I have been busy at work, but have been meaning to respond
IRN are going to be different than Preeno. In terms of reading material, there is a lot of old and misleading information online about IRN. IRN and most Asiatic parrots (Psittaculas) do not allopreen as South American, some African or Australian birds do. This means that they generally do not require help with pin feathers. Online, especially on YouTube, it is easy to find people who are stroking, petting or scritching their IRN. However it is important to understand that touch is sexual for them, it is usually only bonded pairs who touch each others' heads/bodies. I have a plumhead parrot, and although he isn't an IRN, they have similar body language and behaviours. I never touch my plumhead, except his feet when he is stepping up, or his beak when I give him a treat or when he insists on 'kissing' me. I think respecting an IRN's personal bubble is key to developing a trusting friendship that isn't based on courting. They are highly intelligent birds and you can give them very complex foraging toys and activities. The more you enrich their environment and allow them the space to play the better your friendship will become. Being more hands off doesn't mean you aren't interacting. I find my plumhead to be very engaged in my life. He likes to always be in my line of sight even if he isn't directly on me. He follows me from room to room but usually goes to his play stands. That is until he wants to treat or snackies, then he lands on my key board and starts tossing things off my desk, cheeky boy!
IRN will require a wide range of fresh veggies and fruits in addition to pellets and some seeds. Fresh produce is an important part of their health. IRN also require regular baths. You will probably learn to read when your bird wants them. My plumhead is very good at informing me when he wants a shower.
The best bit of reading that I think can prepare you for an IRN is related to the myth of bluffing (linked below this paragraph). A lot of old information focuses on the struggles of IRN that become "aggressive" seemingly without reason. However if you really look at the situation, these birds were usually over handled. Young birds accept more touch, because they would be dependant on mum and dad. But once an IRN reaches maturity this touch becomes confusing since it is sexual, and this misunderstanding may make the bird frustrated, eventually leading to biting. Humans have called this "bluffing" but this is a flawed term. The truth is that an adult parrot is an independent being who doesn't always want to be fondled. If you offer intellectual enrichment and respect your IRN's personal boundaries, this problem will not exist. I have never had an issue with my plumhead ever. Touch is seriously overrated and probably the leading cause of issues with Asiatic parrots including hand fear, frustration and a non existent friendship. Asiatic parrots respond best to respect and complete honesty.
Have you ever thought about the word bluffing? Some synonyms are conning, tricking, faking. When people use the word bluffing in rega...
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