Another amusing story about territoral birds is about my female (we think)
Mitred Conure, Penny.  Penny is about three and a half years old and is
quite the character.  She will try to bite just about any one in the house
(depending on her mood) except me (even then I need to watch her carefully).
She has discovered that she really enjoys being on top of our Sun Conure's
(Skipper) cage.  Penny is physically challenged because of severe lead
poisoning that happened last summer - she has a real hard time using her
feet to grip, so you can understand her feeling pretty good about herself
being able to climb to the top of Skipper's cage.
    Anyhow, Penny can be quite territorial on the cage and doesn't mind
using her beak to remind you.  Last night, at bedtime, I went up to Penny
and reached out my hand (warily) for her to step up.  As expected, she made
a bite attempt.  I then walked over to the kitchen drawer, got out a large
dishtowel and walked back over to the cage.  I held up the towel so she
could see it quite clearly.  Her demeanor changed in an instant.  When I put
my hand out for her to step up, she stepped up without complaint!  Twice
before I have had to towel her to get her off the cage.  I guess she figured
it would be easier to step up than be toweled again.  My wife and I laughed
our butts off.





--- UseNet To RIME Gateway {at} 2/3/05 6:18:34 PM ---