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Post by siobhan on Jan 29, 2016 15:17:37 GMT -5
Jade flew over to land on my shoulder this morning, and was quite pleased with herself, bobbing her head and saying "whee HEE!" and I, who usually turn my head away even as I try to encourage any overtures from her, turned to look at her and say "good morning" and was rewarded with a chomp on the chin. Didn't break the skin, but I have a nice bruise. And then Clyde came zooming over to run up my arm and chase her off. Not to defend me. To defend his position as Chief Bird in Charge. He then took possession of that shoulder and getting him off, so I could go get ready for work, was no easy feat.
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Post by biteybird on Jan 29, 2016 16:00:58 GMT -5
Lucky you  What do your work colleagues say when you show up with bruises? I guess they know about Jade & Clyde already. These birds have such complex personalities. Bonnie is back in a biting phase again - with her the head bobbing is a dead giveaway that she might bite, so sometimes we get that as a warning, but often there's no warning signs. |
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Post by bruce on Jan 29, 2016 19:28:51 GMT -5
They certainly do. Chuckie is back to his completely unpredictable phase, barely avoided a nasty bite the other day. I cannot imagine having 2 QPs.
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Post by siobhan on Jan 30, 2016 15:49:33 GMT -5
This morning she landed on my shoulder again and then sat on my arm. And yes, my co-workers are used to bird bruises.
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Post by beccilouise on Jan 31, 2016 4:35:47 GMT -5
I have all this to look forward to when Byron hits puberty! I guess it's good to be prepared  |
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Post by siobhan on Jan 31, 2016 17:40:35 GMT -5
Oh, it's not puberty. Jade's 11. But she spent a long time locked up and not touched and she has issues. We have been working on them for years.
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Post by beccilouise on Jan 31, 2016 18:54:38 GMT -5
Aww, that's so sad. I get really angry when people buy birds (or any animal really, or have children) without fully understanding the responsibility they've taken on. It's so incredibly selfish and the main sufferers are the dependents, in this case Jade. Hopefully she will continue to come out of her shell. She sounds like a gorgeous little bird who just hasn't had a good start in life. Hopefully the next 15+ years of it will be better |
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Post by julianna on Feb 3, 2016 13:36:19 GMT -5
Good to know that it isn't only Oscar that is in the strange mood. Nice to hear how well Jade is coming along.... she is one lucky little QP to have found your home.
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Post by siobhan on Feb 3, 2016 16:44:44 GMT -5
We have always allowed Jade to set the pace. Other than necessary chores, I have never insisted on sticking my hands in her cage or messing with her stuff until a couple of summers ago, when I realized her main perch was worn out and getting to be a safety hazard. So for her June birthday, with much supervision from her, I stripped her cage completely bare and gave it a good thorough cleaning and replaced her perches and toys. The fact that she let me do this was amazing. She didn't bite. She didn't attack at all. She sat on her cage top, and while I consulted her at every turn and played tug-of-war with the cleaning rag with her and so on, it was actually a nice bonding experience. That might have been the turning point. She's been making little gestures, and some big ones, ever since. Since Maggie's death, she seems to be making more big ones.
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What do your work colleagues say when you show up with bruises? I guess they know about Jade & Clyde already.
