Question:
Could it be that your little girl wants to settle down and start a nest?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Owly! I was curious as to if you have any documentation to support > this???? 
> Who’s the Harney flock? > ~Mikie > p.s. I checked out your pics yesterday… I like the new site you are > using, it was real easy to get around. Your fids looks great! > She wants to go help the Harney flock get some Nutriberries. > owly > > My female, 9-year-old caique is driving us nuts! She has taken to > spending > > literally hours at a time standing at the back of her cage and biting > the > > bars. The clicking sound of her beak in the bars goes on all day long. I > > don’t know if she is trying to eat the paint or what. She doesn’t chew > wood > > and she will occasionally chew cardboard. There are a number of toys for > her > > to play with, but it’s the bars that have got her doing. Maybe she is > hoping > > to break out.
Response:
I’m going to check out dotphoto. I’ve got my birdie pics on Yahoo, but they don’t give enough space for a good caption/description of the picture. Another one I’m considering is photofun.com. — Mama ~^~^~^~ Visit Mamabird’s Nest: <http://iluvbirds.tripod.com/> -To email me: change nest to net- "Good Morning is an oxymoron"
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thanks . I really like dotphoto, very easy to use, and I can take pics of > my daughter and order prints and don’t have to pay those horrendous prices > they charge for school pictures too! > owly > http://www.dotphoto.com/Go.asp?l=chiaowl&P=sherry&AID=0&GID=72976&T=1 > Dull women have clean houses. > Hi Owly! I was curious as to if you have any documentation to support > this???? > Who’s the Harney flock? > ~Mikie > p.s. I checked out your pics yesterday… I like the new site you are > using, it was real easy to get around. Your fids looks great!
Response:
Whoops! I wrote too soon… scrolled down a bit and there it was the Harney flock…
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Owly! I was curious as to if you have any documentation to support > this???? > Who’s the Harney flock? > ~Mikie > p.s. I checked out your pics yesterday… I like the new site you are > using, it was real easy to get around. Your fids looks great! > She wants to go help the Harney flock get some Nutriberries. > owly > > My female, 9-year-old caique is driving us nuts! She has taken to > spending > > literally hours at a time standing at the back of her cage and biting > the > > bars. The clicking sound of her beak in the bars goes on all day long. I > > don’t know if she is trying to eat the paint or what. She doesn’t chew > wood > > and she will occasionally chew cardboard. There are a number of toys for > her > > to play with, but it’s the bars that have got her doing. Maybe she is > hoping > > to break out.
Response:
Thanks . I really like dotphoto, very easy to use, and I can take pics of my daughter and order prints and don’t have to pay those horrendous prices they charge for school pictures too! owly http://www.dotphoto.com/Go.asp?l=chiaowl&P=sherry&AID=0&GID=72976&T=1 Dull women have clean houses.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Owly! I was curious as to if you have any documentation to support > this???? > Who’s the Harney flock? > ~Mikie > p.s. I checked out your pics yesterday… I like the new site you are > using, it was real easy to get around. Your fids looks great!
Response:
Nathan- Sometimes providing a large cluster of twigs , bundled up and hung high in the cage will encourage wood-chewing. Or you might try weaving a bunch of thin twigs and leather thru the bars in the area that she usually chews on. I have seen this kind of bar-chewing "changed" to wood chewing by both approaches. I think its best to use natural twigs, with the bark still intact – dry pine and oak twigs are generally safe, just rinse them well before use. Doug
Response:
That’s a good idea. Thank you. I’ve tried weaving paper and cardboard in the bars and the caique has paper cups to play with and chew up.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Nathan- > Sometimes providing a large cluster of twigs , bundled up and hung high > in the cage will encourage wood-chewing. Or you might try weaving a > bunch of thin twigs and leather thru the bars in the area that she > usually chews on. > I have seen this kind of bar-chewing "changed" to wood chewing by both > approaches. I think its best to use natural twigs, with the bark still > intact – dry pine and oak twigs are generally safe, just rinse them well > before use. > Doug
Response:
>She has taken to spending literally hours
>at a time standing at the back of her >cage and biting the bars. My female budgie has been doing this for about a week now. She’ll get one foot on the bar and one foot on the perch, and then take her back and squish it up against the bars and contort her head to chew the bar. I know for a fact it isn’t a break out attempt as she doesn’t care to be out of the cage. I’ve attributed it to hormones and the wacky way birds lead their lives. Ravl
Response:
Hi Owly! I was curious as to if you have any documentation to support this???? Who’s the Harney flock? ~Mikie p.s. I checked out your pics yesterday… I like the new site you are using, it was real easy to get around. Your fids looks great!
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> She wants to go help the Harney flock get some Nutriberries. > owly > My female, 9-year-old caique is driving us nuts! She has taken to spending > literally hours at a time standing at the back of her cage and biting the > bars. The clicking sound of her beak in the bars goes on all day long. I > don’t know if she is trying to eat the paint or what. She doesn’t chew > wood > and she will occasionally chew cardboard. There are a number of toys for > her > to play with, but it’s the bars that have got her doing. Maybe she is > hoping > to break out.
Response:
My female, 9-year-old caique is driving us nuts! She has taken to spending literally hours at a time standing at the back of her cage and biting the bars. The clicking sound of her beak in the bars goes on all day long. I don’t know if she is trying to eat the paint or what. She doesn’t chew wood and she will occasionally chew cardboard. There are a number of toys for her to play with, but it’s the bars that have got her doing. Maybe she is hoping to break out.
Response:
> My female, 9-year-old caique is driving us nuts! She has taken to spending > literally hours at a time standing at the back of her cage and biting the > bars. The clicking sound of her beak in the bars goes on all day long. I > don’t know if she is trying to eat the paint or what. She doesn’t chew wood > and she will occasionally chew cardboard. There are a number of toys for her > to play with, but it’s the bars that have got her doing. Maybe she is hoping > to break out.
Doesn’t she get to come out? — Sincerely, Joanne If it’s right for you, then it’s right, . . . . . for you!!! Play – http://www.jobird.com Pay for Play – http://www.jobird.com/refund.htm Looking for Love? – http://www.jobird.com/hearts.htm
Response:
She wants to go help the Harney flock get some Nutriberries. owly
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My female, 9-year-old caique is driving us nuts! She has taken to spending > literally hours at a time standing at the back of her cage and biting the > bars. The clicking sound of her beak in the bars goes on all day long. I > don’t know if she is trying to eat the paint or what. She doesn’t chew wood > and she will occasionally chew cardboard. There are a number of toys for her > to play with, but it’s the bars that have got her doing. Maybe she is hoping > to break out.
Response:
I have a feeling you this bird is going insane. Do you ever let her out? Get a saparte bird stand and let her sit with you when you watch tv, or are folding laundry, or just doing everyday things. Pet birds should not be locked in thier cages all day, if you are home. Try more interaction with her, she is trying to get your attention, and it seems to be working. Whenever she makes this noise, do you run to her cage and tell her to stop.?? That is the attention she wants, and you are falling for it hook, line and sinker. Take her out of the cage and let her sit with you, how about when you are typing these post??? Where is she then? Kathie Sonny (The Senagal) & Gucci (The Meyers) Good Luck! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My female, 9-year-old caique is driving us nuts! She has taken to spending > literally hours at a time standing at the back of her cage and biting the > bars. The clicking sound of her beak in the bars goes on all day long. I > don’t know if she is trying to eat the paint or what. She doesn’t chew wood > and she will occasionally chew cardboard. There are a number of toys for her > to play with, but it’s the bars that have got her doing. Maybe she is hoping > to break out.
Response:
> Doesn’t she get to come out? > — > Sincerely, > Joanne
Oh yes. She is out for about 30 minutes in the morning and again for over an hour in the afternoon. I can’t let her out when a stranger is in the house, however, because she will attack anyone she doesn’t know.
Response:
>My female, 9-year-old caique is driving us nuts! She has taken to spending >literally hours at a time standing at the back of her cage and biting the >bars. The clicking sound of her beak in the bars goes on all day long. I >don’t know if she is trying to eat the paint or what. She doesn’t chew wood >and she will occasionally chew cardboard. There are a number of toys for her >to play with, but it’s the bars that have got her doing. Maybe she is hoping >to break out.
Caiques are very active birds, and don’t like to be caged. They get bored easily. They are usually one person birds, and can be very aggressive to other birds, and people. She may be looking to nest. Now, I would have her checked for metal toxicity from chewing on the cage bars. This can cause birds to go crazy. Regards
Response:
July 13, 2002
Question:
I saw this mentioned on another list, (hi Jynx!) and I want to ask for opinions, stories, whatever, having to do with the care of handicapped birds…. I have a one footed budgie that can’t perch, but appears to live quite happily in a large cage that has been made, erm, handicap accessable (flat slats instead of round perches etc). The other budgie spends lots of time him, and he is an otherwise healthy bird who flys around the cage and gets around great as long as he is on a stable (ie newspaper or slat) surface. Because he can’t perch, I have learned that he needs to hide when frightened (PTSD I guess 
) so he has a inverted flower pot cave to dash into if he feels at a disadvantage. Does anyone else have any experiences like this? Are there any health issues that I (we) need to know about? Thanks! Naj, Life can not always be a party, but while we are here, we might as well dance. —Hans Bos http://www.lotusdance.com
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I saw this mentioned on another list, (hi Jynx!) and I want to ask for > opinions, stories, whatever, having to do with the care of handicapped > birds…. > I have a one footed budgie that can’t perch, but appears to live quite happily > in a large cage that has been made, erm, handicap accessable (flat slats > instead of round perches etc). The other budgie spends lots of time him, and > he is an otherwise healthy bird who flys around the cage and gets around great > as long as he is on a stable (ie newspaper or slat) surface. Because he can’t > perch, I have learned that he needs to hide when frightened (PTSD I guess ) > so he has a inverted flower pot cave to dash into if he feels at a > disadvantage. > Does anyone else have any experiences like this? Are there any health issues > that I (we) need to know about?
i once had a budgie who while not one legged did have deformed claws. she lived a happy life-in her old age (she lived until 
she did have arthritis trouble which caused her to have problems but for all that she did live a happy life. you only have to see how many one footed pigeons there are out there living in far tougher conditions than our pampered budgies to realise how resourceful they can be. — gareth-quote of the day ‘bring me my dinner wife’
Response:
Here are some sites that you may want to check out. http://www.fcaviary.com/special.htm http://www.avianweb.com/specialabledbirds.htm http://www.holisticbird.com/HBN01/octnov/pages/specialneeds1.htm Regards
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I saw this mentioned on another list, (hi Jynx!) and I want to ask for > opinions, stories, whatever, having to do with the care of handicapped > birds…. > I have a one footed budgie that can’t perch, but appears to live quite happily > in a large cage that has been made, erm, handicap accessable (flat slats > instead of round perches etc). The other budgie spends lots of time him, and > he is an otherwise healthy bird who flys around the cage and gets around great > as long as he is on a stable (ie newspaper or slat) surface. Because he can’t > perch, I have learned that he needs to hide when frightened (PTSD I guess ) > so he has a inverted flower pot cave to dash into if he feels at a > disadvantage. > Does anyone else have any experiences like this? Are there any health issues > that I (we) need to know about? > Thanks! > Naj, > Life can not always be a party, but while we are here, we might as well dance. > —Hans Bos > http://www.lotusdance.com
I’ve see quite a few pet birds with clipped wings. It’s really pitiful. Many can never fly again even after the feathers regrow. — Lou Boyd
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I saw this mentioned on another list, (hi Jynx!) and I want to ask for > opinions, stories, whatever, having to do with the care of handicapped > birds…. > I have a one footed budgie that can’t perch, but appears to live quite happily > in a large cage that has been made, erm, handicap accessable (flat slats > instead of round perches etc). The other budgie spends lots of time him, and > he is an otherwise healthy bird who flys around the cage and gets around great > as long as he is on a stable (ie newspaper or slat) surface. Because he can’t > perch, I have learned that he needs to hide when frightened (PTSD I guess ) > so he has a inverted flower pot cave to dash into if he feels at a > disadvantage. > Does anyone else have any experiences like this? Are there any health issues > that I (we) need to know about? > Thanks! > Naj,
My one footed bird is a Senegal. At first I thought I’d have to make her cage ‘handicap accessible’. As it turns out she didn’t need anything special. Horizontal bars do come in handy, but she’d do fine without them. — –Jynx– Do something about ‘yourattitude’ to reply via e-mail
Response:
We have one female budgie, Luz, who had a bad back "toe’. She had surgery, so she now has a stub which she can hook around a perch. She is a bit clumsy and is she is undersized–I figure she got pushed out of the food dish a lot. She seems prone to respiratory infections and once lost all the feathers on her head, which grew back after we gave her vitamins. We watch her carefully since she seems so fragile. However, on the other hand, she is The Alphakeet and rules the roost. The three other keets are afraid of her and she keeps me in my place as well–a real Keet Queen! Mary
Response:
June 29, 2002
Question:
The Petco here in Bakersfield sells Jenday Conures for $560 (!) and has 1 Umbrella for $1799 (!!!!!!!) if you can imagine that. People actually pay that. It’s horrific. Can anyone recommend any places over the ‘net to buy bird food…Zupreem, Kaytee, etc. etc. that wouldn’t kill you in shipping fees?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Wow, disturbing. However, the petco here in Studio City, California seems to > be quite nice. I hate pet stores that sell animals in general. As far as I’m > concerned a breeder is the only way to go. But, damn, you can’t beat Petco’s > prices for supplies. > L > Here the story as it appeared in the paper the other day: > Posted on Wed, Jun. 19, 2002 > San Francisco sues Petco over poorly cared for animals > SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – The city has sued the Petco Animal Supplies Inc. for > allegedly keeping dead or poorly cared for animals on the shelves at two > San > Francisco locations. > In a suit filed Tuesday in San Francisco, city attorney Dennis Herrera > said > inspectors and customers found sick and dead birds, a dead moldy turtle > and > “cooked” toad at the two Petco locations. > Herrera is seeking a court order blocking Petco stores from selling > animals > in the city. > “What was most disturbing was the fact that the cruelty and pattern of > brazen violations of San Francisco health and safety standards continued > over three years,” Herrera said. > Animal Care and Control Capt. Vicky Guldbech said one of the city’s Petco > stores occasionally has dead animals in display cases and cages. She > conducted the store inspections and blamed many of the store’s alleged > shortcomings on an untrained staff. > “The kids who worked there didn’t know the light fixtures (to warm the > reptile cages) were turned off, or how to turn them on. The didn’t know > how > old the food was in the cages,” Guldbech said. “They are untrained young > adults who don’t know animal husbandry.” > A Petco spokesman said he was surprised by the city’s lawsuit since the > company’s regional managers regularly visit stores to perform spot > inspections. > “So I would think if a store was cited for something, it would come up > the > chain, and we would have some knowledge about it,” he said. > Petco employees reported to city animal control officials that a Bryant > Street location Petco store manager ordered them to place dying animals in > the freezer. > At the Sloat Boulevard Petco store, city animal officers seized three > iguanas and two sickly chameleons. The iguanas were dehydrated and had to > be > euthanized. > A customer who had visited the Bryant Street store reported toads had > “cooked to death” on heated floors of their enclosures which contained > no > water. > San Diego-based Petco is one of the nation’s largest pet supply retailers. > You can send an e-mail to Dennis Herrera thanking him for filing this > lawsuit againts Petco as well as tell him about your personal experiences > stores, as well as write to Petco CEO Brian Devine and tell him to stop > selling birds now. Let him know that until he does, you won’t be caught > dead > in a Petco store. Write to: > Brian K. Devine, Chair & CEO > Petco > 9125 Rehco Rd. > San Diego, CA 92121 > Tel.: 858-453-7845 > Fax: 858-677-3095 > While you are at it, make sure you sign Mickaboo Cockatiel Rescue’s > petition > against Petco by clicking here: http://www.mickaboofriends.org/
Response:
Wow, disturbing. However, the petco here in Studio City, California seems to be quite nice. I hate pet stores that sell animals in general. As far as I’m concerned a breeder is the only way to go. But, damn, you can’t beat Petco’s prices for supplies. L
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Here the story as it appeared in the paper the other day: > Posted on Wed, Jun. 19, 2002 > San Francisco sues Petco over poorly cared for animals > SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – The city has sued the Petco Animal Supplies Inc. for > allegedly keeping dead or poorly cared for animals on the shelves at two San > Francisco locations. > In a suit filed Tuesday in San Francisco, city attorney Dennis Herrera said > inspectors and customers found sick and dead birds, a dead moldy turtle and > “cooked” toad at the two Petco locations. > Herrera is seeking a court order blocking Petco stores from selling animals > in the city. > “What was most disturbing was the fact that the cruelty and pattern of > brazen violations of San Francisco health and safety standards continued > over three years,” Herrera said. > Animal Care and Control Capt. Vicky Guldbech said one of the city’s Petco > stores occasionally has dead animals in display cases and cages. She > conducted the store inspections and blamed many of the store’s alleged > shortcomings on an untrained staff. > “The kids who worked there didn’t know the light fixtures (to warm the > reptile cages) were turned off, or how to turn them on. The didn’t know how > old the food was in the cages,” Guldbech said. “They are untrained young > adults who don’t know animal husbandry.” > A Petco spokesman said he was surprised by the city’s lawsuit since the > company’s regional managers regularly visit stores to perform spot > inspections. > “So I would think if a store was cited for something, it would come up the > chain, and we would have some knowledge about it,” he said. > Petco employees reported to city animal control officials that a Bryant > Street location Petco store manager ordered them to place dying animals in > the freezer. > At the Sloat Boulevard Petco store, city animal officers seized three > iguanas and two sickly chameleons. The iguanas were dehydrated and had to be > euthanized. > A customer who had visited the Bryant Street store reported toads had > “cooked to death” on heated floors of their enclosures which contained no > water. > San Diego-based Petco is one of the nation’s largest pet supply retailers. > You can send an e-mail to Dennis Herrera thanking him for filing this > lawsuit againts Petco as well as tell him about your personal experiences > stores, as well as write to Petco CEO Brian Devine and tell him to stop > selling birds now. Let him know that until he does, you won’t be caught dead > in a Petco store. Write to: > Brian K. Devine, Chair & CEO > Petco > 9125 Rehco Rd. > San Diego, CA 92121 > Tel.: 858-453-7845 > Fax: 858-677-3095 > While you are at it, make sure you sign Mickaboo Cockatiel Rescue’s petition > against Petco by clicking here: http://www.mickaboofriends.org/
Response:
But you vote with your money!!! I do occasionally have to go to Petco or Petsmart – but they are always my very last choice. I’d rather spend a bit more money and support the stores that either don’t carry animals or take excellent care of them. As a consumer this is my strongest voice. -Jessica
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Wow, disturbing. However, the petco here in Studio City, California seems to > be quite nice. I hate pet stores that sell animals in general. As far as I’m > concerned a breeder is the only way to go. But, damn, you can’t beat Petco’s > prices for supplies. > L > Here the story as it appeared in the paper the other day: > Posted on Wed, Jun. 19, 2002 > San Francisco sues Petco over poorly cared for animals > SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – The city has sued the Petco Animal Supplies Inc. for > allegedly keeping dead or poorly cared for animals on the shelves at two > San > Francisco locations. > In a suit filed Tuesday in San Francisco, city attorney Dennis Herrera > said > inspectors and customers found sick and dead birds, a dead moldy turtle > and > “cooked” toad at the two Petco locations. > Herrera is seeking a court order blocking Petco stores from selling > animals > in the city. > “What was most disturbing was the fact that the cruelty and pattern of > brazen violations of San Francisco health and safety standards continued > over three years,” Herrera said. > Animal Care and Control Capt. Vicky Guldbech said one of the city’s Petco > stores occasionally has dead animals in display cases and cages. She > conducted the store inspections and blamed many of the store’s alleged > shortcomings on an untrained staff. > “The kids who worked there didn’t know the light fixtures (to warm the > reptile cages) were turned off, or how to turn them on. The didn’t know > how > old the food was in the cages,” Guldbech said. “They are untrained young > adults who don’t know animal husbandry.” > A Petco spokesman said he was surprised by the city’s lawsuit since the > company’s regional managers regularly visit stores to perform spot > inspections. > “So I would think if a store was cited for something, it would come up > the > chain, and we would have some knowledge about it,” he said. > Petco employees reported to city animal control officials that a Bryant > Street location Petco store manager ordered them to place dying animals in > the freezer. > At the Sloat Boulevard Petco store, city animal officers seized three > iguanas and two sickly chameleons. The iguanas were dehydrated and had to > be > euthanized. > A customer who had visited the Bryant Street store reported toads had > “cooked to death” on heated floors of their enclosures which contained > no > water. > San Diego-based Petco is one of the nation’s largest pet supply retailers. > You can send an e-mail to Dennis Herrera thanking him for filing this > lawsuit againts Petco as well as tell him about your personal experiences > stores, as well as write to Petco CEO Brian Devine and tell him to stop > selling birds now. Let him know that until he does, you won’t be caught > dead > in a Petco store. Write to: > Brian K. Devine, Chair & CEO > Petco > 9125 Rehco Rd. > San Diego, CA 92121 > Tel.: 858-453-7845 > Fax: 858-677-3095 > While you are at it, make sure you sign Mickaboo Cockatiel Rescue’s > petition > against Petco by clicking here: http://www.mickaboofriends.org/
Response:
Here the story as it appeared in the paper the other day: Posted on Wed, Jun. 19, 2002 San Francisco sues Petco over poorly cared for animals SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – The city has sued the Petco Animal Supplies Inc. for allegedly keeping dead or poorly cared for animals on the shelves at two San Francisco locations. In a suit filed Tuesday in San Francisco, city attorney Dennis Herrera said inspectors and customers found sick and dead birds, a dead moldy turtle and “cooked” toad at the two Petco locations. Herrera is seeking a court order blocking Petco stores from selling animals in the city. “What was most disturbing was the fact that the cruelty and pattern of brazen violations of San Francisco health and safety standards continued over three years,” Herrera said. Animal Care and Control Capt. Vicky Guldbech said one of the city’s Petco stores occasionally has dead animals in display cases and cages. She conducted the store inspections and blamed many of the store’s alleged shortcomings on an untrained staff. “The kids who worked there didn’t know the light fixtures (to warm the reptile cages) were turned off, or how to turn them on. The didn’t know how old the food was in the cages,” Guldbech said. “They are untrained young adults who don’t know animal husbandry.” A Petco spokesman said he was surprised by the city’s lawsuit since the company’s regional managers regularly visit stores to perform spot inspections. “So I would think if a store was cited for something, it would come up the chain, and we would have some knowledge about it,” he said. Petco employees reported to city animal control officials that a Bryant Street location Petco store manager ordered them to place dying animals in the freezer. At the Sloat Boulevard Petco store, city animal officers seized three iguanas and two sickly chameleons. The iguanas were dehydrated and had to be euthanized. A customer who had visited the Bryant Street store reported toads had “cooked to death” on heated floors of their enclosures which contained no water. San Diego-based Petco is one of the nation’s largest pet supply retailers. You can send an e-mail to Dennis Herrera thanking him for filing this lawsuit againts Petco as well as tell him about your personal experiences stores, as well as write to Petco CEO Brian Devine and tell him to stop selling birds now. Let him know that until he does, you won’t be caught dead in a Petco store. Write to: Brian K. Devine, Chair & CEO Petco 9125 Rehco Rd. San Diego, CA 92121 Tel.: 858-453-7845 Fax: 858-677-3095 While you are at it, make sure you sign Mickaboo Cockatiel Rescue’s petition against Petco by clicking here: http://www.mickaboofriends.org/
Response:
June 26, 2002
Question:
Hi everyone I’ve been lurking in this group for a while now and would like to thank you all for all the great tips. I was wondering if maybe I could get a little help with training my new cag? First a little background, I am fairly new a birds so I am very open for help.Bing (the bird) is five months old and was not hand fed and not tame at all. He will let me scratch and pet him and is just fine if he is in his cage or on my lap but if I try to get him to perch on my hand, arm or a stick he will just flutter off to the floor. His wings have been clipped so he can’t fly. I’m not sure how to keep this from happening and can’t find anything in print for help. I’m not sure if he is doing it out of lack of trust or if I’m doing it do to lack of experience. If you have any suggestions at all I would really appreciate them. Thanks, Jim
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi everyone > I’ve been lurking in this group for a while now and would like to thank > you all for all the great tips. > I was wondering if maybe I could get a little help with training my new cag? > First a little background, I am fairly new a birds so I am very open for > help.Bing (the bird) is five months old and was not hand fed and not tame at > all. > He will let me scratch and pet him and is just fine if he is in his cage > or on my lap but if I try to get him to perch on my hand, arm or a stick he > will just flutter off to the floor. His wings have been clipped so he can’t > fly. I’m not sure how to keep this from happening and can’t find anything in > print for help. > I’m not sure if he is doing it out of lack of trust or if I’m doing it do > to lack of experience. > If you have any suggestions at all I would really appreciate them. > Thanks, > Jim
IMHO Your best sources of info are books, specifically My Parrot My Friend, and the newsletter, Pet Bird Report. you need to keep working with him. Take him into a neutral room, put him on a " T-stand" and have him step up ( while you are saying it ) over and over for about 10 – 15 minutes. Praise him each time he does it correctly. Do this several times a day . Stevo and Ju Ju the Jardine’s
Response:
Jim, Get the book My Parrot My Friend. It is a wonderful book with lots of great information on raising and caring for your bird. I have a Timneh african grey and Pepper is a little stinker. He was hand tame and will step up on my hand. You will need lots of patience and you need to take it slowly if Bing is not tame. Try subscribing to an african grey mail list (CAGTAG or The Grey Connection are 2 that I know of). There are wonderful grey owners on those lists that will be more than happy to help you with training tips. I would start with teaching Bing to step up. Don’t let him come out of his cage unless it’s on a stick (to begin with) or your hand. As he’s a baby he should be easier to teach early on. Every time he flutters to the floor pick him up by putting your finger just above his feet and gently putting pressure against him saying step up. He will have to lift his feet and step up on to your finger. You must not show any signs of being scared he will just feed on that. If he bites firmly say no bite! Do not yell, do not scream (I know hard to do when bitten by a grey), he will think it is a game and continue to do it. It’s hard to explain in an email. Read the book, sign up with a mail list and take things slowly. Good Luck, Pat jimandsteph wrote – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I was wondering if maybe I could get a little help with training my new cag? > First a little background, I am fairly new a birds so I am very open for > help.Bing (the bird) is five months old and was not hand fed and not tame at > all. > He will let me scratch and pet him and is just fine if he is in his cage > or on my lap but if I try to get him to perch on my hand, arm or a stick he > will just flutter off to the floor. His wings have been clipped so he can’t > fly. I’m not sure how to keep this from happening and can’t find anything in > print for help. > I’m not sure if he is doing it out of lack of trust or if I’m doing it do > to lack of experience. > If you have any suggestions at all I would really appreciate them. > Thanks, > Jim
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > You can have many birds and they will still go crazy for you if you give > them love and attention. > I have six in my main room and they keep each other company and play > together if I’m not around, but they have a GREAT time with me and are very > needy of my attention. > Birds are flock animals so I always think it’s best that a bird has at least > one other bird friend with them at all times. They are very emotional > creatures who need company and mental stimulation. Single birds who get > little attention can actually develope mental problems or even go crazy just > like a child would who was isolated. > Dave > My husband and I are having a discussion about getting an additional bird. > If you remember I have Cricket a Parrotlet who has been a wonderful bird, > there is nothing about him we don’t like. To us he is the perfect little > bird. > My husband feels like we will loose the closeness we have with Cricket if > we > bring another bird into the house. I am speaking specifically of a > Lineolated Parakeet. He has read that if you have more than one bird the > birds will want to bond together. They would not be kept in the same > cage. > I think that it could work and we could still maintain the closeness with > Cricket if we handle the situation right. > My husband isn’t opposed to another bird, just that he is afraid we would > loose Cricket as a pet. > So please, can lots of people tell us your experiences with more than one > bird. > Sharon
While this is true, and has happened, your not telling the "rest of the story". The birds that had serious emotional problems are normally birds that have been totally ignored for long periods of time, not all day while people were at work. Most often this is birds that have been relegated to a basement or garage because the owner did not know how to deal with noise, biting or such. Many people have only one bird, and have a full time job. The birds live a long and healthy life, looking forward to the owners coming home from work.
Response:
You can have many birds and they will still go crazy for you if you give them love and attention. I have six in my main room and they keep each other company and play together if I’m not around, but they have a GREAT time with me and are very needy of my attention. Birds are flock animals so I always think it’s best that a bird has at least one other bird friend with them at all times. They are very emotional creatures who need company and mental stimulation. Single birds who get little attention can actually develope mental problems or even go crazy just like a child would who was isolated. Dave
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My husband and I are having a discussion about getting an additional bird. > If you remember I have Cricket a Parrotlet who has been a wonderful bird, > there is nothing about him we don’t like. To us he is the perfect little > bird. > My husband feels like we will loose the closeness we have with Cricket if we > bring another bird into the house. I am speaking specifically of a > Lineolated Parakeet. He has read that if you have more than one bird the > birds will want to bond together. They would not be kept in the same cage. > I think that it could work and we could still maintain the closeness with > Cricket if we handle the situation right. > My husband isn’t opposed to another bird, just that he is afraid we would > loose Cricket as a pet. > So please, can lots of people tell us your experiences with more than one > bird. > Sharon
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A great many of the people here are multiple bird houses. Our birds do not > like each other much, but want our attention. If anything the problem is > normally jealousy. > That’s my experience. Our house has two conures, two amazons, three macaws, a > CAG and a U2. > Except for a two of the macaws none of the birds like each other well enough to > sit with each other as flockmates. The main problem is my wife and I don’t > have enough shoulders for the birds to perch on without squabbling. > Really, the biggest problem with multiple pet birds is giving them each the > attention they want and need and still accomplishing anything else in your > life. Two birds with two people is probably ok. Of course, too many bird > owners don’t seem to have time for even one bird. > — > Lou Boyd
Luckily my day is my own. If I give one bird in the living room a tickkle and whisper sweet nothings, then I have to go to each cage and do the same. Nobody gets jealous as they know I will get to them eventually. The envy thing works in a positive way though as if I want say the bfa to eat some bit of veggies or fruit which is good for him, and he is doing his "omg you are trying to poison/whack me/poke me,with that" routine, I only have to tell him that I will "give it to Ruby then"(red masked conure), and he comes right over and snatches it off me lol I don,t find owning lots of animals any more difficult than someone who has say 8 children. I make time to spend time with each one, and the rest of the time we make do with flock singing and whistling. I don,t think any of them feels deprived or neglected, but then I am a sad git, who lives for her animals/birds and doesn,t have a life.
Response:
I can only talk about my own experience, I have 7 handfed birds, 3 cockatiels, 1 Quaker, 1 budgie, 2 Lovebirds (the Lovebirds make their nests in the kitchen with us) and they are all tamed and loveable. The Quaker was the first bird and she just as adorable as when she was alone. They do not like one another especially different species and need supervision when they are out of the cage. I breed birds and was told that my breeding pairs would become untamed, it didn’t happen they look after their babies and then sit on our shoulder and go back to the babies. I feel that it’s how much time you have to give them. Lil
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My husband and I are having a discussion about getting an additional bird. > If you remember I have Cricket a Parrotlet who has been a wonderful bird, > there is nothing about him we don’t like. To us he is the perfect little > bird. > My husband feels like we will loose the closeness we have with Cricket if we > bring another bird into the house. I am speaking specifically of a > Lineolated Parakeet. He has read that if you have more than one bird the > birds will want to bond together. They would not be kept in the same cage. > I think that it could work and we could still maintain the closeness with > Cricket if we handle the situation right. > My husband isn’t opposed to another bird, just that he is afraid we would > loose Cricket as a pet. > So please, can lots of people tell us your experiences with more than one > bird. > Sharon
Response:
> But I do welcome more comments.
I have 6 birds. The conure is our "people" bird. The ‘Tiels get out and play w/the ‘Keets and do their own thing, but if I want too (now that they are seperated and not mating) I can bring them out w/me and let them play. Of the 3 ‘Keets (all caged together), one is very much a people bird, the other two tolerate us and don’t bite, but would just as soon do their own thing. Bobbie
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> If some of our birds weren’t "Pete’s" birds and some "my" birds, and one > even my 11YO daughter’s, and half of them birds we took in that weren’t > actual "pets" so don’t require a whole lot of individual attention, and add > to that the fact that I work at home and always have a bird with me, > "helping" with just about everything I do, there’s no way we’d find the time > they deserve with us – the ones that want it at least. Your statement about > "still accomplishing anything else in your life" is so true, they have to be > a big part of our lives and it doesn’t leave a whole lot of time for much > else. But of course I wouldn’t have it any other way. > owly > That’s my experience. Our house has two conures, two amazons, three > macaws, a > CAG and a U2. > Except for a two of the macaws none of the birds like each other well > enough to > sit with each other as flockmates. The main problem is my wife and I > don’t > have enough shoulders for the birds to perch on without squabbling. > Really, the biggest problem with multiple pet birds is giving them each > the > attention they want and need and still accomplishing anything else in your > life. Two birds with two people is probably ok. Of course, too many bird > owners don’t seem to have time for even one bird. > — > Lou Boyd
Thanks for the responses so far, they have been helpful. My husband is retired now so we are both here for the bird or birds if I do get the other one. We do travel, but we have done that with Cricket with no trouble and i can see no problem with an additional one, just another traveling cage etc. with the same precautions we use with Cricket. But I do welcome more comments. Sharon
Response:
If some of our birds weren’t "Pete’s" birds and some "my" birds, and one even my 11YO daughter’s, and half of them birds we took in that weren’t actual "pets" so don’t require a whole lot of individual attention, and add to that the fact that I work at home and always have a bird with me, "helping" with just about everything I do, there’s no way we’d find the time they deserve with us – the ones that want it at least. Your statement about "still accomplishing anything else in your life" is so true, they have to be a big part of our lives and it doesn’t leave a whole lot of time for much else. But of course I wouldn’t have it any other way. owly
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> That’s my experience. Our house has two conures, two amazons, three macaws, a > CAG and a U2. > Except for a two of the macaws none of the birds like each other well enough to > sit with each other as flockmates. The main problem is my wife and I don’t > have enough shoulders for the birds to perch on without squabbling. > Really, the biggest problem with multiple pet birds is giving them each the > attention they want and need and still accomplishing anything else in your > life. Two birds with two people is probably ok. Of course, too many bird > owners don’t seem to have time for even one bird. > — > Lou Boyd
Response:
> A great many of the people here are multiple bird houses. Our birds do not > like each other much, but want our attention. If anything the problem is > normally jealousy.
That’s my experience. Our house has two conures, two amazons, three macaws, a CAG and a U2. Except for a two of the macaws none of the birds like each other well enough to sit with each other as flockmates. The main problem is my wife and I don’t have enough shoulders for the birds to perch on without squabbling. Really, the biggest problem with multiple pet birds is giving them each the attention they want and need and still accomplishing anything else in your life. Two birds with two people is probably ok. Of course, too many bird owners don’t seem to have time for even one bird. — Lou Boyd
Response:
A great many of the people here are multiple bird houses. Our birds do not like each other much, but want our attention. If anything the problem is normally jealousy. —
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My husband and I are having a discussion about getting an additional bird. > If you remember I have Cricket a Parrotlet who has been a wonderful bird, > there is nothing about him we don’t like. To us he is the perfect little > bird. > My husband feels like we will loose the closeness we have with Cricket if we > bring another bird into the house. I am speaking specifically of a > Lineolated Parakeet. He has read that if you have more than one bird the > birds will want to bond together. They would not be kept in the same cage. > I think that it could work and we could still maintain the closeness with > Cricket if we handle the situation right. > My husband isn’t opposed to another bird, just that he is afraid we would > loose Cricket as a pet. > So please, can lots of people tell us your experiences with more than one > bird. > Sharon
Response:
My husband and I are having a discussion about getting an additional bird. If you remember I have Cricket a Parrotlet who has been a wonderful bird, there is nothing about him we don’t like. To us he is the perfect little bird. My husband feels like we will loose the closeness we have with Cricket if we bring another bird into the house. I am speaking specifically of a Lineolated Parakeet. He has read that if you have more than one bird the birds will want to bond together. They would not be kept in the same cage. I think that it could work and we could still maintain the closeness with Cricket if we handle the situation right. My husband isn’t opposed to another bird, just that he is afraid we would loose Cricket as a pet. So please, can lots of people tell us your experiences with more than one bird. Sharon
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My husband and I are having a discussion about getting an additional bird. > If you remember I have Cricket a Parrotlet who has been a wonderful bird, > there is nothing about him we don’t like. To us he is the perfect little > bird. > My husband feels like we will loose the closeness we have with Cricket if we > bring another bird into the house. I am speaking specifically of a > Lineolated Parakeet. He has read that if you have more than one bird the > birds will want to bond together. They would not be kept in the same cage. > I think that it could work and we could still maintain the closeness with > Cricket if we handle the situation right. > My husband isn’t opposed to another bird, just that he is afraid we would > loose Cricket as a pet. > So please, can lots of people tell us your experiences with more than one > bird. > Sharon
I have *loads* of birds, but in my living room are my pets. A bfa, an african grey, 2 quakers, a red masked conure and an umbrella cockatoo, all are attached closely to me, and will still get tickles and cuddles etc, and each will call to me and stuff.I like having several birds because if I have a busy day, they each chatter away to each other and keep each other amused.
Response:
I have 12 birds, some share cages, they all share a room, and the ones who are pets have remained as sweet and "petlike" as ever. There are many people who own multiple birds and each is a fine pet. I share a special bond with several of my parrots, even some who share a cage with another of their kind. owly
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My husband and I are having a discussion about getting an additional bird. > If you remember I have Cricket a Parrotlet who has been a wonderful bird, > there is nothing about him we don’t like. To us he is the perfect little > bird. > My husband feels like we will loose the closeness we have with Cricket if we > bring another bird into the house. I am speaking specifically of a > Lineolated Parakeet. He has read that if you have more than one bird the > birds will want to bond together. They would not be kept in the same cage. > I think that it could work and we could still maintain the closeness with > Cricket if we handle the situation right. > My husband isn’t opposed to another bird, just that he is afraid we would > loose Cricket as a pet. > So please, can lots of people tell us your experiences with more than one > bird. > Sharon
Response:
June 9, 2002
Question:
>I think some folks are confusing >"grabbing" a terrified new bird, with
>gently cupping a bird in your hands, >along with other methods of gaining >trust. That’s a good word to describe how you should hold them. You cup your hand and they’re so cute with that little head sticking out! >But I have had budgies most of the last
>35 yrs and never had one get anything >but benefit from holding them, so far. That’s been my experience too. Even under tense circumstances, they’ll calm down with a gentle cupping hold. >We treat each bird as the unique
>individual it is, but at some point I think >it’s best they become accustomed to >holding so the times it needs to be >done, it’s not a traumatic new event for >them. Excellent advice. Ravl
Response:
>What you need to realize Jessica is that
>you don’t "tame" a bird.
June 2, 2002
Question:
> We take our birds outside all the time. We are with them all the time > though. Even in a cage I would not leave them un attended for even a minuet. > —
Personally I prefer to waltz with my birds than a minuet
Response:
> To Bob: > Perhaps you should rethink the "Pink Flamingos" image that Gloria can put on > those shirts. Perhaps this image will make people think twice about making > fun of you. > http://www.oneworld.org/index_oc/pix/divine.jpg > and, to Alex: > Would you leave a cage unattended for a Stones concert instead of a minuet? > –Jerry
LOL, new PC, and I never did learn to type, this Notebook is nice so I can watch TV and surf, but the keyboard takes some getting used to.
Response:
When we take our macaw out sometimes he gets distressed by all those new outdoor noises, birds flying over, planes, etc. He just knows that plane is going to come down and eat him. He’s getting much better, but it’s taken time. Now he’s relaxed and climbs around and enjoys himself. With the summer season and warm weather, is it ok to put budgies outside? Leaving them in the cage, on a table, in the shade. TIA
Response:
Actually Gloria did not and could not have seen the post as I have/had the laptop with me at the office, Gloria has the unique abitlity to adlib, as needed, we work with all sorts of unusual people. And Jerry, phone calls are not needed. Not to offend, but then I am to late for that, sigh I am going back to lurking you all scare me. Bob W
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Perhaps you should rethink the "Pink Flamingos" image that Gloria can put > on > > those shirts. Perhaps this image will make people think twice about making > > fun of you. > > http://www.oneworld.org/index_oc/pix/divine.jpg > Might work Jerry! Could you let Sue know that I was just funning with you > all, seems she got worried or something and called my home. Jerry this is > the news group and that is real life and well Gloria was real real confused > by that phone call. > Golly gee, Bob, > We know you were funning us, but Sue was concerned that the reference to > your doppleganger, Divine, would offend either you or Gloria and she > thought a friendly call would be nice. According to Sue, Gloria and she > had a nice conversation about sewing and, because Gloria had seen the > post, she (Gloria) was not confused. Sometimes newsgroup and life > intertwine and our personal interactions go beyond mere posting. We are > not "anonymous" posters, nor are you, and just because we throw a jibe > or two in good fun does not mean that a friendly phone call is verboten. > Jerry (who is rarely confused) > — > Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server – http://www.Mailgate.ORG
Response:
Might work Jerry! Could you let Sue know that I was just funning with you all, seems she got worried or something and called my home. Jerry this is the news group and that is real life and well Gloria was real real confused by that phone call. Bob W
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Your jests cut me to the bone, my darling fat wife makes those shirts for > me > with the blood sweat and tears of a feeble old woman. Continuation of > this > level of hurtful posting may lead to a foot stomping, a cursing out of the > "trollish" regulars and a firm slamming of the door. > Bob W > > > > > We take our birds outside all the time. We are with them all the > time > > > > > though. Even in a cage I would not leave them un attended for even > a > > > > minuet. > > > > > > With the summer season and warm weather, is it ok to put budgies > > > > outside? > > > > > > Leaving them in the cage, on a table, in the shade. > > > > > > TIA > > > > > > Bill > > > > Peachboy my M-Too is outside as much as the weather allows. We have > a > > > swing > > > > on the deck and a cage in the back garden he even has his own tree. > At > > > > first I worried about preditors then I realized a couple of things, > … > > > > ….they are not much interested in that big ugly pink bird. > > > > Bob W > > > Now, Bob, don’t put yourself down like that. We’ve seen your pictures > and > > > you’re not that ugly. ;?) > > > –Jerry and Sue > > That’s what he has those shirts of his for, scare away the predators > <BG> > To Bob: > Perhaps you should rethink the "Pink Flamingos" image that Gloria can put on > those shirts. Perhaps this image will make people think twice about making > fun of you. > http://www.oneworld.org/index_oc/pix/divine.jpg > and, to Alex: > Would you leave a cage unattended for a Stones concert instead of a minuet? > –Jerry
Response:
With the summer season and warm weather, is it ok to put budgies outside? Leaving them in the cage, on a table, in the shade. TIA Bill
Response:
We take our birds outside all the time. We are with them all the time though. Even in a cage I would not leave them un attended for even a minuet. —
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> With the summer season and warm weather, is it ok to put budgies outside? > Leaving them in the cage, on a table, in the shade. > TIA > Bill
Response:
> With the summer season and warm weather, is it ok to put budgies outside? > Leaving them in the cage, on a table, in the shade. > TIA > Bill
If you stay out there with them, and the cage is secure, yes, and they usually find it very exciting and enjoyable. However, never leave the cage of birds outside unsupervised. Wind, cats, etc, can create a disaster so quickly. If you live in an area where West Nile Virus is known to exist and you have mosquitoes, some bird experts and vets are recommending not having pet birds outside now. WNV is known to be fatal to at least some species of birds.
Response:
Peachboy my M-Too is outside as much as the weather allows. We have a swing on the deck and a cage in the back garden he even has his own tree. At first I worried about preditors then I realized a couple of things, we are near and he is bigger than most of them, they are not much interested in that big ugly pink bird. Bob W
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We take our birds outside all the time. We are with them all the time > though. Even in a cage I would not leave them un attended for even a minuet. > — > With the summer season and warm weather, is it ok to put budgies outside? > Leaving them in the cage, on a table, in the shade. > TIA > Bill
Response:
> you’re not that ugly. ;?) > –Jerry and Sue
Even with that pink flamingo shirt? Dave — Was Today really Necassary? — Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > We take our birds outside all the time. We are with them all the time > > though. Even in a cage I would not leave them un attended for even a > minuet. > > > With the summer season and warm weather, is it ok to put budgies > outside? > > > Leaving them in the cage, on a table, in the shade. > > > TIA > > > Bill > Peachboy my M-Too is outside as much as the weather allows. We have a > swing > on the deck and a cage in the back garden he even has his own tree. At > first I worried about preditors then I realized a couple of things, … > ….they are not much interested in that big ugly pink bird. > Bob W > Now, Bob, don’t put yourself down like that. We’ve seen your pictures and > you’re not that ugly. ;?) > –Jerry and Sue
That’s what he has those shirts of his for, scare away the predators <BG>
Response:
Your jests cut me to the bone, my darling fat wife makes those shirts for me with the blood sweat and tears of a feeble old woman. Continuation of this level of hurtful posting may lead to a foot stomping, a cursing out of the "trollish" regulars and a firm slamming of the door. Bob W
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > > We take our birds outside all the time. We are with them all the time > > > though. Even in a cage I would not leave them un attended for even a > > minuet. > > > > With the summer season and warm weather, is it ok to put budgies > > outside? > > > > Leaving them in the cage, on a table, in the shade. > > > > TIA > > > > Bill > > Peachboy my M-Too is outside as much as the weather allows. We have a > swing > > on the deck and a cage in the back garden he even has his own tree. At > > first I worried about preditors then I realized a couple of things, … > > ….they are not much interested in that big ugly pink bird. > > Bob W > Now, Bob, don’t put yourself down like that. We’ve seen your pictures and > you’re not that ugly. ;?) > –Jerry and Sue > That’s what he has those shirts of his for, scare away the predators <BG>
Response:
May 29, 2002
Question:
Hi all, Due to the death of our budgie Sebby who we had for about 1.5 years, I am looking at purchasing a cockatoo. I am based in Australia so I was wondering what may the average price be for a white cockatoo? Preferably young so I can tame he/she. Thanks
Response:
> Hi all, > Due to the death of our budgie Sebby who we had for about 1.5 years, I am > looking at purchasing a cockatoo. I am based in Australia so I was wondering > what may the average price be for a white cockatoo? Preferably young so I can > tame he/she. > Thanks
Hi, I don’t know the price of cockatoos in Australia but they ‘re very expensive in the UK . It a big jump from owning a budgie to owning a cockatoo. They need much more care and attention and live for a hell of a lot longer. Sorry if you know this already but I thought it was worth mentioning. Alison – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
>Hi all, > A wild caught bird will never be as well behaved and socialized as a > aviary bred bird. Greater sulfur crested used to start at about > 200AUD in most shops. If you are in the Sydney area, there are a > couple of very good bird shops in Rooty Hill. > Macaws make better pets, but because of import restrictions, the > prices are definitely eye openers (B&G runs about 5,000AUD)…
Hi, I didn’t realise you could capture and keep wild native birds in Australia. It’s illegal in most countries. Alison
Response:
Hey Allison! Although in the USA it is illegal to have a native animal as a pet,allowing only ‘exotic’ ie. non-native species, it is illegal in Australia to import or export wildlife. They had some little trouble with kittys and bunnys and realized that they had to actively protect their continent and the rest of the world and enacted the laws that they thought necessary. This does make it a bit of trouble for them to obtain, say, a yellow nape amazon, and has the effect of pricing the birds in Australia very differently from the USA and the rest of the planet. At one time I had a link to an Aussie bird club page that listed the prices asked and paid for birds. Dropped my jaw and smashed my keyboard.
Response:
>Hey Allison! >Although in the USA it is illegal to have a native animal as a >pet,allowing only ‘exotic’ ie. non-native species, it is illegal in >Australia to import or export wildlife.
It is not illegal,it can be done, but it is certainly isn’t easy or inexpensive. Otherwise while would the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service have a Quarentine Station at Spotswood Vic. You can bring in Birds from the UK, NZ and a couple Scanadanavian countries, however the cost of the Quarantine service will definitely make you think about it. Last time I checked it was 6 weeks, at 1000AUD per week… Exports of pet birds are possible, you need a Cites permit, which you can obtain if you can prove you have owned the bird for a sufficiently long period. My recollection is it is a 1 year minimum. >This does make it a bit of trouble for them to obtain, say, a yellow >nape amazon, and has the effect of pricing the birds in Australia very >differently from the USA and the rest of the planet.
As I pointed, most of them are very dear,the local supply is limited, and cost of importation starts at about 6000AUD per animal. AQIS charges the same whether it is a bird or a bird dog…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> At one time I had a >link to an Aussie bird club page that listed the prices asked and paid >for birds. Dropped my jaw and smashed my keyboard.
Response:
>They had some little trouble >with kittys and bunnys and realized that they had to actively protect
And frogs. Don’t forget the Cain Toads. Still one of my favorite documentaries. -J"Sometimes they mate right in the yard… and that’s why we like ‘em!". — Jennifer Mullen Please note: all email sent to the above address will automatically be processed into /dev/null and never read. The address to which mail should be sent is left for the reader to determine.
Response:
> Hi all, > Due to the death of our budgie Sebby who we had for about 1.5 years, I am > looking at purchasing a cockatoo. I am based in Australia so I was wondering > what may the average price be for a white cockatoo? Preferably young so I can > tame he/she. > Thanks
Hi, The Australian Parrot Society 2002 Price Guide lists a young Sulphur Crested Cockatoo at approx $100, although handraised babies often come at a higher price (however it’s well worth the extra). I would have to agree with Alison that a Cockatoo is a big jump from a Budgie. Have you looked at the below website? http://www.mytoos.com/ There are a few good breeders of Cockatoos in Australia, although most aren’t in breeding mode at the moment as we are coming into winter. Thanks, Kathryn
Response:
Do you maybe mean a cockatiel? It’s much, much smaller than a cockatoo but bigger than a budgie. — Pet Photographer http://www.photoloft.com/view/allalbums.asp?s=fshp&u=1497370
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all, > Due to the death of our budgie Sebby who we had for about 1.5 years, I am > looking at purchasing a cockatoo. I am based in Australia so I was wondering > what may the average price be for a white cockatoo? Preferably young so I can > tame he/she. > Thanks
Response:
In the US, cockatoos are usually anywhere from $1,000 to over $2,500. Catherine
Response:
Maybe things have changed down in Oz, but wasn’t it legal to capture/purchase a galah with a permit that cost about five dollars ? I think that several members of the training list (living in Australia) were also allowed to obtain Little Corellas (BE2s) – but I am not sure if these could be taken from the wild like the galahs. Anyone up-to-date on this ? Doug
Response:
matt w wrote > a wild caught bird will never be as well > behaved and socialized
as an aviary >bred bird Depends on who tamed/trained the bird. Parrots were kept as pets hundreds of years before any were aviary bred. The two gentlest birds we own are wild-caught CAG hens. My oldest B&G was wild-caught, and is gentle enough to have done over 50 TV spots, commercials, print jobs and has worked with dozens of "big name stars" since 1983 without ever even lookiing like he would bite somebody. It just takes a little time and effort – less time than it takes to hand-raise the same species. Don’t ever discount the pet-potential of an older imported bird, or pass on making a pet of a breeder that may have lost its mate. These birds need a place to go, too, and I find very few that can’t be socialized and made into excellent pets . Doug
Response:
May 20, 2002
Question:
Hi all, Due to the death of our budgie Sebby who we had for about 1.5 years, I am looking at purchasing a cockatoo. I am based in Australia so I was wondering what may the average price be for a white cockatoo? Preferably young so I can tame he/she. Thanks
Response:
> Hi all, > Due to the death of our budgie Sebby who we had for about 1.5 years, I am > looking at purchasing a cockatoo. I am based in Australia so I was wondering > what may the average price be for a white cockatoo? Preferably young so I can > tame he/she. > Thanks
Hi, I don’t know the price of cockatoos in Australia but they ‘re very expensive in the UK . It a big jump from owning a budgie to owning a cockatoo. They need much more care and attention and live for a hell of a lot longer. Sorry if you know this already but I thought it was worth mentioning. Alison – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
>Hi all, > A wild caught bird will never be as well behaved and socialized as a > aviary bred bird. Greater sulfur crested used to start at about > 200AUD in most shops. If you are in the Sydney area, there are a > couple of very good bird shops in Rooty Hill. > Macaws make better pets, but because of import restrictions, the > prices are definitely eye openers (B&G runs about 5,000AUD)…
Hi, I didn’t realise you could capture and keep wild native birds in Australia. It’s illegal in most countries. Alison
Response:
Hey Allison! Although in the USA it is illegal to have a native animal as a pet,allowing only ‘exotic’ ie. non-native species, it is illegal in Australia to import or export wildlife. They had some little trouble with kittys and bunnys and realized that they had to actively protect their continent and the rest of the world and enacted the laws that they thought necessary. This does make it a bit of trouble for them to obtain, say, a yellow nape amazon, and has the effect of pricing the birds in Australia very differently from the USA and the rest of the planet. At one time I had a link to an Aussie bird club page that listed the prices asked and paid for birds. Dropped my jaw and smashed my keyboard.
Response:
>Hey Allison! >Although in the USA it is illegal to have a native animal as a >pet,allowing only ‘exotic’ ie. non-native species, it is illegal in >Australia to import or export wildlife.
It is not illegal,it can be done, but it is certainly isn’t easy or inexpensive. Otherwise while would the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service have a Quarentine Station at Spotswood Vic. You can bring in Birds from the UK, NZ and a couple Scanadanavian countries, however the cost of the Quarantine service will definitely make you think about it. Last time I checked it was 6 weeks, at 1000AUD per week… Exports of pet birds are possible, you need a Cites permit, which you can obtain if you can prove you have owned the bird for a sufficiently long period. My recollection is it is a 1 year minimum. >This does make it a bit of trouble for them to obtain, say, a yellow >nape amazon, and has the effect of pricing the birds in Australia very >differently from the USA and the rest of the planet.
As I pointed, most of them are very dear,the local supply is limited, and cost of importation starts at about 6000AUD per animal. AQIS charges the same whether it is a bird or a bird dog…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> At one time I had a >link to an Aussie bird club page that listed the prices asked and paid >for birds. Dropped my jaw and smashed my keyboard.
Response:
>They had some little trouble >with kittys and bunnys and realized that they had to actively protect
And frogs. Don’t forget the Cain Toads. Still one of my favorite documentaries. -J"Sometimes they mate right in the yard… and that’s why we like ‘em!". — Jennifer Mullen Please note: all email sent to the above address will automatically be processed into /dev/null and never read. The address to which mail should be sent is left for the reader to determine.
Response:
> Hi all, > Due to the death of our budgie Sebby who we had for about 1.5 years, I am > looking at purchasing a cockatoo. I am based in Australia so I was wondering > what may the average price be for a white cockatoo? Preferably young so I can > tame he/she. > Thanks
Hi, The Australian Parrot Society 2002 Price Guide lists a young Sulphur Crested Cockatoo at approx $100, although handraised babies often come at a higher price (however it’s well worth the extra). I would have to agree with Alison that a Cockatoo is a big jump from a Budgie. Have you looked at the below website? http://www.mytoos.com/ There are a few good breeders of Cockatoos in Australia, although most aren’t in breeding mode at the moment as we are coming into winter. Thanks, Kathryn
Response:
Do you maybe mean a cockatiel? It’s much, much smaller than a cockatoo but bigger than a budgie. — Pet Photographer http://www.photoloft.com/view/allalbums.asp?s=fshp&u=1497370
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all, > Due to the death of our budgie Sebby who we had for about 1.5 years, I am > looking at purchasing a cockatoo. I am based in Australia so I was wondering > what may the average price be for a white cockatoo? Preferably young so I can > tame he/she. > Thanks
Response:
In the US, cockatoos are usually anywhere from $1,000 to over $2,500. Catherine
Response:
Maybe things have changed down in Oz, but wasn’t it legal to capture/purchase a galah with a permit that cost about five dollars ? I think that several members of the training list (living in Australia) were also allowed to obtain Little Corellas (BE2s) – but I am not sure if these could be taken from the wild like the galahs. Anyone up-to-date on this ? Doug
Response:
matt w wrote > a wild caught bird will never be as well > behaved and socialized
as an aviary >bred bird Depends on who tamed/trained the bird. Parrots were kept as pets hundreds of years before any were aviary bred. The two gentlest birds we own are wild-caught CAG hens. My oldest B&G was wild-caught, and is gentle enough to have done over 50 TV spots, commercials, print jobs and has worked with dozens of "big name stars" since 1983 without ever even lookiing like he would bite somebody. It just takes a little time and effort – less time than it takes to hand-raise the same species. Don’t ever discount the pet-potential of an older imported bird, or pass on making a pet of a breeder that may have lost its mate. These birds need a place to go, too, and I find very few that can’t be socialized and made into excellent pets . Doug
Response:
May 20, 2002
Question:
Hi, My budgies aren’t sick, but I keep wanting to find a local avian vet for them in case they do need one. I don’t know anyone else in this city who keeps birds so I haven’t been able to get a recommendation. When I use any of the online web searches or directories, I can only find one, which isn’t bad but I sort of wonder since Atlanta is a big city with millions of people. Can anyone offer a recommendation? One thing that’s very important is that the vet be located INTOWN, so if the vet is in the suburbs, forget it — I don’t drive and don’t want to go out there anyway. I live in Downtown to give you an idea. Decatur is fine, BTW, and that’s where I found the only avian vet listed. Thanks in advance, Wiebke
Response:
>My budgies aren’t sick, but I keep wanting to find a local avian vet >for them in case they do need one. I don’t know anyone else in this >city who keeps birds so I haven’t been able to get a recommendation.
Have you tried asking local bird shops where they take their birds? That would give you some places to start looking if you don’t get any suggestions here. — Jennifer Mullen Please note: all email sent to the above address will automatically be processed into /dev/null and never read. The address to which mail should be sent is left for the reader to determine.
Response:
Jennifer, Well, hmmm, I *would* ask at a bird shop… only there aren’t any. OK, there is Petsmart, where I actually bought the birds, I suppose I could ask there since they might have some local connections for their stores and their bulletin board might have cards on it or something. I have only been back there once since I bought the birds since I’ve picked up my other supplies at a small pet supply shop, the supermarket or online. I actually had a hard time finding a place to get the budgies. I really wanted to get some from an aviary, maybe hand-raised, but when I looked for breeders they were all way, way out in the suburbs and/or only dealt in large parrots. I found one woman who had some English budgies but there were no babies expected for a long time. Atlanta just doesn’t seem like a bird city to me. I have lived here five years and have met exactly one person with a bird, a young guy with a very personable cockatiel. Wiebke P.S. My budgies, antisocial though they are, are currently sitting on top of the cage squawking at German cabaret music. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Have you tried asking local bird shops where they take their birds? That > would give you some places to start looking if you don’t get any > suggestions here.
Response:
<snip> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well, hmmm, I *would* ask at a bird shop… only there aren’t any. OK, > there is Petsmart, where I actually bought the birds, I suppose I > could ask there since they might have some local connections for their > stores and their bulletin board might have cards on it or something. I > have only been back there once since I bought the birds since I’ve > picked up my other supplies at a small pet supply shop, the > supermarket or online. > I actually had a hard time finding a place to get the budgies. I > really wanted to get some from an aviary, maybe hand-raised, but when > I looked for breeders they were all way, way out in the suburbs and/or > only dealt in large parrots. I found one woman who had some English > budgies but there were no babies expected for a long time. Atlanta > just doesn’t seem like a bird city to me. I have lived here five years > and have met exactly one person with a bird, a young guy with a very > personable cockatiel. > Wiebke
??? No bird shops in a big city like Atlanta, GA or its suburbs? THAT is an eye opener. — —Stash "No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public." – H.L. Menken
Response:
Ahem… > No bird shops in a big city like Atlanta, GA or its suburbs? > THAT is an eye opener.
That’s what I’m saying! I’m so frustrated! Hopefully if I keep on insulting Atlanta like this eventually a birdowner in Atlanta will read my message and tell me I’m wrong, but I swear I had a hard time with finding a shop or a breeder or an avian vet. I’ve looked in all sorts of online directories and I can see that in some areas of the country there are a lot more places than here. In Atlanta everybody is obsessed with big things — cars and big dogs. I live Downtown where everybody is in condos and apartments. You’d think they’d have small pets. Wrong. People have dogs — lots of BIG dogs! It would make more sense to me for people to have birds. Wiebke
Response:
> Ahem…
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> No bird shops in a big city like Atlanta, GA or its suburbs? > THAT is an eye opener. > That’s what I’m saying! I’m so frustrated! Hopefully if I keep on > insulting Atlanta like this eventually a birdowner in Atlanta will > read my message and tell me I’m wrong, but I swear I had a hard time > with finding a shop or a breeder or an avian vet. I’ve looked in all > sorts of online directories and I can see that in some areas of the > country there are a lot more places than here. In Atlanta everybody is > obsessed with big things — cars and big dogs. I live Downtown where > everybody is in condos and apartments. You’d think they’d have small > pets. Wrong. People have dogs — lots of BIG dogs! It would make more > sense to me for people to have birds. > Wiebke
http://www.birdsnways.com/articles/abvpvets.htm
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Ahem… > No bird shops in a big city like Atlanta, GA or its suburbs? > THAT is an eye opener. > That’s what I’m saying! I’m so frustrated! Hopefully if I keep on > insulting Atlanta like this eventually a birdowner in Atlanta will > read my message and tell me I’m wrong, but I swear I had a hard time > with finding a shop or a breeder or an avian vet. I’ve looked in all > sorts of online directories and I can see that in some areas of the > country there are a lot more places than here. In Atlanta everybody is > obsessed with big things — cars and big dogs. I live Downtown where > everybody is in condos and apartments. You’d think they’d have small > pets. Wrong. People have dogs — lots of BIG dogs! It would make more > sense to me for people to have birds. > Wiebke
No hits for Atlanta, but do a search for GA. The result is 6 hits. Perhaps some are Atlanta suburbs: http://www.aav.org/vet-lookup/ — Sincerely, Joanne If it’s right for you, then it’s right, . . . . . for you!!! Play – http://www.jobird.com Pay for Play – http://www.jobird.com/refund.htm Looking for Love? – http://www.jobird.com/hearts.htm
Response:
Thanks, that’s a great tool and I had tried it before only out of the six, five are not suburbs, but in other parts of the state. Acworth is 30 miles away driving and I don’t drive or have a car. At least I located one in Decatur, which is not far, I was only wondering if that was the only one. Wendy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > No hits for Atlanta, but do a search for GA. The result is 6 hits. > Perhaps some are Atlanta suburbs: > http://www.aav.org/vet-lookup/
Response:
April 10, 2002
Question:
A good idea is to entrain him with the ’step up’ command so he knows exactly what you want him to do. Whenever you want him to climb onto your finger or hand say ’step up’ and when he does, make sure you reward him with a ‘good bird’ in a cheerful tone. The same with ’step down’ when you want to transfer him to his perch, etc. Keep your fingers or hand at his feet level so he doesn’t become threatened by your finger or hand in or near his face. My ‘tiel is strange with fingers too, I have to present my hand palm down for him to step onto it, palm up, forget it! He starts nipping at my hand. He’s a sweety though and enjoys head rubs as long as they are in the right spots. My tiel also became very attached to his reflection in his mirror and a ‘bird on a spring’ toy as he became sexually mature. He would get very agressive towards me as I approached his cage. Once I removed these items he returned to being my sweet little guy. Keep trying, ‘tiels are sweeties.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> if they are not handled often theybecome frightened of the hand. Retrain him > and assure him it’s ok. THis can happen when they are paired also, my one > male precious became a piss ant, but is fine now. > Douglas, I’m a bit confused by your post. > You say you bought him as a handfed youngster.. was he displaying > this kind of behavior when you got him? If so then he definitely wasn’t > hand raised. And if he wasn’t then you need to find out what happened > in the past year to cause him to start acting this way. > Trust takes time to develop. Take it slow, hand feed him as much as > possible. Work your way slowly up to brief touches and headrubs. > Always respect his limits when he starts to get frightened (aggressive). > Mike > } Hi All. > } > } I’ve got a cockateil that I’ve had for a little over a year now. I > } purchased him as a hand fed youngster from a local pet store. > } > } He’s got some behavioural problems. 
> } > } He’s never been comfortable with fingers. He will hop up onto my finger > when > } presented, but if I put my finger any higher at all in front of him, > he’ll > } bite. The ‘Cockateils for Dummies’ book says "it’s not natural for a > } cockateil to bite with the intent to do harm". Well, I don’t think mine > has > } read this book! > } > } Just now he was sitting at the bottom of his cage. I stuck my finger in > } there for him to hop up on it, and he really attached my finger. I have > a > } wound (blood and all) to show for it. Painfully I kept it there because > I > } know that retreating only enforces his belief that biting get results. > } > } If he’s sitting on the finger of one hand, and I try putting the finger > of > } the other hand up to pet him, he’ll attack it… seriously. I’ve tried > } putting bandaids on my fingers and repeating this for several minutes at > a > } time, over a few days, but I haven’t seen any results. > } > } Basically any handling at all only gets me bite ridden fingers. > } > } Any suggestions? Should I persevere? I wasn’t too sure if the bad > habbits of > } a one year old cockateil could be broken or not by perserverance. > } > } (I think he’s a male…. he copies what I whistle and makes up his own > } little tunes… usually morning or evening) > } > } Regards > } Douglas. > } > } > } > } > } > }
Response:
if they are not handled often theybecome frightened of the hand. Retrain him and assure him it’s ok. THis can happen when they are paired also, my one male precious became a piss ant, but is fine now.
> Douglas, I’m a bit confused by your post. > You say you bought him as a handfed youngster.. was he displaying > this kind of behavior when you got him? If so then he definitely wasn’t > hand raised. And if he wasn’t then you need to find out what happened > in the past year to cause him to start acting this way. > Trust takes time to develop. Take it slow, hand feed him as much as > possible. Work your way slowly up to brief touches and headrubs. > Always respect his limits when he starts to get frightened (aggressive). > Mike
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> } Hi All. > } > } I’ve got a cockateil that I’ve had for a little over a year now. I > } purchased him as a hand fed youngster from a local pet store. > } > } He’s got some behavioural problems. > } > } He’s never been comfortable with fingers. He will hop up onto my finger when > } presented, but if I put my finger any higher at all in front of him, he’ll > } bite. The ‘Cockateils for Dummies’ book says "it’s not natural for a > } cockateil to bite with the intent to do harm". Well, I don’t think mine has > } read this book! > } > } Just now he was sitting at the bottom of his cage. I stuck my finger in > } there for him to hop up on it, and he really attached my finger. I have a > } wound (blood and all) to show for it. Painfully I kept it there because I > } know that retreating only enforces his belief that biting get results. > } > } If he’s sitting on the finger of one hand, and I try putting the finger of > } the other hand up to pet him, he’ll attack it… seriously. I’ve tried > } putting bandaids on my fingers and repeating this for several minutes at a > } time, over a few days, but I haven’t seen any results. > } > } Basically any handling at all only gets me bite ridden fingers. > } > } Any suggestions? Should I persevere? I wasn’t too sure if the bad habbits of > } a one year old cockateil could be broken or not by perserverance. > } > } (I think he’s a male…. he copies what I whistle and makes up his own > } little tunes… usually morning or evening) > } > } Regards > } Douglas. > } > } > } > } > } > }
Response:
If he’s around a year old he could be going thru puberty. They can get pretty nippy and agressive then. Even if not an adolescent, he could be thinking he’s wanting to find a mate and nest, and defending his turf. Our normally sweet tiel can get that way if he thinks he’s found a nest site. We have to keep things away from him that would cause that, like an inviting open paper bag, or a small box. If he knows the step up command you can offer your hand with your wrist bent down so the skin is too tight for him to get a good hold on with his beak. Not sure if this link will be of any help, but I had it bookmarked so here it is, it’s on taming tiels: http://www.cockatiels.org/training.html
Response:
> Just now he was sitting at the bottom of his cage. I stuck my finger in > there for him to hop up on it, and he really attached my finger. I have a > wound (blood and all) to show for it. Painfully I kept it there because I > know that retreating only enforces his belief that biting get results.
Next time your tiel nips you, look at it VERY sternly and say very assertively a LOUD "No!" You can also try blowing in its face when it does that. By the way, why was he on the bottom of his cage? A healthy bird (with the exception of conures, an occasional tiel, and some others) usually doesn’t sit on the bottom of the cage. When you bird is on the bottom of the cage, does it look like a feathered pine cone standing on 2 legs? If so, take it to the vet. > If he’s sitting on the finger of one hand, and I try putting the finger of > the other hand up to pet him, he’ll attack it… seriously. I’ve tried > putting bandaids on my fingers and repeating this for several minutes at a > time, over a few days, but I haven’t seen any results.
If you don’t want to get bit, don’t try petting him! Next time he does that, wobble the hand the tiel is on, and say very assertively, "No!" > Basically any handling at all only gets me bite ridden fingers.
Use a dowel in place of your fingers. > Any suggestions?
Your tiel might be passing through a hormonal stage. When this happens, birds get moody, grumpy, etc. (like a teenager.) This stage usually passes after a while. > (I think he’s a male…. he copies what I whistle and makes up his own > little tunes… usually morning or evening)
Males: No barring under tail. Brighter cheek patches. More vocal. Females: Barring under tail. Duller cheek patches. More quiet and affectionate (both sexes are affectionate, but in my experience, the females are more so than males.) Good luck! –Marissa
Response:
>He’s got some behavioural problems. <
Mine is schizo; one minute he is going "Pretty Birdy" and singing sweetly and a few minutes later he may viciously attack. He dive bombs my head and tries to do a Mike Tyson on my ears. As quickly as it starts, it ends and it’s back to pretty birdy.
Response:
Ditto here. Seems to happen more often lately, but I think it because of mating season. One of my males will attack agressively, running after my finger wanting to break skin. All I do is walk over and put on a glove (he hates it) pick him up with the finger (while he is still biting) and gently put him back in the cage. 10 minutes later, I walk back to the cage, put my hand in and he jumps on up with a "smile" looking for affection. Usually happens in the evening about every other night now. Strange. Anyone see the movie "The Birds" ?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->He’s got some behavioural problems. < > Mine is schizo; one minute he is going "Pretty Birdy" and singing sweetly and a > few minutes later he may viciously attack. He dive bombs my head and tries to > do a Mike Tyson on my ears. As quickly as it starts, it ends and it’s back to > pretty birdy.
Response:
Everytime you let him bite you, you’re reinforcing that behavior and increasing the chance that it will happen again. Sounds like the biting behavior has been reinforced an awful lot – making it that much harder to fix. If you keep letting him bite you, you’ll never be able to fix it. 2 things I instinctively do to avoid bites by birds: 1 is by very matter-of-factly putting my finger back under the belly, not at chest level or where the beak can easily reach me, but back where he either has to step onto it or step back to bite – and once he tries to step back to bite, the finger goes immediately under that foot and lifts. It’s quick and effective, the bird’s up on my finger and out of his cage before he has a chance to think about it. Second thing is to use 2 hands: one under the belly, the other moving around his side and behind him. He’s gotta think quick "What’s coming at me from behind? What’s he doing?" and usually to turn around and look, he’ll take a step – finger under foot and lift off perch, while he’s looking at your other hand. Quickly out of and away from the cage where you can work with him. The longer you allow this behavior to continue the worse it will be to correct. Letting him do it, or leaving him alone are the worst things you can do if you want a bird you can handle. If you’d be satisfied with a caged bird that you can’t handle then do nothing. He knows you after a year, he knows what to expect, if you can be trusted, and what buttons to push. Since you’re the person in the equation, you have to change those ideas he has in his head, and that changing process requires action. Should you persevere? That would be up to you. Is it really important that you handle this guy? Or can you enjoy him as a companion, exchanging whistles, him in his space and you in yours? You know what the bird wants…it’s up to you whether handling him – what you want – is most important. Sometimes it’s not necessary to force a pet bird into a behavior that they rebel against, and still be able to enjoy them. If you persevere you will probably bring him around to your way of seeing things, and most likely that can be done. There are some birds who are so determined not to be handled that they are probably happier without being forced into a mold they refuse to fit into…but those are really few and far between. Good luck . owly
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi All. > I’ve got a cockateil that I’ve had for a little over a year now. I > purchased him as a hand fed youngster from a local pet store. > He’s got some behavioural problems. > He’s never been comfortable with fingers. He will hop up onto my finger when > presented, but if I put my finger any higher at all in front of him, he’ll > bite. The ‘Cockateils for Dummies’ book says "it’s not natural for a > cockateil to bite with the intent to do harm". Well, I don’t think mine has > read this book! > Just now he was sitting at the bottom of his cage. I stuck my finger in > there for him to hop up on it, and he really attached my finger. I have a > wound (blood and all) to show for it. Painfully I kept it there because I > know that retreating only enforces his belief that biting get results. > If he’s sitting on the finger of one hand, and I try putting the finger of > the other hand up to pet him, he’ll attack it… seriously. I’ve tried > putting bandaids on my fingers and repeating this for several minutes at a > time, over a few days, but I haven’t seen any results. > Basically any handling at all only gets me bite ridden fingers. > Any suggestions? Should I persevere? I wasn’t too sure if the bad habbits of > a one year old cockateil could be broken or not by perserverance. > (I think he’s a male…. he copies what I whistle and makes up his own > little tunes… usually morning or evening) > Regards > Douglas.
Response:
Michael, No, he wasn’t displaying this behaviour when I bought him. I can’t really pinpoint an exact time when I noticed this behaviour from him though. He’s just always been this way. Hand feed him? Not much chance of that. As soon as I offer him some food by hand, he’ll just attack my finger. He actually did something tonight that I’ve never seen him do before…. After offering my finger, he started to bite, so I retreated and he ran across the floor and chased my finger. Aggressive. Douglas.
> Douglas, I’m a bit confused by your post. > You say you bought him as a handfed youngster.. was he displaying > this kind of behavior when you got him? If so then he definitely wasn’t > hand raised. And if he wasn’t then you need to find out what happened > in the past year to cause him to start acting this way. > Trust takes time to develop. Take it slow, hand feed him as much as > possible. Work your way slowly up to brief touches and headrubs. > Always respect his limits when he starts to get frightened (aggressive). > Mike
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> } Hi All. > } > } I’ve got a cockateil that I’ve had for a little over a year now. I > } purchased him as a hand fed youngster from a local pet store. > } > } He’s got some behavioural problems. > } > } He’s never been comfortable with fingers. He will hop up onto my finger when > } presented, but if I put my finger any higher at all in front of him, he’ll > } bite. The ‘Cockateils for Dummies’ book says "it’s not natural for a > } cockateil to bite with the intent to do harm". Well, I don’t think mine has > } read this book! > } > } Just now he was sitting at the bottom of his cage. I stuck my finger in > } there for him to hop up on it, and he really attached my finger. I have a > } wound (blood and all) to show for it. Painfully I kept it there because I > } know that retreating only enforces his belief that biting get results. > } > } If he’s sitting on the finger of one hand, and I try putting the finger of > } the other hand up to pet him, he’ll attack it… seriously. I’ve tried > } putting bandaids on my fingers and repeating this for several minutes at a > } time, over a few days, but I haven’t seen any results. > } > } Basically any handling at all only gets me bite ridden fingers. > } > } Any suggestions? Should I persevere? I wasn’t too sure if the bad habbits of > } a one year old cockateil could be broken or not by perserverance. > } > } (I think he’s a male…. he copies what I whistle and makes up his own > } little tunes… usually morning or evening) > } > } Regards > } Douglas. > } > } > } > } > } > }
Response:
I had the same problem with my tiel…… it started when I brought home my Quaker parrot. Have you added any birds to your flock lately? It really only lasted for a little while because he learned very quickly that if he bites us, then he would not get the attention. He will still eat from my hand, loves head scritches, jumps on my shoulder, and gives kisses. He still is not very tolerant of the quaker, but chances are he never will be either. I have an African grey coming home in 2 weeks, can’t wait for all Sandy
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Michael, > No, he wasn’t displaying this behaviour when I bought him. I can’t really > pinpoint an exact time when I noticed this behaviour from him though. He’s > just always been this way. > Hand feed him? Not much chance of that. As soon as I offer him some food by > hand, he’ll just attack my finger. He actually did something tonight that > I’ve never seen him do before…. After offering my finger, he started to > bite, so I retreated and he ran across the floor and chased my finger. > Aggressive. > Douglas. > Douglas, I’m a bit confused by your post. > You say you bought him as a handfed youngster.. was he displaying > this kind of behavior when you got him? If so then he definitely wasn’t > hand raised. And if he wasn’t then you need to find out what happened > in the past year to cause him to start acting this way. > Trust takes time to develop. Take it slow, hand feed him as much as > possible. Work your way slowly up to brief touches and headrubs. > Always respect his limits when he starts to get frightened (aggressive). > Mike > } Hi All. > } > } I’ve got a cockateil that I’ve had for a little over a year now. I > } purchased him as a hand fed youngster from a local pet store. > } > } He’s got some behavioural problems. > } > } He’s never been comfortable with fingers. He will hop up onto my finger > when > } presented, but if I put my finger any higher at all in front of him, > he’ll > } bite. The ‘Cockateils for Dummies’ book says "it’s not natural for a > } cockateil to bite with the intent to do harm". Well, I don’t think mine > has > } read this book! > } > } Just now he was sitting at the bottom of his cage. I stuck my finger in > } there for him to hop up on it, and he really attached my finger. I have > a > } wound (blood and all) to show for it. Painfully I kept it there because > I > } know that retreating only enforces his belief that biting get results. > } > } If he’s sitting on the finger of one hand, and I try putting the finger > of > } the other hand up to pet him, he’ll attack it… seriously. I’ve tried > } putting bandaids on my fingers and repeating this for several minutes at > a > } time, over a few days, but I haven’t seen any results. > } > } Basically any handling at all only gets me bite ridden fingers. > } > } Any suggestions? Should I persevere? I wasn’t too sure if the bad > habbits of > } a one year old cockateil could be broken or not by perserverance. > } > } (I think he’s a male…. he copies what I whistle and makes up his own > } little tunes… usually morning or evening) > } > } Regards > } Douglas. > } > } > } > } > } > }
Response:
Hi All. I’ve got a cockateil that I’ve had for a little over a year now. I purchased him as a hand fed youngster from a local pet store. He’s got some behavioural problems. He’s never been comfortable with fingers. He will hop up onto my finger when presented, but if I put my finger any higher at all in front of him, he’ll bite. The ‘Cockateils for Dummies’ book says "it’s not natural for a cockateil to bite with the intent to do harm". Well, I don’t think mine has read this book! Just now he was sitting at the bottom of his cage. I stuck my finger in there for him to hop up on it, and he really attached my finger. I have a wound (blood and all) to show for it. Painfully I kept it there because I know that retreating only enforces his belief that biting get results. If he’s sitting on the finger of one hand, and I try putting the finger of the other hand up to pet him, he’ll attack it… seriously. I’ve tried putting bandaids on my fingers and repeating this for several minutes at a time, over a few days, but I haven’t seen any results. Basically any handling at all only gets me bite ridden fingers. Any suggestions? Should I persevere? I wasn’t too sure if the bad habbits of a one year old cockateil could be broken or not by perserverance. (I think he’s a male…. he copies what I whistle and makes up his own little tunes… usually morning or evening) Regards Douglas.
Response:
Douglas, I’m a bit confused by your post. You say you bought him as a handfed youngster.. was he displaying this kind of behavior when you got him? If so then he definitely wasn’t hand raised. And if he wasn’t then you need to find out what happened in the past year to cause him to start acting this way. Trust takes time to develop. Take it slow, hand feed him as much as possible. Work your way slowly up to brief touches and headrubs. Always respect his limits when he starts to get frightened (aggressive). Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – } Hi All. } } I’ve got a cockateil that I’ve had for a little over a year now. I } purchased him as a hand fed youngster from a local pet store. } } He’s got some behavioural problems. } } He’s never been comfortable with fingers. He will hop up onto my finger when } presented, but if I put my finger any higher at all in front of him, he’ll } bite. The ‘Cockateils for Dummies’ book says "it’s not natural for a } cockateil to bite with the intent to do harm". Well, I don’t think mine has } read this book! } } Just now he was sitting at the bottom of his cage. I stuck my finger in } there for him to hop up on it, and he really attached my finger. I have a } wound (blood and all) to show for it. Painfully I kept it there because I } know that retreating only enforces his belief that biting get results. } } If he’s sitting on the finger of one hand, and I try putting the finger of } the other hand up to pet him, he’ll attack it… seriously. I’ve tried } putting bandaids on my fingers and repeating this for several minutes at a } time, over a few days, but I haven’t seen any results. } } Basically any handling at all only gets me bite ridden fingers. } } Any suggestions? Should I persevere? I wasn’t too sure if the bad habbits of } a one year old cockateil could be broken or not by perserverance. } } (I think he’s a male…. he copies what I whistle and makes up his own } little tunes… usually morning or evening) } } Regards } Douglas. } } } } } }
Response:
March 28, 2002
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