's only just started to use them for anything more than not falling over. I guess it's all time, same with any youngster

 

[osnyder]

OMFG. Sorry for the profanity, I can't help it, SO CUTE.

 

[Inverse]

I'm really starting to fall in love with her, she's an amazing little character.
She's started playing with her toys now, hanging upside down off her rope, rolling around with her foot toys.
She's spending more time out of her cage now that she doesn't fly to me and sit on my shoulder begging all the time, I'm sure this statement will come back to bite me but training her seems relatively simple, it just needs to be constant and consistent. If she begs or bites, it's straight back in her cage, she sulks and squawks at me then I let her out again once she has settled.
The begging has been alleviated somewhat by just putting her next to her nectar and then ignoring her when she does beg.
I guess I'm preaching to the converted here, but after owning dogs, fish and all manner of other creatures, already I can see that nothing is going to as satisfying and exciting as having a bird in my life, she's already making me laugh and becoming a part of my life.
I've got a clicker coming next week so hopefully I can start training her, I know it's not a panacea but I can see that when used correctly, clicker training could be a really powerful tool.
Any tips on training her to talk? Or is it again just consistency and using the same phrases?

 

[Inverse]

This biting/nipping is getting out of hand