Inara

I'm thinkin' that Inara and I will start working on, "Ray is a smartypants," next.... hahaha

Yesterday marked Inara's first full week with us. She has not only settled, she is completely at home. I believe this is because she was so well socialized by her former people, and also due in part to her immediate fascination with me upon our first meeting. A great combo for a transfer that was/is much easier than expected and way more easy than my first two experiences (Amazon and Congo) "way back in the day." Definitely paid my dues back then and Inara, to my delight, is just well...delightful! We've established a basic daily rhythm, but not rigid, as I want her to be flexible for those days when I'm not at home every hour. So I've been mixing it up a bit other than keeping the following consistent: waking up/breakfast socializing time and evening/supper socializing time and bedtime. Waking up and bedtime happen at the same intervals every day and breakfast/supper happen within about a half an hour of a regular time. At various intervals during the day, if Inara is indicating that she wants to come out and socialize, I capitalize on that and we spend some time just chatting and hanging out. When she arrived, Inara would say a couple of phrases: Whatcha doin', what's your name, go lie down, come here, hello. However, as we all are aware, she has spent two years of her life listening, listening, listening so has stored up a fountain of words. Also, she was/is in a new environment so it was not unusual for her to have been less talky than she may have been at her former home. After about three days with us, she completely busted loose, and now says her new name, Inara, and says: Inara pretty girl. Inara smarrrrrt girl. Pretty smart. OK, that was good. Thank you. Kiss kiss, thank you. Dezi down. Wait. More. Good girl. It's Joe (my husband's name). O! (cheerio). What you doing in there? It's OK. Good morning. Glasses. Home (we say "time to go home" when putting her back in her cage). Coffee. Gentle. Scritch scritch scritch. What? Hellooooo (said in a fake Jon Stewart impersonating the Queen voice -- sorry I couldn't help myself! haha). All interspersed with various R2D2 clicks, whistles, squeeks, whooops, etc. and a slew of other under-her-breath-mumbles. Interestingly, her voice has changed from a more male voice (in this very short time) of the first few words she arrived with, to now a much more feminine voice and tone. Naturally, because I'm the one chatting with her for the majority of the day or at least that is what I'm inferring from the change. Inara loves my glasses (they are pink metalic) and while I let her explore a bit, when she starts to clamp down on them, I tell her "unh-uh, my glasses" and I move my head. This morning, after three times of this maneuver and my response, she stood still for a moment and said, "More." hahaha I spent three hours on Sunday cleaning every crevice of her cage and her play perch (they were well taken care of upon arrival, but I'm a clean freak when it comes to birds). I have decided to keep a journal since she is so young (she turned 2 in July) so will log behaviors/language and eventually some videos when I can figure out how to do them! (I can't help it, I'm a retired Psych and behavior scientist, I feel compelled. My husband always teases me that "OCD is a terrible thing to waste." ) :D Have been weaning Inara off of her former "southern comfort" diet that was loaded with cheese and prepackaged food, and she now loves, loves, loves a mash that I make for her, and has been having fun foraging for pieces of sprouted bread toast among other things in her dishes. Can you tell I'm madly in love with her? When Joe comes home, after supper, she loves to just sit with him in his chair and help him read the news on his laptop for about 45 minutes. They are good buddies already also. Inara is like my midlife "sports car" after having had "fix or repair daily" (and I say that with much love) experiences in my 20+ years with my early rescued birds -- both of whom I loved and adored immensely and who eventually flourished after lots and lots and lots (to the nth power) of patience and going slowly. When looking for who would be my last of my life feathered companion, I really took my time, asked many many questions, and had a checklist that I was looking for this time around. Inara hit every single check mark on the list, and more. I love reading each and every post here in the forums, and am making my way through them all, a few at a time with my coffee each morning, and afternoon. Through these forums, I've reaffirmed some prior knowledge as well as having learned some new things. So much fun and knowledge here! If you have had the patience to read this entire post, thank you for sharing my enthusiasm and delight in my later-life companion.

What a lovely post. Rick, your and Cosmo's routine sounds a lot like how Inara and I spend our time, along with our four-footed buddy, Dezi. I'm the type of person (and apparently Inara and Dezi are the type of companions) who enjoys a rhythm to my days -- with enough variety to keep things from becoming ho-hum. I do have the luxury of being at home during the days. But even in my 20s-40s when I lived with my Amazon and Congo, as busy as I was, there was still a sense of rhythm in the house. It's fun to be goofy. My first Grey, LeStat, and I used to dance up a storm to Eric Clapton, and LeStat would yell, "Rock and ROOOOOLLLLLL" at the top of his little lungs! He would also branch off into some of his own wild guitar riffs. None of that happened overnight, as he was very traumatized when he came to live with me. I love your "people walking by" song and your inside jokes about the poop box! I told my husband about Cosmo saying, "Riiiiick, Jesus Christ are you OK?!!" and I thought he was going to die laughing. Inara and Dez are both having their quiet time while I'm having my 2nd cup of coffee and reading more forum posts. Thanks for the morning smile!

Has it been around other pets; what type? Wings clipped or unclipped? What equipment will come with the bird? Cage, play perch, carrier, toys, etc... If you're buying it from its owner, does the owner have a bill of sale prepared? (Having one ensures that at a later time, you have a complete paper trail on your bird). Does it have a current health certificate from a veterinarian? When was its last molt? Does it have any human gender preferences with which it seems more comfortable? Congratulations, you must be so excited!

Really interesting thread. I enjoyed reading the the contrasting views.

Ouch, ouch, and OUCH. You will likely never know all that went on in her former home, but the good news is that you do know what goes on in yours How is Paco when your Macaw is nearby? Did any of the bites take place in close proximity or in sight of the Macaw? Just trying to help brainstorm a little bit here. Even though we feel we're being kind by allowing as much time out of the cage as possible, some birds can want and need more 'secure' time. Since Paco is being awakened at about 6:45, putting her back in her cage at about 8:30 PM would be about a 14 hour wake schedule for her (even if she's taking a few bird naps during the day while you're gone) and from your schedule of when you get home, about 5+ hours at a stretch out of her cage. She may need and want more of that evening cage time to wind down even though you would love to have her out and be with her. For awhile, you might try adjusting her schedule so that she can get more time, i.e. rest, in her cage in the evening --maybe putting her back in at about 6:45 PM, and see if that helps. Again, just brainstorming here -- this may not even be on the right track Your patience and Paco living with you over time, will go a long way for her. Inara and I are cheering you on! :)

Gorgeous girl, I have so loved looking at all of her photos and learning more about her. Inara (TAG) spent her first two years eating a lot of human 'comfort food' so she's just now getting used to things that are a little more on the healthy scale. How great that Kizzy loves her veggies! Can't wait to see more photos and keep up with your adventures!

Really enjoyed your photos. Each fid's personality comes shining through!

One commonality I see is the time of evening. Many birds can get cranky when it is past their bed time and while they may like to be active for a bit before roosting for the night, often they enjoy time after that to preen and start winding down and may make some noises or talk to themselves just to ensure that they are not alone before sleeping. Perhaps, ensuring that she is back in her cage (using the stick or mobile perch to get there) by about 7 PM and then dimming the lights in the area of her cage and allowing her to get enough sleep may help her start to settle as she becomes accustomed to living with you. Also, if every time she is picked up when she is out of her cage, she is taken back to her cage, she may have that figured out and knows that's where she's headed. Taking a look at your household schedule, how early does everyone get up and how late does everyone stay up can help you to know if Paco is getting enough rest. (Think sun up to sun down for a bird, even though we as modern humans stay up much later). I think it is interesting that she was putting her foot out as you were going by. I used to have an (traumatized rescue) Amazon that would put his foot up as a warning, as he had been grabbed when being taken in and out of his cage prior to his living with me. Or in Paco's case, perhaps when she stuck her foot up, someone gave her a treat through the bars of her cage, rather than having her step up. Certainly, you might feel a bit skittish about her "hit and run" tactics when it comes to biting, but at least for these three episodes, there is somewhat of a pattern -- that being time of day. I'd suggest, just keeping track if there are more serious bites, and eventually, a pattern might reveal itself. Also lots of other great advice here. She's a little mystery right now, but you'll come to know her and she you. She's a lucky gal to have found you.

Are there any commonalities that are going on right before the bites that you can think of? Where is Paco when this happens? Is it around the same time of day? Was Paco on you when it happened? The old: who, what, where, when -- can often lead us to the why, even if the clues are very small. If Paco was already standing on you, did he feel unstable and latch on hard for balance? Was he hungry or tired? Can you recall how he looked physically right before the bite(s)? CSI: Paco the Parrot Good for you for not freaking out and sending Paco flying across the room from your own natural pain response. That takes moxy

What a beauty your Jellybean is! Loved looking at the photos. How nice that you have had Jellybean as a companion during some of the time that your husband has been away. Thank you for your own sacrifices as well as a thanks to your husband for his service. While you are not in harm's way, it is never easy being the one on the team who is at home, either. <3 Will be looking forward to your "He's Home!" post, and hearing all about how Jellybean does getting acquainted.

Name changing is such an individual thing. I've changed the names of each companion that has come to live with me, with little fuss and much success. If (just my opinion) your new companion is healthy, happy, and much older and it is apparent that s/he truly does associate the name with herself, then that would give me pause for consideration about not making a change. Given the loooooooooong lives of parrots, to change the name of a two year old is barely a blink in the eye of their lifespan. I have had my new 2yo Timneh for less than a week and within just a couple of days she was saying her new name "Inara" (meaning: Persian for 'from the heavens' and the name of one of my favorite scifi characters). Does she associate it with herself yet? Likely not, but she will in time. For now, she likely just associates it with pleasurable experiences and interactions. I've also chosen not to use her old name to her nor in conversation where she can overhear it. Names are one way that we bond with one another as humans, and with our non-human companions. Having a name for a companion that is pleasing and meaningful to us, allows us to speak it in ways and with body language that conveys that pleasure and warmth and can't help but increase the likelihood of an accepting response. Again, it's a personal and individual decision, a lot like a tattoo -- choose carefully, because once chosen, it should be permanent.

Thank you, Brat Birds. I think Inara is very pretty also. Our Ridgeback is the "Timneh" equivalent of the RR world -- she is very petite for a Ridgie. Yes, very loyal, very smart, and attempts to be bossy. She rings bells that hang on the door to let me know when she needs to go outside. Today when Inara was playing and ringing a bell in her cage, she ran over to the cage, then ran to the door and whined at me to tell me "Let the bird out, quick!!" hahaha

Just wanted to say congratulations on your new companion! How wonderful for the both of you and for your family. Other posters have replied with much wisdom, so I'll try not to repeat. You *will* have a relationship and good bond as you continue to be observant and patient. A great thread is : http://www.greyforums.net/forums/showthread.php?78271-Parrot-body-languagehttp:// for checking out body language and signals. Nothing is foolproof, but it is as close to the mark as I have ever seen Enjoy, and I can't wait to hear all about your adventures!

Thank you everyone for the warm welcomes! BaileysPapa, I'm not that Inara, but wonderful to know that there is another one out there. "Firefly" lovers unite! I'll be looking forward to hearing more about your own adventures with your new companion. Inara decided today that our one-sided conversations (being all on my side) needed to come to an end that it was imperative that we become better acquainted. As I was snapping a photo today she said, "Wait." My husband asked, "Did she just say, 'Wait'?" The dog gave a what the heck?? look. I just laughed because on of the most used words at our home is "wait" --directed at Inara's four footed sister our Rhodesian Ridgeback. Wait at the door, wait for her food dish, etc. Later on during some quiet time in her cage, she busted loose with a lot of practice talking mumbojumbo, some whistles and some clear words mixed in. She's going to be quite the talker -- which in our house is simply "self defense." haha

Thank you, Timbersmom! I had to edit in order to get the pics to show. And congratulations on your own TAG. How exciting!!

Greetings everyone. I'm completely new to the Grey Forums, but not new to Greys. From the mid 70s to the mid 90s I was a companion to a CAG who was no doubt wild caught and who had been horribly neglected by his "owners." He came to me when they wanted to either 1) kill him or 2) dump him because, "We spent a fortune on this bird and all he's ever done was bite and scream." I had rehabbed an Amazon who had had a similar background and was delighted to take "Porky" the CAG off their hands. I immediately gave him the more dignified name of LeStat, and the rest was history. He was nearly bald everywhere except his head and a few other patches that he could not reach, and his mandible was nearly detached from his head due to a raging infection that had never been treated. Long story short, within the next molting season his feathers grew in beautifully, he responded beautifully to kindness, patience, vet care, and a peaceful, accepting home. His poor beak issue could not be fixed, but he stayed very healthy and later talked up a storm. He also was kind enough to never bite me, I believe because we could read each other really well. Fast forward now 20+ years later. Having been fid-less since the mid 90s, and after much, much, much consideration I made the major decision to find another feathered companion, knowing that this one would/will be the last one of my life. Imagine my delight (and a bit of dismay) upon less than a week of coming to the decision (the decision itself took several months) and beginning my search that I found and fell madly in love with a two year old TAG whose current people needed to rehome her. I had been looking for another CAG and was willing to rehab one, knowing that just in my area in one of the bird rescue/sanctuaries there are several who are in need. After looking at a few CAGs I visted with the little TAG last. I was completely unprepared for falling so hard!! She seems so little compared to LeStat and to her people's credit she has been very well loved and socialized. She's been an absolute delight since she moved in ( a few short days ago). Upon meeting each other it was bidirectional love at first sight. Her original people couldn't believe how she and I "fit." But, such is the world of companions, and at 2 years old, my thinking is that it was a good time developmentally to make a move away from 'mama and papa.' My avatar is a photo I took of Inara yesterday. Her new name is Inara -- because she is a beautiful, brilliant companion, who flies. Shiny. She has had quite a southern comfort food kind of diet, so my first goal is to introduce her to healthier foods over time. I'm a retired psych/behaviorist so she and I will have plenty of time to enjoy all sorts of adventures together. Great bonus today, I found an avian vet only 6 miles from me. They were closed today, so tomorrow will set up a well bird check. She is in great health, and has been DNA sexed: female. But I want a baseline on her, and to establish a relationship right off the bat with a good Avian Vet so that if there is ever an emergency, it's not going to be cold calling and frantic searching. It is such a delight to have found this site and this forum as when I got my first parrots 1) I was young and did everything by the seat of my pants and by the library. 2) have always believed that children and animals always respond best to patience and unconditional positive regard. 3) fear is never a way to teach any thing. Soooooo I shall wrap up this post. When you get to know me, you will know that if it can be said in 5 words, I'll say it in 25 Looking forward to getting to know you all better, and no doubt will have questions as I go along, as many things in the parrot world have changed in the last 20 years. Have attached a couple of images of Inara, above. I think you can clicky the piccies for larger version viewing? Cheers!