Adopted Ringneck and Quaker Taming Thread

[Pajarita]

Ay, well, from a mother and grandmother point of view, sibling rivalry is not something to encourage but, quite the opposite, to discourage (it's one of those unavoidable things when raising more than one child and believe you me when I tell you it needs no encouragement!).

Different species don't train the same way and even different individuals of the same species would not learn at the same pace or the same way so I am afraid that this is fact of life (quakers are actually much more clever than any psittacula but they are also quite stubborn when they want to). Besides, children will lose interest real soon on anything that requires constant work without immediate results (and that's why I don't recommend parrots for them).

Personally, I would just make it a point of admiring their birds profusely and how far they have come, comment on how much the birds love them and remark on how the birds need their little 'mothers' just like a baby needs a human mommie (little girls respond very well to this kind of thing).

[Wolf]

I must accept your take on that as I didn't have children. My part of the human population overgrowth.

[shiraartain]

I was raised with sibling rivalry, and it causes more damage than benefits. I will encourage them! The younger twin is doing better because she feels her attention is reciprocated. The work part is getting dine, but the training and bonding part, which is supposed to be the fun part, is what's bogging the other twin down. I'll work on a few sessions with her and encourage her! I'll also talk to her about how like people, different birds have different strengths.

[Pajarita]

Is the one with the IRN that is getting discouraged? Because psittaculas 'lose' their imprinting much faster than other species and require experienced handling to remain close to their humans -especially if they have another bird to cozy up to...

[shiraartain]

Yes, she is the one. And I did remember that from posts you've made on other threads, and I have told her that so she does interact with him daily. She was expressing disappointment though. I don't know how to explain it. She's not giving up on him, she was just feeling discouraged and began to see their time together as a chore? I just spoke with her and she's feeling better and understands now. I told her how different parrots have different features and while clover may be doing recall right now since she learns quicker, Lemon has a lovely voice and he'll be able to learn words once their bond develops fully.

[Pajarita]

Well, I don't blame her for been discouraged. Adults give psittaculas up all the time because of this characteristic of them. IRN's are not easy birds to keep, they require experienced daily handling and a special perception of what a bird/human relationship should be because, in truth, you can't expect a close bonding from them. And, compared to the cuddliness of a GCC or the smarts of a quaker, they would seem to leave a lot to be desired so I feel for your sister because, in her eyes, she got the short end of the stick. But they are incredibly beautiful birds (much, much more so than a quaker, that's for sure!) that are not needy, not particularly destructive, can entertain themselves, eat well, etc so it all depends on what you expect of them... Of course, this is not something easily understood by a child.

[shiraartain]

I will show her your post later today. She lives in my room with me, so I speak to her as I would with anyone my age (when it comes to parrots, at least). She's quite mature, I will tell update you in a week or two on her motivation