by KC Cameron » Tue Dec 03, 2013 7:52 pm
Michael,
Perhaps I expressed it poorly.
*L* no my birds don't resist, nor will they fly away. While I am sure it happens, my cages are large and toy filled. They nearly always prefer to be with me, but it isn't punishment any more than withholding a treat when they don't perform as asked. I don't act like it is a punishment, but just what happens when they are through training.
I remember as a child, if we kids got too rambunctious in the house, mom would tell us we had to play outside for the rest of the day. It wasn't punishment, it was cause and effect. We loved playing outside anyway, and the only issue was the water from the hose tasted nasty.
I remember my dad "punishing" me by sending me into my room. For me, it WASN'T punishment. I had books and toys to occupy myself. . . little did he know how it did not faze me.
I have NEVER had any problem getting a bird back to a cage. They will ALWAYS return, just when I return them is in question. Occasionally they will communicate their desire to stay in their cages, but they will come out if I insist, although I usually respect their wishes.
As for biting - well no, not in my case!
I appreciate your forum, your postings, and your show. You have really developed Kili. . . You have had five years, five GOOD years of experience, and you are a huge help to the parrot community, but still you can't be an authority on all things parrot with just five years experience - even when they have been five great years like yours.
Every species is different, every individual within the species varies. Every relationship between parrot and human is different - and generally not good. There are far too many factors to make an absolute statement like yours. Yes, in many cases it is true, especially with new bird owners. In my relationship with my GW and U2 it is most definitely NOT the case.
We, as a community, understand so little of parrots, I'm not sure anyone can claim to be an "expert". When the majority of our experience is with a handful of birds (which is nearly all of us). We can relate our experiences, not absolutes. To truly understand parrots, we need to understand the spectrum. Kili is a great trick trained bird. You have had Truman for 3 years, but Truman is no Kili. Think how different a Macaw or 'too is from a Senegal and Cape . . .
Just like raising kids, what works for one does not necessarily work for another. Raising one star child does not mean the next will not be a delinquent. Raising a couple kids, even if they turn out great, does not make one an expert on children - just knowledgable on your own children.