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Post by siobhan on Aug 11, 2014 13:30:43 GMT -5
We all know how much birds poop, but take a parrot's output and double it (at least) and you have a starling. I clean Ringo's cage as often as the others' cages, but she manages to get lots more poop on perches and toys and in crevices that are hard to get to. But then, she likes her cage and plays with her toys and spends more time in her cage, even though the door is open, than the parrots do. So yesterday I took everything out and cleaned it all up and then put it back and rearranged perches and toys. She didn't object the way a parrot would -- that is, she didn't try to stop me -- but she sat on top of her cage and was clearly not happy with me. I kept assuring her I was going to put it all BACK and I did, but now she won't come out of her cage when I'm in the room. Not even for her favorite treat, dried mealworms, which I put in her dish of rocks so she'll peck at the rocks and keep her beak from getting too long. That's a problem with captive starlings, but the rocks keep hers in good shape. I think she's afraid if she comes out, I'll move all her stuff around again. LOL
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Post by msdani1981 on Aug 11, 2014 14:50:19 GMT -5
LOL Silly girl!  |
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Post by easttex on Aug 11, 2014 16:34:35 GMT -5
Does your starling talk? A friend who is a songbird rehabber has one who will say a few things. She also has a talking crow, Willie, who is quite the entertainer.
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Post by Jan and Shah on Aug 11, 2014 16:49:29 GMT -5
I see you need some serious training - upsetting Clyde and now Ringo. What are we going to do with you Siobhan?
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Post by siobhan on Aug 12, 2014 15:25:06 GMT -5
I've been naughty, I know. I have no excuse. LOL And yes, Ringo talks and whistles. She can say "I love you" and "who's my baby" and her name more or less clearly, and some other things that aren't as clear. She can whistle Beethoven's Fifth and Andy Griffith (two versions -- one off-key version she learned listening to my tiel Freddie, who has a tin ear, and the correct version) and she can mimic an angry Quaker, a budgie, the tiels' flock call and a cardinal. She likes to help me practice the piano by walking on the keys and pecking my fingers if I try to use any she's using, and she helps me practice the flute by sitting on my shoulder and singing along.
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Post by Jan and Shah on Aug 12, 2014 16:40:20 GMT -5
Ringo has always been a very special girl. Clever, talented and fun to be with. I love hearing about her.
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Post by siobhan on Aug 13, 2014 13:20:10 GMT -5
She's having a crazy spell right now. Bouncing off the walls and such. It's a starling thing. LOL But she did sit on my arm last night and stare me down while I tried to get her to talk to me, so maybe she's coming out of it. At least Ringo's crazy doesn't include attacking me and leaving big bruises and welts, which is Clyde's M.O.
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