I've had Ernie, white cap pi for 3 years.
I've been in the bird room every day reading to them and clicker training, and spending extra time just hanging out for the past 7 weeks or so. Also have gone back to the habit of going in and telling everyone night-night. But I didn't expect ERnie to do anything in response to the training. He's 20 years old, grumpy, and about half tame. He stays on his perch and watches.
But over the past weeks....he took a nut from my fingers for the first time.... he is stepping up nearly every hour (as opposed to once every 3 weeks!)... he's riding on my shoulder CONSTANTLY man I can do anything wiht a bird on my shoulder!!!!
Today I had a clean dishpan in the laundry tub (I use it to transport bird drinkers back and forth) and I said why don't you just get in there and take a bath. He's never taken one anywhere but in his water bowl. So I stood him in it and splashed him, and turned him over and dribbled water on his tummy. He protested a little but no biting.
As if that wasn't shocking enough, I made some vegan soup and sat down with the bowl. For 3 years I've begged him to come down to the table off my shoulder. He won't and he won't take a bite of anything. Doesn't even lean toward it. Well he made a beeline for the soup bowl, ate a bunch of it and stood on the edge of the bowl!
I am so amazed and so proud of him. He's really coming out of his shell.
I've been in the bird room every day reading to them and clicker training, and spending extra time just hanging out for the past 7 weeks or so. Also have gone back to the habit of going in and telling everyone night-night. But I didn't expect ERnie to do anything in response to the training. He's 20 years old, grumpy, and about half tame. He stays on his perch and watches.
But over the past weeks....he took a nut from my fingers for the first time.... he is stepping up nearly every hour (as opposed to once every 3 weeks!)... he's riding on my shoulder CONSTANTLY man I can do anything wiht a bird on my shoulder!!!!
Today I had a clean dishpan in the laundry tub (I use it to transport bird drinkers back and forth) and I said why don't you just get in there and take a bath. He's never taken one anywhere but in his water bowl. So I stood him in it and splashed him, and turned him over and dribbled water on his tummy. He protested a little but no biting.
As if that wasn't shocking enough, I made some vegan soup and sat down with the bowl. For 3 years I've begged him to come down to the table off my shoulder. He won't and he won't take a bite of anything. Doesn't even lean toward it. Well he made a beeline for the soup bowl, ate a bunch of it and stood on the edge of the bowl!
I am so amazed and so proud of him. He's really coming out of his shell.
I am so happy for you both & it gives me renewed hope for our timid Scotty.
