Pidgey’s been doing this for several years but I never get it on camera because every time we try to set it up he knows we’re faking and won’t do it. We can keep him going a little but definitely can’t just get him to say it randomly. 😂 He only says bye bye in appropriate context if we’re leaving or if we get out his carrier (also if he wants someone to leave; he’s a rude goblin). Funny little man. #talkingparrot #talkingconure #talkingbird #funnyparrot #conure #sunconure #sundayconure #jendayconure
Advance and Retreat: Introducing something new!
When parrots encounter new locations, items, or other birds, as prey animals they do not want to just run in and engage.
They approach and retreat gradually to determine what, if any, threat there is.
This principal is applicable in the home, too!
When we introduce our birds to a new toy, cage, or other object in their environment, they need a chance to understand it on their terms, even if they won’t directly use it (think even a new chair or spray bottle).
I like to give my bird a word to prompt interaction. This is usually started with tasty treats. I hold up a new yummy food (nuts or dried fruit often) and say the word or phrase (“what that?”). Most birds are curious by nature about what you’re doing, but you can play keep away or pretend you’re eating it to get them interested. Move next to new fun textures to chew on (cardboard, balsa, etc).
The bird learns this is a prompt of “the experienced flock member knows what this is and thinks you should check it out.” Cute side effect: Chutney also now says “what that” when he sees something new or a treat in my hand 😂
With things that aren’t as exciting, then, you can expand this. It becomes an easy way to introduce new toys and perches in minutes instead of over days. It prevents plucking, anxiety, and neophobia. (Some birds won’t react negatively outwardly to a new toy just dumped in their cage but may still find it stressful.)
In this video, I introduce a paper bag. I don’t plan to give bags like this for playing (at least not in this configuration) as it could induce hormones. But it is a great way to make sure he doesn’t startle if I carry him into the kitchen and one is on the counter. In this case, he quickly decided he liked the texture, so it will also make a good thing to pack full of forage goodies and hang in his cage!
Notice in the video I never shove him towards the bag or make him touch it. He has the chance to re
Took a short trip out today for some flying since I snagged some extra time!
Wait for it! FINALLY caught him doing a goodnight kiss (in his weird interpretation of it 🤣). When he first started doing this I thought he was threatening me, especially since he usually makes clacking noises with his beak. Except the context didn’t make sense. So I just waited to see and finally figured out what he was imitating. 💋
Big boy doin a big flight. My heart goes up with him every time 🥰
Have a nice little side slo mo!
Having assisted with chop making, Cronchy naturally gets first dibs.
He used to ignore the mirrors 😂 I showed him macaw videos the other night and now that he knows there are OTHERS I guess this other dude is a contender.
Nice brisk 9 mph wind today. Beautiful for flying!
#freeflight #freeflying #freefly #freeflightparrot #freeflightmacaw #hybridmacaw #hybridmacaws #camelotmacaw #camelotmacaws
YES VERY NORMAL VERY TYPICAL PARROT BEHAVIOR #macaw #macawparrot #hybridmacaw #camelotmacaw #funnybird #funnyparrots #funnyparrot
Rotisserie chicken 🍗 #macaw #hybridmacaw #camelotmacaw
Vicious macaw attack and struggle for survival caught on video! #macaw #hybridmacaw #camelotmacaw #playfulbird #funnybird
Wild story behind this video!
This was his second flight today. He took off very shortly after his first, which was odd for him. I only caught about 2/3 of the flight on video. This one, his landing was rough and he actually hit my phone, but I thought at the time it was the wind being a little faster than he’s experienced before. I was offering him a treat when he took off again.
At that point, I knew something was off, and reviewing the video I would have noticed these things if I hadn’t been making a video and focused on that: he was dead silent and he was maneuvering defensively. (This is also why I don’t get many videos; I feel more comfortable when I can keep an eye out for all the small details I want to know.)
The third flight, he tried to land on me so fast he ended up missing and on the ground. I quickly picked him up. As I straightened up, I looked up to see a red tailed hawk, not ten feet away and no more than six feet off the ground, cruising by, using the wind in its face to keep its passage slow so it got a good look at us. I have literally never gotten such a close look at a red tail, even at a zoo.
I was scared for a moment, then immediately realized that if that hawk was there to attack Chutney, it would have done so before I realized it was there. It wanted to know what this thing flying around in its territory was.
It hung out on a building nearby for awhile, then went to the bleachers you see near the background gazebo. It made another close pass over us while Chutney rested on his perch, and I did hold my arm out over him just in case. I considered leaving, but this is our main training area and I couldn’t afford to a) give the territory to the hawk and b) take away the chance for Chutney to learn to cope with a predator.
We kept flying for another hour or so. The hawk kept visiting but got farther and farther away, I think frustrated by this intruder. Vultures and mockingbirds were also putting pressure on it, maybe feeling b
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