Update on our grieving parrots

[nadinbrzezinski]

well Connie seems not to care. She didn't like the squirt... I mean, her two brothers interrupted her single bird status... though she has become a velcro parrot.

Cookie is now asking to be petted every so often. He also spent fifteen minutes on my shoulder, and is extremely protective of his and Tuky's bottles. He will not allow the other parrot to even approach.

He also took a bath and as I said, he is asking for head scratchies. I think he is bonding wiht us, or is highly confused, I do not know. They do not call for his brother, but if we mention the name... he looks at you pitifully.

It is amazing to watch.

Oh and the feather chewing that I feared has not happened. This is a GOOD thing. And he is now curious and trying to join us in our activities far more than before. This may be bonding behavior. Of course we are talking of highly intelligent animals, so we make a point of giving him the time he needs and to chiefly be with him. And yes, I realize this is really tough on him, far tougher than the rest of us. It is like losing a mate. So we are doing whatever he needs, and that includes those scratches.

Who knows? He may become bonded to us, and a second velcro parrot, or not. Whatever he wants to do. We give him the space he needs. That said, over the years you learn to understand them, and these days I am having a hard time understanding fully what he wants. Some of his screeches I have never heard.

[lunatica]

1. Thanks for the update

Perhaps the roles are changing. Maybe Tuky was the one who got the head scratchies. Maybe it was Tuky's job to give you the pleasure of head scratching. Now it could be that Cookie is taking on the job of making you happy.

Animals don't take attention. In their universe it might be that they fulfill our need to give it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Oh no, they are not here for us

We know better. We are their pets

:-)

Serious.

Parrots, unlike dogs, are highly intelligent and not quite domestic pets. They have their will. Though he may be doing that since he will not let the other parrot do it. Connie also loves to be petted, but like Tuks she was hand raised. Cookie is a rescue, and quite honestly a wild bird caught in the wild. So he KNOWS he is a parrot, not a feather challenged child, as we like to joke.

One thing is for sure, next time somebody tells me they are dumb, and have no feelings... Cookie, feel free...

Now amongst you and me, if he bonds to his humans, I am all for it. I do not feel like being a grand ma and both these birds can breed with each other.

Oh and this is what they look like (no, not my kids, web photos)

This is cookie's species, nanday conure



And this is connie's species, sun conure

[lunatica]

3. They're beautiful!

Pets are life saving wonders aren't they?!

We have two dogs and baby sit for a third. They are a constant joy and wonderment. Three totally distinct personalities and each a delightful puzzle.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Oh absolutely

Tuks species looks like this...


And he had the sweetest personality I have ever known. He was safe even with kids... and as far as he was concerned... everybody existed to pet the tuky.

[elleng]

6. Mine looked like this.

Lovely, sweet and smart, learned to sing along with music box, chirp 'good morning,' and 'don't go.'

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Yeah they are amazingly smart

which is what has been the most startling about them. Just how intelligent they are.

[elleng]

8. Watching her explore her territory, venture out into the room,

step by step. Loved it!

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Yes, they are also exremely curius.

Right now the two parrots are doing that all over and Cooks is extremely protective of his and Tuky's bottles... they use plastic bottles to play, you should say recycled bottles.

[elleng]

10. Would love to see them playing!

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Well I think now that Cookie will be mostly fine

he is not chewing feathers and he is definitely bonding and taking on the role as the Alpha Bird. He has put Connie in her place and will not share toys. What he will do is let me pet him, and that has definitely been a huge change. So I'd better take care of myself... for both hubby and feathered companion... refuse to call them pets...