New to parrot care with a couple questions

[Bowden]

Hello! Autumn and I are new here, & I have 2 questions I am unable to find elsewhere ��
1. Can she (sun conure) have pitted dates?
2. She is 2 years old, can I change her name, or would that confuse her too much?

 

[jiannotto9492]

1) As long as the date is fresh without any sugar/white coating.

2) I don't have experience with changing names.

Here's a large list of foods that are safe and toxic to birds. If you give your bird beans make sure they were soaked and cooked thoroughly.


http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...afe-fresh-foods-toxic-food-lists-sprouts.html

 

[Allee]

Welcome to the forum! Enjoy your stay!

All processed dried fruits should be fed in moderation. The added fillers, food coloring and sulpherides used in processing can be harmful. Fresh fruits or naturally processed dried fruits are better. Labels don't always list all additives that are used.

I personally see no problem with changing a bird's name, unless the bird says his name and responds to it.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I use the dried fruit treats as a special reward, like a 'cookie' would be. They love how concentrated the sweetness is (Gilbert likes craisins) but I try to keep it at small amounts/rewards.
I would think if you change the name, maybe introduce it a little at a time, the way nicknames work. Gilbert will actually call out "Gilly Gilly Gil" as much as he says "Gilbert", and I also call him "monkey man".

 

[thekarens]

Even if the bird says his/her name one trick you can do is to rename them something that sounds similar. Though personally I think even if you change it completely they will adjust fine. Almost all of my pets have at least 2 names.

 

[jiannotto9492]

Even if the bird says his/her name one trick you can do is to rename them something that sounds similar. Though personally I think even if you change it completely they will adjust fine. Almost all of my pets have at least 2 names.

See I was thinking that and I know it works with cats and dogs. I'm not too sure about birds being that they are so much smarter than your typical cat and dog.

 

[Rockford]

Changing names is never a problem. Animals have no concept of names as identity. All they know is that when you make certain sounds (say their name), it's to get their attention. If you decide to use different sounds to get their attention they won't be confused about it. They'll certainly need time to learn what those new sounds mean, but that's not the same as being confused.
It wouldn't be confusing to have different people calling the pet by different names. They just know that when person #1 says abc it's to get their attention and when person #2 says xyz it's to get their attention. Also, you can call your pet by a name and also by many nicknames and the pet knows you are referring to them with each name.

A pet having a name is for your benefit, not the pet. Rename a pet to something you like. Choosing a name just because it sounds like the old name is just silly. By doing that, you are only choosing a name that is acceptable to you rather than a name you like.

 

[thekarens]

This is true, I call Zoe "baloney head" half the time and and she still yells and flies to me. My sennie, Sydney calls himself Sammie half the time.

 

[SoCalWendy]

haha funny... Monkey man, Baloney Head.... my favorite is Monkey butt... I call kiwi that all the time. When I had Rio, I called her my buga boo.

 

[thekarens]

For that matter we have no idea what Zoe's first name was. The store didn't know and the only name she says is Zoe.

 

[Ryno]

I couldn't agree more, I am very much so a rookie on this site, but in my experience with animals they don't care what you call them. A bird saying "it's" name is just mimicking any how

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I don't think they care what you call them but I also don't think it's pure mimicking. They do relate to the fact that this is what you are calling them, their 'name' within the group. But I don't think they mind being called something different. (I have a whole lot of nicknames too).

 

[jiannotto9492]

I don't think they care what you call them but I also don't think it's pure mimicking. They do relate to the fact that this is what you are calling them, their 'name' within the group. But I don't think they mind being called something different. (I have a whole lot of nicknames too).

Sounds like the case with my dogs, they each can get called one of four names and respond to them all of the different names.

 

[Bowden]

Alright then �� We will be having a new naming contest with family and friends! Which they all love to do anyways!! Ever new animal gets new names here at The Barnyard - except the goats if we can help it! (They really are knotty headed)
I appreciate it y'all! Can't get back often, but will be back again with new questions I am sure! Farm & Family keeps us on our toes! Thank you again!