The Continuing Capers of Companion-ing Cotton

[Cottonoid]

I might be irrationally excited about that, but bring on the Vitamin A!

I rotate all veggies through raw in different shapes and cooked, and every few days make a mash with sweet potatoes or blitzed pellets or baby bird formula which is then mixed with whole pellets and a little seed. Today he just chowed down! It took him a few tastes and lots of cleaning his beak between bites, and some flinging, but he's gone back to the bowl multiple times now just to eat.

Today's discards on the floor and the blanket under his play stand include

* Carrots raw diced, and sticks
* Thai peppers cut lengthwise
* Half a habanero put back in the bowl and rethrown approximately 25 times
* One circular slice of yellow summer squash that he growled at and played with for about 5 minutes before flinging it halfway across the room
* Kale
* Spinach
* Tomato heirloom type, wedge with seeds

I've been using a blanket around the base of the play stand in case he falls but I might have to rethink my cleaning strategy

 

[Laurasea]

That is impressive!
Great job Cotton on at least eating some especially the sweet potatoes! I have always served them cooked, but last time the raiders grabbed as I was slicing and enjoyed them raw

I've tried lots if peppers because eventually parrot is different. But mine only eat red chili and bell, they have nibbles some other kinds but not well.

COTTON! HE IS ADVANCING LEAPS AND BOUNDS!

 

[Cottonoid]

I'm so excited and proud of him! I expected we'd go a bit backwards after my trip so I'm just thrilled! He hasn't even been home 2 months yet and he's had a lot of change even during those two months.

I tried to get a picture of his very full crop but my phone died after I got this poorly lit photo. He's still chewing off new feathers but he has a lot of downy floof right now. Little Cotton fluffy butt

 

[Laurasea]

girl! I zoomed in and that iris is even bluer!!!

 

[Cottonoid]

have always served them cooked, but last time the raiders grabbed as I was slicing and enjoyed them raw

I can totally picture your birds stealing potato slices as you're cutting them

girl! I zoomed in and that iris is even bluer!!!

Hahaha! I was just editing my post for exactly this!! "Auntie Laura look how light my eyes are getting even in nighttime!"

I've been able to see him pinning a lot more lately when he's playing and eating - it's so cool!

 

[HeatherG]

I can totally picture your birds stealing potato slices as you're cutting them

Hahaha! I was just editing my post for exactly this!! "Auntie Laura look how light my eyes are getting even in nighttime!"

I've been able to see him pinning a lot more lately when he's playing and eating - it's so cool!

Look at all that fuzz! Way to go!

 

[Cottonoid]

Yesterday I did my usual weekly clean of all Cotton's perches and inside cage bars. Last week I did a big deep clean and replaced all his toys, and had to eliminate some I couldn't find duplicates of, so I waited until this week to move things around, and added a couple new foraging toys.

I work today but am mostly in my office, and I'm bummed I just realized my pet cam isn't on! I can't spy on what he thinks of the new layout!

 

[BirdyBee]

Oh my word, why didn't I start reading this thread earlier?? I'll have to make time to do so!

 

[Cottonoid]

Oh my word, why didn't I start reading this thread earlier?? I'll have to make time to do so!

Haha I'm quite wordy so feel.free to just jump in

 

[Cottonoid]

Mr. Cotton has hit a lot of new-companion-parrot milestones in the past few weeks but Enjoying Human Company is NOT one of them

We'll get there.

 

[Cottonoid]

Mr Food Critic over here making a big show of flinging veggies

 

[Cottonoid]

Last night Cotton didn't go back inside his cage to sleep - it's been really stormy so it surprised me, but he loves spending all day outside climbing and playing. He's relatively safe outside his cage and he looked very cozy on his favored perch so I left him. I think he liked waking up and getting to investigate his foraging spots right away, but I hadn't refilled them yet because he was still out

I've been listening to a behavior podcast on my commutes and something the host said stood out - "what is your animal practicing the most? Are they practicing fear or anxiety when you are near them more than they are practicing calm and seeking interaction with you?"

 

[HeatherG]

Last night Cotton didn't go back inside his cage to sleep - it's been really stormy so it surprised me, but he lives spending all day outside climbing and playing. He's relatively safe outside his cage and he looked very cozy on his favored perch so I left him. I think he likes waking up and getting to investigate his foraging spots right away, but I hadn't refilled them yet because he was still out

I've been listening to a behavior podcast on my commutes and something the host said stood out - "what is your animal practicing the most? Are they practicing fear or anxiety when you are near them more than they are practicing calm and seeking interaction with you?"

That last quote concerns me. My Willow is really troubled by this issue with his pellets. It takes him a long time to settle down and he’s not licking me like before. He’s more testy and less relaxed. I hate to see him be so wound up and upset about what (I’d consider) a small thing.

 

[HeatherG]

Mr Food Critic over here making a big show of flinging veggies

Cotton on the prowl!

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

The Cotton Olympics! He won gold in the veggie toss!

 

[Laurasea]

Mr Food Critic over here making a big show of flinging veggies

When did he get this fancy manzanite stand?!?!

 

[Cottonoid]

When did he get this fancy manzanite stand?!?!

The parrot store gave me a discount so I got Cotton an early birthday present hoping he'd explore more outside the cage rather than on top - it sure did work lol

 

[kme3388]

Yesterday I did my usual weekly clean of all Cotton's perches and inside cage bars. Last week I did a big deep clean and replaced all his toys, and had to eliminate some I couldn't find duplicates of, so I waited until this week to move things around, and added a couple new foraging toys.

I work today but am mostly in my office, and I'm bummed I just realized my pet cam isn't on! I can't spy on what he thinks of the new layout!

I have a blink camera, and I spy on Nico all of the time. I talk to him too. I say Nico, and get him going all the time. It's fun!

 

[Cottonoid]

Cotton spent the last 2 days and nights outside his cage, during some loud thunderstorms and my son/dog visiting (but gated out of the room). I just gave him his dinner and made a big show of putting a walnut in it, and in he went, hehe. He is playing with his toys like he's been gone for a year and it's super cute.

It's 85-ish degrees and over 50% humidity naturally today and I think he's very happy with this

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

Cotton is so cute with his fuzzies coming in! And I bet you're proud of him for taking the walnut .

Holy heck @ it being 85-ish degrees! We're in the high 50's, low 60's here. SO. MUCH. Rain.