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Post by siobhan on Feb 15, 2016 14:41:15 GMT -5
Jade is making huge strides suddenly. She flies to my shoulder almost every morning, and the first few times, she landed, chomped me and flew away. Then she started landing, chomping, and staying. This morning, she landed and didn't chomp. She sat on my shoulder, preened my hair, walked down my arm, walked back up to my shoulder and stayed on me until Clyde flew over to chase her off. And even then, she stayed put until he made her leave instead of flying away as soon as he landed on me. I'm beginning to think maybe it's not out of the realm of possibility that she'll eventually step up!
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Post by beccilouise on Feb 15, 2016 16:17:57 GMT -5
That's fantastic news! Congratulations! It sounds like she's doing so incredibly well! How long have you had her now?
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Post by siobhan on Feb 15, 2016 16:24:26 GMT -5
Since January 4, 2009. She's been a look-but-don't-touch bird in spite of all our efforts until very recently, and suddenly there's all this. I don't know what to make of it. She loves attention, as long as that means you keep your hands to yourself and just talk to her. Always has loved that. It took months to get her to agree to let me clean her cage and fill her dishes without her attacking me. We've made tiny little inroads and giant leaps backwards. For her to make all these forward leaps out of the blue like this is unheard of. It's always been at her pace. We encourage and coax but do not force or push. So this was all her own idea.
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Post by cnyguy on Feb 15, 2016 20:43:53 GMT -5
Jade seems to have been working her way to this for a while now, and I thought it might be only a matter of time before she would happily perch on you, without chomping. Now, if Clyde would only back off a little and share your shoulders with Jade...
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Post by beccilouise on Feb 16, 2016 15:24:36 GMT -5
I guess these little guys, just like children, can develop trust issues that run really deep. Hopefully she is beginning to recover from the trauma of neglect and learn how to be a happy little birdie  Massive respect and awe for you siobhan, for doing what you do |
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Post by siobhan on Feb 16, 2016 16:30:12 GMT -5
She landed on my back this morning, and I was wearing a hoodie, which for some reason always makes Clyde chomp the back of my neck, but she didn't. She scooted over to my shoulder and sat there very nicely. I still can't get her to fly to me in the evenings when I'm hanging out with them, at least not to sit on me. She'll sit on the boing near my chair, or on Benjy's cage, but not on me. Johnny has taken to flying over and demanding scritches again, which he hasn't done for so long I can't remember the last time. If they all decide to perch on me at once, I may not have enough seats to go around.
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Post by biteybird on Feb 17, 2016 1:39:42 GMT -5
It seems your other fids are starting to compete for your attention more since Jade has gained more confidence - I'm sure they've noticed the change.(?)
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Post by siobhan on Feb 17, 2016 13:05:44 GMT -5
I think it also has a bit to do with the passing of Greta and Maggie. I first noticed Jade making some effort after Greta died, leaving an opening, as it were. Johnny, who had been my Velcro tiel until Greta arrived, backed off while she was with us and never took up his former slot again until these last few days. But even without Greta, there was still Maggie, in my lap or on my chair every minute. Now that Maggie has passed on, leaving another opening, I wonder if they haven't both decided there are spots to be filled. Johnny and Maggie were sworn enemies, and Jade is realizing that with Maggie gone, even if Johnny is on my knee, there's still some attention that she could be soaking up. Just my theory.
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Post by Jan and Shah on Feb 17, 2016 15:30:42 GMT -5
Your theory is probably correct. A strong personality dies and there is a shuffling in the lower ranks. Jade probably feels enough trust in you that, without Maggie, she feels confident in approaching you. Well done Jade - and well done Siobhan.
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Post by siobhan on Feb 17, 2016 17:09:35 GMT -5
Hubby often says that if Jade had been an only bird, we most likely could have had her stepping up and being as cuddly and calm as could be within a few months. But because she's already so emotionally damaged, plus she has to compete with all this gang, that it made her even more of a touch-me-not than she was to start with. Maybe less competition is a good thing.
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Post by Angela on Feb 17, 2016 18:53:25 GMT -5
Oh wow, how wonderful Jade is starting to be more brave! Sounds like you're doing a fantastic job |
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Massive respect and awe for you siobhan, for doing what you do 
