Conference 7.286::pet_birds

720.0. "UPDATE ON DOLLY W/QUESTIONS" by CIVIC::MCETTRICK () Mon Aug 10 1992 13:58

    Now that we have had Dolly for a couple of months now, I wanted to run
    some things by you guys to see what you think.  Just to reaquaint you
    (there seems to be alot of new people), Dolly is a almost 5 month old
    Lutino Cockateil.  She is our first bird and I don't think she really 
    likes anyone except Bob, my husband.  The minute we get home from work
    she wants out, but she just wants to be on top of her cage.  She'll
    stay on my sholder for a little while, "if I have earrings on" but then
    she ends up biting me so I take them off, then she doesn't want to be
    with me anymore.  She usually only takes one flight around the room
    before she heads back for her cage.  Is that enough excercise for her? 
    She also doesn't make very much noise.  I have heard her imitate a
    couple of whistles I taught her, but only when she's alone or listening
    to Harry Connick Jr. (she seems to love that music).   Sometimes when I
    approach her and she's on top of her cage, she spreads her wings out
    and charges at me with her mouth open.  You'd think she was going to
    kill me, but she doesn't bite me or anything.  All I can think of is
    that she thinks I'm going to put her back in the cage.  She also seems
    to be staying pretty much in the same spot in her cage while we are at
    work.  Is that normal?  As far as food is concerned, she eats bird
    food, she likes cheetohs and flour tortilla's but she doesn't seem to
    like anything wet, like fruit or green beans from a can.  Isn't it
    important for her to eat this stuff?  Just a few more things, if I
    may... when I picked her up, Chris (the guy I bought her from) helped
    me clip her wings -- they don't look like they've grown at all.  Her
    nails need to be trimmed big time, should I attempt to do myself? 
    Last, but certainly not least when she is sitting with Bob or myself
    for any length of time, she makes this noise like she's got marbles in
    her mouth, does this sound familiar to anyone?
    
    Sorry to ramble on, but I wrote this off the cuff...  I 'm just worried
    that I'm doing something wrong and she's not happy.
    
    Wendy

Wendy,

       I think you are doing fine!

       Re: favorite food- my two tiels like three things-
                                                          bird food
                                                          bird food
                                                          bird food
       You have undoubtably read about all this other stuff people give 
to birds. Sounds great but seems like Dolly & my two don't agree!! Can't
force feed them something they don't like.

       Re: feathers & nails- I, like you bought Rosey as a baby with clipped
wings. The feathers come back during a molt and Rosey just recently went
through this,( approx 7 months after purchase), so I think you have a while
to wait for new feathers. Curiosity- if she flies aroun the room then the
wings can't be too well clipped??? FYI Family Pet does nails and wing
clippings for approxamatly $5. 

       Re: handling- It's o.k. that Dolly doesn't prefer you, (sorry), even
birds play favorites! I would suggest that you continue handling so that
you don't loose ground on training.

       Re: noises- don't worry- mine make all kinds of bizarre sounds. 
Note: Rosey can now whistle about 6 different things I have taught her as
well as saying her name. That is without much effort but it does take time.

       Re: a threatening bird- I would suggest that when Dolly makes like
she is going to bite you- just raise your voice and say NO. This stops
Rosey and readjusts his attitude! (NOTE- sometimes works on kids too ;-)

       Re: Harry Connick Jr.- good choice in music!
    
    
    Providential Blessings- chet