Telling Time | Quaker Parrot Forum

julianna
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Telling Time Aug 6, 2015 14:51:39 GMT -5 Jan and Shah, biteybird, and 1 more like this

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Post by julianna on Aug 6, 2015 14:51:39 GMT -5

I had to re-read sections of my book to see if I was just imagining this or if Oscar can really tell time. I say this because every day around 3:00 p.m. he lets me know that it is time for him to relocate to the bathroom drawer. (the one with all the face cloths in it). I know he has gotten used to being allowed to go there around this time of day as this is when I am settling in the house and cooking and listening to my favorite TV shows.

The book states that the intelligent companion quakers develop confidence and independence from understanding time. This is especially helpful in the prevention of abandonment-related behavioral disorders such as screaming and feather picking. They learn the words "I'll be right back" means that I will be gone for a little while. They learn to understand what happens before TV time and after TV time. If a bird understands that one TV time equals one day, then it will learn to understand what it means when we say that we will be back after two TV times. I usually use the words... "I am going far far far far away".

Stories are told that some quakers seem to be able to either "read" clocks or have some other means of knowing what time it is. Amazing creatures.

Today when I brought Oscar to his drawer, I usually leave him there for a few minutes and then he will start his calling. When he screams I yell back... Mommie.... and now ... like just this minute... he calls out... Mommie.... ha ha ha ha. Too funny I am writing this and he is calling at the exact same time.

My hubby says that is why is isn't talking to us he is screaming Mommie... or making funny noises like I do with my tongue.

Oh well... least I know he is a smarty pants.

Sharyn and Mr P
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Telling Time Aug 6, 2015 19:02:26 GMT -5

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Post by Sharyn and Mr P on Aug 6, 2015 19:02:26 GMT -5

Not only quakers have the ability to tell time, most companion animals do. Think about how your dog knows what time of the day you get home and is waiting for you at that certain time.

I had a dog that I took to dog obedience once a week, on a Thurs at around 7pm. Not only did my dog know what time we were supposed to go, she knew what DAY we were supposed to go too. She adored going there (seriously) and knew we went at 7pm on a Thurs as opposed to 7pm on any other day of the week.

It was amazing to me.

Last Edit: Aug 6, 2015 19:03:08 GMT -5 by Sharyn and Mr P

cnyguy
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Telling Time Aug 7, 2015 19:51:14 GMT -5 Sharyn and Mr P likes this

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Post by cnyguy on Aug 7, 2015 19:51:14 GMT -5

Parrots-- and, as Sharyn pointed out, other animals-- can and do tell time. Ralph knows what time he's supposed to be served dinner. When it's nearly time for me to get his food dish to clean and refill it, he goes over and sits on the rim of the dish waiting for me to come and take it out.

When I was growing up, one of our neighbors had an elderly dog who used to come to my house every day to visit. Every afternoon at precisely twenty minutes to five, she'd get up and walk two houses over to her own home. By the time she got home, her owner's car would be coming up the street. That dog-- her name was Penny-- knew exactly when it was time for her owner to return home from work.

julianna
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Telling Time Aug 9, 2015 15:16:32 GMT -5 biteybird likes this

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Post by julianna on Aug 9, 2015 15:16:32 GMT -5

I always knew dogs and cats could expect things at certain times but I never thought that a bird would be able to. Totally amazing to me. But... as I sit and listen to the crows outside... ha ha.... they are calling for their bread which I usually give them around 4:00 pm. Guess I should have known better.