Why did u get a parrot

[Pajarita]

Oh, for heavens sake! It was a mistake. I thought it was Brandon posting that, not Seagoatdeb. The whole idea that I would do it on purpose is ridiculous - what possible purpose could it have?

And, no, Seagoatdeb, what Michael does is not the same thing you do. First of all, the purpose is completely different. He does this to get the parrot used to getting toweled (a very useful thing to be able to do) completely stress-free. You do it to get a parrot used to human touch fast (something that is not necessary at all). He does it by gradually approaching the parrot with a towel in his hand until he can real close to it, then he starts allowing the parrot to touch it with its beak and so on and so forth until he can towel him without the parrot getting stressed out. As you explained your method, it consists on dropping a towel on top of the bird on the first try - no gradual approach in baby steps at the bird's pace but a sudden one giant leap all at once which is stressful to the bird.

As to comparing your experience to Michael's or anybody else in terms of years... I don't think that is a valid argument in your or anybody's favor. It's not the length of time one has been doing something but how well one does it. For one thing, Michael has a formal background in animal behavioral sciences and, for another, I know people who have been doing parrots for many, many years and still don't do it right - and I know people who have been doing parrots for just a few years who are excellent at it. The fact is that, for what I can glean from postings, most people who have been doing parrots a long time seem to have gotten stuck in their methods and tend to continue using techniques that are no longer recommended. The 'I've been doing it for a long time and it has always worked for me" argument is ubiquitous in birdsites discussions.

[ParrotsForLife]

It wouldn't have any purpose but it shows you were thinking of me when posting that so then thought it was me which also means you clearly have a problem with me.But I'm not gonna continue in this because it shouldn't be on the forum and I told Wolf that.And I have no need to continue in PM either you have no excuse for how you act towards other people and I'm not the only one who thinks so.Your an adult so start acting like it and set examples for kids like me, Not bad examples.

[Pajarita]

Brandon, I don't have a problem with you or anybody else on this forum. It's only unhappy or insecure people who make a mountain out of a molehill and I am a VERY fortunate, very self-assured person with a happy life. I have a large family who loves me, lots of friends, lots of companion animals, I have the luxury of not having to work and no 'heavy duty' health problems so my outlook in life is a very content one which does not leave room for bad feelings for anybody. I saw a gray bird on the avatar out of the corner of my eye and thought it was Tiko instead of Gaugan - that's all.

[ParrotsForLife]

Brandon, I don't have a problem with you or anybody else on this forum. It's only unhappy or insecure people who make a mountain out of a molehill and I am a VERY fortunate, very self-assured person with a happy life. I have a large family who loves me, lots of friends, lots of companion animals, I have the luxury of not having to work and no 'heavy duty' health problems so my outlook in life is a very content one which does not leave room for bad feelings for anybody. I saw a gray bird on the avatar out of the corner of my eye and thought it was Tiko instead of Gaugan - that's all.

Ok if thats what you say I believe you.

[seagoatdeb]

Oh, for heavens sake! It was a mistake. I thought it was Brandon posting that, not Seagoatdeb. The whole idea that I would do it on purpose is ridiculous - what possible purpose could it have?

And, no, Seagoatdeb, what Michael does is not the same thing you do. First of all, the purpose is completely different. He does this to get the parrot used to getting toweled (a very useful thing to be able to do) completely stress-free. You do it to get a parrot used to human touch fast (something that is not necessary at all). He does it by gradually approaching the parrot with a towel in his hand until he can real close to it, then he starts allowing the parrot to touch it with its beak and so on and so forth until he can towel him without the parrot getting stressed out. As you explained your method, it consists on dropping a towel on top of the bird on the first try - no gradual approach in baby steps at the bird's pace but a sudden one giant leap all at once which is stressful to the bird.

As to comparing your experience to Michael's or anybody else in terms of years... I don't think that is a valid argument in your or anybody's favor. It's not the length of time one has been doing something but how well one does it. For one thing, Michael has a formal background in animal behavioral sciences and, for another, I know people who have been doing parrots for many, many years and still don't do it right - and I know people who have been doing parrots for just a few years who are excellent at it. The fact is that, for what I can glean from postings, most people who have been doing parrots a long time seem to have gotten stuck in their methods and tend to continue using techniques that are no longer recommended. The 'I've been doing it for a long time and it has always worked for me" argument is ubiquitous in birdsites discussions.

Pajarita, i would never just drop a towel on a frightened parrot!!!!! In both expamples I gave the parrots were on my lap, so they were tame enough to be on my lap already, and it is in stages, nothing ever frightening for the parrot.

We will have to agree to disagree on this one, you have not seen me work, so you have no idea how i do this and so you really cant comment on how I do it without "putting words in my mouth" or "making up a scenario in your mind" plus you lack experience in the technique yourself, so its best to let this one go, it ony will begin to frustrate me that you can't "hear' me so lets have peace remain. I provided a link with a good way of doing this technique so that should be enough.

[Pajarita]

Yes, I dare say that you are 100% right. I have never used this method and I don't see myself ever using it either.

[galeriagila]

I got a parrot after a lot of research and advice from parrot-people. But so many people get a bird because they have a romanticized idea of what it will be like. I know y'all all know this already.

Here's mainly what's on my mind at the moment. I just re-watched one of my favorite movies... "Paulie"... about the little parrot who is separated from his owner and has adventures while finding his way back. But I also HATE this movie... how irresponsible it was to make it, especially with no advice/notices that parrots aren't really LIKE the thoughtful, empathic, harmless, neat, never-pooping, never-destructive, psychotherapeutic-counseling Paulie.

I hate to imagine how many kids (and adults) got a bird, expecting it to be just like Paulie, only to discover their misjudgment and then mistreat, abandon, or destroy their parrot.

I feel so sad when I see this sort of careless misrepresentation of any being, along with the foolish people (however well-meaning) who believe it...

Thanks for listening! I feel a little better now!

[ParrotsForLife]

It would be weird if Paulie was pooping everywhere and being destructive while being a actual talking bird lol.

[galeriagila]

You said it! He was less like a parrot and more like a little camp counselor or something!

[Chantilly]

I got a parrot after a lot of research and advice from parrot-people. But so many people get a bird because they have a romanticized idea of what it will be like. I know y'all all know this already.

Here's mainly what's on my mind at the moment. I just re-watched one of my favorite movies... "Paulie"... about the little parrot who is separated from his owner and has adventures while finding his way back. But I also HATE this movie... how irresponsible it was to make it, especially with no advice/notices that parrots aren't really LIKE the thoughtful, empathic, harmless, neat, never-pooping, never-destructive, psychotherapeutic-counseling Paulie.

I hate to imagine how many kids (and adults) got a bird, expecting it to be just like Paulie, only to discover their misjudgment and then mistreat, abandon, or destroy their parrot.

I feel so sad when I see this sort of careless misrepresentation of any being, along with the foolish people (however well-meaning) who believe it...

Thanks for listening! I feel a little better now!

I agree 100 percent with this, I feel like a lot of unwanted animals come from people on media, or TV showing only the perfect side to their animals, its so sad for the pets who are abandoned by the people who were 'inspired' by a show.