Roo coming home today

[Maple128]

[ame="http://youtu.be/Eex4yEhGUXo"]Itchy bird - YouTube[/ame]
Ohhhhhh my, the little stinker sure is a smart cookie, decided that sence I wasn't petting her, she was gonna have to do it herself

 

[JerseyWendy]

Well, MOOOOOOM, you OBVIOUSLY missed a spot, HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Oh my gosh, I'm swooning over here. Look how smart Roo is! Already using utensils to get to those 'hard to reach places'. :heart:

TOO precious!!! Thanks for the INSTA-SMILE!!!!

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Evening Roo update,

So learned a few things tonight.

We let Roo out of her cage when I got home, and we had some very happy screams (only about 5 short ones, thank heavens). She was also super happy to circulate between everyone for some scritches, though does seem to get mad when she presents her back for a scratch and no one does.

Couple of lunges as well, but I think people need to pay closer attention to her - when she wants to engage, she fully does. When she is being passive/withdrawn, she is clearly saying she is not quite comfortable yet.

Otherwise, she seems to be doing OK, and actually made a trip to the floor, came walking under the table, and bit my socked foot. Feet went up, bird chased them, then scrambled back to her cage and has been grumpy since. Think we'll need to wear some shoes during floor time.

Not a stressful evening at all so far.

 

[Loubie]

Love the video!
Here is an excellent example of a bird using a tool!
its hard to believe that up until quite recently humans thought they were the only ones to use tools and it was something that set them apart from other animals. Not so!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Evening Roo update,

So learned a few things tonight.

We let Roo out of her cage when I got home, and we had some very happy screams (only about 5 short ones, thank heavens). She was also super happy to circulate between everyone for some scritches, though does seem to get mad when she presents her back for a scratch and no one does.

Couple of lunges as well, but I think people need to pay closer attention to her - when she wants to engage, she fully does. When she is being passive/withdrawn, she is clearly saying she is not quite comfortable yet.

Otherwise, she seems to be doing OK, and actually made a trip to the floor, came walking under the table, and bit my socked foot. Feet went up, bird chased them, then scrambled back to her cage and has been grumpy since. Think we'll need to wear some shoes during floor time.

Not a stressful evening at all so far.

Thanks for the updates and videos, fascinating.

My RB2 used to have a real thing about feet and footwear, pleased to say I have managed to stop him doing this and now he creeps up on me and stands waiting to be picked up at my feet quiet as a mouse.

Oh he still loves to torment hubby but that's funny!

BTW did you reward her for going back to her cage on her own even if she was grumpy? It's a positive she went on her own.

 

[Psittaciformes]

Oooh yay congratulations!

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Hey PM,

Yes she got an almond for adventuring out. Though after the adventure she got a bit spooked.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Evening Roo update,

So learned a few things tonight.

We let Roo out of her cage when I got home, and we had some very happy screams (only about 5 short ones, thank heavens). She was also super happy to circulate between everyone for some scritches, though does seem to get mad when she presents her back for a scratch and no one does.

Couple of lunges as well, but I think people need to pay closer attention to her - when she wants to engage, she fully does. When she is being passive/withdrawn, she is clearly saying she is not quite comfortable yet.

Otherwise, she seems to be doing OK, and actually made a trip to the floor, came walking under the table, and bit my socked foot. Feet went up, bird chased them, then scrambled back to her cage and has been grumpy since. Think we'll need to wear some shoes during floor time.

Not a stressful evening at all so far.

Looks like she wants to play, my too loves floor play whether its being chased and hop,skip and jump to get away. I know it's take it steady time with Roo but engaging with her would be good for her wouldn't it? Best to sit on your feet though. It only needs to bring some of her cage toys onto the floor it's not difficult stuff.

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Thanks PM,

I love the thought of interacting and playing with her, but after getting spooked, she was "do not disturb" for the rest of the night. Thinking she still needs some time to get acclimatized to our home, as I wouldn't want her to switch from "play with me" bird to "I'm insecure bird and will bite you" bird while playing.

Hey it's a marathon, not a sprint, right?

I also think we do have a bird that is sexually frustrated right now. Everyone observed the "head only" rule last night, and she became visibly frustrated when no one would pat her back or under her wings. How long should we expect mating behaviours to last? I have been giving her an early bedtime around 8:30 PM.

 

[ToMang07]

Thanks PM,

I love the thought of interacting and playing with her, but after getting spooked, she was "do not disturb" for the rest of the night. Thinking she still needs some time to get acclimatized to our home, as I wouldn't want her to switch from "play with me" bird to "I'm insecure bird and will bite you" bird while playing.

Hey it's a marathon, not a sprint, right?

I also think we do have a bird that is sexually frustrated right now. Everyone observed the "head only" rule last night, and she became visibly frustrated when no one would pay her back or under her wings. How long should we expect mating behaviours to last? I have been giving her an early bedtime around 8:30 PM.

Be careful with over-stimulated birds too, that's bite city, lol

 

[plumsmum2005]

Bedtime for Plum is generally 8-8, not all is sleeping but still necessary.

Roo was mated wasnt she? U said about dead mate and babies?

If she has had that in her b4 life (from humans) she will also expect it. Distract, distract, distract! Hey Roo lets do this:- pique her interest - its up to her if she does or if she doesnt.
Think 3 year old child. If I play with something on the floor Plum will come to look. It is a way of drawing her out a little without it being rushed or harsh. Yes no pressure she has total free choice.

I didnt mean tearing around the floor just playing with some bit n pieces to get her to come look.

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Hey PM, it will be interesting to see how things progress. Yesterday, she was a pleasant bird, but is still exhibiting strong signs of fear at times. I am not see if she's spent much time around dogs, as they seem to trigger a more fearful reaction from her. Here's hoping she will eventually desensitize to then.

We have the Easter long weekend coming up here, so I hope to spend more time interacting with her and observing her behaviour after a week of settling in.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hey PM, it will be interesting to see how things progress. Yesterday, she was a pleasant bird, but is still exhibiting strong signs of fear at times. I am not see if she's spent much time around dogs, as they seem to trigger a more fearful reaction from her. Here's hoping she will eventually desensitize to then.

We have the Easter long weekend coming up here, so I hope to spend more time interacting with her and observing her behaviour after a week of settling in.

Hi yes it could be, mine not very keen on dogs either. (Unknown quantity). Perhaps just give some dog free out of cage time see it that helps for a little while

Love the daily updates btw.

Roo will be running the place soon, dogs too!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Scott, regarding Roo's fear of dogs: When I brought my Ripley (GW Macaw) home, he let out the most horrifying scream I had ever heard when he laid eyes on my 'unsuspecting' dogs (who promptly ran for cover).

It took him about a month to all right with them living here, too.

I'm confident once Roo realizes the dogs pose no threat, she'll be all right.

Yes, please keep the updates coming!

 

[Holly the U2]

wow,

she is in perfect feather, I read before I seen the pic & would have thought that she would have plucked badly. she is beautiful

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Thanks guys, I wouldn't say she's in perfect feather (below wing plucking and some feather chewing on her wings), though now thinking about it, if she was wanting to nest, she could have been pulling from under her wings for a nest liner.

Wife has been home with her all day today, and said she is interactive, would do anything for cheese, is making Monty nuts (he wants to visit her), but still has bouts of fear and terror. Main fear is new objects, though she seems a bit better when the dogs are away.

But again, she has had a hard life, been in our home for only five days, and already likes scritches more and bites less than Monty. LOL. Just have to figure out what to do with her at our cottage now.....

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Secondary thought - In doing some Interweb research, it states that even though 'toos may have been bred and raised in the Northern Hemisphere, they are still on a Southern Hemisphere clock for breeding, meaning hormonal behaviour should start in Sept, not Mar.

Possibly I have been mistaking some of Roo's actions for hormonal when they are fear-based, and she's needing affection, not just looking to mate. Appreciate hearing others' experiences with their 'toos. Is it probable she is being hormonal right now, or are we off season?

 

[Christinenc2000]

Itchy bird - YouTube
Ohhhhhh my, the little stinker sure is a smart cookie, decided that sence I wasn't petting her, she was gonna have to do it herself

That is the cuties thing I have seen in a long time. Such a pretty bird !!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Secondary thought - In doing some Interweb research, it states that even though 'toos may have been bred and raised in the Northern Hemisphere, they are still on a Southern Hemisphere clock for breeding, meaning hormonal behaviour should start in Sept, not Mar.

Possibly I have been mistaking some of Roo's actions for hormonal when they are fear-based, and she's needing affection, not just looking to mate. Appreciate hearing others' experiences with their 'toos. Is it probable she is being hormonal right now, or are we off season?

Would you be looking to mate if you were fearful, apprehensive etc?

She probably needs affection (correctly done), reassurance, guidance and isnt it based on light etc.

The more guidance you give her the less likely she will become obsessed with sexual behaviour now or in the future.

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Hey PM,

More my concern is that everyone is being a bit "hands off" right now as we did not want to trigger aggressive mating behaviours.

Meanwhile, we may have a very afraid bird who is looking for affection and contact, and who was raised with (originally) and needs this contact to make her feel safe and reassured. In fact, we could possibly have been providing her with more love and assurance to make her feel safe in her new home, but have instead been withholding it, making her transition more difficult.