Tybalt perched on my shoulder!

[MarcusCAG]

Today Tybalt hit some sort of major milestone with me/us by actually making willing physical contact with us--and all it took was the allurement of one organic apple (well, two, actually)! Long story short, while the bigger boys were out of their cages in the birdroom--Tybalt has been slightly nicer to Bunsen lately but I still don't trust them out together unsupervised--I grabbed an apple and waltzed into the midst of them all. "Who wants some apple?"

 

After the rounds were made from Marcus on the Boing to Beaker on top of Marcus' cage, from Bunsen who shied away from the Big Red Scariness to Tybalt... to Tybalt, who flew from the cagetop and landed first on my wrist/fingers to steal a bite before flying away again; then on my arm and perched there while he chewed the apple for a bit; then to my shoulder--and he stayed there!

 

He had a good grip on me, better than Beaker generally does. I was a little nervous after Tybalt ate more of the apple and just was gazing at me with his big blue eyes. I couldn't tell if he was happy and wanting to feed my ear or something (I will say I did get a certain sense of adoration for a few moments from him, at least), and a part of me was worried that he might suddenly want to take a chunk out of my ear. But I talked to him, and he replied with his lovely high Ringneck shrieks, his eyes pinning like they always do whenever he communicates with us like that. After a few moments of this (and he let me walk around for a bit with him on my shoulder, he wasn't at all scared by the movement), Tybalt took off again. He did come back, once, and ate some more apple and talked with me again... it was so sweet.

 

He really seems to be 'coming around' anymore--we tried to replicate the scene later when my hubby got home from work, and Tybalt landed momentarily on his fingers for some apple, too. And so I like to think Tybalt is happy here with us and our flock, and that he's settling in here, although sometimes I wonder about his other Daddy who seemed to want to treat him so well. I hope he doesn't miss him too much. I do email him sometimes to give him updates on Tybalt and everything, but I haven't heard from him in a while. I believe we are Tybalt's third home in his three young years. He's moved around enough, that's for sure.

 

But that brief moment of 'love' I felt from Tybalt today when he was perching on my shoulder just touched me deep inside, I feel like maybe it was a brief glimpse into the loving heart I know is snuggled within that regal green breast. I'm just so happy our Tybalt is with us.

[birdhouse]

Those first real moments when we finally make that connection! Even though he's your fourth it never gets old, does it?

[Luvparrots]

Oh how wonderful. I am so jealous as I am still waiting for my Louie to trust me even to let me touch him, without flying off. Congratulations, I am so happy for you and Tybalt!

[katana600]

It doesn't ever get old. Ever. I feel exhilarated by your description and I wasn't even there. To gain the trust of such a fragile and magnificent creature which is a parrot. I just don't think it is going to get any better than this. I have had many experiences in life and my family means everything to me, but to have a parrot come perch and stay for a snuggle is one of my greatest joys. With that said, I don't have any grandchildren yet. LOL. So, yeah, it WILL get better than this, but boy is this a good time in our lives too.

[MarcusCAG]

Thank you all so much for your lovely and very sweet comments; and no, I don't think this type of thing will ever get old, either. Tybalt perched on my shoulder again yesterday to eat some banana--and he landed on my head this morning, seemingly for fun! (It was for all of two seconds and then he took off again, but my hubby raised his eyebrows at me afterward as if to say, He's really getting kind of comfortable with you.) So we are very pleased to see these developments in our dear little boy. <3

 

And luvparrots, I know how good you are to your birds so I'm sure Louie will 'cross that chasm' given enough time, and what a day it will be for you when he does!