Ona’s Thread

[LaManuka]

I think it’s safe to say Ona knows our routine! Around the dogs feeding time we always say “go outside!” and make their bowls. They get all excited and Ona usually joins the excitement by screeching and flying around.

Today we were playing a game and were late to feed the dogs. Ona just started screeching at the top of her lungs out of nowhere and tried to say something, maybe “go outside”. So we start feeding the dogs and she’s then quiet and satisfied Are they bribing her?!

Edit to add: snuggle cuddle post bath. She says please hold my beak.

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Awwwwwwwwwwwwww, she has the sweetest little beakie beak Bet she followed up with some happy beak-grinding there too!

 

[onamom]

I can’t believe it but Ona really is telling us when it’s time to feed the dogs! Before the dogs even ask! Today she made it very obvious. She started screeching out of the blue and said very clearly “go outside”. We always tell the dogs “go outside!” before we start making their bowls. Thank God the dogs can’t understand her. Can you even imagine that level of chaos?! She will not stop screeching until we feed them and then she watches us make their food as we do it. She’s like “Hey! Feed them now! Do it or I’ll scream!” I never imagined when I got a bird that she’d run the whole household.

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On an unrelated note, she has been completely obsessed with these little Animal Crossing grips I got for my Switch controller. I could not keep her away from them and she desperately would try, and often succeed, at ripping them off. The set I bought came with two extras so I thought fine I will let you have one. Here she is happy as a clam with it. And she has been leaving my controller alone more! But it sure is an expensive foot toy….



She also learned how to use her new puzzle toy today!

It’s made for cats but it works great for birds. She was kinda unsure at first but caught on pretty quick. Now she won’t let us touch it

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I can’t believe it but Ona really is telling us when it’s time to feed the dogs! Before the dogs even ask! Today she made it very obvious. She started screeching out of the blue and said very clearly “go outside”. We always tell the dogs “go outside!” before we start making their bowls. Thank God the dogs can’t understand her. Can you even imagine that level of chaos?! She will not stop screeching until we feed them and then she watches us make their food as we do it. She’s like “Hey! Feed them now! Do it or I’ll scream!” I never imagined when I got a bird that she’d run the whole household.

---

On an unrelated note, she has been completely obsessed with these little Animal Crossing grips I got for my Switch controller. I could not keep her away from them and she desperately would try, and often succeed, at ripping them off. The set I bought came with two extras so I thought fine I will let you have one. Here she is happy as a clam with it. And she has been leaving my controller alone more! But it sure is an expensive foot toy….

View attachment 52778View attachment 52779

She also learned how to use her new puzzle toy today!

View attachment 52780

It’s made for cats but it works great for birds. She was kinda unsure at first but caught on pretty quick. Now she won’t let us touch it

As I've said Ona is an avian genius, and I'm jealous! The most intelligent thing Rocky does is throw all small objects on the floor. Ona would probably fly down, pick them up and put them away, and then run the vacuum! Is she potty trained?

 

[onamom]

As I've said Ona is an avian genius, and I'm jealous! The most intelligent thing Rocky does is throw all small objects on the floor. Ona would probably fly down, pick them up and put them away, and then run the vacuum! Is she potty trained?

She is not potty trained. She “helps” me do chores all the time and I keep asking her when she’s just going to do them by herself but so far nothing!

She does love to throw things on the floor too

 

[wrench13]

I can’t believe it but Ona really is telling us when it’s time to feed the dogs! Before the dogs even ask! Today she made it very obvious. She started screeching out of the blue and said very clearly “go outside”. We always tell the dogs “go outside!” before we start making their bowls. Thank God the dogs can’t understand her. Can you even imagine that level of chaos?! She will not stop screeching until we feed them and then she watches us make their food as we do it. She’s like “Hey! Feed them now! Do it or I’ll scream!” I never imagined when I got a bird that she’d run the whole household.

---

On an unrelated note, she has been completely obsessed with these little Animal Crossing grips I got for my Switch controller. I could not keep her away from them and she desperately would try, and often succeed, at ripping them off. The set I bought came with two extras so I thought fine I will let you have one. Here she is happy as a clam with it. And she has been leaving my controller alone more! But it sure is an expensive foot toy….

View attachment 52778View attachment 52779

She also learned how to use her new puzzle toy today!

View attachment 52780

It’s made for cats but it works great for birds. She was kinda unsure at first but caught on pretty quick. Now she won’t let us touch it

That looks pretty cool. How does it work? I am always looking for new tricks, toys and puzzles for Salty to learn. I try to mix up with the props and stuff I have but he really likes new things to learn. FOr example, we have a doll house sized cradle and baby wrapped in a blankee, which he knows goes into the cradle. Last night I set out the cradle and left one of his small hard rubber animals, a bear, out. I told him 'put the bear to bed, Salty'. And after a seconds long hesitation, he did it. We have a bear, several birds, a lamb, a rhino, a dinosaur that we use in word association tricks. I set these all out and include the baby, a small bell and a wood ring, and ask for each by name. He gets them right most times (the other times, I know he is just Fing with me, on occasion).

So how does this work?

 

[onamom]

That looks pretty cool. How does it work? I am always looking for new tricks, toys and puzzles for Salty to learn. I try to mix up with the props and stuff I have but he really likes new things to learn. FOr example, we have a doll house sized cradle and baby wrapped in a blankee, which he knows goes into the cradle. Last night I set out the cradle and left one of his small hard rubber animals, a bear, out. I told him 'put the bear to bed, Salty'. And after a seconds long hesitation, he did it. We have a bear, several birds, a lamb, a rhino, a dinosaur that we use in word association tricks. I set these all out and include the baby, a small bell and a wood ring, and ask for each by name. He gets them right most times (the other times, I know he is just Fing with me, on occasion).

So how does this work?

Salty is so smart!! I'm always trying to think of new things to teach her too. Salty putting the bear to bed is adorable and he caught on fast.

The red parts of the puzzle toy move on a track and you can hide treats underneath. The green leaves swivel back and forth as well. Here it is: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0872J3XV9?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Salty is so smart!! I'm always trying to think of new things to teach her too. Salty putting the bear to bed is adorable and he caught on fast.

The red parts of the puzzle toy move on a track and you can hide treats underneath. The green leaves swivel back and forth as well. Here it is: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0872J3XV9?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I think you may be disappointed if you get another bird. Ona is truly one of a kind. The rest of our birds are mere mortals!

 

[wrench13]

I bought the smaller version of this puzzle. I will le you know how quikly Salty solves it. I am just gonna show him that the treat goes in, not how to get them out.

 

[onamom]

I bought the smaller version of this puzzle. I will le you know how quikly Salty solves it. I am just gonna show him that the treat goes in, not how to get them out.

Yay! Same thing I did. She was kinda scared of it at first but within the hour she was very interested. Now she gets mad if we try to mess with it!

 

[onamom]

I feel so bad because I have to go in to the office for ~6 hours every day this week. (Normally I work from home.) I’m worried about my little girl and hope she doesn’t start any bad behaviors over being lonely when she’s used to being out all day. At least it’s a fairly short amount of time and I’m probably just over worrying, but I know she isn’t used to it. I hate being away from her even if it’s just a few hours. We are co dependent.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I feel so bad because I have to go in to the office for ~6 hours every day this week. (Normally I work from home.) I’m worried about my little girl and hope she doesn’t start any bad behaviors over being lonely when she’s used to being out all day. At least it’s a fairly short amount of time and I’m probably just over worrying, but I know she isn’t used to it. I hate being away from her even if it’s just a few hours. We are co dependent.

Working from home is probably the ideal arrangement for a parrot and it's parront. Ona is probably so well behaved because you're her "stay at home Mom". Most working people and their parrots aren't so fortunate. We have to leave them alone for long stretches of time to make a living and it wears on our consciences to think about what are babies are doing and whether they are bored, lonely or otherwise unhappy. Ona may very well feel confused and lonely when you are suddenly gone for six hours every day this week but you have to do this for your job. Put on some colorful cartoons and try not to think about it.
Is On a uncaged while you work from home? How do you manage to get any work done? When Rocky is out of her cage she wants to "play" and requires quite a bit of supervision. She chews up any paper she gets her beak on and climbs all over us!

 

[onamom]

Working from home is probably the ideal arrangement for a parrot and it's parront. Ona is probably so well behaved because you're her "stay at home Mom". Most working people and their parrots aren't so fortunate. We have to leave them alone for long stretches of time to make a living and it wears on our consciences to think about what are babies are doing and whether they are bored, lonely or otherwise unhappy. Ona may very well feel confused and lonely when you are suddenly gone for six hours every day this week but you have to do this for your job. Put on some colorful cartoons and try not to think about it.
Is On a uncaged while you work from home? How do you manage to get any work done? When Rocky is out of her cage she wants to "play" and requires quite a bit of supervision. She chews up any paper she gets her beak on and climbs all over us!

If I'm working I try whatever I can to distract her. Sometimes she will perch on my laptop screen calmly for a bit, tuck a foot and just chill. But that is kinda rare. I giver her a foraging toy or some ice cubes in a glass, etc. Whatever I can to keep her busy. If I have to do a call or if I am busy with work and can't distract her then I put her in her cage. I am fortunate to work from home most of the time. One of the reasons I chose the industry I did - all I need to work in my laptop.

Buutttt - I brought her to the office with me today! She has met three people so far. Loves them all of course.

 

[saxguy64]

Sounds like a perfect solution

 

[LaManuka]

If I'm working I try whatever I can to distract her. Sometimes she will perch on my laptop screen calmly for a bit, tuck a foot and just chill. But that is kinda rare. I giver her a foraging toy or some ice cubes in a glass, etc. Whatever I can to keep her busy. If I have to do a call or if I am busy with work and can't distract her then I put her in her cage. I am fortunate to work from home most of the time. One of the reasons I chose the industry I did - all I need to work in my laptop.

Buutttt - I brought her to the office with me today! She has met three people so far. Loves them all of course.

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Oh that's so great you were able to take her to work with you - she looks really happy too!

 

[onamom]

Isn’t it against the law to be this cute?!?!

 

[LaManuka]

Isn’t it against the law to be this cute?!?!

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Well if it ain't, it ought to be Such a soggy happy little birdie!!

 

[saxguy64]

OMG, cuteness!!!

 

[onamom]

Ona stayed home today but she had a great few days at the office with me. I only let her out in my office with the door closed and some people would come in to meet her. She startled several people by immediately flying to their shoulder I need a "warning: bird NOT shy" sticker or something. She has no fear of anyone and all people are her best friends (but of course I'm her bestest friend).

Look at these adorable photos one of my co-workers took of her:

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Ona stayed home today but she had a great few days at the office with me. I only let her out in my office with the door closed and some people would come in to meet her. She startled several people by immediately flying to their shoulder I need a "warning: bird NOT shy" sticker or something. She has no fear of anyone and all people are her best friends (but of course I'm her bestest friend).

Look at these adorable photos one of my co-workers took of her:

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Rocky's the same way with strangers- she's never met a stranger she didn't want to meet! I have to keep in mind that some people don't like birds flying around their heads, even small harmless ones. Yup, I agree, WTF are they afraid of? I don't know, maybe they watched "The Birds" as kids and never got over it, but we have to let people have their silly phobias! Especially if they fling their arms out and and scream, injuring or scaring our babies. A warning sign (harmless adorable little birdie loose) with instructions to knock before entering would be prudent.

 

[ShellyL]

Ona stayed home today but she had a great few days at the office with me. I only let her out in my office with the door closed and some people would come in to meet her. She startled several people by immediately flying to their shoulder I need a "warning: bird NOT shy" sticker or something. She has no fear of anyone and all people are her best friends (but of course I'm her bestest friend).

Look at these adorable photos one of my co-workers took of her:

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This reminds me of George, the subject of the book “George: A Magpie Memoir” by Frieda Hughes. If you’re looking for a book recommendation, get it! I think you’d appreciate George’s antics and see a lot of Ona in him. I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it.