Bird Crazies: while he is very clever he is also very stupid

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Pet Island > Bird Crazies: while he is very clever he is also very stupid

«‹›1055 »

underage at the vape shop: May 11, 2011; by Cyrano4747

food, food, sunnies, food

# ? Apr 12, 2018 10:23

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ? May 27, 2024 14:18

GoldStandardConure: Jun 11, 2010; I have to kill fast
and mayflies too slow; Pillbug

Laserface you're in Australia aren't you?

If you want a good shop to stock up on bird toy supplies I suggest: http://myparrotshop.com/

We buy most of Tacos stuff from there. Fast shipping too.

# ? Apr 12, 2018 11:19

Bicyclops: Aug 27, 2004

Thanks for the support everyone. Yoshi is back home again and doing well, but he's back on both meds, twice a day, every day. Strawberry and peanut butter flavored syringes for at least another month. Apparently he is just prone to bacterial infections, especially while molting.

I know a couple of Boston area people were looking into birds and I super recommend Angell on South Huntington Ave for regular vet stuff. Their avian specialists are great, their ER doctors are good at communicating options, and the techs and admins are absolute miracles at being kind, especially given what they probably have to deal with all day.

# ? Apr 12, 2018 15:09

Tendai: Mar 16, 2007; "When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber."; Grimey Drawer

Poor guy, as if moulting wasn't unpleasant enough already. Get better Yoshi!

# ? Apr 12, 2018 17:01

Oldsrocket_27: Apr 28, 2009

mikerock posted:

Spencer continues to improve socially as he settles in to our house. We are able to have more physical contact with him without him biting hard, although he is still cage dependent and will not allow us to take him off his cage willingly. This past week has seen noted improvement in his reception of scritches, and I have started (perhaps suicidally) allowing him to preen my beard and face a bit - with my eyes clenched shut. Last weekend he also started hopping down to the ground on his own and taking a bit of a wander, but as soon as we "noticed" him he would run back and get on his cage. I know I am not spending as much time with Scout as I used to but she seems to be holding up OK. It helps that Spencer goes to bed an hour before she does so I can still hang out with her. Spencer is very adamant about bed time. 8PM exactly is lights out, or our neighbours are treated to yelling cloud. 8:30 is bedtime, and he is really good about it, no complaints ever. The other night we got to hear him murmuring in his sleep

Spencer still thinks phones and cameras are the work of birdy satan and will not allow us to photograph him.

I can hear the frantic �tip tap tip tap tip tap tip tap!� Back to the cage in my head now, Nicky was exactly the same way until she got comfortable with her surroundings. It�s also worth noting that it may take a Long time before Spencer get really comfortable with handling beyond scritchies. It took about 8 months for Nicky to start getting comfortable with being on us a lot and being handled and pet. We�ll have had her for two years in August, and as of now, a lot of handling, stepping up, etc is still very much on her terms.

# ? Apr 12, 2018 19:11

uranium grass: Jan 15, 2005

Bradbury got a new cage finally, I need to get more perches and toys to put in it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkhh_Un5tKs

# ? Apr 12, 2018 22:19

DarkHorse: Dec 13, 2006; Nap Ghost

Laserface posted:

So here's my bird.

How do I make him:
Friendly
Sing along to things
Sit on me
Not cower in fear when I get near his cage

Currently has a cuttlefish bone and a seed mix to eat and occasionally berries/banana/carrot

What else should his cage have?

Also need name ideas since our chickens are "white chook" and "lil chook" even though lil chook is now twice the size of white chook. Clearly not good at the naming thing.

Birds are prey animals, so teaching them you�re not a scary predator is the first step. Just having them able to see you while you ignore them (reading, watching tv, playing games, eating dinner) will go a long way toward that.

Once they�re not (as) scared around you, you can then begin conditioning them by making your arrival equal good things. Sunflower seeds and millet sprays, used sparingly, are good high reward items. Come up to the cage, interact for a short time or until they look stressed, and leave the treat. As time goes on you can increase the level of interaction or length of time.

Friendliness comes from proper socializing, which you do the above steps but with other people. By then you�ll know the bird�s favorite things, so you use them to manipulate behavior. Sit on you = awesome seed treat. Step up = awesome shower bath. Hanging out on stranger = favorite toy or millet spray.

Singing is harder and semi-random. Some �tiels never learn to sing, others are natural virtuosos. Playing a song you want on repeat while you�re at work is one method. It�s a good idea to have some ambient noise on while they�re left alone anyway, because they�re flock animals and get scared if things are quiet (because that means everyone saw a predator and is hoping it doesn�t eat them)

# ? Apr 12, 2018 22:39

Captain Log: Oct 2, 2006; Now I am become Borb,
the Destroyer of Seeb

Juvenile cockatiel question -

Baby Serra is a female and almost ten months old. But weirdly, anytime she naps or goes to sleep for the night, she has a little "nest" at the bottom of the cage she goes to. If she senses anyone looking at her, she bolts up.

I've never seen a healthy bird choose to lay down for sleep. Is this weird? She has done it since day one.

I'm slightly paranoid because she navigates her cage fine, but doesn't seem to have strong grip when I get her out.

# ? Apr 12, 2018 22:56

Bicyclops: Aug 27, 2004

DarkHorse posted:

-Good stuff here-

Also, to add to this, once your bird is starting to relax around you a little, you can gently, slowly put your hand in the cage and talk in a nice, soft voice, like you'd talk to a baby. Don't move your hand, just kind of let it sit there, so they know it's safe, for a couple of minutes, while you speak cheerfully. Sudden, quick movements are a definite No. You may also want to practice a little, because one thing that's easy to do is accidentally hit the cage and shake it.

After awhile, you'll earn birb's trust.

# ? Apr 12, 2018 23:16

mikerock: Oct 29, 2005

Also, FYI, everyone talks to their birds like they're babies. Because they are.

Oldsrocket_27 posted:

I can hear the frantic �tip tap tip tap tip tap tip tap!� Back to the cage in my head now, Nicky was exactly the same way until she got comfortable with her surroundings. It�s also worth noting that it may take a Long time before Spencer get really comfortable with handling beyond scritchies. It took about 8 months for Nicky to start getting comfortable with being on us a lot and being handled and pet. We�ll have had her for two years in August, and as of now, a lot of handling, stepping up, etc is still very much on her terms.

Oh yes, we're fully cognizant that the step up project is going to be a long term project.

# ? Apr 13, 2018 01:48

Tendai: Mar 16, 2007; "When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber."; Grimey Drawer

I really like hearing Spencer updates :3:

It's so great to read about a bird slowly figuring out that the world is okay.

# ? Apr 14, 2018 02:21

Eifert Posting: Apr 1, 2007; Most of the time he catches it every time.; Grimey Drawer

Laserface posted:

So here's my bird.

Also need name ideas since our chickens are "white chook" and "lil chook" even though lil chook is now twice the size of white chook. Clearly not good at the naming thing.

Big chook.

# ? Apr 14, 2018 02:34

Plant MONSTER.: Mar 16, 2018; I was watching simpsons at 0.75 without knowing until a scene where homer and bart were getting back massages at a hotel and the noises they were making were super drawn out like a youtube poop

Also this might sound bad but cherish the moments where your bird was once shy and quiet. Once that changes it's gone for good and the bird becomes velcro

# ? Apr 14, 2018 05:21

Disco Salmon: Jun 19, 2004

Plant MONSTER. posted:

Also this might sound bad but cherish the moments where your bird was once shy and quiet. Once that changes it's gone for good and the bird becomes velcro

shy and quiet?

I think Cricket missed that memo and went straight to I MUST SIT ON YOUR HEAD AND SCREAM TO YOU THE STORIES OF MY PEOPLES FROM WAKE TIME TO SLEEP TIME

edit: question for you... Cricket recently discovered butter, and she is insane for it. She knows the container on the counter and makes a beeline for it whenever possible. Even the cats don't go nuts over butter like she does. She got 1 taste and is hooked. Even if she sees it on our plate/food whatever that's the first thing she goes for. Do I need to worry if she eats any? She wouldn't get much if any, but in case she manages to snag a taste I don't want to worry.

Disco Salmon fucked around with this message at 20:54 on Apr 14, 2018

# ? Apr 14, 2018 17:10

The Narrator: Aug 11, 2011; bernie would have won

Dairy in general isn't good for birds and should be avoided. I don't think it'll be deadly in any volume, but it's not something they should be consuming with any regularity. Though I know some people give their bird a tiny piece of cheese sometimes as a very special treat. It's a real flavour bomb for the bird, I imagine.

# ? Apr 15, 2018 01:00

Bicyclops: Aug 27, 2004

Yeah, giving dairy to a bird is sort of like giving it to someone who's lactose intolerant - it's not going to kill them, but they're probably going to have a rough time pooping later. The fat content also isn't great. It can be a special treat every once in awhile, though.

# ? Apr 15, 2018 02:31

Oldsrocket_27: Apr 28, 2009

Eifert Posting posted:

Big chook.

Seconded. Biggie for short.

# ? Apr 15, 2018 02:37

Tendai: Mar 16, 2007; "When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber."; Grimey Drawer

Notorious B.I.R.D.

# ? Apr 15, 2018 04:15

RoboRodent: Sep 19, 2012

Sera loves sour cream more than anything and he gets very excited when he sees me open it up.

He's kind of dumb.

# ? Apr 15, 2018 04:41

The Narrator: Aug 11, 2011; bernie would have won

RoboRodent posted:

Sera loves sour cream more than anything and he gets very excited when he sees me open it up.

He's kind of dumb.

I mean, I'm on his side here.

# ? Apr 15, 2018 05:54

Tendai: Mar 16, 2007; "When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber."; Grimey Drawer

Yeah, sour cream is delicious!

# ? Apr 15, 2018 06:25

RoboRodent: Sep 19, 2012

Well, I agree that it's delicious! But I'm also the one of us who can digest lactose.

# ? Apr 15, 2018 06:31

Plant MONSTER.: Mar 16, 2018; I was watching simpsons at 0.75 without knowing until a scene where homer and bart were getting back massages at a hotel and the noises they were making were super drawn out like a youtube poop

Had a dream I went to a pet store and bought six cockatiels and one bat. One of the cockatiels was on his back and kicking his legs and the owner said "he comes that way". I got them home and had an anxiety attack because I didn't have a cage for six birds and a bat. The end.

PS - my budgie has a tell before he's about to A) do something lovely B) get really hyper. He'll shake/twitch his head rapidly, it's not at all like head bobbing. Anyone know what that's about? It's cute but reminds me of the crimes he is capable of

# ? Apr 15, 2018 14:20

redgubbinz: May 1, 2007

One of our budgies would ping the cage bars with his beak and then shake his head at the noise, it was hilarious. He'd try different bars to make different notes too. However, if I pinged the bars, he'd shake his head and give me the stink eye for not playing the instrument properly.

# ? Apr 15, 2018 15:51

nielsm: Jun 1, 2009

Tomorrow I will be able to meet my birds again...

# ? Apr 15, 2018 16:09

Plant MONSTER.: Mar 16, 2018; I was watching simpsons at 0.75 without knowing until a scene where homer and bart were getting back massages at a hotel and the noises they were making were super drawn out like a youtube poop

redgubbinz posted:

One of our budgies would ping the cage bars with his beak and then shake his head at the noise, it was hilarious. He'd try different bars to make different notes too. However, if I pinged the bars, he'd shake his head and give me the stink eye for not playing the instrument properly.

Yeah, they need to build little xylophones or harps for birds.

E: my budgie is terrified of harps.

Plant MONSTER. fucked around with this message at 16:56 on Apr 15, 2018

# ? Apr 15, 2018 16:38

Potato Salad: Oct 23, 2014; nobody cares

Tendai posted:

Notorious B.I.R.D.

2CAN

# ? Apr 15, 2018 17:28

FactsAreUseless: Feb 16, 2011

I'm thinking about getting a cockatiel next year - I don't want to adopt a new pet before my girlfriend finds work and we move - what's the best guide to cockatiel ownership?

# ? Apr 15, 2018 18:53

nielsm: Jun 1, 2009

This thread.

# ? Apr 15, 2018 19:43

Cythereal: Nov 8, 2009; I love the potoo,
and the potoo loves you.

FactsAreUseless posted:

I'm thinking about getting a cockatiel next year - I don't want to adopt a new pet before my girlfriend finds work and we move - what's the best guide to cockatiel ownership?

You are contemplating ownership of a 2 year old child with wings that will live for decades.

# ? Apr 15, 2018 19:56

Captain Log: Oct 2, 2006; Now I am become Borb,
the Destroyer of Seeb

nielsm posted:

This thread.

Seriously. Cockatiels are great beginner birds. Just keep in mind healthy ones live twenty to thirty years! (You won�t mind

)

# ? Apr 15, 2018 20:07

Potato Salad: Oct 23, 2014; nobody cares

FactsAreUseless posted:

I'm thinking about getting a cockatiel next year - I don't want to adopt a new pet before MY GIRLFRIEND finds work and we move - what's the best guide to cockatiel ownership?