I haven't really been very active around here as of late - there's not really much going on. I just felt informing people that little Simo is doing absolutely wonderfully. A year ago he came to our house, all scared and shy, and now he's become a curious, content little boy. We've even had people visit us and he's been nothing short of a model citizen even with strangers. In fact, he even took a treat from them (after I instructed how to behave around him of course). He gets to see us do just about everything around the house from cleaning to cooking.
I've been doing stick training with him and he's progressing rapidly. A while ago I got Michael's book and it's been a huge help, too. Still, we're taking things nice and easy so he doesn't get overwhelmed. He's had his first molt and gorgeous new feathers have grown in. He hasn't really started to speak yet and we don't know if he ever will - and this doesn't matter. To us, he talks in his own birdy way (it's actually funny when me and the husband are having a conversation, he will always chime in with a little peep or two). I have seen him move his beak but I heard nothing so maybe he's trying to "whisper" and practice his speech. Only time will tell I guess
Though we have started to wonder if he is indeed a he. Granted he's only a year old but his ring is very very faint and I've seen no signs of any black feathers growing in near his beak. Could be that it's too early to tell still! One other thing that made us wonder if he is a she is his.. er her... uh, it's mild mannered way of vocalizing. It isn't a very loud bird and doesn't make sounds that often; and they say females are generally a bit more silent. I have some of it's old feathers here so getting a DNA test is easy. Of course when we got it, they assured us that it is indeed a "he". Then again I have since discovered that the person who sold it wasn't all too reputable. It's little ankle ring does have clear letterings and numbers but I have no clue what any of that means; other than "SE" which I'm certain means he was hatched in Sweden originally. It's gender of course changes nothing, other than perhaps the future decision on a partner.
Which actually brings me to a question: When would he/she be ready for a potential partner? Would this partner absolutely have to be of the opposite gender and of the same species, or could we, for example, get a cockatiel? (they don't really have rescue parrots over here but every now and then again people have budgies and cockatiels who need adoption). I have heard that female ringnecks can be hormonal, so if Simo is potentially a lady bird, would a partner of the opposite gender be somehow bad?
But yeah; at least I think we're doing okay with him? He seems very content in general (and I swear he has a great timing with his vocalizations, for example yesterday I was humming "I like big butts and I cannot..."PEEP!"). And he even dares to take a treat from a stranger. At least this feels like a big thing?