My Meyers Parrot Training Progress

[seagoatdeb]

Yesterday was not the easiest day. Our water tank broke and started leaking out the bottom, So we had a new one installed. They came with long hoses and pumps, At one point, They were doing something in my front yard at the same time that they were making crashing noises downstairs and it spooked Gaugan and she flew all the way to my bedroom. I went running after her and Sunny flew after me. I called but no Gaugan, I looked on all surfaces and the floor. I took Sunny back and put him in his cage and went back to look for Gugan and there she was, she had climbed up on my pillow. That took a few years off my life!

[Pajarita]

Ahhh, yes, I HATE it when they fly off and I can't find them! It scares the crap out of me because I start imagining all kinds of terrible scenarios... Thankfully, it was just a scare!

[seagoatdeb]

Pois can be the worst to find too they decide to pretend they are a statue when they think there is danger. After I found her and calmed her. I let them both see as the workmen drove off and the house was quiet again. I had two statues sittiing there until I said the magic word "nut" All of a sudden there were real live birds.....lol

[Pajarita]

I have two words like that: peanut (which, in reality, means any kind of nut or seed) and cookie.

[seagoatdeb]

Sunny has become a calm affectionate bird, very bonded to me. He is very good at step up...... dutifully does it even when feeling afraid because my Red Belly is on the war path. He even is fearless in some situations, he jumps in where he wants to be, and trusts I will keep him safe. I have to scramble sometimes. He is no longer afraid of outside and likes his outings. I really saw how far he had come on Halloween. Everytime the door rang or the kids knocked he wasnt bothered. In fact I was the one who would startle. I blame that on eating halloween candies...."sigh" White sugar is not good for me.

I found out what might have caused his panic, I recieved his DNA papers and it had the name of the original breeder. I googled her and found she lives in Ontario, so poor Sunny was shipped from the east to the west..... a very long trip for a baby bird.

[Pajarita]

Oh, poor, poor baby! Commercial breeders are the worst! I am convinced that they are the ones that cause most of the behavioral problems in pet birds...

[seagoatdeb]

I was luckythat the second breeder realized he would not be ready for a show because I got him when he still was baby enough to have the window to get over things. It is interesting to look at the two Meyers, my daughters and mine. Hers was very well socialized and liked humans. He is just hitting the stage where he is testing with bite. He used to like everyone, now he is leery of new people. He is very stubborn, once he has decided on something it is hard to get him to change his mind. he needs a lot of attention, and seeks it out. He is a rascal.

My Meyers was scared of new things, and bit to test when I first got him. Now he is a very calm bird and he is very bonded to me. He does allow others to hand him treats and will step up for them but only lets 3 people pet him. He is very independant and plays all day hard, he loves puzzles and working hard to get a reward. He likes attention a few times a day, and the rest of the time he is exploring. He is a very mellow type of guy, not very stubborn he seems to make the best of things when you dont let him get into something and move him somewhere else. He is stubborn about eating with the flock though, he has landed in my cereal bowl, my plate whenever I have forgot to give him somethig to nibble on first....lol

Then there is the contrast of my Red Belly, Gaugan, she is a character and a half. She has a lot of different moods and is good at letting everyone know how she feels with her dances and posturings.....lol....Sunny and Gaugan are good together, she is upset that he gets my attention but he is such a mellow guy, she is accepting him in stages.

The difference between Sunny and Gaugan with new toys I am making for them is funny. They both get excited while I am making them. Sunny plays with the new toys immediately. Gaugan looks at the new toys from every angle first and then she gives a little sweet chirp and when I look at her she gives me the sweet little beak and tongue sign and looks so appreciative, then she digs into the toy with gusto....lol

[seagoatdeb]

Here is a pic taken at my daughter house showing just how well Sunny is doing going outside and next door to visit at my daughters, here he is in front hanging out on the big playground with her Meyers and her Conure. He was so happy to visit.

[Pajarita]

Nice!

[seagoatdeb]

Thanks, yes it is so nice to see him happy, he didnt even want to leave when it was time to go home he had so much fun with the other baby birds. He is like a different bird, looking forward to his outings. He has loved every outing except the vet. I am so happy for him. Even though I knew inside he was young enough to get over it, and I am so good with animals, I had a fear deep inside that he would end up being one of those poor parrots that is a house prisoner, never going outside into the fresh air.