mini-update and Fajr's day today

[shiraartain]

So my family has been spoiling Fajr excessively. I realized he had gained weight and instead of letting him be with family members unsupervised, followed him around for a day and found that everyone was giving him sunflower seeds as treats for just being so darn adorable. Naturally, I confiscated the seeds from my sisters who were being wayyyy too liberal with the treats. My dad gives him about one a day, which I think should be fine, though I told him to ease up for a while.

Anyways, on to today. I came home and my mom was telling us how he had a bad day and been angry and biting. At first, she said it was because she left him in his cage all morning, then as she went through the day, she realized the actual reason.

She let him out a little later than usual (after she finished cleaning instead of before), but he was happy, and she fell asleep. She woke up and realized she was running late to pick up my sister and left without putting him back in his cage- so essentially he was out of his cage, alone at home. She returned with my sister and he was angry, nippy, and growling at them. By the time I came home he was fine and content. I am very uncomfortable with the idea of letting him roam around the house alone, and apparently he is too. We think the way he saw it, the flock ditched him and left him feeling insecure. The cage is his "safe" place that is secure, and so we agreed that from now on he definitely goes in the cage before the house is emptied. (To clarify: This is the first time he was left out alone at home, we were agreeing not to repeat this again.)

I'm really surprised that my mom actually listened to me when I previously told her he always bites for a reason and she actually thought through the events to figure out what happened to upset him. Up until this point, she was just telling me, "Fajr bit me! For no reason!" and I had to ask her to go through the events so I could figure out what went wrong. Now she's the one repeating my mantra of "he only gets angry for a reason."

Fajr and my dad are on great terms as always, he always greets my Dad first no matter what, then goes to my Mom, and then will come to the rest of us to say hello. (I'd like to believe I'm his third favorite, but that might also be wishful thinking as i'm pretty sure he just likes my skritches.)

Additionally, he is very, very fond of heads now. It does not help that we enter and leave the house wearing hijabs, which make it easier for him to climb up.

Anyways, that is my update! I'm so very grateful for my family and their love for Fajr and birds in general. There were many sacrifices I was prepared to make in order to make sure he has a good quality of life, but thanks to their love and care for him, most of them were not necessary.

[Wolf]

I am glad that both you and Fajr have the support of your family, it really makes things easier.

[Pajarita]

Great update and even greater hearing how well your parents have not only taken to him but that they are also so open to learning new things and changing preconceived notions about parrots. You, your sisters and Fajr are very fortunate!