Can Parrots Keep A Beat?

I recently had the opportunity to read about a scientific study that was done with Snowball the "dancing sulphur crested cockatoo" as seen on You Tube. The study was to determine if the synchronization to the music was by chance or a true ability. Humans are not the only dancers! If you haven't seen this video, check it out by entering "dancing cockatoo" on the You Tube site. Snowball is perfectly in sync with the music! This one is over four minutes long so if you don't want to watch the whole thing, be sure to advance to the end where Snowball is really hitting the beat! I'm sure almost every bird lover has seen this one!

Well, why not try music therapy on my group? They are certainly smart!

The bird that I noticed had the first inclinations was Greysie. She is the very verbose grey that is here due to her making too much noise and being demanding about time spent with mom.

She seemed to love the beat of the music and with my dancing as a cue, she started to dance.

Buster, my grey, bobbed his head and Chauncey started singing "Spider, Spider..." which is his version of The Itsy Bitsy Spider song. But, he too was bobbing his body and getting into the rhythm.

Of course, Greysie is still constantly chattering and beeping and whistling...but at least now she's dancing too! These guys are sure fun.

Three Different Approaches

I am working with three different problems with three different approaches. Greysie, the upside down congo grey, is here because she has bonded too closely with her mom and dad. She is extremely smart and very VERY talkative. I've never known a grey that talks, whistles, beeps, barks, more than Greysie. She is almost always verbal. While here, I am giving her lots to do as I direct that intelligence towards rewarding activities. She revels in solving foraging toys and I have plenty of them for her!

PJ, the Goffins Cockatoo hiding among the stringy swing, is here because she is way too bonded to her mom and dad. Sound familiar? Only PJ directs her separation anxiety at herself. She nervously picks her feathers. PJ has been very busy shredding the paper and cardboard in her cage. I added a swing that is designed for feather pickers, to her environment. She took to it with much comfort. She nestles into the moppy mess and preens it like it is a neighboring bird. Cockatoos, like many parrots, will roost shoulder to shoulder with others. This is a comforting solution for this nervous little girl.
Buster, my fluffy grey, is being treated for feather picking too. He does not easily wear a feather protector vest so I am treating him with medication. He has been on Halperidol for one month now. He is growing feathers on his back. I am hopeful. He still overpreens his chest, but perhaps the medication will be successful. We shall see.

Three birds, three problem behaviors, three potential solutions. Lesson to be learned? Too much love can cause problems with your parrot. If you are the most desired activity in your bird's day....better rethink what this is doing to your bird.

Phoenix Found A Family

This is Phoenix's new family. Michelle, Derek, Josh, and Erin.

Phoenix is wearing her chest protector because she will be in a carrier for the trip to her new home. After showing them how to put it on, we figured it would be best to leave it on for the ride home.

Phoenix has stopped picking her feathers but we want to continue to use the vest as a common routine to keep her comfortable with it.

Phoenix loves each member of this flock. I am hopeful that she will settle in and become a happy member of their family. She's a lucky bird!

PJ Goffins Update

PJ is doing great! I inundated her cage with strips of cardboard and adding machine paper and she spends all of her free time and energy shredding the paper. Her feathers are growing in nicely. Once they are past the uncomfortable stage of pin feathers, we will remove the shield disk. Then, we will try the Avian Fashion Chest Protector. This is a long process but it is so nice to see success.

We need to figure out why she has so much pent up energy. The ultimate solution may mean a morning routine to expel some of that energy (ie shower and exercise) and a busy cage filled with paper and shredding material to keep her busy all day. Then an evening routine of flight exercise and behavioral training (clicker training?). Less cuddling and more instruction... Distracting her from idle boredom is key. Doesn't she look good?

Dream Bird Opportunity

This is Ollie. His hatchday was October 12th 2007, which means he is almost weaned and ready to go to a loving home.

Hyacinth macaws are not for beginners. They are big and strong and playful and very very smart. You need to be the kind of person who can teach and guide not just cuddle and play. Ollie has had a wonderful beginning being handfed and raised lovingly and allowed to fledge naturally. (This means he was allowed to grow out his wings and use them.)

Anyone who is interested in making this substantial investment in time, money, and commitment, should contact me for information. The asking price is 10k and that is a very reasonable price for such a treasure. I will put you in touch with the person raising Ollie.

Good Home Needed

Okay. I am now looking to place Phoenix in "the perfect home." She has come through the grieving process after losing her mom. Her feathers are in perfect shape and her diet is somewhat improved. She now eats Harrison's pellets and shows interest in fresh produce. She still loves warm people food, however, it's not the only thing she'll eat.

This girl is perfect. She whispers (although she will eventually learn how to be loud). She loves to cuddle (although I want to find a home for her that will continue to teach her to be a bird).

She comes with a cage that is too small for her daytime cage. She loves spending time outdoors, so I am hoping to find a home that will provide an outdoor cage too. (She is a quiet outdoor bird.) Her new home will have to supply a large cage and use this smaller one for her "quiet time" or sleeping cage.

I am hoping for a home where there is someone home most of the day. (retired? work-at-home? etc.) Please email me if you know of the right situation for her. She is not free.

PJ GOFFINS UPDATE

As you can see, PJ is growing out some feathers. My hope is that we can get her to be more comfortable and leave them alone. For now, the hard collar stays on.

I am working with PJ and clicker training. She is not very interested and I have to be very patient. She seems intent on being up on the ropes and uncomfortable "working" on the bed. She loves hanging out up on the boinggg and furiously rips at the threads of the rope. Her agitation and frantic preening of the rope worries me.

The only other place that she seems comfortable is on my shoulder. I am not allowing that, however, she does climb frantically up and begins to preen my hair. I gently bring her down and redirect her attention. Residing on the shoulder is too close. This position allows way to much sexual bonding. The best thing you can do with your bird is to teach it something, not cuddle her.

PJ does not seem at ease yet. Goffins are certainly hyper active but I want to get her to step back a little and learn to play without such anxiety.

Feather destruction is a challenge. I will continue to work with PJ and will post updates periodically.

PJ Goffins Plucking

This is PJ. She has developed a rather extensive plucking behavior. She can even reach up to the back of her head and pull feathers out with her foot.
She came to me wearing a protective hard collar. Her feathers are beginning to grow in. I do not want to remove the hard collar too soon. When feathers are growing in, they are uncomfortable. Her mom and dad have purchased the Avian Fashions chest protector and are hoping to get PJ into something more comfortable. However, for now, the hard collar is keeping her from yanking out the new growth. The first step was to remove her from her home for a "time out." A change in environment is a great distraction. The second step was to stuff her cage with lots of things to tear up. Corrugated cardboard strips, shredders, and loads of enrichments and foraging toys. This one may take a while. Follow PJ story right here.

Seminar This Sunday

Don't miss the chance to meet and hear some great speakers and network with other parrot owners.

This Sunday, June 15th, is the third annual all day seminar at the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. (Lots of parking in the parking garage next door!) Plan to arrive early (before 10am) It will last until approximately 4pm. Admission is $45.

The speakers are Dr. Brian Speer and Dr. Geoff Olsen of the Medical Center for Birds, Dr. Mark Stafford of Parrots International, Natasha Schischakin of the Spix Macaw Project, and Laurie Baker owner of Feathered Follies Bird Store in Lafayette.

This is going to be a really great day of bird topics and raffle/door prizes galore. Go to www.lesherartcenter.org or call them at 925 295 1400. They are located at 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek.

Feathered Follies is sponsoring this event to benefit CHRP a non-profit organization dedicated to parrot rescue.

A New Challenge

Meet Greysie. She is my new project. The complaint is that she is too needy, always calling out to her mom and wanting interaction. My job? To teach her to entertain herself and be able to be in the same room with people without needing their undivided attention. My first instinct was to outfit her cage with tons of exciting toys to explore. She immediately took to the pvc tube with nuts in it. She spent much of her day (upside down) digging out the treasures. So far, so good!

Hiding From The World

News flash... sometimes it gets noisy around here! As I mentioned before, I take refuge out by the koi pond and find tranquility watching the turtles and fish in their quiet world.

Chauncey, on the other hand, cannot escape the din of musical parrots. He made himself a fort by pulling part of his cover inside the cage. Just like a kid, he loved sticking his head in the cave and talking softly. His way of escaping? Maybe!

Buster Blues

Poor Buster. He did not tolerate the collar at all. He fought it and fought it and chewed it and chewed it. The large plastic shield got eaten until it was quite small.


When the flange part came disjointed...I took it off of him. He used to be a happy fuzzy grey bird. Now he is a frustrated grey bird that doesn't understand this new strategy. I tried putting the chest vest on him that Phoenix wore. It was too big. He seemed to tolerate it a little better than the hard collar so I ordered one of those in the appropriate size for Buster.

So, for now, he continues to pluck. Perhaps the Halperidol will kick in and help him with his anxiety issues. And when the new Avian Fashion feather protector arrives, we'll give that a try.

I'm in this for the long haul with Buster.

Ben Gets Some Lovin'

Mary came by and while we talked she captured Ben's heart by braving his nippy beak and getting all those fitful pin feathers. Sure, he tried to bite her, but after a while, he started to really enjoy the special attention. Thank you Mary!

Here's a shot of Phoenix eating her Harrison's pellets! I have her completely without any collar on and enjoying the outdoor cage all day. She must have gotten hungry because when I went out to bring her in, she was crunching away! Doesn't she look happy?

Buster is another story... maybe tomorrow.

BEN THE LITTLE SCAMP

This is Ben. He is about 30 years old now and has learned to get around pretty well on legs that don't function normally. He thoroughly enjoys getting out on top of his cage and hanging out. He is a very sweet bird that doesn't know how to interact with hands without pinching and biting. He is loaded with personality and has a decibel level to rival any bird. Ben has become part of my flock and his endearing charm has wooed many a visitor! What a guy!

Phoenix Moluccan Doing Very Good

Phoenix, this sweet whispering Moluccan hen, has come a long way in a short amount of time.

She came to me wearing a large plastic collar. It wasn't difficult to sympathize with her depression. She was sad, after losing her mom to cancer. Her grief, it is assumed, was a part of her picking behavior. As mentioned before, feather picking must be tackled from many fronts. Her diet had been mainly portions of TV dinners and such.

We have had two major breakthroughs in the past days. I had her (along with Buster, my grey) at the vet in their carriers to get checked out. Both were prescribed Halperidol to ease their anxiety and consequently their feather distress. We spent a long time at the vet and I had place Harrison's pellets in the carriers. I think Phoenix, with nothing better to do, sampled the chunks and actually liked them. This doesn't seem like much... but to me it's huge. She hasn't eaten anything except spaghetti O's with meatballs and scrambled egg! (I do not recommend this diet!)


The other big news is that I removed the fancy chest protector and held my breath. I watched her out of the corner of my eye. She went immediately to preening her somewhat disorganized feathers. The feathers stuck underneath the apparatus had gotten twisted and mangled. I carefully watched the process and decided that she was simply preening. Who better able to get those feathers in line than Phoenix!? She wasn't frantic just intent on getting at them. (Probably afraid that I would put that vest on her again.) The only feather loss was down feathers! I decided to take a chance and let her remain unclothed.

So, in just a couple of days, we have seen remarkable success. Buster is doing better today as well. He has literally chewed off three of the concentric rings that were the outer rings on his neck shield. This has brought it down to a smaller more manageable size for him. He can now climb around easier and seems resigned to wearing the neck flange and the smaller shield. The medication may be kicking in or he may be just adjusting to life with a necklace. Time will tell if his feathers will be allowed to stay.