doubletefarm

That sounds very reasonable. He made such awful squawking sounds in his prior home that he was clearly unhappy, and I really want him to be happy and trust me. I'm thinking I'm going to buy a small playstand that I can move with me, wherever I go. So that in the opportunity of him flopping off his cage, I can move the playstand and take him with me. He trusts me enough now that he doesn't even make a squeak (he used to squawk like he did in his last home every time) when he comes toward me to step up from the floor. Not a peep, just total look of "oh good, you're right there".

Do I push my luck? Sydney has been with me for over a month.. Probably two? Since my birthday ( April 30) or thereabouts. When I first got him he was stepping up, I could move him out of his cage, etc. He would make a loud squawk sound, but do it nonetheless. Now we did have a minor setback where his cage was open and I needed him back in, so I attempted to have him step up on a perch that he clearly wanted nothing to do with, and he got scared, etc. That took three days to get "over". Now he gets his cage opened, and he comes out and plays on his cage. If he flops off (wings clipped still), he waits for me to come get him, and willing steps up so I can place him back on his desired location. He takes treats from me (whether he eats them or not depends on whether he wanted that particular treat). He is two years old, and obviously had some issues at his last home. But he seems to be regressing. In the beginning he would actually step up. Now if I mention it he makes aloud noise and backs away. I think this is cage territoriality. Because honestly he doesn't leave his cage. Next time he flops off his cage, do I take that chance to move him into the bathroom and do some socializing? Do I towel him and move him into the bathroom? When I visited him at his prior owner, he was used to being toweled. I feel like his has totally regressed and become an unsocialized bird. He is also just becoming very territorial I think because he never leaves his cage. He speaks quite frequently, makes tons of noises, and repeats my hello, good boy, and I love you. So he seems "comfortable" to a point, but his feathers still shake when I get too close, and when I was putting his food dish in the other day and he was on his cage door he did attack me. I wasn't bothered by it, but it seemed to freak him out because he flopped to the ground, and once he stepped up and I put him back in the cage he was squawking. I'm just not sure where to go from here. I'm in it with him for the long haul, I just would LOVE to be able to get a play stand for him and have him actually use it. And would love to get a cage on my deck that I can actually put him in. I've found several I could go buy, but passed them up because frankly I can't get him moved out of the one he's in. I adore my bird, and know that part of this is my inexperience, but I'm trying to figure out how to make it work with him. He's only 2, and I'd like him to live a great life. That doesn't seem to me confined to his cage or that general area. I did get him some new toys from Nalani toys, and he loves them. I knew he would because pretty much all bright toys he accepts. He's not a "shy" bird from what I can tell. Anything bright intrigues him, and if it has a bell on it all the better!!!! I hope that fills in a bit. I'm just not sure where to go. Whether to keep opening his cage and letting him decided or not. It isn't getting better- it seems he is getting worse and less willing to allow me near him. So that doesn't seem like the right route to me. Help!

Wish Roanoke wasn't so far!!! It says it is 4 1/2 hours from me. I've been googling bird clubs, etc and haven't found anything else near me til fall.

Darn, I just missed the spring one in May.

What's this about a bird mart??? Do we have them in MD? How do I find out? I've been watching EBAy for those... I'd KILL to find that kind of deal! (well.. I'd be thrilled at least!!!)

That is great news! Amazing that they were able to grab him and so diligent it seems in finding his owner!

Sydney was rehomed because his prior owner felt since her husband to be wasn't liked by him, it was either the bird or the man that had to go. She chose the bird. So you're not alone... but hopefully you are able to find a solution.

Sydney isn't cuddly at all, at 2 years old. But I've only had him a month. He doesn't even step up for me. Char, that is adorable.

I go into Petsmart for my cat and dog food, so I always swoop through the bird section and look at the supplies. I ordered my pellets online and my goldenfeast online too though. So far I've gotten most of my toys at Petsmart, but recently ordered a bunch from Nalani toys. (and can't wait!)

I can't wait for Sydney to have that sort of personality!!! He just entertains me now and I spend time feeding and cleaning.

Pigeons are flying rats IMO. I have a darn aviary at the racetrack (NOT on purpose), but I swear the birds know I'm an animal person and they are safe near me. Most people kill the babies or at the very least destroy the nests. I can't bring myself to do either. So I have hundreds of pigeons and they CRAP on everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 I personally HATE pigeons. We have tons of starlings which I personally think are cute, and I've saved many babies that can't fly high enough yet. If Sydney ever gets good enough to go out and be mistaken for a pigeon I'd be so insulted!!! I probably wouldn't be very nice about it.

I found out that the trail mix is specially made for the breeder and I can only order it through them, which is fine. At least I found it!

The YoDips you mean Char? Probably... I haven't tried them myself, but they're bird treats.

Ahhh... good idea on the foot toys. Thanks! I can't wait for everything to get here! Some of the toys look like he'll have fun. He has a favorite toy that I want to switch out thinking he must be bored of it. But by the daily screaming and attacking fest that he has with that particular toy I'm assuming he's not bored yet! The only toys I've found him to be afraid of are the natural colored ones. Most of the bright ones with moving pieces he is too interested in to ignore. So here's hoping!

This trail mix is already bagged (one was sealed totally) and comes with the pretzels and peanuts already in it. But, I haven't found yogurt dipped pretzels individually sold (well I mean, for human consumption in a container)- most of them are chocolate covered which is obviously not helpful for Sydney . I get the YoDips at Petsmart, and those are a huge hit. We are well stocked on all treats yogurt covered. LOL

Because my computer is up here, and if my purse is here I have my wallet and can order things!!!!! I just ordered three different goldenfeast varieties, roudybush pellets, red palm oil, and TOYS!!! I went to the Nalani toys website and ordered several (5?) toys, as well as some foot toys which I'm not sure will do me any good since Sydney doesn't have a play stand yet, nor would he use one I suspect. (Since I wouldn't be able to get him to it, and he seems quite scared of natural wood perches, so that presents a problem since I want the manzanita one, and that's the type his prior owner had!) I'm so excited! The toys will take probably two weeks to get here, so I'm a little sad for that, but can't wait to see them! Sydney is really good about accepting colorful toys, so I can't wait for him to see what I got him!

In their travels either online or stores, has anyone stumbled across a trail mix that has yogurt covered peanuts and pretzels? There is a premixed bagged trail mix that came with Sydney... Mostly dried fruit, no actual peanuts , just the yogurt covered ones. Sydney loves this mix as a treat, and I don't want to run out. His favorite treat of ALL time is the yogurt covered peanuts, with a close second being the yog cov pretzels! I think it would be disasterous to run out. I have been looking online, and also any grocery store I run into. I haven't checked like Whole foods yet. Apparently his breeder provided this with him, but I'm not real sure how to contact her.

I'm up for meeting people there and volunteering some time...

Oh no... Sending healing thoughts your way.

How cool... I don't think it is too terribly far from me either.

I think we are back on track but now we have a very long negotiation on going back in the cage. Which limits the times I can let him out. If I know I only have an hour or less that I can let him out for at that time, I'm afraid to let him come out in case it takes too long to get him back. Last night I opened it early in the evening and just left it open till he decided it was time to go to bed. But during the day I don't have that luxury. Boy is Sydney testing me. I adore him, and it's a good thing because he's TOUGH! I'm a little jealous of everyone with their sweet kids, I don't think he's sweet natured. I hope he gets to like me. I figure if it takes him a year that's ok.. we have quite a few together.

Sooo cool!!!! I'm jealous!!!

He's back out again, staring at himself in his reflection in the tv because the sun is shining on it and it is off. I do believe he finds it entertaining. He's still "shaking" when I walk over to him, much more so than "normal", but I'd say he's close to forgiving me.

Well good news... No squawking today (yet).. Opened the cage (didn't get home as early as usual), and he came right out within a few minutes. Took a grape from me, and treats. He made a miscalculation with his playing and flopped off the cage, so was waiting patiently for me to come get him under his cage. Stepped up and I did not put him back in the cage, but set him on his door so he could choose what he wanted to do, and then gave him a treat. So patience patience patience patience.....I bet if my cats could talk they'd be saying "hahaha.... she thought WE ran her life... this bird has her jumping AND saying how high"

I'm so heartbroken. :unsure: He won't even come talk to me at the cage door. Won't come out at all. From what I've read, I need to pretend this didn't happen and not let him see I'm upset right? I've found with other animals (horses, cats), they want to comfort you when you're crying. But it seems that he may think he either caused it or that there is something dangerous that is causing it and therefore he should be worried? Correct?