Sucre is pouting...

[Sucre]

We took Sucre to the vet yesterday, nails needed trimming, beak had never been trimmed, and I wanted both wings clipped because of her trying to attack me frequently. Everything went well with the vet, until he hit the quick while filing her beak. He handled it well, got the bleeding stopped within seconds, and finished the job.

He is really pouting since we got him home. Very quiet, wouldn't eat one bite yesterday. He did say "I love you" once after getting his head rubbed, but that was it. He is available for head scratches, and he makes these tiny almost purr like noises down in his throat. I can even pet him!!! But he makes no effort to come out of the cage. This morning, I caught him eating a little of the seed that we mix in with his pellet - I am thinking his mouth may be hurting and the pellets are too much right now??? He's still transitioning from seed to pellet so there is always some in there. I am thawing some fruit and mixing with some fresh veggies to see if I can coax him into eating that way.

He seems fine, just very reserved and very CALM - a word I have never even considered associating with Sucre. We kind of enjoyed the peace and quiet last night - we didn't have to pause the movies we watched once to let him finish a tirade.

Just mainly wanted to see if this is normal behavior after something like this? I am taking advantage of it, scratching that little head every few minutes and talking to him about that bad, bad vet. Hoping the stress may allow us to bond again!

 

[Allee]

Yes, an event like that could definitely cause an emotional U2 to pout. Sucre has had some huge changes in his life even before the vet visit. It's also possible his beak is, if not painful, extremely sensitive. Sucre will probably appreciate the softer foods until his beak starts to feel normal again.

 

[Sucre]

Lots of fruits and cooked veggies today! He is chewing on a new supposedly parrot proof wooden toy right now, so I think he's over it.

He's actually been very sweet towards me today! I guess hating the vet took precedence over hating me. I've even gotten in a few head scratches without any indication of wanting to bite...But I discovered the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow today...Shredded cheddar!!! I know he doesn't need a lot of it, but it's a pretty good bargaining chip right now.

He was totally silent until noon today, and then all of a sudden he blurted out "Life's not fair" 3 times in a row. I had to agree. He's been his usual self since then.

We got a bunch of new toys after the vet visit, and my husband got him out and in the floor for awhile this afternoon, teaching him to play basketball. You can tell he isn't used to anything being structured, another thing to work on. But, the good news is that I was allowed in and out of the room while they were playing. I didn't interfere, just went about my business. He started towards me a couple of times but didn't seem irritated or menacing. He never was much of a flyer, but can move pretty fast on foot. We actually played hide and seek for a bit. He raised his crest when he "found" me, but didn't rush in for the attack.

Lots of cage interaction, and lots of good treats. It's been a good day, and I'm glad to see him behaving more like the bird that I know that he is.

 

[Allee]

I'm glad Sucre is doing so well!

 

[Scott]

Great news! Perhaps you and Sucre have turned the corner in what will hopefully be a great relationship. Chock it up to that bad, bad vet!!

Of course progress with any parrot can be one step backward, 2 steps forward, another 2 steps forward, yet another step back.....

 

[PetoftheDay]

Good progress, and yup - nothing like a common enemy to bring two creatures together - you DO hate the vet, too, right?

 

[ToMang07]

Good to hear!