LO>I have learned more from this echo than you could imagine. If left to my
LO>own devices in searching for answers to questions I had, I'd have been
LO>up a creek. The information in books or mags are just not always what
LO>I'm looking for. The knowledge on this echo is *incredible* and I have
LO>always appreciated the help I received when looking for it. The messages
Thats what its all about, I hope we all learn that. The good of the
birds is what we are here for.
LO>I'm dealing with Phoenix (Sun Conure) and his
LO>"mommy....mommmy...mommy...I need you" attitude. He is not as clingy as
LO>he used to be, but I do believe that he is displaying some sexual
LO>aggression at the moment. I'm trying not to excite him very much by
LO>excessive cuddling, rubbing, and scratching. He is a lot better at the
LO>moment than he was last week. If he gets a little too out of hand, and I
LO>need to be stern with him he pulls this pathetic little attitude and
LO>lowers his head and grabs his chin with his foot and scratches it. It
LO>reminds me of the same move made by my daughter when she was younger. If
LO>I reprimanded her for something (she was a thumb-sucker) the thumb would
LO>immediately pop into her mouth. When Phoenix does this immediately after
LO>I reprimand him, it looks like he is saying "sorry Mommy". Geesh...even
LO>the bird knows how to pull at my heart-strings.
Aren't they a challenge. Meggie is not a stubborn baby although she is
just beginning to go through the terrible two's. She now says "scratch,
scratch" and ducks the head. She knows how to get to Mommie heart
strings. She does not react when I reprimand her but has learned to say
stop it and knws what it means. They have a way of worming into your
hearts.
This afternoon I was grief stricken. I took a customer to one of the
builders I work with. He has 4 lovebirds 2 peach face and two mask. The
mask have a nest but so far they stay in it play in it but no eggs. They
don't know if they have 2 females, male or what??? I asked to see in the
nest box and his wife opened it up and one of the birds flew out. The
wings were not clipped and here were 3 dogs barking behind a gate in the
utility room. I was yelling and using some language that should not be
repeated and trying to guard that door so bird flying around would not
go into utility room with dogs and get eaten and wife was chasing the
bird with a towel. The little bird flew into the family room and got hit
by a fan running. I ran in there and found the little thing laying on
the floor. I started to cry and told them how could they keep any bird
without having the wings clipped. I gave them a stern lecture through my
tears. I picked the little thing up and held her close to me and found
out it was just stunned. I held it close and cuddled it until it settled
down. After awhile I put it back in the cage with its friend. Scarlet
after about 1/2 hour was climbing around and went into the nest box. I
called back at 9:30 PM and the lady says Scarlett seems ok. I am going
over at 11 AM and check for myself. In the meantime they got a stern
lecture and I told her I was coming over after scarlet settles down and
we are taking birds to have wings clipped. The builder was very upset
but if the bird had flown out the door there would be no more door. I
have tried to educate them about birds and what they eat. They give them
seed. Tomorrow when I go over I am taking some birdy bread and wheat
grass for the birds. They love the birds but think I am nuts to cook for
mine and go to all the trouble I do.
LO>It was nice to hear from you. I will be around and its nice to be back
LO>with all you smart people...
Wish I were smart, I am here to learn from the experts.
Talk to you soon.
Diane
---
 þ SLMR 2.1a þ All wiyht.  Heidi sritched mg kegtops awound?
---
---------------