It’s on my list of things to do. Once I do, I’ll probably be crying to you guys about them being so mean to me!!
Does he enjoy showering or bathing? That would help with the feathers. Sometimes they get ratty feathers from their feathers scraping the cage; if his perches are close to the ground or close to the wiring of the cage that can make them tired too.
He looks like a character. What’s your favorite thing about him? Favorite part of his day?
during the 6 months or so I had a pair of parrots, they loved it when I sprayed them with a water bottle. They actually smiled and opened their wings like that. That was my favorite part of having them here.
he does not look like he is clipped to me, but I had merely budgie experience.
BTW, you might be able to teach him to ‘step up’ on a stick or something.
It does seem that at least one flight feather on his right wing was clipped awhile ago. Bird owners clip flight feathers to make sure the bird cannot fly away if they manage to get outside. They can still fly a little bit with their wings clipped, but not very high or far.
If you decide to continue having his wings clipped please do your research to do it properly. So many bird owners make a mess out of their bird’s wings by over clipping. This can also lead to depression in birds.
@beowulf @Larksmom @Red_Dust @CanadianTrotter
My brother used to pull his cage outside and spray it and him down with the hose. He said he liked it. I can’t move the cage because it’s too big (brother’s was much smaller). I hope after some time, he’ll get used to what I’m trying to do.
I have birdbaths outside and saw how the birds enjoyed them so I got these large things that you can put plant pots in and put them in the bottom of his cage. It took him quite a while to be comfortable enough to go down and walk around in them. Now I put the wood pieces from his toy in them and he enjoys playing with those in them and pushing them all around. I’ve tried putting water in one (with nothing else) but he stays away from it then. I got a small one and put it with water in, but no go.
He does use his water bowl on occasion and spends about 10 minutes washing his head. I got some special parrot spray which is supposed to soothe his skin, etc but he really does not like me spraying that on him. I have a big spray bottle, bought specifically to use to spray water on him, for baths, and do that sometimes, but he doesn’t really enjoy it. I try to spray above him so the light spray lands on him like a rain or fog. He’s not too thrilled with that either, but I’m hoping he’ll get somewhat used to it. It’s chilly in NC now, so the spraying is on hold for a while. Don’t worry he’s inside with me and I’m keeping the temp around 74, it’s comfortable for us both but not bath comfortable.
I did look up wing clipping and agree with Red_Dust that he probably doesn’t have his wings clipped. But that right wing has been like that forever, although I don’t know what all they did with him for his previous years.
I’ll have to get pretty brave to try to get him to step up on a stick, he’s very possessive of his cage; if I go to take down the chain from one of his toys, he comes running over ready to bite me, but feeding him, giving him treats by hand, putting the treat bowl in his cage, no problem. But he’s only been here for a little over 3 months and I’m in no hurry. I saw a post on the parrot forum it took one person 10 years to get his to step up!!
Oh, I won’t go with the wing clipping, I thought it was a one and done but saw that it’s a maintenance thing. Maybe he’s been in a cage so long he doesn’t really know how to fly. He works those wings up on the top of his cage though, make more wind that the ceiling fan. He does stare at a couple of tables when he’s up on top so maybe one day he’ll make the leap. I’m sitting right here and usually tell him, don’t do that.
He did get down on the floor the other day, and spent time tearing up the paper I have down there to catch the poop. So, we’re making progress. I’ll post some pics later when I’m on my phone. I will let you know what the big minds of the parrot forum tell me about our ‘adventure’.
It will take time! It sounds like you are already on the right track.
If he does not like being sprayed, do you think he’d like hanging out in / around the shower? I have seen some big birds really enjoy that, not sure if it is an option with your set up - it sounds like you have a great little “bird bath” in the cage for him.
I think it’s normal for them to be possessive of their cage especially if uncertain - kind of like horses there.
It takes a long time for clipped wings to grow out. I won’t go so far to say it is cruel to do, like everything there are reasons it might be necessary, but I have seen many birds lose confidence in themselves once their wings are clipped - and if they are not flying regularly, those muscles tend to atrophy. It is just hard to see because they are birds with feathers.
I have an account on that forum - let me know when/if you post and I’ll swing by with the good vibes!!
Thanks!
There will be no showering at this time But that’s a good idea. I have screened in porches front and back and really hope We get to a point where in spring/summer I can put perches out there and we enjoy fresh air together.
you will have to put more than fly screen up though. But that sounds like a good plan otherwise.
I have a Senegal parrot. He is 29…. Probably near the end of his life span, but you’d never know it. I’ve had him since he was hatched, really, he didn’t even have all his feathers when I bought him from the breeder.
He can be the most obnoxious noisy messy thing ever. He doesn’t like anybody but me.
I used to belong to a large bird club, took mine to shows and such.
I’ve had a couple Amazon’s; Cockatiels, Pionus, various parakeets.
One day he was on my shoulder and he undid my earring! Took it out using his beak/tongue. Took the back off and out plopped my earring. Had to grab that before he swallowed it!
In the summer I keep him outside, he loves the warmth and mental stimulation of seeing things. Also easier to clean his cage.
I’ll try to get a pic later.