Parrotlets' Iris: Age Tell? Or attitude?

[Tonners]

So, I neglected this website since I joined it (apparently several months ago). But, after having a non-remarkable experience on a parrotlet forum, I called forums quits. Too many of the members jumped to conclusions via not reading the whole post, yet took the time to shove their "expertise" around, and that's my number one pet peeve. Anyway.

We just moved into our new house a few weeks ago, though we've had our parrotlet, Banjo, since early December. I've had every pet out there from horses to tarantulas, but never a bird, which was mostly what hubby had growing up. I'm pretty proud of myself and Banjo at how far he's come. We kept seeing him in the pet shop over four-six months time, but no one at the shop knew how old he was. They probably didn't even know the little guy's gender, though I'm fairly certain he's male. This pet shop was one I used to hold in high regard, and with the hundred-some-odd-budgies and the conure screeching, and him seeming interested in us albeit nervous, we brought him home.

We couldn't (and didn't much try to) touch him for at least three or four days. He ate okay, by any means. Since then, I've basically used the same techniques my mum uses to tame down and socialize foals and other un-tame horses, step by step getting closer the more comfortable the critter gets. Banjo is just now to the point where he'll venture on your open palm, if there is a big enough seed pile of millet and sunflower seeds. He's not calm about it by any means, but he did it twice yesterday, after a single success the day before: its remarkable how fast he picks up on things.

Since we moved, we did some rearranging in his cage. He seems more active and plucky than before. His appetite is great, and we've seen him shake water over himself for the first time ever. He hops around, flutters- he's in a huge cage, twice the size he needs, but that's just the kind of animal nut I'm am, lol. He's actually started getting some exercise around the bottom; he doesn't trust us enough yet to get on our fingers (which I find kind of strange; I can finally touch his stomach without him moving away, but any of the usual step-up tricks won't work on him yet), and we have a cat that eats anything with feathers. (From toys to artwork. Its annoying.) His cage is so big though, and he has different kinds of perches and toys, that he seems to get enough exercise.

My question- I've been trying to figure out how old he is in hopes to figure out if there is any particular reason we're having trouble with hand-fears, or if its just age and not being handled in general. His added perkiness, sounds (and he's been trying out more this past week), and there's a touch more of personality showing through, which was very easy to pick up on, lol. He quickly learned "I want attention", and "I'm scared of the furnace! Help!", for instance, lol. (Furnace at our apt was loud. Only time he's ever screeched, beside being irritated and when he first met our cat.)

I've read that you can tell some species by their iris/eyes, that young ones are dark and get lighter as they age. I was wondering if this was true for parrotlets, courtesy of this website:

Celestial or Pacific Parrotlet, Lesson's Parrotlet, Forpus coelestis

The first picture shows a 2 year old with very light eyes. I wasn't sure if this was the color mutation, or if the age-iris theory was true. Our Banjo's eyes are very dark, with just a hint of brown.

 

[weco]

Sounds like Banjo is finally feeling comfortable enough to become more trusting of you & his surroundings. His apparent ignorance of step-up is probably due to his never having been taught it or that it's been so long since anyone ever tried to work with him, he's forgotten.

While I've had parrotlets & have one now, I've never heard about being able to determine a bird's age by it's iris. What I do know is that age, with some species, may be guesstimated as their iris changes with maturity.....I don't know of this being possible with parrotlets.

You may have been able to study his beak coloring when he was younger & watch it change color as he matured, but there is no way that I know of that you can determine his age at this stage of the game.....sorry.....

 

[MonicaMc]

Except for certain mutations, many chicks tend to have dark eyes as chicks. Usually around the age of 6 months or so, their eyes are of the adult color and should remain that color for the rest of their lives. So in theory, yes it can work. However, a 20 year old bird should have the same eye color as a 2 year old bird... so it's not accurate in adults.

parrotlet - Flickr: Search


I think you have the right idea with the seeds in mind in the palm of your hand. Here's a few pages that may be of help. The idea is to teach the bird to step up for a reward. You may have to start out with luring, but break it down into small steps. Reward him for coming closer, reward him for coming closer again, reward him for him continually coming closer, reward him for touching you, reward him for putting a toe on you, reward him for putting a foot on you, jackpot reward when he puts both feet on you! It may help to have your hand against or on the cage/perch that he's currently on, so he doesn't have to make a *physically* step up. Just get him used to standing on you before you ask for the actual step up.

Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk: Help! My Parrot Wont Step Up!
Living With Parrots Cage Free: Bucky and Strider - Millet Eating Fiends!
A Question About an Issue with Nipping | Lara Joseph

 

[Tonners]

Thanks, guys. I didn't think it sounded all that accurate. I think he'll do anything for millet and sunflower seeds, lol. They've been wonderful for taming him down. He's also getting better about mouthing fruits and veggies, but he acts like a kid with a good head shake and an, "Ew! Yuck!" sort of response. It'd be more comical if it wasn't for the frustration of wanting him to eat fresh stuff. He did seem to have a greater interest in warmed broccoli yesterday, especially when I acted like I enjoyed it. (And I'm not a big fan myself. Lol)