Talon

Last night I couldn't get Nilah in her cage before I had to go teach Zumba, so I left instructions as to our new routine for my 19 yr old daughter to attempt bedtime. (this is the same daughter who sent me an angry text message a few weeks ago while I was at work informing me that NEVER again would she put Nilah to bed! She got but by her that night when attempting to do it) so, I have been doing it ever since and not asking her too..... I told her if she had any trouble, to lead Nilah out and I would deal with bedtime when I got home around 9:30. When I got home, I expected NilAh to be out, so when I asked where she was, my daughter proudly to.d me SHE put her to bed! I reluctantly asked.....what happened? Did you get bit? She said, she did what I told her I had been doing, and Nilah tried one medium bite, but she told her no biting, and Ni Ah went into her age and said " nites nites" . SUCCESS!!!!!

How sad, I wonder how many babies don't survive due to these practices. Not everyone has the experience to hand feed a baby safely... We pay a high amount here in the US, anywhere from $800-1400 depending on the area. What is the cost difference there from weaned young babies to hand feed/tamed birds?

LOL! You got me there! I laughed so hard tears are streaming down my face....

Jeez, I get up off the couch from surfing my iPad here on the forum to use the bathroom! I stupidly announced it to Nilah as she was perched on my knee. Unfortunately, I have foolishly taught my birds what " step down, I have to go to the bathroom means" (My downstairs bathroom is tiny).....all 3 of my birds have to fly ahead of me and into the tiny bathroom to wait for me! Ugh! Is there ever any privacy around here!!!!!:confused:

She is probably exercising her wings. I don't know the answer to your question, all my birds were clipped very young, tey learned to fly after I adopted them and allowed to fly. Hopefully others here with experience will chime in.

Don't worry about whistling, there is an interesting debate here going on about it. Just do your best and talk to her. She will whistle with or without your help, it's natural to them, there's no stopping it!

Yes, when she no longer is interested. That could take a couple of months I think.

THEY HAVE A SHELLLLLL???????? Nilah must have left hers at the bird store!

Nicely said Dave. My Rikki prefers to talk when she is alone in the room, but it is loud enough so we all hear her. She has her own parroted language, she has a coo sound when it's time to go to bed, a certain whistle she uses whenever I put her in her cage and I have to leave etc. Talon has her own whistle when its bedtime, and a different one when she wants me to get her out of her sleep cage inthe am, another one when i am too loud in my bedroom and i disturb her sleep, if i ignore that one, she starts banging her bell in anger. Those things take time to learn.

I'm not sure about weaning, I don't have experience with feeding an unweaned bird, but I would continue your hand feelings until she is at least down to one feeding and no longer wants it. She will let you know.

Ray is right. Your life is not complete without a ZON to love and adore, and share fun times with.

OMG! That was exactly my feelings before I got my amazon.....! Boy can I relate!!! Give it up, you know it will happen, and besides, I don't want to be the only crazy bird lady as my kids call me. I am a car lover, how I ended up with so many birds, I still haven't figured out! But the fun and laughter I get from them is worth all the mess, expense chewed up doors etc. LOVED your post, it had me laughing hysterically!!!!

Wh a story, and quite the scare! I too am an early morning runner, and although I have black shorts and a black jacket, I always wear a reflective vest if I am out in the fog or if it's before the sun has risen. Not worth the risk, many times coming home from work I have almost hit a jogger as they were all dressed in black, . That's a dangerous game to play. PLEASE go out today and buy him a reflective vest AND a ROAD ID bracelet. It has all identifying information, health risks, emergency contact info on it. He will never even know its on his wrist. If the unthinkable happened, they would immediately know who he is and who to contact and allergies etc. Those bracelets have saved do many lives. I wear one when I run and all my kids have them. My youngest, an avid bmx biker, dirt bike and snowmobile rider wears one all the time. And you never know, it will help him during the next the next burglary

Yup, the spatula was my favorite partoo. It is soooo true happens all the time!

Sorry about the background music. I teach dance and Zumba and was irking on my lesson plans when Nilah decided to e a show off, that's why there's usually music playing in the background.

My birds do that also. Have you given your baby a spritz shower with a soft spray bottle? It may help. But it is normal for preening, scratching and claw chewing.

It is early for him to feel settled and confident to speak a language with you that isn't familiar to you and him. I partially disagree with Dave's advice. I DO believe it is a comfort to them to speak their language thru whistles, but to ONLY whistle would not encourage him to speak. I split my whistles and words in somewhat equal amounts. In the beginning when I first got Talon, I spoke more than whistling, but when I did whistle back at her, we had a fun game going on, one that helped the bonding and trust process, I think it gave her the confidence to try speaking my language. I do still whistle back to my 3 birds and they enjoy trying new whistles and watching me at my failure to copy them!

How cute! :cool:

I sually chalk things up like that to a stage or a bad day. I would leave her alone for a bit. She is clearly telling you she is mad about something. Don't engage her when she behaves this way, or try talking to her in a different type of voice, a lighter, softer higher pitched one. That works with my amazon.

Thanks Dan. Great advice. I NEVER in a million years expected they would react the way they did when I asked them to step up and come with me..

Here is a video of Nilah after her shower on my front door. Notice the chew marks? Those are from Rikki...

There have been a couple of members here that have changed their birds name. Impersonally wouldn't, cause they know their name, they don't care if it's a girl or boy name, and my thoughts are they are under enough of a change in their life, nice to,have as much as a usual routine as possible to make them feel comfortable....just my opinion.

Phew? How scary! I had a friend whose bird swallowd a toothpick, the vet operated, the bird did ok at first, but complications set in and he died soon after...

Wow! That's great. What a story to remember. What a personality she has. Guess she let you know who owns the place now!

How adorable! I bet you can't wait....love the big boy cage!