I thought I'd just randomly post here about how stuff is going!
First, I changed the title of this topic - because frankly I feel this reflects the current situation xD. Simo has become a veritable little mama's boy. I think routine and patience have played a great part here. I offer him a spray of millet through the rungs of the cage a couple of times a day (I use a clicker too); I've gradually shortened it and he's come closer and closer to me physically and he is now easily at a touching distance. I still haven't tried to touch him just yet; I feel it's a bit too early! But, even after I withdraw the millet he will remain there and be quite comfortable near me. (tried doing some slow, calm random motions such as scratching my nose etc.) Other times I'll just sit next to him and he inches closer to me and exhibits content body language.
Our routine consists of letting him spaz about in the morning. When he calms down I'll offer some millet to him; let him out of his cage for a soar. During this time we make him his breakfast and put it into his cage, and he'll go back in by himself to eat. Brekkie is veggies & fruits with either pellets, seeds or "gloop". Lotsa good recipes out there them and they're all pretty much edible for us humans too. xD I'm on a diet. Our house rule is: If the bird can't have it, I can't have it. (the pellets and seeds he gets quite rarely, but he likes them which is why we treat him to those once in a blue moon) We stopped giving him dry corn (thank you Pajarita ^^) and gave him normal cooked corn instead. He loved it - and also made the biggest mess I've ever seen an animal of his size make. xD
I think I've mentioned it before but bathtimes are a complete and utter joy to him. Simo has developed a habit of peeping softly to express contentment, which is really wonderful and helps us read him just a little more (other than body language of course). He'll peep softly during his spritzing, after having the millet, after eating and sometimes when I sit near him and he sits near me. He will also peep if I use the hair dryer on him - from a reasonable distance and very gentle heat setting (since I'm aware that birds can overheat quite easy). He likes it so much however, that when he sees me grab it for myself he'll squawk and peep at me. He does this same sound when he sees me handle an orange pepper or a plum.
He has also developed a habit of screaming, screeching and brawking at a specific cue - this cue being loud metal music that I play. This started unintentionally as I was listening to some music and I howled along with it (my singing is something awful... *cough*) so Simo happily started to scream along with me. Ever since then we've made this into a routine and notice that he seems to let it "all out". He won't scream for the rest of the day after that. This doesn't include other sounds he does. I'm quite certain he's trying to practice his speaking - when me and my husband are napping we sometimes hear him make the strangest sounds, one of them distinctly sounds like the word "Yeah".
All things considered, I -think- we're doing okay? He tends to show no discomfort or fright near me unless I accidentally move too fast towards his cage or make an odd movement. He is a little more skittish around the husband; but still accepting. Seems to be more of a momma's boy
More than once when I've sat next to him he's shifted close to me on his perch, made his "contentment" peeps and the slow eye lid open / close thing. We have come quite far from when he was a frightened wild baby looking for a way out of his cage. I always however, do state that I take nothing for granted. Still, it has been amazing to watch his demeanor change. I honestly feel that me and my husband learn more from him than he from us.
Concerning treats, much to my surprise he doesn't seem to care for nuts AT all. We've tried cut, peeled, unpeeled, shelled, and un shelled nuts, all sorts (except peanuts) and he quite honestly doesn't seem to care for any. Thus far we've seen him nibble at an almond but that was it. He seems to prefer dried fruits and chunks of coconut for treats, as well as millet. There's a really huge, lovely organic shop near our house that sells a huge assortment of natural dried fruit, seeds, nuts etc. By natural I mean, no sugars, salts, spicing and so on. But I must say he's the only bird I know of who doesn't like nuts! o_O
