Sarasota Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 This was posted on The Gabriel Foundation's FB page today. It's really moving (get out your hankies). It demonstrates how one builds trust with a bird - and the trials and tribulations of living with a parrot. Beautiful. http://www.thegabrielfoundation.org/documents/NewMackenzie_akaMackietheMiracleUmbrellaCockatoo.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darwinsmom Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Great story. These people do some incredible work, its amazing what behaviour training using ABA can accomplish and how many rescued lives it can help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarasota Posted September 5, 2012 Author Share Posted September 5, 2012 ABA has given my wild caught TAG a new life. No one wanted him because he is a "hands off" bird. I'm happy to say he's got a full life, plays with toys, forages, suns himself in my aviary, has a buddy, etc. Non-parrot friends don't understand when I tell them "If he ever decides to step up, it will be HIS choice, not mine." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katana600 Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 What does the acronym ABA represent? The description of the assaults on Mackie are breath taking. It doesn't seem like our rehomed guy Gilbert had abuse, but he has some similar characteristics. He loved me at first and stepped up easily, but over time he has become more affectionate and accepting of others and I am the one watching for subtle warnings of when he is going to "snap". It is hopeful to know that if we just keep going and give him his space when he wants it and continue to praise and offer opportunitites for success, we will some day have the joy of an unexpected cooperation and eagerness to inititate contact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darwinsmom Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 It stands for Applied Behaviour Analysis. This site has a bunch of info and I can post more if you want them... http://www.behaviorworks.org/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katana600 Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Yes, thanks, I would like all the reading material you come across. I know Susan Friedman's work and agree with the behavior techniques. We do use a lot of positive reinforcement and redirecting. Before I brought my first baby grey home, I read "The Parrot Problem Solver" by Barbara Heidenreich and it was really helpful. I wanted to read about the problems people encounter so we could avoid inadvertently creating some of those problems with our new family member. Now we are working with Gilbert and it seems like everything we learned is still helpful, but his behaviors are fear based and it takes a lot of time just being patient to build his trust. I want his life to be just the best it could possibly be and help him to reach his potential. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darwinsmom Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 I have an article list and a book I can email you if you want to shoot me an email address via pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarasota Posted September 5, 2012 Author Share Posted September 5, 2012 Katana...you amaze me with your patience with Gilbert. And your dedication to making his life better...well, it's just admirable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katana600 Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 It is all about expectations really moreso than patience. When we see videos of some of the funny prolific talkers I know how much time has been spent working with those parrots. When I see the free flying confident and energetic parrots, I know that they also fly high, eat the woodwork and refuse to go to bed sometimes and drop bombs, sometimes on your heads. When I yearn for a magic spell to ease Gilbert's fears and heal his wings, I wonder if I would be patient with him then. Every day, all of us have moments of joy and moments of frustrations with any of our parrots. Maybe this is the time in my life that I am being prepared to learn something valuable about myself right along with learning about Gilbert. Thanks for caring for us and cheering us on just the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murfchck Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 Wow Kantana, well said! This is todays funny yet frustrating dance. Moments before they were all on their cages having breakfast! Bubba was on the toilet yet didn't have enough respect to even use it! Argh!! Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katana600 Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 Omigoodness, those two photos say it all. From the funny funny Bubba on the throne to the endearing Bongo (is that Bongo?) in his cozy spot. Your pics are terrific. Thanks for posting them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarasota Posted September 8, 2012 Author Share Posted September 8, 2012 Wow Kantana, well said! This is todays funny yet frustrating dance. Moments before they were all on their cages having breakfast! Bubba was on the toilet yet didn't have enough respect to even use it! Argh!! Lol I amazed by the greys that get under the covers. My toucans love it (sleeping in my bra is the best) - but Sondhi freaks if I try to put him under the blankies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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