|
|
Post by heatherg on Mar 17, 2023 23:13:39 GMT -5
I think Willow just wanted to cuddle after no cuddles for theee days. Or maybe he was making up for the bites yesterday. Anyhow, he was up next to my nose for a long time while I read, and then we did “gimmee kiss” with a sunflower seed reward.
|
|
|
|
Post by heatherg on Mar 18, 2023 16:35:30 GMT -5
I got out the new bird basketball hoop. It’s very shiny and Willow is hiding on my shoulder where he can’t see it. Sigh. I wonder if part of the problem is the shininess? He won’t even be bribed to go near it.
When it’s warmer I could spray paint the shiny metal.
He’s hiding from the basketball hoop behind my head and we are plating with the ball that way. If he can’t see if I guess it’s not there. I moved the hoop another foot away but it’s still too scary. Three feet away? Still scary.
It seems we’ll need to accustom Willow to the hoop very slowly. And maybe I need to find toys made out of wood or natural materials.
|
|
|
|
Post by cnyguy on Mar 18, 2023 22:01:40 GMT -5
It could be that the basketball hoop is so shiny is what bothers Willow. A short time ago when I got my new vacuum, Ralph objected to the chrome plated wand which is very shiny too. I substituted the dull gray wand from my old vacuum and no more alarm calls. Maybe QPs have an aversion to shiny things. Maybe someday you can find a basketball hoop that's not so shiny.
|
|
|
|
Post by heatherg on Mar 21, 2023 19:53:01 GMT -5
Yes; think I’m going to spray paint the basket ball hoop some matte color when it’s warmer outside. Willow does not like bright colored plastic things but prefers more natural.
I tried to sneak in a new jingle ball and willow ran away from it yelling.
|
|
|
|
Post by cnyguy on Mar 22, 2023 20:11:55 GMT -5
Oh, no! Scary new jingle ball! Hope that Willow gets used to it. If you do decide to paint the basketball hoop, be careful about the paint you use. Make sure that it's parrot safe. I'm sure I don't need to mention that to you, but I have replied so many times to people wanting to use the wrong kind of paint on a cage or toy. If anyone mentions painting something to be used around birds, that's my standard response.  |
|
|
|
Post by heatherg on Mar 22, 2023 22:37:54 GMT -5
Thank you.
I keep trying to buy Willow wonderful new toys and he thinks they are scary. I mean I can understand the basketball hoop being scary, but the ball? It looks almost like his old ball! And milk caps? I saved up a bunch of those and they are scary, too. Lucy would have stashed the whole hoard in the corner of her cage and defended it like a little dragon.
I feel like my boy is a bit maladjusted.
|
|
|
|
Post by cnyguy on Mar 23, 2023 19:30:38 GMT -5
I don't think that Willow is maladjusted, just wary and skittish. Lots of parrots are like that. On the other hand, it sounds like Lucy was bolder and more fearless. Ralph is sort of in between. He's curious about most things but now and then, something comes along that he thinks is a threat to parrots everywhere. Scooter the CAG was more like Willow, if not more so; most anything unfamiliar was scary to her. Few things scared George the YCA and most of the ones that did were kind of peculiar, like corn on the cob. He loved corn but the cob scared him. Like I said, peculiar.
|
|
|
|
Post by heatherg on Mar 24, 2023 1:58:24 GMT -5
Well, I asked his former mom about toys and I think he did not have many. There are two he came with that I refurbished because he loves them so. I gave him more toys and they had to sit for a long time before they were touchable.
I am lucky he is certainly a lovey bird but he’s scared of everything.
|
|
|
|
Post by cnyguy on Mar 24, 2023 19:30:48 GMT -5
I have to agree that you are lucky. Willow seems like a delightful companion and not all parrots are as affectionate as he is. It may be that something happened in his past-- at his previous home, at the breeder's, at a vet's office or wherever-- to cause him to be more fearful of things. Just keep doing your best to help him get over his fear of unfamiliar things and in time you might be rewarded with some progress.
|
|
