OT: Birds!

[tbittner]

The lady we are buying our baby from said that if the bird bites, don't show any reaction but instead, quickly pull your finger away which throws the bird off balance. If you react, such as yelling, then the bird knows how to get a reaction from you. But by throwing them off balance, it lets them know that YOU are in charge.

I'm of course simply repeating what I've heard. I don't actually own him yet.

[kathywithbirds]

AH HAH!! "Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot" by Mattie Sue Athan, published by Barrons. GREAT book, gets into birds' heads, WHY they're mean and ornery.

[kathywithbirds]

First and most important rule of birds: birds deal with your HANDS all the time. If they associate anything negative with your hands, that's a really big deal, it severely limits your interaction with the bird.

Terry, better course of action, two methods: one, do not react AT ALL to a bite. Let him bite you. Lesson: biting accomplishes nothing. Other method: shake the arm that the bird is sitting on, make it sudden but controlled, throwing the bird off balance somewhat, but not hard enough to disodge from your arm. Lesson there: the bird himself caused that "earthquake" to happen through his negative behavior. Putting a "no bite" with that will help.

That also ties in with not allowing a bird on the shoulder, you have less control over his behavior there.

[kathywithbirds]

Originally Posted by tbittner

Seriously though, everything I've read said that the only way to tell the sex of african greys (and most other exotic birds too) was with a DNA test. I'm amazed that the test only costs $25.

eh, there are some telltale signs on some birds. Others, forget it, you gotta get 'em sexed. I can't tell amazons to save my life. Some people who REALLY know what they're doing (breeders, usually) can feel the bird's pubic area (this just gets worse, doesn't it?) for the bone structure and tell that way. Or when they lay eggs on you....

[tbittner]

Do they lay eggs even when they aren't fertilized? Some fowl species don't. I just assumed that most of these exotic birds don't.

[Cassette87]

Thanks for the info Kathy! I'll be looking for this book tomorrow at the local Borders

[kathywithbirds]

As far as infertile eggs, I know tiels do if they're paired up. I had (get this) a tiel (who is still with me, Caille) who paired up with a lovebird. It was a riot!! She nested in teh bottom corner of the general population cage before I moved them, laid eggs and the lovebird doted on her!! Infertile, of course. Another laid eggs on her own, no male in attendance.

The one male tiel I still have has his own harem, but nobody's laid eggs.

The bigger guys, not so sure. I know a friend's scarlet macaw laid eggs with a military, but I don't know if they're compatible as far as fertilization. there's military crosses with blue and gold (miligolds) and the catalina macaw is GORGEOUS, it's a blue and gold and either a scarlet or greenwing, I forget which. I lean towards they can lay eggs not being fertilized, but don't quote me.

[caitrina]

Yes they can lay eggs not being fertilized.

[kathywithbirds]

aahh, hi bird buddy!!!

[dobejazz]

Originally Posted by Cassette87

I need to send dexter to you for boot camp! I raised him from a featherless alien feeding with a syringe and formula.. and now, he's only nice when he wants to be. if he doesn't want to come out of his cage, he doesn't come out. He's just like a 7 or 8 year old kid who learns the ability to say NO! when told to do something. Yet, when he's scared or in the mood, he's the best bird in the world... what can i do?

Kathy is giving you great advice

There is a cool bird forum too that you may find info on

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[koffee]

Clicker Training for Birds is another good read. I slacked off on the training, though. Maybe I'll give it another shot. But the book offers a lot of insight into the hows and whys of training, conditioning, and so on. In fact, some people complain that they have to read through more than half the book before it ever gets to the clicker aspect. I haven't used the clicker in months, but I use the some of the methods and concepts every day.

[lcstorc]

What I have found with mine is the best way of training them is to spend lots of time with them. Preferrably more than one person spending time witht them. Then they feel like they are part of the flock of your family. Even putting them on a T stand in the same room while you watch TV or whatever. They they at least see you and feel like part of the fun.
I totally agree with Kathy on the don't let the bird be above eye level. In the bird's world that makes them the dominant animal and much more prone to biting. I had a red lory once and had to sell her to a breeder when she got too serious about being the boss. I've learned a lot since then so my birds now are much better behaved.
Most birds also pick someone who they bond to more than others. Especialy grays. Also they may not pick the person you want them to. My husband's miligold macaw won't let me anywhere near if he is in the room. Once he is gone I can handle her without a problem.

[teresa]

Originally Posted by Dentoid

Beautiful Teresa!

Thank you Scott. I love all my animals, Sasquatch included.

[mps9506]

Anyone do finches or canaries? I've thought about doing one or the other occasionally. The parrots, tiels and other birds are a bit much care for me.

[radar]

I thought lcstorc stole my bird,but wait he is screaming in my ear.This is gazoo he is a 16 year old blue crown conure.[IMG][/IMG] wrong that's bob. he always wants to steal the show. I'll try again.