I continue to be confused by Opie.
I asked my bf not to give him any more treats at all, so that all the yummies come from me.. but it didn't seem to help our relationship.
It's become progressively harder for me to get him onto a perch or back to his cage on my own because he just moves away from me and seeks out my bf. He knows I provide the food, water, and yums- but that is ALL he wants from me.
So we've decided to make October an entire month of my bf ignoring him altogether. No treats and no scritches. Because if I'm responsible for his health and well being, it's best if I can handle him.
Except I feel SO SELFISH
I don't know what is right.
It might be helping though? Bf hasn't interacted with him in over 24 hours and I actually got him to very cautiously step on a dowel for me again when it was time to go home.
I also smelled him for the first time? I was talking to him through the cage and he clicked in the back of his throat and I caught a sweetish smell wafting from him.
Bf says he smells a musky smell whenever Opie is on his shoulder, but I've never gotten a puff before.
But it's hard to know if it was a pleasure reaction or stress, especially with the clicking sound.
He generally lets me touch his beak and feet through the cage, but if I accidentally brush against any feathers at all I get a threat. And if I even look like I might suggest he step up for me, he backs way away.
Sigh.
Just keep hoping.
Still always hurts that I stumbled upon a bird with such an amazing temperament and I just have to watch someone else get to touch and interact with him.
If he was mean to my bf too it would be easier lol