Mating with Toys

[Monica]

I actually prefer training *AT* the cage, and 3-5 minutes is perfectly fine, too! I recommend shorter, but more frequent sessions over longer ones.

 

[Laurul Feather Cat]

"birdy happy time". I like that phrase!

My GCC was making birdy happy time on my forearm this morning. Bocca likes to start the day with happy time!

 

[cassiesdad]

Tweety Tiel is enamored with our budgies..who look at him like he's out of his mind.

This morning Tweets was doing heart wings and singing a most beautiful tiel song to them...they just kept on eating...

 

[TikkiTembo]

@cassiesdad Tikki is in love with Tootie like that...I guess love is blind if you're a cockatiel!

 

[camelotshadow]

Love is not always blind but it is unpredictable & opportunistic...

 

[Nikomania]

A few of my birds love their ropes and bells. It's all a good, healthy outlet for our domesticated feathered friends. Hurts nothin'!

 

[cassiesdad]

Love is not always blind but it is unpredictable & opportunistic...

...now, THAT'S an Essential Truth...

 

[cassiesdad]

@cassiesdad Tikki is in love with Tootie like that...I guess love is blind if you're a cockatiel!

When @sunnysmom's Elvis was visiting us last year, Buddy took a shine to him...and Elvis was very receptive to her preening his little crest...

 

[TikkiTembo]

Update!
Chipper removed the bell from the rope a while ago, and now mates with the bell and carries it around everywhere. I just came downstairs from nap time, and he had destroyed a toy and has the bell in the pile of shredded wood and is covering it with his wings and body. Seems very nesty and eggy to me and I'm not sure it's good. I've already called his vet for advice since we were just discussing his hormonal behavior the other day. Do you think I should remove the bell? Maybe he needs to be going into a dark room/sleeping cage earlier instead of the cage cover?

 

[Ripshod]

@JLcribber is all I can think right now. I do know you need to break this before he goes round the house gathering more 'eggs'.

 

[TikkiTembo]

I'm surprised he's showing such nesty and hormonal behavior in a new home. Maybe it means he's comfortable here? Or means the opposite? I feel badly, I want him to enjoy himself and be a silly Too, not think he needs to sit on an egg. Plus it won't do any favors for any of us as we try to build relationships with him.

 

[Ripshod]

Plus it won't do any favors for any of us as we try to build relationships with him.

That's exactly what I'm thinking, and why I tagged John.

 

[TikkiTembo]

Poor @JLcribber is going to start charging me for advice at this rate

 

[JLcribber]

I'm surprised he's showing such nesty and hormonal behavior in a new home. Maybe it means he's comfortable here? Or means the opposite? I feel badly, I want him to enjoy himself and be a silly Too, not think he needs to sit on an egg. Plus it won't do any favors for any of us as we try to build relationships with him.

New life. New environment. New blood (you guys). Better diet. All things that will contribute to things like hormones (that may have been dormant) kicking in hard and lasting longer than they should the first season or two. Very common.

They can’t be turned off. You’ve got to ride it out.

Time for your weekly reading of the article.
Site Name - Articles - Behavioral - Sex And The Psittacine

 

[TikkiTembo]

Thank you so much everyone for your constant advice and ideas! I'm glad to know it all sounds like normal behavior, and all we need to do is hold on tight for the ride. We're car seat experts by now, so we'll opt for five point harnesses and ride out any challenge that comes our way

 

[Dorcas George]

@JLcribber Fascinating article! Thanks. I know it’s about parrots but likely applicable to almost any of our birds.