|
Post by zim on Dec 16, 2015 17:39:08 GMT -5
Welcome the both of you! Rio sure is an adorable little fella!
I'm glad the previous owner gave him up at a younger age. It saddens me when I see people who made impulse purchases with these little guys, and the birds end up being neglected for so long. I wish people would research before buying one. I actually spent nearly a year researching all types of parrots before deciding which kind I wanted, and making the purchase.
I look forward to hearing and seeing more of Rio!
|
|
|
Post by zim on Dec 15, 2015 16:09:56 GMT -5
Hah, that's cute!
If I put my finger up against his chest, he scoots away. He's still not comfortable with that, I guess.
|
|
|
Post by zim on Dec 15, 2015 12:38:54 GMT -5
So after two weeks, I've finally made some progress with Yoshi on stepping up! If I put my finger up to his perch (while he's out of the cage) and say "step up!" he will place one foot onto my finger, for about 5 seconds. But then he expects a treat, of course!
I'm not really sure where I go from here, tho. We obviously need to work on getting him all the way up onto my finger, and I'm afraid if we just keep practicing the one foot and getting treats that he won't want to advance beyond that. At the same time, I'm worried that if I start withholding treats for this action, he will get discouraged and stop all together.
Any advice?
|
|
|
Post by zim on Dec 14, 2015 19:51:46 GMT -5
Also, I don't mean to burst any bubbles -- but at the age of 8 months, you're probably just getting started. At that age, there's a lot more development to occur when it comes to hormones (a lot of Quakers haven't even begun to hit sexual maturity at that age), so you've probably only just scratched the surface when it comes to the behavioral impact that hormonal changes tend to have. If you've made it to the age of say... 4 years and behavior is consistent, then you can start to rest easy a bit, but at 8 months, I'd be prepared for more fun with hormones You're making me dread going through this experience next year
|
|
|
Post by zim on Dec 14, 2015 12:10:25 GMT -5
Welcome! Looking forward to seeing pictures of this beautiful sounding bird!
My few name ideas: Shelly (I've actually really taken a liking to this one), Sandy, Cerulean.
|
|
|
Post by zim on Dec 14, 2015 12:04:40 GMT -5
Zim, unless you know the body language of your bird, please don't let him near your eyes. It only takes a split second for disaster to happen. I have had Shah since he was 5 months - he is now 11 years old. I watch his body language very closely to avoid bites when he is having one of his moods. But, from time to time, he sneaks in a bite so they can be unpredictable. Thanks for the heads up - I'll be more careful. He loves being close to my face, grooming my facial hair and such. He also has a fascination with my nose and everything surrounding it. He's been very, very gentle with my face, and makes a unique noise when my face is close to him. I'm going to call it a Quaker Parrot "purr", for lack of a better way to explain it! He doesn't seem to make this sound any other time.
|
|
|
Post by zim on Dec 14, 2015 2:08:10 GMT -5
Ouch, that sounds painful, I'm sorry! My little Yoshi has taken a liking to my eyelids. He wants to try to grab them and pull on them (when I close them as he gets his beak near them). He hasn't hurt me yet, but I'm trying to teach him that I don't like it!
|
|
|
Post by zim on Dec 14, 2015 0:29:06 GMT -5
From my personal experience, I am not surprised he isn't wanting to move around much yet. He is still settling in, it seems Quakers can take a while to get comfortable, and they get stressed so very easily.
Have you put a food bowl on the bottom of the cage as well? It was recommended to me to do this when I first got my little guy, tho he didn't ever use it. About him trying to get to his dish and falling, however, I'd recommend placing his dish in an easier to get to location. If that's not possible, maybe try adjusting his perch so that it goes right up next to the food bowl (but not above it, don't want him pooping into it from the perch).
I had already thought that part out when I set up my Quaker's cage before I brought him home. His perch runs right up next to his food dish, he can hop right over onto the dish from the perch without the need to climb.
|
|
|
Post by zim on Dec 13, 2015 12:16:01 GMT -5
Parrots can freak out about new things, sometimes even across the room. Haven't ran into that yet, but a new person (to the bird) entered my home the other day, and as soon as she was in sight of the bird (which was about 20 feet away) he flipped out and fell to the bottom of his cage. I'm not sure if she caught him off guard or what, I wouldn't think so as she was talking before he was able to see her.
|
|
|
Post by zim on Dec 12, 2015 21:39:39 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by zim on Dec 11, 2015 23:26:48 GMT -5
He probably just needs time to adjust. He's been torn away from everything he knows, and is in a new place with new people.
It took my yoshi two days before he moved from his initial spot on his perch. He didn't eat during that time either. The advice I see posted many times here (and used myself) is to leave him be, but be near him, talk to him, sing to him. Let him get used to you and your voice and how you move and do things. Soon enough he will begin wanting to know you, he just first has to realize that you aren't looking to eat him!
|
|
|
Post by zim on Dec 11, 2015 22:01:51 GMT -5
So after almost 2 weeks of being in his new home, Yoshi has become very comfortable exploring his cage. The past few days however, he's decided he wants to spend a lot of time sitting on his food bowl. The problem is, he's pooping in it quite a bit.
I think the reason he wants to be there might be because it's the closest spot he can get to where I'm at most of the time. I could be wrong on this thought, however.
His favorite perch sits higher than the food bowl, and I put another perch at the same level, but closer to me, hoping he would move to that instead, but so far no such luck.
Any advice?
|
|
|
Post by zim on Dec 11, 2015 21:54:58 GMT -5
I've read that placing cages against a wall, or in a corner is usually a good idea, as it gives the bird a side which they don't have to be watching for predators or danger. I'm new to Quakers myself (and birds), having just gotten my little guy (who is named Yoshi, coincidentally!) under 2 weeks ago.
I placed Yoshi's cage right by my computer desk, in a corner. He seems to like the spot, and when he's ready for bed he lets me know by going to the extreme corner up against both walls and cuddling with his plush tent (that he still hasn't figured out he can get inside of).
|
|
|
Post by zim on Dec 11, 2015 21:47:46 GMT -5
Very good read, thanks for sharing!
|
|
|
Post by zim on Dec 9, 2015 20:41:26 GMT -5
It's always a good idea to take your new little friend to get checked out. Most breeders (at least the ones I looked into) allow you 72 hours to take the Quaker to an avian vet of your choice to get checked out. If you don't within that time, then the breeder doesn't assume any responsibility for anything that might be wrong with them.
I'm sure the price varies a lot by location, but I took mine in last week and it was $55.
|
|