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Post by dianapalmer on Feb 16, 2014 23:31:55 GMT
I have been interacting lots with the new bird and I think he's been doing a lot of feather preening. I have come to feel that Smoky doesn't do justice to his beauty.
His feathers definitely have a silvery sheen under good lighting. So, I have changed his name to Silver.
I hope this one sticks!
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Post by lisamarie on Feb 16, 2014 23:33:54 GMT
At least he is young enough that you can change his name as much as you want! He is a very beautiful bird
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Post by rdkntriker on Feb 16, 2014 23:51:32 GMT
Nice name, has he meet Emma yet? Do you still interact with her?
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Post by dianapalmer on Feb 17, 2014 0:52:05 GMT
He hasn't met Emma yet. I am still working on Emma. This afternoon I got her on my forearm several times by offering her sunflower seeds. She's so funny, tho. If she doesn't see the seed, she's not interested. She's clearly not afraid of me, because she hops up right away if the seed is there. She also will come and perch on my laptop and walk on my keyboard. But, if I put my hand or my finger out it's a no go and she will fly off.
How is it going with taming Lucky?
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Post by rdkntriker on Feb 17, 2014 2:09:19 GMT
He hasn't met Emma yet. I am still working on Emma. This afternoon I got her on my forearm several times by offering her sunflower seeds. She's so funny, tho. If she doesn't see the seed, she's not interested. She's clearly not afraid of me, because she hops up right away if the seed is there. She also will come and perch on my laptop and walk on my keyboard. But, if I put my hand or my finger out it's a no go and she will fly off. How is it going with taming Lucky? Lucky is doing good, I have not used any seed or millet yet in her training. If I put my hand in her cage she will run up to get on it. I have yet to let her out as I do not want to rush her back in and I have been very busy at work. Meaning I have to leave the house by a certain time. Hopefully this week. |
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Post by dianapalmer on Feb 17, 2014 2:17:13 GMT
Oh, that's good.
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Post by Pammy on Feb 17, 2014 17:01:14 GMT
Emma's behavior in this situation reminds me so much of my Kringle. It's the same thing. Clearly, he is not afraid of us, but he has to see the treat before he will come close. He's very obviously saying, "I want the treat, but not you." Kringle did hang out with Natey for a little while last night, but that's because Natey had December. I guess some birds are happy with the companionship of fellow birds, and other birds are desperate for togetherness with their human. I believe it has a great deal to do with how they were raised from infancy, but also individual personality has to come into it a little. Diana, I think we each have the perfect situation now, to include birds who interact as a flock (very enjoyable to watch), and a special little somebody who really wants to be with us.  |
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Post by dianapalmer on Feb 17, 2014 17:02:35 GMT
Diana, I think we each have the perfect situation now, to include birds who interact as a flock (very enjoyable to watch), and a special little somebody who really wants to be with us. Yes, I think so too. I couldn't be happier! |
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Post by Pammy on Feb 17, 2014 17:12:08 GMT
I am very interested to hear whether Silver begins to whistle, commonly a male cockatiel trait, but not unheard of in females. Is Silver younger than Mistletoe? Mistletoe hatched October 7th and he is whistling more everyday. He can now whistle the entire 11-note strain of Jingle Bells that I've been teaching him. He won't copy it back to me yet, nor do it on any kind of command, but he whistles it over and over again when he wants me to come get him. It's like he's saying, "See how adorable I am? See how I sing like you? Don't you wanna come get me now? Don'tcha? Don'tcha?" This little man doesn't understand that there are certain times, like when I'm stirring a bubbling pot of chili on the stove, that it just wouldn't be safe to perch on my shoulder. |
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Post by lisamarie on Feb 17, 2014 17:40:21 GMT
I am very interested to hear whether Silver begins to whistle, commonly a male cockatiel trait, but not unheard of in females. Is Silver younger than Mistletoe? Mistletoe hatched October 7th and he is whistling more everyday. He can now whistle the entire 11-note strain of Jingle Bells that I've been teaching him. He won't copy it back to me yet, nor do it on any kind of command, but he whistles it over and over again when he wants me to come get him. It's like he's saying, "See how adorable I am? See how I sing like you? Don't you wanna come get me now? Don'tcha? Don'tcha?" This little man doesn't understand that there are certain times, like when I'm stirring a bubbling pot of chili on the stove, that it just wouldn't be safe to perch on my shoulder. That is SO cute! I'm so jealous. I try to get Lucy to wolf whistle but nothing yet |
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Post by dianapalmer on Feb 17, 2014 17:41:41 GMT
When did Mistletoe start whistling? Is it very similar to the flock call, but just with several notes?
I was told that Silver is eight weeks old. That would be a hatch date of about December 15th.
Silver is not banded, so I'm not sure they knew exactly. When he weighted him, the associate said "Wow, he's a big boy."
The tiels in the bin had seed available and also had various amounts of hand feeding. I told them I wanted one that was done, or almost done with weaning, and he pointed out several as being the oldest in the group.
I know this is controversial, but they showed me how to hand feed and sent me home with some formula. The associate said he would recommend only one hand feeding a day and to give it in the evening. They let me feed two of the tiels that were hungry when the syringe came out. They would open their beaks wide and look up when they saw the syringe. Silver wasn't hungry at that time and didn't open his beak.
I tried to give him formula at home three times, but he rejected it. He did not open his beak when he saw the syringe, and I was not told to force it open, but that he would open up if he was hungry. So I did not end up giving him formula.
However, except for the first night, he has been really chowing down on his seed and pellets. I consider him to be weaned.
An interesting thing about Silver is that, when he flock calls, he generally makes four calls in rapid succession. Emma usually only calls once. If she calls several times, there is more of a break between calls.
This morning Silver ate a couple of cheerios and a couple of sunflower seeds. He has been drinking regularly.
He is alone in the dining room when the other birds are out. He will flock call if he gets lonely, and I go in and work with him. I have no TV in the dining room and usually play my dulcimer there. So, he is being exposed to music, which he seems to like. And, I am practicing my dulcimer more.
I ordered a tension rod so I can put a curtain between the living room and dining room. So far, the birds have not figured out how to reach each other, but I think it will happen if I don't take that step.
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Post by Pammy on Feb 17, 2014 18:24:34 GMT
Oh yes, I had forgotten that you play the dulcimer! I've only heard one played once, many years ago, and I am having trouble remembering the sound of it. Maybe sometime when you are playing and Silver is listening, you could video a clip to post on here for us. I would enjoy that.
Let's see, Mistletoe came here when he was almost 3 months old. If I remember correctly, he started making baby whistling noises here and there pretty soon after arrival. One sound was quite close to a wolf whistle, so I went with that as our beginning learned whistle. He got it pretty quickly, and now wolf whistles many times throughout the day, everyday. I have been whistling the first 11 notes of Jingle Bells since nearly the beginning, and just a couple of weeks ago, Mistletoe started to whistled the first 6 notes (same note repeated in the jin-gle bells, jin-gle bells rhythm). Just within the last 2 days, he has been whistling the full 11-note pattern of "jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way." It's adorable and exciting! The possibilities are endless! I'm deciding whether I want to expand beyond those 11 notes in the same song, or move on to a new song. I'm thinking both!
As for the flock call compared to whistling goes, Mistletoe's flock call is a shrill, ear-splitting sound that isn't remotely pleasant to me. His whistling is completely different. He has a clear, sweet sound that is melodious and easy on the ears. Mistletoe's whistling is very pretty.
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Post by dianapalmer on Feb 17, 2014 21:51:41 GMT
I actually heard something this afternoon that sounded like the second half of a wolf whistle. but I could be wrong. I was in the other room at the time.
I can't wait for my daughter to come for a visit on Friday and show her Silver. When I told her I had bought another bird I was kind of prepared for some disapproval--along the lines of me turning into an animal hoarder or something. But, she was great, and said she was so happy for me.
My brother came over last Friday and got to hold Silver. He remarked on what a huge difference in trust there was compared to my other birds.
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Post by Pammy on Feb 17, 2014 22:08:50 GMT
I'm excited for you to get to show off Silver to your daughter. How fun! I'm so happy she is being so supportive of what's important to you.
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Post by lisamarie on Feb 17, 2014 22:15:53 GMT
Having support from loved ones is such a nice feeling. My boyfriend is so excited for Leo. I like that. And my dad really likes the birds, as well as one of my sisters. My mom likes the birds, but she came in my room the other day, and Lucy flew onto her head so she screamed and ran out. Hehe that's just how Lucy says hello - she sits on your head. So my mom likes them when they are in their cages lol. Diana, I'm sure your daughter will love Silver! I already do. I have a special soft spot for pearls |
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