I had two days off in a row this week!!  I know that doesn’t sound like a big deal, but when you work in retail, believe me, it’s rare.  It feels like spring break.  I intended to tackle some projects that needed tackling.  I actually tackled two.  And they were, of course, bird projects.

New cage covers were desperately needed for Linus, my umbrella cockatoo, and the cockatiels, so I moved this to the top of the to-do list.  I went to the quilting section at the fabric store and bought about 2 miles of dark broadcloth.  Linus has a really big cage.  He also has a really big beak and had shredded his cover beyond usefulness.  He has a favorite side to his cage for sleeping, and there was so little fabric remaining on that side that he recently decided to move to the other side for a good night’s sleep.  I know this because his back-end has been positioned over his water bowl all night for about a week now.  I don’t think I need to say more.  I constructed the cover and attached it to the cage using grommets and quick links.

The cockatiels.  My sweet little darlings.  The only thing worse that waking up to the horrors in Linus’s water dish is waking up to the cockatiel’s belting out a tune at 6:30am when I worked late and got to bed at 1 the night before.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love hearing their joyous little voices.  Just not then.  I made them a darker cover to encourage them to sleep a little later.

I was so excited when I went to bed last night, new cage covers in place, knowing I could sleep until I woke up rested.  Well, that was the plan, until I woke up to my alarm clock buzzing at 6:45.  Apparently, I had set it the night before out of habit.  The good news is that I did not hear a peep from the cockatiels at 6:30…if that can be construed as good news.  Oh, and by the way, I came down stairs to find that Linus had torn a hole in his new cover, right at his eye level, and every movement I made was being monitored by a blue eye ring surrounded by black cloth.  Creepy.

Today’s project was toy making for the cockatoos.  Linus was pouting this morning as if to say:  “Mom, I have nothing to do with my beak.”  I was thinking how he found something to do with it earlier that involved his new cage cover, but kept quiet.  I went to the lumber store for a pile of 2X4s and cut enough 1″ pieces to fill a 10 gallon bin.  I drilled holes into each piece so they could be strung onto chains.  I made HUGE toys for both Linus and Theo, my goffins cockatoo, who didn’t even notice the wooden behemoth in her cage.

Linus was thrilled, though, and spent most of the day transporting bitten off chunks of wood to his stainless steel pail for further processing.  I noticed about an hour ago that he has managed to give himself a black eye, something he does several times a year in the course of going to battle with his toys.  Sometimes they hit back.  He has already gone through about 7″ of wood, or the equivalent of 15 boxes of toothpicks (if I were counting, or thinking about going into that business).  I guess we both had a productive day.  Next project on the list:  Easter baskets for the cockatoos, and Easter…boxes for the little guys.

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I really dislike the term “forever home”.  It is used very commonly among people who take in rescued or rehomed parrots.  “He has found his forever home”.  I like the idea behind the expression, which is indicative of a person’s level of commitment to a bird that might be unsuitable in many homes.  Practically speaking, all good intentions aside, it often doesn’t happen that way.

Have you ever given thought to what would become of your parrot if you were to die or in some way become incapacitated?  What if you were faced with a financial crisis and were unable to keep your pets?  Do you have a plan?

Both of my cockatoos could outlive me, as could my young quaker, even if I live to a ripe old age.  The cockatiels are getting up there in age, but who knows?  I could be hit by a falling meteor on my way to the mailbox.

Placement:

Since parrots are so long-lived and require specific care, their placement is a little complex.  If you are lucky enough to have a spouse that loves your birds like you do (not just tolerates them because he loves you), or children who have been raised around them and will commit to taking on their care once you are gone, you are indeed lucky.

Many people I have discussed this with do not feel that their family members will offer the same level of care and understanding that their birds are accustomed to.  Sometimes your bird will be better off going into the care of  an outside party that is educated about parrots and their needs.

Once you have made a decision on placement, it is a good idea to frequently reevaluate.  Your favorite nephew may have eagerly offered to take over the care of your parrot, but his life could change as well.  He may wind up engaged to a woman that really doesn’t care for birds and would prefer that one not be in her house.  Once someone makes the offer, let them know that it is always retractable with no hard feelings.  This will allow you to make other arrangements.  NEVER will a bird to an unsuspecting relative or friend:  so-and-so gets the house, so-and-so gets the jewelry, and so-and-so gets Kiwi because you once said he was cute.  Not a good plan.

Passing along vital information:

On my computer desktop I keep two bird related files: Bird Instructions and My Parrots.  I place them in the top center of the screen so they can be easily spotted.  Bird Instructions outlines my daily routine for the feeding and care of my birds, should I ever be hospitalized or unable to return home for any reason.  I include the number of my vet, and a few bird knowledgeable friends to call with any problems.  I assume that someone with limited knowledge about birds might have the short term care of my birds, and I make it as simple as possible.

The My Parrots file contains a very detailed outline of each individual bird.  It includes the hatch date, or approximate age if you don’t know for certain, and the species of each bird and whether captive bred or wild caught.  It includes band #s, and microchip information,  the number for the vet and a friend or relative who has had some experience with each parrot.

I specify, in length, any health or behavioral issues and list as many likes and dislikes as I can think of:  foods, snacks, toys and favorite games. Also include a list of your bird’s quirks, he feels threatened if you… or doesn’t like his toes touched, for example.

I go into detail about how well this bird does with other birds, pets or children and how tolerant he is with commotion and noise.  If you are working on any tricks with your bird, be sure to include those.  A video of a training session would be helpful for a person who will continue this practice.  It will give them a chance to see your training style and how your bird responds to it.  I put in whatever I could think of that might help a future owner take the best possible care of my bird, and I constantly revise as new behaviors or issues present themselves.

Trust Funds:

Many people are setting up trust funds for the future care of their pets, should they die or find themselves unable to care for them any longer because of health issues or advancing age.   We all know that keeping a parrot can be expensive.  This will ensure that the new care giver will be able to afford the very best for your bird, and maintain the lifestyle he has grown accustomed to.  A living will can ensure that your desires are carried out if you are unable to communicate them.  Forms for this can be submitted online.

Mine are all going to a rescue in Arizona that is owned and operated by a dear friend.  I trust her implicitly with the task of finding great new homes for my babies.

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Watch a LIVE video demo of me taming our wild, biting Macaw, “Tiko.” (See how I handle “Tiko” as he lunges at me, screaming and biting — how I lovingly calm him down… and mesmerize him so much that he BEGS me to pet him with my BARE HANDS 5 minutes later!) Click for more »

Parrots are instinctively highly attuned to everything around them.  It is this awareness of their environment that keeps them safe from predators.  So it’s easy to understand why parrots are so quick to pick up on the energy levels of their owners and the home they live in. This is something we can use to our advantage and is just one more example of how having an understanding of a wild bird’s nature will help us with the birds we keep in our homes.

Have you ever noticed that when you stand in front of your bird and act silly and animated that he will start bouncing up and down on his perch and become vocal?  Have you observed that when you stand quietly and speak to him in quiet tones that he will turn his head to the side and listen intently to your words?

The energy level present in the home is often responsible for the behavior, or misbehavior, of our parrots.  If things have become too chaotic or noisy, sometimes all it takes to restore peace is a quiet chat.

When Linus, my umbrella cockatoo, decides the time is right for his afternoon vocalizations, I can nearly always quiet him by speaking softly to him.  Even when he is in  full-on scream mode, I can generally stop it by standing in front of him and continuing to speak quietly.  He may not be able to hear me over his own loud voice, but he can see me, and I figure he has to come up for air at some point.  My low energy gradually rubs off on him.

On the other side of that coin is instigating play.  For the parrot that tends to be a perch potato, some music and lively dancing and singing on your part might be just the things to get him moving, and exercising.  Sometimes birds are afraid of, or disinterested in, new things.  Since your bird trusts you, your enthusiasm with new things will make him feel comfortable with, and an excitement about, the things you introduce him to.  Once you tell him something is okay, it will be.

Talking to your parrot serves a number of purposes.  For the new parrot in the home, it is trust building.  Your new parrot can learn to feel relaxed with you as you continue to show him that you are a safe playmate.  As his comfort increases, you can begin to show him that you are fun as well.

Talking to your parrot can prepare him for events coming up in the future as well, such as your trip to Europe and his subsequent trip to the boarding facility, or any other big change that is approaching. Tell your parrot that a change is coming, but that it is a temporary arrangement and that everything will be fine.  Assure him that he is loved, and throw in how beautiful and good he is.  The more time you spend talking to him, explaining and reassuring him, the better prepared he will be for your absence.  I realize this sounds silly, and I can already see some eyes rolling, but this really does help, and I don’t know of a single parrot expert who doesn’t agree.  While they don’t understand your words, they will certainly take your tone to heart.  Somehow, this reaffirms your relationship with them and carries them through what might otherwise be a traumatic event.

In every case where a parrot that has the benefit of an owner that takes the time to talk to him, he will  feel included as a member of the household.  This improves your relationship with him, betters his life and will make him more family friendly.

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"Discover How New Training Techniques Can Finally Train Your Parrot To Entertain Himself Quietly… Even If Trying To Ignore The Screaming, Cramming It’s Cage Full Of Fun Toys, & Giving Him More Attention Has Failed Miserably!"  Click for more »