Timbersmom

Yes, I would love for him to get together with Gilbert too! I was playing one of the videos someone posted and Timber was whistling and answering the video bird (he usually doesn't say too much). It made me wonder if he misses interaction with other birds, or if he was jealous because he thought I was being "unfaithful." I am very much a creature of habit and routine myself, so we are compatible that way. I have been enjoying our summer so much, and have found it really fulfilling to work with Timber. I keep hoping and praying that he doesn't regress, which I know is possible, or get hormonal, since he is between 4-5 years (or so we think) but time will tell! He was so excited to see my son last night (home from college for the weekend). He was practically dancing on top of the cage and REALLY didn't want to go to bed. That is to be expected though, so we gave him him slack due to special circumstances! Like Gilbert and your daughter, Timber really is attracted to Dakota. He can't handle him like I can, but he generates a level of excitement that I never do.

ooo... I didn't think about the binder clips to hold stuff. I can see Timber making short work of the plastic paper clips!

LOL I sure hope Timber doesn't go back to biting! I still have the scars from the first couple of weeks. It does take a lot of patience. He reminds me so much of my kids when they were little. The wheels are always turning and they are always testing the boundaries like Sondhi was doing.

Hubby and I were in a town the other day that had an actual brick and mortar pet store (we live in a rural area) and I said "I want to stop in there and look, Timber might need some things." He looked at me strangely and said, "what could he possibly need? There is a UPS box on the porch every week!" I said, "well, maybe things I haven't noticed when looking online..." We both just cracked up.

LOL Thanks for the tip! I've asked my coworkers to save the paper clip boxes and any other supply boxes they would normally pitch for me. Anything he can dig through with his beak is a treat! I need to remember the bottle caps though, I hadn't thought of that. I was really surprised when I put a good sized but thin box in the other day and he ran right in it. I was just experimenting, and put some stuff toward the back. He is still a bit edgy with being at our house (or can be), but he ran straight in the box. All you could see were his tail feathers sticking out.

Yes, I give him pine nuts when he goes in because those are his favorite. I have tried to establish a routine with lowering the shades, turning off the ceiling fan, talking to him about how it is bed time and time to go in as I go. I agree that he also enjoys the going to bed drama. He likes that attention and knows I'll stand there until he complies. Ha. I give him scratches, tell him how wonderful he is, he has to hang in the door and ring his bell before he goes in, etc. He knows the drill, he seems to be working on delay tactics now. It didn't take him long to figure out what works either! I know he was waving his foot last night because he knows I like for him to step up, and he knew that I wouldn't be able to resist. What next one wonders? Once again outwitted by the bird... seems to be my lot in life now.

Aerial, yes that is funny. That's all Timber thinks toys are good for, scratching his head! If he can't shred it he won't play with it. Will use as a back scratcher though!

LOL Well in this case the pun is apt!

I'm so excited with the progress Timber and I are making. I think I posted that he is stepping up now without any problems. Stepping down is sometimes still an issue The day before yesterday, I had him on my arm and we went to the front screened-in porch. He didn't want to step off on the cage out there, which he usually does. It is the palace that he no interest in living in but will sit on (the playtop) while out on the porch. Usually anyway. So, I sat in the porch swing with him on my arm. I put my arm across my lap and started petting/scratching him. He leaned his beak and his head on my stomach. That's the closest we have been to cuddling! :) Last night, we were going through the usual "time to go to bed" scene. He is never anxious to go back into the cage, but last night he was particularly recalcitrant. Finally, he walked to the edge of his open door (he likes to perch there when out) and started waving his foot at me. That's his first initiation of a step up, which is why I'm so excited!

Must be nice Ray. Timber is pickier than my youngest son and would eat nothing but pizza and cheese if given the choice! Any leafy green hits the bottom of the cage with some force without a taste.

I love that pic! Timber's favorite thing is to shred cardboard and paper. He's driven Every morning I put a couple of paper towel or similar roll pieces in his cage stuffed with paper and a nut in the middle. He wants to eat, but keeps looking longing at the rolls. I think he is on them as soon as I am out of the door, and it never seems to get old. He would love a shoe box. I'll have to find one to put in the bottom of his cage.

Good news about the herpes at any rate, and it sounds like a good explanation for the recent behavior changes.

Poor guy. I suppose it isn't terribly painful if he will stand for having it pushed back in? So worrisome though, I feel for you!

Pretty girl! Wish Timber would eat his veggies like that.

Those are great pics, and great captions too! Thanks for sharing

Makes me wish that I had the time/money/space for another bird!

Wish I had a couple of those! Very nice.

Nice to meet you and welcome back

Very nice! I haven't seen one of those shoulder packs before. Looks cool.

That's funny!

I really have nothing to add, since I've always worked since I got Timber and I only have one bird. I can understand that it might be overwhelming when you have had people helping with the care issues. I do the majority of his, but there is only one of him! I try to keep stuff in his cage to keep him occupied and he seems fine. He goes through most of my offerings by the time I get home (shredables and forage stuff).He is always very excited when I come home, just as he is when I get up in the morning. All I'm trying to say is that while I'd like to be able to have him with me all day, it isn't possible and we are both OK with it!

Yes, very cool video and an idea generator for me! Thanks for sharing

It's great to see them "problem-solving" like that! The feeling is much like the pride you feel when your toddler figures something out. Fun stuff

That is so cool! I'm still trying to figure out how to get my laptop close enough to get some decent footage. When/if I do, I'll share.

Good pics! I think he's a ham... Thanks for sharing, I love looking at them.