Games Parrots Play | Quaker Parrot Forum

cnyguy
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Posts: 2,274

Games Parrots Play Nov 2, 2022 20:06:08 GMT -5

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Post by cnyguy on Nov 2, 2022 20:06:08 GMT -5

I thought it might be fun to talk about what games our parrots like to play. There are some that seem to be common among many types of parrots and there are others that our individual parrots made up themselves.

Lots of parrots like to play "fetch." The parrot will drop or throw an object and their human companions do the fetching.

Variations on peek-a-boo are popular too. Our version is "where did Ralph go?" I'll pull his cage cover over so he's hidden behind it, pull it back and say "Oh! There's Ralph!" Ralph nods his head and we do it all over again.

Ralph also likes to play tapping games-- he came up with that one himself. He'll tap on something (cage bars, a perch, the tabletop or whatever is handy) and I have to tap back the same number of times. If I do it wrong I get squawked at.

Another game Ralph initiated is "Ouch! The parrot got me!" Ralph will pretend to bite my fingers (and sometimes he succeeds) and I have to say that. That game can go on for quite a while before Ralph gets tired of it.

What games do your parrots like to play? Did you make them up or did the parrots invent them?

heatherg
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Games Parrots Play Nov 2, 2022 20:38:37 GMT -5 via mobile cnyguy likes this

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Post by heatherg on Nov 2, 2022 20:38:37 GMT -5

The main game we play is the “gimmee kiss” game. I ask Willow for a kiss, or give him a smack kiss on his beak and he makes kisses back. He’s been doing that at night when I walk past his cage and now Jasper (Meyers parrot) kisses, too, instead of clicking as he used to. Willow has started to blow kisses at his admirers, too. They like that because it’s cute.

I also play “gotcher beak” with him. I pretend to grab his beak and sometimes I even show him the “beak” which is really my thumb tip. Willow used to truly look alarmed but now he seems to enjoy it as another form of attention and beak rubbing.

Lucy used to give kisses but she also liked me blowing a raspberry on her belly. She would then laugh like a maniac. And I would do it again…

Caseysmom
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Games Parrots Play Nov 3, 2022 8:25:46 GMT -5 cnyguy likes this

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Post by Caseysmom on Nov 3, 2022 8:25:46 GMT -5

Casey also like to give kisses He just says kisses beforehand, he also does a version of your gotcher beak. I say I am going to get you and he says getyou back while he breaks my fingers gently after I get his beak between my fingers. He also loves calling where’s Casey and peakaboo and gets us to join in. Casey will laugh lots after he hears someone else laughing. I think one of his games is getting our dog to bark. If the house is quiet he will do the warning call for no reason and get Oraia to jump up into the window and start barking lol. They do keep us entertained

Casey

heatherg
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Games Parrots Play Nov 4, 2022 22:13:34 GMT -5 via mobile Caseysmom likes this

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Post by heatherg on Nov 4, 2022 22:13:34 GMT -5

I used to play “get you!” with Lucy, along with turning her upside down and other indignities. Now I can “get” Willow’s toes or beak but anything rough or aggressive would probably scare him. Lucy played almost like a puppy until she got too old.

Willow mostly likes to groom my face and eyebrows and lick my nose.

Last Edit: Nov 4, 2022 22:14:48 GMT -5 by heatherg

cnyguy
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Games Parrots Play Nov 5, 2022 19:36:34 GMT -5

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Post by cnyguy on Nov 5, 2022 19:36:34 GMT -5

Some parrots like to roughhouse and some aren't comfortable with it. The "Ouch! The parrot got me!" game is about as rough as Ralph wants to play, and it isn't all that rough.

It's nice that Willow likes to keep you looking your best.

heatherg
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Posts: 412

Games Parrots Play Nov 6, 2022 0:13:25 GMT -5 via mobile

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Post by heatherg on Nov 6, 2022 0:13:25 GMT -5

Jasper’s (Meyers parrot) favorite thing to do is to let out an extremely high pitched whistle when I’m standing near the cage but not looking at him. It often makes me jump. Lately, I’ve been saying, “my goodness, what a terrible noise!” sounding as astonished as I can. I hope he will learn to repeat that. He already yells, “WHAT are you DOING, Jasper bird?!”

It has been dark and rainy in the last couple of days and my birds have been very quiet. Both enjoyed a long, long OUT time today.