So, another classic from the caique forum to share. This is Jack, who is a rescued bird and has terrorize many of his new mommy's favorite people, like her son. They discovered that preening Jack helped a LOT: he was so ticked off from molting when he came. Still, no one is safe. There's a linen closet in the home where there are some nice comfy blankets piled, and Jack found them this week and claimed them for his own. This is what happened when daddy Mark did not respect Jack's new space and privacy. Enjoy--with the sound up, please!!!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Stuck like glue!
If Pippin doesn't want to stop interacting with us lately, there's not a whole lot that we can do! See how he sticks like glue to us as we try to put him down by watching Sarah's demo:
Friday, July 31, 2009
New feathers and sounds...
OK, Pippin is giving me even MORE reasons to smile lately.
First (and this is both cute AND annoying) we had a smoke detector battery go bad in the very early AM right before vaca. It did that chirp... chirp... chirp... thing every ten minutes until my sleepy husband found and disabled it. Well, right before we left, in the morning, guess what sound Pippin can PERFECTLY mimic now? I do NOT encourage this by laughing at it, but it is SO cute, especially 'cause he does it when he's tentative... so, usually looking up, kinda crouched, and "chirp!" So cute!
Secondly, he's doing his first big molt and his new, white belly feathers are coming in. But, they're coming in what I think is an interesting pattern. They are coming in in a "V" shape about halfway down his waistcoat first. Odd, but CUTE! Here he is as a baby, maybe 1 month ago, not sure:
Here he was a week ago, the night before vaca:
See the brand new white feathers coming in? He's also been growing newer, more vibrant feathers all around his neck and jowels, as you can see from the two pics. It's even more pronounced now that they're fully out a week later. Look below:
Last, since returning from vaca at my friend, Deb's house, he's also learned a new sound: he perfectly mimics a squeaky toy. In-out squeek, in-out sqeek! SO cute!
First (and this is both cute AND annoying) we had a smoke detector battery go bad in the very early AM right before vaca. It did that chirp... chirp... chirp... thing every ten minutes until my sleepy husband found and disabled it. Well, right before we left, in the morning, guess what sound Pippin can PERFECTLY mimic now? I do NOT encourage this by laughing at it, but it is SO cute, especially 'cause he does it when he's tentative... so, usually looking up, kinda crouched, and "chirp!" So cute!
Secondly, he's doing his first big molt and his new, white belly feathers are coming in. But, they're coming in what I think is an interesting pattern. They are coming in in a "V" shape about halfway down his waistcoat first. Odd, but CUTE! Here he is as a baby, maybe 1 month ago, not sure:
Here he was a week ago, the night before vaca:
See the brand new white feathers coming in? He's also been growing newer, more vibrant feathers all around his neck and jowels, as you can see from the two pics. It's even more pronounced now that they're fully out a week later. Look below:
Last, since returning from vaca at my friend, Deb's house, he's also learned a new sound: he perfectly mimics a squeaky toy. In-out squeek, in-out sqeek! SO cute!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Jeckle/Hyde day
So, Pippin has become more and more comfortable with being on his back and being lovingly scritched by me as a sort of gentle play/lovin' time. He started by doing it in my lap (on a towel that I keep handy as a poop shield) and lately he'll let me hold him in my hand above my lap while I scritch under his wings and on his head/neck. VERY sweet.
Today, we had our scritch time as usual, and then I HAD to get back to computer work. I was sitting in my recliner, and he crawled up on my chest, under my chin, and sort of settled there. My music was on softly, and I was concentrating on my writing. He started to chirp and whistle softly to the music, I wrote my article, he chirped more. He was very still. This went on for about a half an hour. SO sweet! I was entranced.
Well, then, he woke up. He started climbing around and finally went up the side of my laptop monitor while I wasn't paying much attention. Up there, he started to mutilate those bumps of hard rubber that keep the top from slamming down on the lower part of the computer. I awoke to the damage and said, "No, Pippin." He trilled, "Oh, yes, Mom, I sure WILL!!!!" I knew he would bite me if I used my hands, so I grabbed a pen and took him off the monitor.
This is a video of another caique (JoJo) who is having a tantrum because she's being denied her will. It was here that I learned to use the pen in order to assert my will. Pippin wasn't this bad, but he was starting down the road:
Pippin's tantrum wasn't that long. We had a brief argument. I put him in birdie jail.
For the uninitiated, here's what I've learned about birdie jail from my beloved Caique Forums:
"I read an article by an avian vet, who puts his birds in birdie jail when they act in undesirable ways. He explains why they are going there, then says birdie jail, and puts them in for a few minutes. Once they've calmed down, he takes them out. We've been doing this with Taz for about a month now, and it's a godsend! He is so well behaved now, and he rarely goes in anymore - the threat of birdie jail is enough. As a note though, we have a sleep cage in another room, without toys, so that's where he goes - not his big cage in our area. He's isolated for about 2-3 minutes. It sounds harsh, but it works!
"A new addition to this story - he's usually in birdie jail for screaming. Today, my husband was playing a video game with bombs going off. Taz hopped over to him, looked him over, and said, "Your going to birdie jail!" He now understands that if your loud, it's birdie jail. They definitely are smart - and anyone who says otherwise has obviously never had a chance to meet a parrot!"
So, Pippin went to birdie jail for an hour (as it turned out) and came out a better bird for it. Caiques can be sweeter than pie one minute, and then stronger and more stubborn than dirt two minutes later. That's the way with these great birdies: wouldn't change a thing!
Today, we had our scritch time as usual, and then I HAD to get back to computer work. I was sitting in my recliner, and he crawled up on my chest, under my chin, and sort of settled there. My music was on softly, and I was concentrating on my writing. He started to chirp and whistle softly to the music, I wrote my article, he chirped more. He was very still. This went on for about a half an hour. SO sweet! I was entranced.
Well, then, he woke up. He started climbing around and finally went up the side of my laptop monitor while I wasn't paying much attention. Up there, he started to mutilate those bumps of hard rubber that keep the top from slamming down on the lower part of the computer. I awoke to the damage and said, "No, Pippin." He trilled, "Oh, yes, Mom, I sure WILL!!!!" I knew he would bite me if I used my hands, so I grabbed a pen and took him off the monitor.
This is a video of another caique (JoJo) who is having a tantrum because she's being denied her will. It was here that I learned to use the pen in order to assert my will. Pippin wasn't this bad, but he was starting down the road:
Pippin's tantrum wasn't that long. We had a brief argument. I put him in birdie jail.
For the uninitiated, here's what I've learned about birdie jail from my beloved Caique Forums:
"I read an article by an avian vet, who puts his birds in birdie jail when they act in undesirable ways. He explains why they are going there, then says birdie jail, and puts them in for a few minutes. Once they've calmed down, he takes them out. We've been doing this with Taz for about a month now, and it's a godsend! He is so well behaved now, and he rarely goes in anymore - the threat of birdie jail is enough. As a note though, we have a sleep cage in another room, without toys, so that's where he goes - not his big cage in our area. He's isolated for about 2-3 minutes. It sounds harsh, but it works!
"A new addition to this story - he's usually in birdie jail for screaming. Today, my husband was playing a video game with bombs going off. Taz hopped over to him, looked him over, and said, "Your going to birdie jail!" He now understands that if your loud, it's birdie jail. They definitely are smart - and anyone who says otherwise has obviously never had a chance to meet a parrot!"
So, Pippin went to birdie jail for an hour (as it turned out) and came out a better bird for it. Caiques can be sweeter than pie one minute, and then stronger and more stubborn than dirt two minutes later. That's the way with these great birdies: wouldn't change a thing!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Wolf whistles in the shower
So, no video of this one! ;)
I have had Pippin about six weeks and have been waiting to make sure that he's sure of foot before I put him on a perch in the shower. Don't want him to fall like Nani did and hurt himself. Until now, he's had spray baths on the bathroom counter while my husband and I take showers. Then he surfs his towel while we employ ours. He's very happy to do morning grooming with us.
Recently, I decided he was ready, so my husband put him way high up on the shower curtain rod to look down upon us as we showered. Also recently, Pippin mastered my personal signal for him (my flocking call) which is a wolf whistle. He definitely associates me with that call, and he does it when he gets excited about seeing me, particularly. He has my tone, pitch, and cadence down perfectly.
Well this morning was hilarious! Pippin was up on the shower curtain bar, walking (strutting?) back and forth and looking down at my husband, Scott, and wolf-whistling repeatedly. Scott is kind of modest, so he was a little weirded out by my whistle coming from the bird above. Then, I started laughing, and Pippin started to mimic my laugh, and then the whistle again. Then Scott started laughing, and Pipping was whistling, cackling, and whistling again. We laughed so hard that tears were rolling down our cheeks and our adult daughters (getting ready in the adjoining bathroom of our townhouse) wanted to know what was so funny!?
Pippin is such a joy! How did we ever bathe without him?
I have had Pippin about six weeks and have been waiting to make sure that he's sure of foot before I put him on a perch in the shower. Don't want him to fall like Nani did and hurt himself. Until now, he's had spray baths on the bathroom counter while my husband and I take showers. Then he surfs his towel while we employ ours. He's very happy to do morning grooming with us.
Recently, I decided he was ready, so my husband put him way high up on the shower curtain rod to look down upon us as we showered. Also recently, Pippin mastered my personal signal for him (my flocking call) which is a wolf whistle. He definitely associates me with that call, and he does it when he gets excited about seeing me, particularly. He has my tone, pitch, and cadence down perfectly.
Well this morning was hilarious! Pippin was up on the shower curtain bar, walking (strutting?) back and forth and looking down at my husband, Scott, and wolf-whistling repeatedly. Scott is kind of modest, so he was a little weirded out by my whistle coming from the bird above. Then, I started laughing, and Pippin started to mimic my laugh, and then the whistle again. Then Scott started laughing, and Pipping was whistling, cackling, and whistling again. We laughed so hard that tears were rolling down our cheeks and our adult daughters (getting ready in the adjoining bathroom of our townhouse) wanted to know what was so funny!?
Pippin is such a joy! How did we ever bathe without him?
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Travel cage
Yesterday I finally purchased a travel cage for Pippin. Here's a picture of the cage opened (click on all these pictures for a full view):
19" Length x 18" Depth x 19" Height :-) It's really roomy. Pippin got several new toys as well, and a rope perch, 'cause it's so easy for them to cling to them in a moving car.
The cool thing about this cage is that it folds almost flat: about 1.5" thick. Here's a picture:
Nifty, huh? Doubles as a cage to take him outside for sun, and will go with us camping. I'd looked a long time at this cage...
... but decided I could sew similar tent flaps for the bigger (and more easily stowed one) that I bought. I need to make sure to use mosquito netting or such tent flap to protect from West Nile Flu. :-) Our trailer is registered; we need to get it inspected and then "camping ho!"
19" Length x 18" Depth x 19" Height :-) It's really roomy. Pippin got several new toys as well, and a rope perch, 'cause it's so easy for them to cling to them in a moving car.The cool thing about this cage is that it folds almost flat: about 1.5" thick. Here's a picture:
Nifty, huh? Doubles as a cage to take him outside for sun, and will go with us camping. I'd looked a long time at this cage...
... but decided I could sew similar tent flaps for the bigger (and more easily stowed one) that I bought. I need to make sure to use mosquito netting or such tent flap to protect from West Nile Flu. :-) Our trailer is registered; we need to get it inspected and then "camping ho!"
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Bye Bye Bubble...
Scott and I have decided to take down our Red Seas Max nano-tank and be done with fish keeping for awhile. As summer is coming on, we need to save energy bills and a $400 chiller is not in the budget!
We're slowly finding some buyers for corals and such, but the market is slow. We've sold a couple of pieces, and the main buyer for most of them is coming this week. Honey, the beloved Midas blenney, will be picked up by her new owner sometime this week, too. While I'm sad to see them go, I'm ready. It's been a good run, but we're so happy with Pippin that we don't miss the fishies much. This economy is so hard on fish keepers, though. I'm wondering how many will survive it! A year ago, I did a similar sale and had stuff jumping. This time, I barely sold half my stuff. Still, most of it is hardware and I can continue to advertise it. I'm just noting that things are slow in the bubble world.
Here are the most recent pics of the tank, for posterity:
Front:
Left side:
Right side:
Sigh. I sure can't wait for Heaven. :-S
We're slowly finding some buyers for corals and such, but the market is slow. We've sold a couple of pieces, and the main buyer for most of them is coming this week. Honey, the beloved Midas blenney, will be picked up by her new owner sometime this week, too. While I'm sad to see them go, I'm ready. It's been a good run, but we're so happy with Pippin that we don't miss the fishies much. This economy is so hard on fish keepers, though. I'm wondering how many will survive it! A year ago, I did a similar sale and had stuff jumping. This time, I barely sold half my stuff. Still, most of it is hardware and I can continue to advertise it. I'm just noting that things are slow in the bubble world.
Here are the most recent pics of the tank, for posterity:
Front:
Left side:
Right side:
Sigh. I sure can't wait for Heaven. :-S
Pippin play
Mom and Pippin are learning to play together. It took about three weeks, but he's learned to trust us enough that he'll lay on his back and wrestle. Here's the first of three videos starring Pippin the Wrestler:
Monday, May 18, 2009
Hair surfin' girls
Well, it was a normal Sunday morning yesterday. My college girls are home for the summer, and they are enjoying Pippin... or is he enjoying them?
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Bath time
Pippin loves his bath every morning. We all ablute together. Mom and Dad take showers, and Pippin has his bath on the counter near the mirror. Afterward, he sports his punk look while shakin' it and also towel surfing.
Monday, May 4, 2009
False positive!
When I picked up my brand new beautiful baby Pippin from the breeder after a month of visiting and waiting on a Monday morning, I was so excited (natch). But wanting to be a responsible new bird mom, I went to the vet on the way home. We had a lovely visit, and wanting to be thorough, I had all the tests done without asking prices first.
FIRST WORD OF ADVICE: Ask prices first! We had severe sticker shock at the end of this lovely visit. But I digress.
Anyways, we brought him home, gave him our whole hearts, and proceeded to both train and spoil him. On the next Monday, my vet called with test results. In a kind way, he eased into the news that Pippin had great results in all areas but one: he had tested positive for PBFD (which stands for Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease) and is basically AIDS for birds. Some survive it, but a goodly number don't. If Pippin had it, there was a good chance that he wouldn't see his third birthday.
Wow. It was a shocker.
Furthermore, it's highly contagious. And you can't get rid of it by washing cages, toys, etc. No antiseptic known kills the disease. The test would seem to be nearly foolproof: it's a DNA test (like a pregnancy one) that picks up on elements that are either in the blood or they're not. Sigh.
Our first thought was really for our breeder: what about all their babies? When I called Tammy, though, she reassured me. The disease is indeed highly contagious, but they have a state of the art air purifier that catches a lot of diseases and kills them (hospitals use it). She told me that they swab for this and other contaminates five times a year, as a precaution, and they had just swabbed his cage area and the air purifier and had negative results the week before we took Pippin home. Furthermore, two green-cheeked conures had just gone from the adjacent cage to our vet's for the same test and come back negative.
We had Pippin retested last Tuesday, and sent the blood to Tammy's lab instead of the one our vet uses. Tammy independently sent blood from Pippin's two sisters (still in his cage) and a swab of the cage. Through a series of events, we all had to wait through the weekend. Trusting God can be a challenge, but God was gracious and I was filled with peace from the start of this trial that this was for our good and all would be well, according to his grace.
Well, the results just came back: NEGATIVE on all counts. No one has it. Not Pippin's sisters, not his cage, and not Pippin. We are SO relieved and happy: first for Tammy and Dave, but also for ourselves. We had really fallen for our boy; he is the sweetest bird ever. He sleeps late (first flocking calls at 8 AM!), cuddles and interacts, and is cute as they come. We just would have a hard time giving him up! No need though: all is well!
All this to say: if you are reading this blog for information, there are false positives for this test, so by all means have your bird retested if this scary result is given for your baby on the first well check!
FIRST WORD OF ADVICE: Ask prices first! We had severe sticker shock at the end of this lovely visit. But I digress.
Anyways, we brought him home, gave him our whole hearts, and proceeded to both train and spoil him. On the next Monday, my vet called with test results. In a kind way, he eased into the news that Pippin had great results in all areas but one: he had tested positive for PBFD (which stands for Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease) and is basically AIDS for birds. Some survive it, but a goodly number don't. If Pippin had it, there was a good chance that he wouldn't see his third birthday.
Wow. It was a shocker.
Furthermore, it's highly contagious. And you can't get rid of it by washing cages, toys, etc. No antiseptic known kills the disease. The test would seem to be nearly foolproof: it's a DNA test (like a pregnancy one) that picks up on elements that are either in the blood or they're not. Sigh.
Our first thought was really for our breeder: what about all their babies? When I called Tammy, though, she reassured me. The disease is indeed highly contagious, but they have a state of the art air purifier that catches a lot of diseases and kills them (hospitals use it). She told me that they swab for this and other contaminates five times a year, as a precaution, and they had just swabbed his cage area and the air purifier and had negative results the week before we took Pippin home. Furthermore, two green-cheeked conures had just gone from the adjacent cage to our vet's for the same test and come back negative.
We had Pippin retested last Tuesday, and sent the blood to Tammy's lab instead of the one our vet uses. Tammy independently sent blood from Pippin's two sisters (still in his cage) and a swab of the cage. Through a series of events, we all had to wait through the weekend. Trusting God can be a challenge, but God was gracious and I was filled with peace from the start of this trial that this was for our good and all would be well, according to his grace.
Well, the results just came back: NEGATIVE on all counts. No one has it. Not Pippin's sisters, not his cage, and not Pippin. We are SO relieved and happy: first for Tammy and Dave, but also for ourselves. We had really fallen for our boy; he is the sweetest bird ever. He sleeps late (first flocking calls at 8 AM!), cuddles and interacts, and is cute as they come. We just would have a hard time giving him up! No need though: all is well!
All this to say: if you are reading this blog for information, there are false positives for this test, so by all means have your bird retested if this scary result is given for your baby on the first well check!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Kissy, kissy!?
I've had Pippin about a week. When we first got him home, for two days we barely heard peeps: however, when something really made him happy he emitted a jolly caique growl that we love so much! It just warms your heart so much to know you've made him so happy with his favorite treat.
Then started the morning flocking call: sharp double caws. Now we have the afternoon calls, and the "I'm bored" calls. These are all about the same.
This AM, he did a new thing. Both his first mom (breeder Tammy) and I have the habit of take him gently in our hands and hold him under our chins to calm him and kissing his little head with kissy/clucking sounds until he's reassured and wants to move. Guess what? Pippin is now making those kissy chuckly noises regularly. So cute! He does it responsively, too. I wonder if anyone else's birds do this? (Maybe it's a normal caique sound that we just didn't know of before?)
Does this mean he'll be a good mimic? I know caiques aren't famous for mimicry, but some really can do it well. Hmmm.
Then started the morning flocking call: sharp double caws. Now we have the afternoon calls, and the "I'm bored" calls. These are all about the same.
This AM, he did a new thing. Both his first mom (breeder Tammy) and I have the habit of take him gently in our hands and hold him under our chins to calm him and kissing his little head with kissy/clucking sounds until he's reassured and wants to move. Guess what? Pippin is now making those kissy chuckly noises regularly. So cute! He does it responsively, too. I wonder if anyone else's birds do this? (Maybe it's a normal caique sound that we just didn't know of before?)
Does this mean he'll be a good mimic? I know caiques aren't famous for mimicry, but some really can do it well. Hmmm.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Baby Food
Last night, Nora came over to meet Pippin. Birdie was eating dinner. So, Nora wanted a snack. It turned into dinner for two. Below are two videos that captured the fun.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Birdie Breakfast
So, Dr. Stahl (our vet) encouraged us to share meals with Pippin. Yesterday morning was his first birdie breakfast. Daddy had an array of toothsome delicacies for Pippin to choose some. His favorites were snow peas and grapes. (This vid is long: I'll forgive you if you don't watch the whole thing. ;-))
We are such doting parents. It's so fun to have a new baby in the house.
We are such doting parents. It's so fun to have a new baby in the house.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Safe home!
We went to the breeders', we scooped him up, we visited the vet (oi, the sticker shock of vet bills!) and we came home. Pippin was a prince at the vet, who pronounced him "very well socialized" and "looking in perfect health." Blood tests will tell all about health, but behaviorally he was as calm as could be, and he did no screaming while restrained. :) He was so laid back the whole time... great in the car, great at the vet, and, well, just GREAT!
My baby climbed into his new pewter palace, went up to the top on the boing, took a quick drink of water that I offered him, and went to sleep. I can't wait to introduce him to all my kids and Nora! Here's a quick video if you want to see his adorable baby self:
I'm grateful to God and to Scott for the loving gift of support and grace as I've walked through the process of acquiring Pippin. Happy me!
My baby climbed into his new pewter palace, went up to the top on the boing, took a quick drink of water that I offered him, and went to sleep. I can't wait to introduce him to all my kids and Nora! Here's a quick video if you want to see his adorable baby self:
I'm grateful to God and to Scott for the loving gift of support and grace as I've walked through the process of acquiring Pippin. Happy me!
Friday, April 17, 2009
All set up...
The cage arrived!!! A day early, and so fun to set all the new pieces in place. Here's the nursery, all ready for the new baby who comes on Monday:
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Four more days...
Concentrating on what you're supposed to be doing is really hard when you're waiting for a good thing, isn't it? I feel like a little kid awaiting Christmas morning... honest!
Today they called and said that the cage will come tomorrow. Wow! Makes it all seem so real. I NEED to finish a work deadline--Week 6--before I can play with the new cage. So, why am I blogging? Because it's REALLY hard to concentrate!
Lord, HELP! Please give me the grace to concentrate on the work set before me so that I can fully enjoy the gift set before me!
Amen.
Today they called and said that the cage will come tomorrow. Wow! Makes it all seem so real. I NEED to finish a work deadline--Week 6--before I can play with the new cage. So, why am I blogging? Because it's REALLY hard to concentrate!
Lord, HELP! Please give me the grace to concentrate on the work set before me so that I can fully enjoy the gift set before me!
Amen.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Soon now... and very soon!
A week from yesterday, Pippin will be home!
I've ordered his new cage...it's on the truck! I went for my LAST visit today: the next time I see him I'll be there with carrier in hand to bring him home, by way of the vet. (Poor birdie.) Scott has agreed to go with and be the doody bad guy going into the vet examining room with the new baby.
I am looking forward to setting up the "nursery" this weekend. I have lots of new stuff to put into his cage... oh boy!
It's fun; it's so fun to have a new baby on the way. I love God and I love the hubby he gave me who is so supportive.
Here are a few things I bought today to prepare for Pippin's homecoming:
Perches:
Wood...
Cotton...
Cement (trims birdie nails!)
TOYS:
Birdie pail with foot toys... so CUTE! (click on image to see full sized)
FOODS!
Foraging system (I know... doesn't look like much, but Tammy says he'll love it):
Herb mix (big bag):
Just veggies (looks yummy):
These I've bought along the way as I visited Pippin over the last month:
Jolly ball:
Orbiter (bought on my birthday by my dad and kit while visiting Pippin):
And much more... getting new stuff is SO fun!
I've ordered his new cage...it's on the truck! I went for my LAST visit today: the next time I see him I'll be there with carrier in hand to bring him home, by way of the vet. (Poor birdie.) Scott has agreed to go with and be the doody bad guy going into the vet examining room with the new baby.
I am looking forward to setting up the "nursery" this weekend. I have lots of new stuff to put into his cage... oh boy!
It's fun; it's so fun to have a new baby on the way. I love God and I love the hubby he gave me who is so supportive.
Here are a few things I bought today to prepare for Pippin's homecoming:
Perches:
Wood...
Cotton...
Cement (trims birdie nails!)
TOYS:
Birdie pail with foot toys... so CUTE! (click on image to see full sized)
FOODS!
Foraging system (I know... doesn't look like much, but Tammy says he'll love it):
Herb mix (big bag):
Just veggies (looks yummy):
These I've bought along the way as I visited Pippin over the last month:
Jolly ball:
Orbiter (bought on my birthday by my dad and kit while visiting Pippin):
And much more... getting new stuff is SO fun!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
About cages...
Well, I thought and I thought and I got what I thought was the perfect cage for a small bird-to-be at a GREAT price. And so it was.
And then, as regular readers will know, my wonderful hubby said "I love you" with PVC.
However, the more I read on the caique forum the more I realized, this is the bare minimum cage for a busy caique. Sigh. I hate making mistakes.
But, God is SO kind. In His providence, he sent me on Craig's List a woman asking "does anyone have a playtop cage to sell?" End of the 15 emails back and forth, she's buying it for almost all I paid for it (including shipping) AND with paying for Scott's amazing playtop, I'm getting more than what I paid.
On the advice of my Caique Forum friends, and after prayer and the support of my husband, I'm getting a sweet deal on this new cage, in a lovely gray color:
This should be the only cage my baby ever needs. I love birds! Onc cage serves for 40 years... 'specially a cage like this!
The added blessing that I am SO grateful for is that my Sweetie, for our last date night, decided we'd prepare for the sale of the old cage and the arrival of the new one by taking down his desk. As we did, we looked for cage hardware. We couldn't find it... but the, lo, we found the dining room table hardware that we had been looking for for months since our move to this rental home. I immediately called my SIL, who was waiting for the hardware, and she had JUST missed ordering replacement hardware last night!
God is so good; I am excited. My baby is going to have a forever home, and we're bringing him home on the 20th, God willing!
And then, as regular readers will know, my wonderful hubby said "I love you" with PVC.
However, the more I read on the caique forum the more I realized, this is the bare minimum cage for a busy caique. Sigh. I hate making mistakes.
But, God is SO kind. In His providence, he sent me on Craig's List a woman asking "does anyone have a playtop cage to sell?" End of the 15 emails back and forth, she's buying it for almost all I paid for it (including shipping) AND with paying for Scott's amazing playtop, I'm getting more than what I paid.
On the advice of my Caique Forum friends, and after prayer and the support of my husband, I'm getting a sweet deal on this new cage, in a lovely gray color:
This should be the only cage my baby ever needs. I love birds! Onc cage serves for 40 years... 'specially a cage like this!
The added blessing that I am SO grateful for is that my Sweetie, for our last date night, decided we'd prepare for the sale of the old cage and the arrival of the new one by taking down his desk. As we did, we looked for cage hardware. We couldn't find it... but the, lo, we found the dining room table hardware that we had been looking for for months since our move to this rental home. I immediately called my SIL, who was waiting for the hardware, and she had JUST missed ordering replacement hardware last night!
God is so good; I am excited. My baby is going to have a forever home, and we're bringing him home on the 20th, God willing!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Too funny! Dancing cockatoo
Can you tell I'm waiting patiently for Pippin to come home? Here's another winner from YouTube. Enjoy!
Dancing Bare-eyed Cockatoo to the tune of "Shake Your Feathers"
Dancing Bare-eyed Cockatoo to the tune of "Shake Your Feathers"
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Inspiration!
I'm WAY behind at work today, but had to post this: it is inspirational AND cute:
Cai's New Tricks.
ENJOY!
Cai's New Tricks.
ENJOY!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Nothing says "I love you" like PVC!
My husband, Scott, and I are recent converts to birds from fish. Last year, we had to sell our house due to economic conditions. It was time anyways: our non-feathered flock (six children) were grown and mostly gone (youngest is 18 and at college most of the year, 2 are married, one grand daughter, etc.). Anyways, we used to have a six-foot salt water reef tank (sigh) and loved it with our whole hearts. We had to downsize the tank (to a 30g nano with two of our favorite fish and frags of our favorite corals) when we downsized our home, and we now are in a rental town home, which mean we'll probably move again in the near future. SO, all this added up to getting out of serious fish keeping.
Enter a rescue cockatiel from my daughter's roommate, and deep thinking on whether THIS was the bird for me. Fast forward to deciding that if I was going to get into birds, I was going to get the one I really wanted. This led to falling in love with caiques. Now, I'm waiting for my baby to grow up (and getting to the point, I promise).
While we were fish keepers, there was a LOT of plumbing to master. Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of what my wonderful hubby, Scott, learned about PVC as we kept fish:
First, the tank side (note that all pics can be expanded if you want to see more by clicking on them):
Now, a few shots of SOME of the plumbing that went behind that gorgeousness:
Etc. You get the idea. Lots of PVC plumbing.
So then, we switch to birds. Eyeing my new cage, I discern two things, a space beside it and a space above it. Then I notice something else: a stub going UP on the playtop of the cage (only we assembled ours on the right, not the left).
In the good old fish-keeping days, Scott once took the entire day (it was Valentine's Day) to re-plumb or improve our fish setup. I always felt so GLAD and loved.
Well, recently, buried in deadlines for work and unable to go on our weekly date at all, I batted my eyes at him and said, "Could you build me a play station extension that would go up and over to the right of the cage for Pippin?" Well, it was our date night. So, he disassembled the stub, took it to Home Depot, and (after making one false step by bringing home oaken dowels, which were then changed out for birch ones) created these fantastic results:
Details of construction:
The PVC T-fittings are slip 3/4" to T 1/2" threaded. Then a half-inch dowel screws snugly into place and really holds weight. You put small 3/4" PVC pipe between each T fixture, and so you can always change the direction of the dowels, and hang toys in different places, etc. Below are some close-ups.
The biggest challenge was the cage stub. Scott found a metal plumbing part that was actually a hexagonal bore to a 3/4" thread. He then found a PVC connector that was 3/4" threaded to slip.
Finally, the gym is topped with a 3/4" slip to 1/2" threaded elbow:
And now to hang more toys!
My study room: fish and feathers together... our remaining tank and our waiting cage in process of being stocked. (Sorry, don't know what happened to the light in the room. All pic's were taken together... anyways, this is the view from my recliner, where I do most of my work:
Enter a rescue cockatiel from my daughter's roommate, and deep thinking on whether THIS was the bird for me. Fast forward to deciding that if I was going to get into birds, I was going to get the one I really wanted. This led to falling in love with caiques. Now, I'm waiting for my baby to grow up (and getting to the point, I promise).
While we were fish keepers, there was a LOT of plumbing to master. Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of what my wonderful hubby, Scott, learned about PVC as we kept fish:
First, the tank side (note that all pics can be expanded if you want to see more by clicking on them):
Now, a few shots of SOME of the plumbing that went behind that gorgeousness:
Etc. You get the idea. Lots of PVC plumbing.
So then, we switch to birds. Eyeing my new cage, I discern two things, a space beside it and a space above it. Then I notice something else: a stub going UP on the playtop of the cage (only we assembled ours on the right, not the left).
In the good old fish-keeping days, Scott once took the entire day (it was Valentine's Day) to re-plumb or improve our fish setup. I always felt so GLAD and loved.
Well, recently, buried in deadlines for work and unable to go on our weekly date at all, I batted my eyes at him and said, "Could you build me a play station extension that would go up and over to the right of the cage for Pippin?" Well, it was our date night. So, he disassembled the stub, took it to Home Depot, and (after making one false step by bringing home oaken dowels, which were then changed out for birch ones) created these fantastic results:
Details of construction:
The PVC T-fittings are slip 3/4" to T 1/2" threaded. Then a half-inch dowel screws snugly into place and really holds weight. You put small 3/4" PVC pipe between each T fixture, and so you can always change the direction of the dowels, and hang toys in different places, etc. Below are some close-ups.
The biggest challenge was the cage stub. Scott found a metal plumbing part that was actually a hexagonal bore to a 3/4" thread. He then found a PVC connector that was 3/4" threaded to slip.
Finally, the gym is topped with a 3/4" slip to 1/2" threaded elbow:
And now to hang more toys!
My study room: fish and feathers together... our remaining tank and our waiting cage in process of being stocked. (Sorry, don't know what happened to the light in the room. All pic's were taken together... anyways, this is the view from my recliner, where I do most of my work:
Friday, March 27, 2009
Buddy left today
I am so GLAD Father answered my exact prayer in giving Buddy a new home. I prayed for a family where there would be a 10-year-old child (I pictured a girl) who would love him and learn from him. Sure enough, after I put up my ad, I got ten responses right away. Four of those were from one person: Tammy, who has five small birds (one cockatiel) herself and wanted this one for her granddaughter to call her very own. The girl visits her every weekend.
So, it was a bit sad to say "goodbye" to Buddy, but I'm so grateful that he'll have a home with other birds, an experienced bird keeper, and a granddaughter to love on him.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Choosing my boy
I got to FINALLY go to DJ Feathers and visit the clutch on which I had a first-pick deposit. Here's a little history so you can appreciate why I'm happy. I had originally wanted a boy (because of egg-laying issues in the future), and put down my deposit almost a month ago when the babies had just been mounted on the website. They were barely feathered: so little! Below was the picture of my boy the day before I put down that first deposit and got a glimpse of him.
The DNA tests were due back soon, but I thought for sure I'd have at least two boys to choose from when my time came.
SO, I was intrigued when the DNA tests for the clutch came back: three sisters and one brother! I thought, "Cool! The Lord has helped me to choose!" But then... of course... I second guessed... and wondered. Meanwhile, I could NOT get down to DJ! Work, family commitments, and friends all HAD to take preference (which I don't regret) but Dave wrote to say that the birds were getting really big and interactive. I hated to miss a moment, and felt that I'd be able to tell which one was mine by now if only I could get down to DJ Feathers and see the clutch.
Well, I got to go today. :::big smile::: Tammy looked up the band number of the one boy while I looked at all four birds together in their cage. She took them all out and put them into a rubber tub. Then fished the boy out and gave him to me. He was fine... but I still wanted to make SURE that he was my FIRST pick. It was an added bonus to meet Christine, from the ciaque forum, as I sat down on the couch. She encouraged me with how beautiful ALL the birds in this clutch were. I felt I could hardly make a mistake after that! They really WERE all beautiful.
So, I put him back into the tub with his sisters and sat back to observe all four birds. I wanted to see if any of them would jump towards me, or seek to interact; none did, really. After about ten minutes, I picked the one that I liked best, and walked away to interact away from the other three birds. I interacted with him for about a half and hour. Well, long story short, when I asked Tammy to check the band of the bird I liked the best, it turned out to be the one boy!!!v And we got along really well. So! Unless something unforeseen happens, I'm going to be bringing Pippin home near the end of April.
Here are some pictures of my beautiful boy today (isn't it an amazing difference in just a month?):
Are you my birdie? We're checking each other out.
Hi there... want a scritch? (feeling very tentative...)
After looking at them all for awhile, I decide.. I want that one...
My boy, Pippin!
He got on my shoulder and stayed there for about 3/4 hour...
Pippin also spent time on my head, hand, and then back to the shoulder.
After awhile, he even took a nap there.
I felt VERY happy and peaceful by the time we left after spending about 2 hours with Pippin. I'm thankful that Father made my choice so clear.
The DNA tests were due back soon, but I thought for sure I'd have at least two boys to choose from when my time came.
SO, I was intrigued when the DNA tests for the clutch came back: three sisters and one brother! I thought, "Cool! The Lord has helped me to choose!" But then... of course... I second guessed... and wondered. Meanwhile, I could NOT get down to DJ! Work, family commitments, and friends all HAD to take preference (which I don't regret) but Dave wrote to say that the birds were getting really big and interactive. I hated to miss a moment, and felt that I'd be able to tell which one was mine by now if only I could get down to DJ Feathers and see the clutch.
Well, I got to go today. :::big smile::: Tammy looked up the band number of the one boy while I looked at all four birds together in their cage. She took them all out and put them into a rubber tub. Then fished the boy out and gave him to me. He was fine... but I still wanted to make SURE that he was my FIRST pick. It was an added bonus to meet Christine, from the ciaque forum, as I sat down on the couch. She encouraged me with how beautiful ALL the birds in this clutch were. I felt I could hardly make a mistake after that! They really WERE all beautiful.
So, I put him back into the tub with his sisters and sat back to observe all four birds. I wanted to see if any of them would jump towards me, or seek to interact; none did, really. After about ten minutes, I picked the one that I liked best, and walked away to interact away from the other three birds. I interacted with him for about a half and hour. Well, long story short, when I asked Tammy to check the band of the bird I liked the best, it turned out to be the one boy!!!v And we got along really well. So! Unless something unforeseen happens, I'm going to be bringing Pippin home near the end of April.
Here are some pictures of my beautiful boy today (isn't it an amazing difference in just a month?):
Are you my birdie? We're checking each other out.
Hi there... want a scritch? (feeling very tentative...)
After looking at them all for awhile, I decide.. I want that one...
My boy, Pippin!
He got on my shoulder and stayed there for about 3/4 hour...
Pippin also spent time on my head, hand, and then back to the shoulder.
After awhile, he even took a nap there.
I felt VERY happy and peaceful by the time we left after spending about 2 hours with Pippin. I'm thankful that Father made my choice so clear.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Onward!
Scott and I have prayed it through, and we have reinstated our plans to go forward with welcoming a baby caique to the family. We are also talking of keeping Buddy.
Buddy has become a study for me. Scott has pointed out that Buddy was not raised as a baby with good, loving owners who hand-fed him and nurtured him. He's fearful of human hands and even though there are now those around him who would pamper him, they find it hard to even get him to take a treat from their hands. He sleeks down because he thinks that we mean him harm when he sees us coming. There is no confident expectation of good.
I am the same. I sleek down when I think of the future. I imagine that the Lord will bring me hard toil and pain when I see things that seem scary things looming in the distance. I look for discipline and hard knocks, even though for years I have been blessed and pampered. Scott reminds me that I can become a child who can expect good things, because we know Who is taming us to His hand.
Ave, Savior! Let me look for treats from Your hand!
Buddy has become a study for me. Scott has pointed out that Buddy was not raised as a baby with good, loving owners who hand-fed him and nurtured him. He's fearful of human hands and even though there are now those around him who would pamper him, they find it hard to even get him to take a treat from their hands. He sleeks down because he thinks that we mean him harm when he sees us coming. There is no confident expectation of good.
I am the same. I sleek down when I think of the future. I imagine that the Lord will bring me hard toil and pain when I see things that seem scary things looming in the distance. I look for discipline and hard knocks, even though for years I have been blessed and pampered. Scott reminds me that I can become a child who can expect good things, because we know Who is taming us to His hand.
Ave, Savior! Let me look for treats from Your hand!
Monday, March 9, 2009
A step back
Today I gave up my claim on the clutch at DJ Feathers. I want to make sure that my passion for the creatures that my Lord and Savior gave me for my pleasure don't outweigh my pleasure in him. I know that I am convicted that I should be spending far more time with God than I do surfing the 'net to learn about either breeze or bubble friends. This is not the case currently.
So, for now, unless and until I can see a rekindling of my passion for God Himself, His people, and His purposes in the earth, His creatures will have to wait for my loving attentions. Ave, Domino!
So, for now, unless and until I can see a rekindling of my passion for God Himself, His people, and His purposes in the earth, His creatures will have to wait for my loving attentions. Ave, Domino!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Dreaming of Pippin's daily schedule...
I'm doing a TON of online and book research, and learning SO much. Based on what I've learned about parrot behavior in the wild, I'm planning on a starting schedule for Pippin when he comes home.
My bird is one of four who hatched in the DJ Feathers aviary in VA. My deposit gives me first pick of the clutch. I *think* I want a male so as to never have to deal with the possibility of egg binding. This is the one male in the clutch, at 6.5 weeks old:
I don't think I'll ever become a Caique breeder: my goal is one forever friend. I chose the Caique after a bunch of research because I wanted a very energetic yet small parrot who would bond strongly with me. I am an author who works from home, so I can devote a LOT of attention to my birdie. However, I need to be careful to socialize him to my grown kids (who come in and out) and grandkids, and my husband (who also manages our small business from home). If we do get a male, his name will be Pippin (because we have a LOTR theme in our household) and my husband (who may get an African Gray, if all goes well with Pippin) will then name his bird Gandalf, the Gray.
Given all this, my plan is to have the bird sleep in his cage upstairs in our study, which adjoins our bedroom and is quiet by 6 PM each night, as the sun sets. Going by the theories read in Parrot Problem Solver by Barbara Heidenreich, I'm hoping to develop a regular daily routine. I plan, for instance, to bring Pippin into my shower daily (or however often he wants) and watch me do my morning grooming (how will he react to a blow dryer?), and then take him down to his "foraging station" in my dining room while I make and eat my cold breakfast nearby. Then, there are several places for us to sit while he plays on a moveable playstand. Back to the cage mid-day for a deep nap or alone time play so that I can always be free to go elsewhere and do errands, etc. (I plan to work elsewhere in the house during these mid-day hours even if I am home just to get him used to this routine.) We have a deck and a large old cage that I plan to put on our deck, since Pippin won't come home until late April, and we can enjoy many hours out there (since it's wonderfully shady) playing and dozing in the sun and soaking up all that wonderful vitamin D.
In the evening, my husband will be ready for Pippin play time, and foraging will again be on his play station. Then, bedtime at sunset or so, upstairs, away from TV and visitors.
I know (btw) that all these are only goals, and that Pippin will be far from perfect and will be stubborn and have his own ideas. These are just goals (gotta have them in parenting, right?). I am enamored of the idea of a free-flighted bird, but think that a caique is too small and too curious for flight. Therefore, I'm trying to plan a variety of play stations that will be good places for him to enjoy out-of-cage time safely.
My bird is one of four who hatched in the DJ Feathers aviary in VA. My deposit gives me first pick of the clutch. I *think* I want a male so as to never have to deal with the possibility of egg binding. This is the one male in the clutch, at 6.5 weeks old:
I don't think I'll ever become a Caique breeder: my goal is one forever friend. I chose the Caique after a bunch of research because I wanted a very energetic yet small parrot who would bond strongly with me. I am an author who works from home, so I can devote a LOT of attention to my birdie. However, I need to be careful to socialize him to my grown kids (who come in and out) and grandkids, and my husband (who also manages our small business from home). If we do get a male, his name will be Pippin (because we have a LOTR theme in our household) and my husband (who may get an African Gray, if all goes well with Pippin) will then name his bird Gandalf, the Gray.
Given all this, my plan is to have the bird sleep in his cage upstairs in our study, which adjoins our bedroom and is quiet by 6 PM each night, as the sun sets. Going by the theories read in Parrot Problem Solver by Barbara Heidenreich, I'm hoping to develop a regular daily routine. I plan, for instance, to bring Pippin into my shower daily (or however often he wants) and watch me do my morning grooming (how will he react to a blow dryer?), and then take him down to his "foraging station" in my dining room while I make and eat my cold breakfast nearby. Then, there are several places for us to sit while he plays on a moveable playstand. Back to the cage mid-day for a deep nap or alone time play so that I can always be free to go elsewhere and do errands, etc. (I plan to work elsewhere in the house during these mid-day hours even if I am home just to get him used to this routine.) We have a deck and a large old cage that I plan to put on our deck, since Pippin won't come home until late April, and we can enjoy many hours out there (since it's wonderfully shady) playing and dozing in the sun and soaking up all that wonderful vitamin D.
In the evening, my husband will be ready for Pippin play time, and foraging will again be on his play station. Then, bedtime at sunset or so, upstairs, away from TV and visitors.I know (btw) that all these are only goals, and that Pippin will be far from perfect and will be stubborn and have his own ideas. These are just goals (gotta have them in parenting, right?). I am enamored of the idea of a free-flighted bird, but think that a caique is too small and too curious for flight. Therefore, I'm trying to plan a variety of play stations that will be good places for him to enjoy out-of-cage time safely.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
About Diva (or is it Buddy?)
I mentioned in my introduction that it was a little rescued cockatiel that got me thinking about birds again after lo these many years. At first, I thought this cockatiel was a she (so we named her Diva because she was a bit stand-offish and demanding, but sang beautifully). However, as you'll read below, my new-found friends on the Bird Lovers' forums convinced me that Diva was a he-va. SO! Diva became Buddy. Eventually, I decided that if I was going to devote myself to a feathered friend for the next 20 to 30 years, I wanted to start fresh. So, last Thursday, I determined that I would re-home Buddy and buy a Caique as my forever friend.
Below, in memory of Diva/Buddy are excerpts of my diary that I started on Bird Lovers Online to record Diva/Buddy's time with us.
Diva was rescued from neglect by my daughter's college roommate (who first neglected and then, upon mid-year graduation, abandoned her) on January 30, 2009. She had just spent five days in a box of sorts with her friend (fellow cockatiel) and my daughter had caught her and clipped her wings so that I could have an easier time taming her. She was looking pretty bedraggled when she arrived, but not neurotically frantic. She and her friend were pretty calm, and settled down pretty fast after we got her (large, cheap) cage put together. (I want to get a better cage, but this one was free.)
Diva's friend departed via Craig's List to a good home the next day. She's been alone in her cage since.
We immediately bought pellets for Diva, and vitamins (liquid). Though I have read that liquid vitamins aren't the best because they break down quickly and might foul the water, yet I felt she an needed immediate boost to her immune system, etc.
I also put into the cage (the next day) broccoli and apple. She didn't touch those for about four or five days. Then, she pecked at them once or twice. Two days ago, she began to tear them to shreds in a systematic fashion. Today, she was eating much of the broccoli as she tore it apart. She also went down to the bottom of her cage to consume large pieces that had fallen there. Same with the apple. She takes big bites, moves them around on her tongue, and then drops large chunks to the ground. (I hope she's getting some of it into her!
)
I am an author, so I am home all day working. I've been sitting by her cage almost daily for about 10 hours a day. I talk to her and mostly leave her alone except to feed her. I have been discouraged at her slowness in *liking* me. We have left the main cage door open and she's been crawling around the outside of it frequently. She's taken short flights, but never to us purposefully--except once. A few days ago I was writing nearby her on my laptop, sitting on the floor and not paying attention to her at all, when she suddenly flew to the laptop monitor, perching on it and looking straight at me. I didn't move; she flew back to her cage after less than 30 seconds. Still, it was encouraging!
A day or two before that, again with me sitting on the floor, she worked her way over to me via a trail of sunflower seeds (I'm trading on her addiction to seeds as I train her). She eventually plucked about three seeds from my hand that day.
However, those moments have not added up to real trust yet. When I get really close to her cage and talk to her, she trembles, puffs out, or preens. She's clearly uncomfortable.
One mistake that I made about three days ago was to come up and shut her cage door while she was crawling around on it, and then force her to step up on my hand. She really did not recover from that invasion for about two days. Only yesterday did she freely come out again, and that, I think was partly because I hung a favorite toy on the OUTSIDE of her cage where she had to come out to get it.
So, my prayer is that she will REALLY come to like me soon. That's what I'm wanting: a real companion bird who sits with me by choice and cuddles. I'm hoping that her early neglect hasn't ruined her for life. My plan is to give her a couple of months serious effort, and then evaluate our relationship. If she never bonds with me, I'll probably re-home her with someone she can like.
___________
Today, I removed all seeds from Diva's feed cup for the first three hours of her day. She had a nutribar (seeds with pellets and fruit and veggies) to gnaw on (which she did) broccoli (promptly shredded and consumed) and an apple wedge, as well as vitamins in her water (which I do twice a week). I also had seeds scattered on the floor near a perching spot for her.
She flew to my monitor THREE times this morning! I was thrilled. The first time, she stayed about 30 seconds. The second, she stayed longer, relaxed, and pecked at the lock mechanism. The third, she sat even longer and looked more relaxed. I offered her seeds in my hand, and she looked hard at them, but then flew back to her cage. Later, she flew to the floor and came up to examine the side of the computer. She seemed very relaxed on that trip.
Also, about 10:30, she really began calling in shrill tones. I let her calm down, and she did a wing display. I praised her (Oh! So beautiful!) and then put some seeds into her feed cup. She's contentedly munching now.
_______________
My next questions are going to be about bathing and toenail clipping.
Since Diva's not stepping up yet and I can't get her away from her cage, I've been putting a 9" square glass baking pan in the floor of her cage. She hasn't touched it in six days (I change the water daily), tho I know she's seen it. What to do? Mist her? Wait for her to be tamer and then we can shower together? She IS dirty from the time in the box; 'specially her tail feathers. Yuck. I'd just love to get her cleaner; I'll bet she's never had a bath in her life. Ideas?
Also, her toenails are LONG. Do we humans clip them, or do aspects of care like rough perches or their own grooming practices take care of this? (I know about not clipping veins in animal toenails; just wondering if/when I need to do this for her.)
____________________
So, for the last two days, Diva has flown into the adjoining bedroom (we have a study and a bedroom adjoining). Her cage is in the study; tho her wings ARE clipped, she can still fly. Anyways, she flew into my bedroom, which is good 'cause her cage isn't right there.
I can get her to readily step up, but I can't pet her at all. She pins her eyes, hisses and bites with one finger anywhere near her head. She will sit on my hand for quite awhile, but she's not comfy there... constantly looking around and wanting to see other birds, etc.
I am truly wondering if she's going to warm up to me or not. I'm going to do my best for a few months, but I'm not totally sure that this is the friend that I'm hoping for.
______________________
Well, time for a new update. Diva takes two steps forward and one step back, it seems. Sometimes, like yesterday, she is playful and comes very near me as I work on the floor near her cage. Other times, she's fretful and stand-offish, like today. I guess we all have our cranky days, though, huh?
On Friday last I bought her a new play gym.
She has yet to do more than peck one seed out of the OLD dish that I also put onto it to entice her. I have noticed that she never touches anything new for at least 48 hours.
I have ceased letting her fly into the other room where she is "dependent on me" and gets up on my hand. I've decided that she feels threatened during those sessions, rather than taming. On good days, when I sit on the floor and work near her cage, she will come down, walk around on the floor, peck a bit at my pants and computer, and eat some seeds. She'll make several such rounds during an 8-hour day. (I'm an author who sits for hours near her, since she's in my work room.) I really think that I'm building trust by NOT extending my hand, but letting her get more and more comfortable with coming out, exploring slowly, and finding that getting near me doesn't mean uncomfortable interactions.
And today I ordered a new cage that I've had my eye on at Ebay. I bought the cage because, after about two weeks of research, I've decided I don't ever want a big parrot. I'll be getting a parotlet or conure at the biggest. The cage I bought was a large one for Diva, and so I feel confident that whatever bird I end up with will be comfy in this cage. Here's a picture:
(After getting this cage, I decided to buy Pippin, my Caique, and rehome Buddy when Pippin is ready to come home, in late April. Therefore, Buddy will never use this new cage.)
______________
On the forum, someone responded to the above post: "Lovely cage and play stand (love the little food cup too). I just watched the video, too cute! Most hens just coo, and your birdie is repeating the same thing, if it starts talking, you have a male. My 'tiels will bow and open their wings like that when I mist them with water from the spray bottle. It really looks like she is trying to bathe from the perch. Those are the motions they do in a bath bowl as well, dipping thier chest in and standing up straight again and repeating the process over and over until they are soaked. Then they shake like a dog and preen until they are dry."
______________
That was how I found out that Diva was Buddy. Sigh. More excerpts follow:
About sex: yikes! A male??? Diva has several calls, and I've been doing the girl-whistle, you know like guys do to a good looking girl? She's (he's???) starting to imitate it. Wow! How DO we teach them to talk. I do see bars across her tail feathers on the undersides, which makes me think she's a hen. Hmmm. She often displays her wings and sings like in the video. Next time she does it, I'll peek under and see if I see dots.
Uh oh.
I just read this on Cockatiel Cottage: "Body and courtship behavior provide other clues to help determine gender. Males will pull their wings back to form the shape of a heart when whistling. Males also tap on cage bars, food dishes, toys and other surfaces to attract the attention of a mate."
Diva does all these things a lot. I think Diva is a him... Wow. David would be good, but it's my son's name. Rats! I loved the name Diva. Hmmm. Something new to think on though!
So, hmm. Molting. How old are they when they get "adult" colors? I think Diva is about 10 months old, from what my daughter tells me of her (his!) history. She says that when her roommate first brought the birds home, they were "not fully fledged." I suppose they COULD have been molting then, but I'm thinking that my daughter would know the difference. So if he (sigh) is nine or ten months old or so... when should the molt be?
_____________
So, I woke up and tried a few names on him. Today, he will be "Buddy." That's a name of faith because I want him to be my buddy. Also, it works to say "Buddy-boy." This day has started REALLY well. Buddy often flies first thing in the morning. This day he flew to my husband's desk. My husband had him step up, which he did nicely. He sat on my husband's hand but was nervous. Then I slowly came over and got him on my hand. Buddy was visibly more relaxed. He let me take him for a walk into the other room. We stepped up (ladder exercise) for a few minutes, looked around, and then began to walk back into his cage room in my study. He then flew gently and gracefully to his cage. A GOOD experience all 'round. VERY encouraging!
______________
Later that day, Buddy flew into my bedroom again. I took the play gym in there and had quite a long session with him. It started well, but I prolonged it too long, and he got tired and nippy. I should have quit while I was ahead.
______________
It was at this point that we decided to go onto a date to DJ Feathers... and the rest is (well) it belongs to a future (and shorter) post!
Below, in memory of Diva/Buddy are excerpts of my diary that I started on Bird Lovers Online to record Diva/Buddy's time with us.
Diva was rescued from neglect by my daughter's college roommate (who first neglected and then, upon mid-year graduation, abandoned her) on January 30, 2009. She had just spent five days in a box of sorts with her friend (fellow cockatiel) and my daughter had caught her and clipped her wings so that I could have an easier time taming her. She was looking pretty bedraggled when she arrived, but not neurotically frantic. She and her friend were pretty calm, and settled down pretty fast after we got her (large, cheap) cage put together. (I want to get a better cage, but this one was free.)
Diva's friend departed via Craig's List to a good home the next day. She's been alone in her cage since.
We immediately bought pellets for Diva, and vitamins (liquid). Though I have read that liquid vitamins aren't the best because they break down quickly and might foul the water, yet I felt she an needed immediate boost to her immune system, etc.
I also put into the cage (the next day) broccoli and apple. She didn't touch those for about four or five days. Then, she pecked at them once or twice. Two days ago, she began to tear them to shreds in a systematic fashion. Today, she was eating much of the broccoli as she tore it apart. She also went down to the bottom of her cage to consume large pieces that had fallen there. Same with the apple. She takes big bites, moves them around on her tongue, and then drops large chunks to the ground. (I hope she's getting some of it into her!
)I am an author, so I am home all day working. I've been sitting by her cage almost daily for about 10 hours a day. I talk to her and mostly leave her alone except to feed her. I have been discouraged at her slowness in *liking* me. We have left the main cage door open and she's been crawling around the outside of it frequently. She's taken short flights, but never to us purposefully--except once. A few days ago I was writing nearby her on my laptop, sitting on the floor and not paying attention to her at all, when she suddenly flew to the laptop monitor, perching on it and looking straight at me. I didn't move; she flew back to her cage after less than 30 seconds. Still, it was encouraging!
A day or two before that, again with me sitting on the floor, she worked her way over to me via a trail of sunflower seeds (I'm trading on her addiction to seeds as I train her). She eventually plucked about three seeds from my hand that day.
However, those moments have not added up to real trust yet. When I get really close to her cage and talk to her, she trembles, puffs out, or preens. She's clearly uncomfortable.
One mistake that I made about three days ago was to come up and shut her cage door while she was crawling around on it, and then force her to step up on my hand. She really did not recover from that invasion for about two days. Only yesterday did she freely come out again, and that, I think was partly because I hung a favorite toy on the OUTSIDE of her cage where she had to come out to get it.
So, my prayer is that she will REALLY come to like me soon. That's what I'm wanting: a real companion bird who sits with me by choice and cuddles. I'm hoping that her early neglect hasn't ruined her for life. My plan is to give her a couple of months serious effort, and then evaluate our relationship. If she never bonds with me, I'll probably re-home her with someone she can like.
___________
Today, I removed all seeds from Diva's feed cup for the first three hours of her day. She had a nutribar (seeds with pellets and fruit and veggies) to gnaw on (which she did) broccoli (promptly shredded and consumed) and an apple wedge, as well as vitamins in her water (which I do twice a week). I also had seeds scattered on the floor near a perching spot for her.
She flew to my monitor THREE times this morning! I was thrilled. The first time, she stayed about 30 seconds. The second, she stayed longer, relaxed, and pecked at the lock mechanism. The third, she sat even longer and looked more relaxed. I offered her seeds in my hand, and she looked hard at them, but then flew back to her cage. Later, she flew to the floor and came up to examine the side of the computer. She seemed very relaxed on that trip.
Also, about 10:30, she really began calling in shrill tones. I let her calm down, and she did a wing display. I praised her (Oh! So beautiful!) and then put some seeds into her feed cup. She's contentedly munching now.
_______________
My next questions are going to be about bathing and toenail clipping.
Since Diva's not stepping up yet and I can't get her away from her cage, I've been putting a 9" square glass baking pan in the floor of her cage. She hasn't touched it in six days (I change the water daily), tho I know she's seen it. What to do? Mist her? Wait for her to be tamer and then we can shower together? She IS dirty from the time in the box; 'specially her tail feathers. Yuck. I'd just love to get her cleaner; I'll bet she's never had a bath in her life. Ideas?
Also, her toenails are LONG. Do we humans clip them, or do aspects of care like rough perches or their own grooming practices take care of this? (I know about not clipping veins in animal toenails; just wondering if/when I need to do this for her.)
____________________
So, for the last two days, Diva has flown into the adjoining bedroom (we have a study and a bedroom adjoining). Her cage is in the study; tho her wings ARE clipped, she can still fly. Anyways, she flew into my bedroom, which is good 'cause her cage isn't right there.
I can get her to readily step up, but I can't pet her at all. She pins her eyes, hisses and bites with one finger anywhere near her head. She will sit on my hand for quite awhile, but she's not comfy there... constantly looking around and wanting to see other birds, etc.
I am truly wondering if she's going to warm up to me or not. I'm going to do my best for a few months, but I'm not totally sure that this is the friend that I'm hoping for.
______________________
Well, time for a new update. Diva takes two steps forward and one step back, it seems. Sometimes, like yesterday, she is playful and comes very near me as I work on the floor near her cage. Other times, she's fretful and stand-offish, like today. I guess we all have our cranky days, though, huh?
On Friday last I bought her a new play gym.
She has yet to do more than peck one seed out of the OLD dish that I also put onto it to entice her. I have noticed that she never touches anything new for at least 48 hours.
I have ceased letting her fly into the other room where she is "dependent on me" and gets up on my hand. I've decided that she feels threatened during those sessions, rather than taming. On good days, when I sit on the floor and work near her cage, she will come down, walk around on the floor, peck a bit at my pants and computer, and eat some seeds. She'll make several such rounds during an 8-hour day. (I'm an author who sits for hours near her, since she's in my work room.) I really think that I'm building trust by NOT extending my hand, but letting her get more and more comfortable with coming out, exploring slowly, and finding that getting near me doesn't mean uncomfortable interactions.
And today I ordered a new cage that I've had my eye on at Ebay. I bought the cage because, after about two weeks of research, I've decided I don't ever want a big parrot. I'll be getting a parotlet or conure at the biggest. The cage I bought was a large one for Diva, and so I feel confident that whatever bird I end up with will be comfy in this cage. Here's a picture:
(After getting this cage, I decided to buy Pippin, my Caique, and rehome Buddy when Pippin is ready to come home, in late April. Therefore, Buddy will never use this new cage.)
______________
On the forum, someone responded to the above post: "Lovely cage and play stand (love the little food cup too). I just watched the video, too cute! Most hens just coo, and your birdie is repeating the same thing, if it starts talking, you have a male. My 'tiels will bow and open their wings like that when I mist them with water from the spray bottle. It really looks like she is trying to bathe from the perch. Those are the motions they do in a bath bowl as well, dipping thier chest in and standing up straight again and repeating the process over and over until they are soaked. Then they shake like a dog and preen until they are dry."
______________
That was how I found out that Diva was Buddy. Sigh. More excerpts follow:
About sex: yikes! A male??? Diva has several calls, and I've been doing the girl-whistle, you know like guys do to a good looking girl? She's (he's???) starting to imitate it. Wow! How DO we teach them to talk. I do see bars across her tail feathers on the undersides, which makes me think she's a hen. Hmmm. She often displays her wings and sings like in the video. Next time she does it, I'll peek under and see if I see dots.
Uh oh.
I just read this on Cockatiel Cottage: "Body and courtship behavior provide other clues to help determine gender. Males will pull their wings back to form the shape of a heart when whistling. Males also tap on cage bars, food dishes, toys and other surfaces to attract the attention of a mate."
Diva does all these things a lot. I think Diva is a him... Wow. David would be good, but it's my son's name. Rats! I loved the name Diva. Hmmm. Something new to think on though!
So, hmm. Molting. How old are they when they get "adult" colors? I think Diva is about 10 months old, from what my daughter tells me of her (his!) history. She says that when her roommate first brought the birds home, they were "not fully fledged." I suppose they COULD have been molting then, but I'm thinking that my daughter would know the difference. So if he (sigh) is nine or ten months old or so... when should the molt be?
_____________
So, I woke up and tried a few names on him. Today, he will be "Buddy." That's a name of faith because I want him to be my buddy. Also, it works to say "Buddy-boy." This day has started REALLY well. Buddy often flies first thing in the morning. This day he flew to my husband's desk. My husband had him step up, which he did nicely. He sat on my husband's hand but was nervous. Then I slowly came over and got him on my hand. Buddy was visibly more relaxed. He let me take him for a walk into the other room. We stepped up (ladder exercise) for a few minutes, looked around, and then began to walk back into his cage room in my study. He then flew gently and gracefully to his cage. A GOOD experience all 'round. VERY encouraging!
______________
Later that day, Buddy flew into my bedroom again. I took the play gym in there and had quite a long session with him. It started well, but I prolonged it too long, and he got tired and nippy. I should have quit while I was ahead.
______________
It was at this point that we decided to go onto a date to DJ Feathers... and the rest is (well) it belongs to a future (and shorter) post!
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