Ok, I am about to ask a very dumb question so prepare yourselves...
I assume most if not ALL parrots get very grumpy late at night and potentially aggressive (well, lets just continue to call it grumpy) as a result. I'm probably going to get a lot of negative comments for this, but it was unavoidable. A few nights while Lada has been visiting, I needed to sneak into the kitchen near her cage. The first night I needed to sneak in, it was semi dark (Light on around corner). She was awake when I entered the room. I quietly walked over to her cage to do what needed to be done. While I was briefly standing next to her I spoke really softly to her to see if she would react. She seemed very much so awake and interested in me. I offered her a nut since she seemed interactive, but this quickly evolved into making an attempt to bite my finger off through the bars. I half expected this and was very cautious as a result, but still... First lesson to new parront... Parrots are either very grumpy at night, or... because it was a little dark, she did not know who was there and was being defensive as a result. This interaction was very short so please don't stress. I was not intentionally tormenting her at length instead of letting her sleep. I quickly determined she was not in the mood and/or frightened, did what I needed to do, and quietly left the room.
Having learned the hard way the first time, I leave her be at night once she goes to bed. I make it seem like this is completely new information. Please don't misunderstand. I promise you it is not. I know the importance of their sleep and make every effort to avoid disturbing them. Back to her behavior though... I knew well ahead of time from reading, that this behavior was to be expected, but since each parrot is a little different, I had to at least quickly experiment to see how Lada would react (which is actually good for me to know too should I ever need to remove her at night in an emergency). Anyways, a week or so later (tonight), a similar situation came up. I was just getting home late from the lab tonight midnight-ish, long after I put her to bed. I realized that I had left her fresh food bowl in the cage (oops) from dinner. I weighed just leaving it till morning and removing it first thing, but Lada always seems to beat me in the mornings waking up and so I just did not want to leave it in there. Perhaps she would not eat the food and perhaps the food would have been fine overnight, but I did not want to chance it. Remembering our earlier encounter, I wanted to make sure I made this quick, but also I wanted her to know who was in the room. She was already awake when I came in. I turned the lights up slowly and sat close by for a minute in case she needed to wake up. I let her come out of the cage for a few so I could get her food bowl out. Lada and I have not had enough time yet to build a lot of trust so she still generally does not let me take her out of the cage (in case you were wondering). Yes I realize this is not ideal, but for right now it is working while she spends this short time with me. (She goes back in the morning). Anyways, with the lights on, I would think it safe to assume she recognizes me unless she is still in a partial daze from deep sleep. I could tell she was still very grumpy and made some gestures and posture that she wanted me out of the cage and out of the area. Again, I completely feel this is all to be expected. This was more so me just observing her behavior while quickly doing the necessary task. I removed the food bowl and promptly put her back to bed.
I'd like to hear your comments on the grumpiness of your parrots at night.
In case you need a refresher, Lada is a female eckie.
Also, somewhat related question. I have noticed that she seems to vigorously shake/ruffle her feathers upon me entering the room. Is this just an involuntary reaction of her getting startled, or is it also a sort of defense mechanism? I cant see her do it (in the dark), but I from the sound, I picture her fluffing up and shaking her feathers in an attempt to make herself look bigger, intimidating, and making noise to potentially frighten and drive off potential predators. Does this seem a logical explanation for this particular behavior upon entering the room? Has anyone else experienced similar behavior? Also, it does not sound like full wing flapping in case that crossed your mind.
Thanks and go easy on me
I assume most if not ALL parrots get very grumpy late at night and potentially aggressive (well, lets just continue to call it grumpy) as a result. I'm probably going to get a lot of negative comments for this, but it was unavoidable. A few nights while Lada has been visiting, I needed to sneak into the kitchen near her cage. The first night I needed to sneak in, it was semi dark (Light on around corner). She was awake when I entered the room. I quietly walked over to her cage to do what needed to be done. While I was briefly standing next to her I spoke really softly to her to see if she would react. She seemed very much so awake and interested in me. I offered her a nut since she seemed interactive, but this quickly evolved into making an attempt to bite my finger off through the bars. I half expected this and was very cautious as a result, but still... First lesson to new parront... Parrots are either very grumpy at night, or... because it was a little dark, she did not know who was there and was being defensive as a result. This interaction was very short so please don't stress. I was not intentionally tormenting her at length instead of letting her sleep. I quickly determined she was not in the mood and/or frightened, did what I needed to do, and quietly left the room.
Having learned the hard way the first time, I leave her be at night once she goes to bed. I make it seem like this is completely new information. Please don't misunderstand. I promise you it is not. I know the importance of their sleep and make every effort to avoid disturbing them. Back to her behavior though... I knew well ahead of time from reading, that this behavior was to be expected, but since each parrot is a little different, I had to at least quickly experiment to see how Lada would react (which is actually good for me to know too should I ever need to remove her at night in an emergency). Anyways, a week or so later (tonight), a similar situation came up. I was just getting home late from the lab tonight midnight-ish, long after I put her to bed. I realized that I had left her fresh food bowl in the cage (oops) from dinner. I weighed just leaving it till morning and removing it first thing, but Lada always seems to beat me in the mornings waking up and so I just did not want to leave it in there. Perhaps she would not eat the food and perhaps the food would have been fine overnight, but I did not want to chance it. Remembering our earlier encounter, I wanted to make sure I made this quick, but also I wanted her to know who was in the room. She was already awake when I came in. I turned the lights up slowly and sat close by for a minute in case she needed to wake up. I let her come out of the cage for a few so I could get her food bowl out. Lada and I have not had enough time yet to build a lot of trust so she still generally does not let me take her out of the cage (in case you were wondering). Yes I realize this is not ideal, but for right now it is working while she spends this short time with me. (She goes back in the morning). Anyways, with the lights on, I would think it safe to assume she recognizes me unless she is still in a partial daze from deep sleep. I could tell she was still very grumpy and made some gestures and posture that she wanted me out of the cage and out of the area. Again, I completely feel this is all to be expected. This was more so me just observing her behavior while quickly doing the necessary task. I removed the food bowl and promptly put her back to bed.
I'd like to hear your comments on the grumpiness of your parrots at night.
In case you need a refresher, Lada is a female eckie.
Also, somewhat related question. I have noticed that she seems to vigorously shake/ruffle her feathers upon me entering the room. Is this just an involuntary reaction of her getting startled, or is it also a sort of defense mechanism? I cant see her do it (in the dark), but I from the sound, I picture her fluffing up and shaking her feathers in an attempt to make herself look bigger, intimidating, and making noise to potentially frighten and drive off potential predators. Does this seem a logical explanation for this particular behavior upon entering the room? Has anyone else experienced similar behavior? Also, it does not sound like full wing flapping in case that crossed your mind.
Thanks and go easy on me
. Pipsqueak, my GCC, he gets excited and thinks that we will uncover him and let him out to play 
