Nika

[Eurycerus]

Hello everybody!

I thought I would update everyone on Nika and how life is going. I've been pretty busy dealing with personal medical issues, as well as the rest of life. I sure have missed coming on here and chatting parrot stuff.

As of right now Nika is doing great. She's a funny little lady and we sure do enjoy each other. Over the last many months I finally collected enough natural perches, toys, and rope things so that her cage has really shaped up into a fun environment. I also bought a heated perch which she sleeps happily on. Currently I am wrapping it in vet wrap because she has a small sore on her toe that isn't going away and somewhere I the internet I saw it suggested that the hard plastic can be a bit rough on the feet. :[ I hope she heals soon.

She's eating well, of course. Still hates anything green though. Won't touch peas, green beans, broccoli, edamame, you name it. I did switch away from feeding any fruit, and no more sweet potato or corn because she still gets a little hormonal. So she gets carrots and bell peppers/sweet peppers.

Her feathers are fully grown out! And she can definitely fly, quite well for supposedly never having flown before. She always ends up exactly where she wanted. The only thing lacking is confidence but over the past few weeks we've been practicing and she's gaining confidence! She hasn't shown me any aggression (except sometimes when she's in her cage... although not if my hands are in her cage, only if she's shut inside, she's a little weirdo. I actually think she does it as a game) in weeks! I still don't one hundred percent trust her but I'm hoping to as we continue working together. She has in the past, bitten me every time I would go and get her or try to pat her after she flew anywhere, if I didn't give enough cool off time. I think it was a mix of adrenaline and fear. So now I'm much more careful, but because I'm making flying a game she acts pretty calm now when I pat her head after she flew someplace. In fact just yesterday she flew over to me and then flew onto my head. She must have known that just the other day I met a gregarious cockatiel that wouldn't leave me alone and kept flying onto my head. I'm interested to see if I can have her fly onto my hand without biting me yet. We'll see!

I'm really hoping that someday I can work on socializing with people outside of her cage. Due to the past traumatic experiences I'm rather skeptical that I will ever get a willing participant. :/ I honestly think all of her behavioral issues were primarily trust related. She lived with two other people and was abandoned by them. It probably broke her little feathery heart, so she decided to say "screw you, I'm never trusting one of you huge featherless beasts again", but it's happening!

I've missed you all!

[marie83]

Yay, Welcome back
I'm glad Nika is doing well. Are there any bird clubs near you? I'm wondering if you got to know some people from one that you might come across one or more people willing to help you socialise her.

[Eurycerus]

Thanks, it's good to be back! There are no bird clubs I've ever been able to find. The closest thing I know of is the bird rescue I volunteer with. The people that are a part of that don't seem interested in being social, so I feel skeptical that they would want to help me with Nika. I really don't know anyone socially who is comfortable around parrots that aren't ridiculously friendly.

On a fun note, I had Nika fly to my hand a couple times tonight (instead of from my hand to a perch) and no biting! I must say I'm very happy.

[terri]

Im glad all is well I was worried that Nika wasnt working out and thats why you were not on.You had a post like that once. Are you able to volunteer?

[Eurycerus]

I was worried but even at my most worried I knew I'd still keep trying for a few more months or more. I'm very stubborn and hate giving up. I just wasn't sure if I had the skills to work with her. I definitely over estimated my skills when I decided I was ready to get a parrot but it has been a rewarding experience. I also overestimated how long it would take to modify her behavior. There is still plenty of work to be done yet! Her cheery peeps, squeaks, and greetings make coming home much more fun.

[barbie3]

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