Does It Taste Better On The Floor?
But perhaps I've answered my own question. I think the keyword is "foraging". Since parrots in the wild must forage (foraging: the act of looking or searching for food or provisions) there must be a certain need for this behavior. Actually, it keeps their little brains busy and is enjoyable for them. Check out this cute and informative site on foraging: http://foragingforparrots.com/
(just look at those beady eyes pinning in excitement!)
So maybe the answer to the question is a resounding YES. It really does taste better on the floor.
♫♪♪
You're Just Yellow-Belly!
I've been going through old albums and came across one of the first pictures I ever took on Nani as a baby back in 2008. Boy has she ever changed! She was only 2 months old at the time and was just a wee thing. She had the yellowest belly I'd ever seen and dark maroon-colored eye rings. It took 2 full molts for her to go from sunny yellow to bright white belly feathers and her eyes had turned tomato red by the time she was 2 years old. She's still a little on the small side as far as Caiques go; my little peanut.
Looking through these photos has made me nostalgic and there just may be a new baby in our future.
First Snow Day
Yes, it's happened. My worst nightmare. There is a blanket of snow covering the ground and fall is officially over. Last week it was in the upper 60's and today we're at 38° as a high. I really don't care for winter as you may be able to discern, but the snow is pretty. Nani has been enjoying the nice weather lately. She likes to sit in the window and growl at the goings on outside. So I placed her there again to look at what had happened and she seemed shocked. Her eyes got big and started pinning right away. The growling noises were much louder than usual too. But nonetheless she sat there for several hours watching the neighbor kids make a snowman.
Closer and Closer...
Nani has been much more accepting of Mr. Feathersworth lately and they can sit in close proximity for short amounts of time with no problems. I think this is largely due to the fact that Mr. FW stays out of her way. Below you can see she flew over to his cage and is just hanging out with him. She goes over to sample the tidbits inside his cage and, of course, he could care less (still struggling with weaning) so it all works out. Of course she still occasionally feels the need to assert her dominance (or is she just being an instigator?) and will nip at his tail feathers. But all in all things have vastly improved from the time when she would go straight for his jugular every chance she got. ♫♪♪
NOTIFY THE PRESS! The Unthinkable Has Happened!
The world as we know it could very well end! Crazy things are happening, up is down and down is up! In is out and out is in! Nani has done the most incredible thing.
Today was another nice summer day and I decided to take a break from packing orders and bring Nani outside. No sooner did I get out the door and Mr. Feathersworth started crying. Now normally it isn't safe to have them both together with no backup but I took a chance and went out with them both, Nani in one hand and Mr. FW in the other. Nani did her usually growling at passing butterflies and Mr. FW just sat there staring into space (I hate to say it but he's a few sandwiches short of a picnic if you know what I mean). I'm not sure what came over me but I started putting the two closer together. Nani was far too busy playing watch dog to feel territorial and allowed it. Soon they were cheek to cheek. Then, without warning it happened...
...wait for it...
...wait for it...
...she started preening him! He got all spongy and she was all lovey dovey and I felt a lump in my throat. It was so beautiful *sniff*. All I had on me was my cell phone but I managed to get a few pictures:
Can everyone say "awwwww"?
New Hatch Date Photos
Nani's hatch date photo has always been on the sidebar of this blog, however since this is no longer a blog only about Nani I've added a new hatch date photo for Mr. FW as well and updated Nani's photo. If you notice Nani and Mr. Feathersworth are almost exactly 2 years apart.
:)
Naughty Nani
Today I took Mr. Feathersworth with me in another room for a few minutes while Nani was out of her cage in the bird room (a.k.a. our living room). Upon my return I discovered that Nani was nowhere to be found! Then I heard it, a soft crunching noise coming from Mr. F's cage. This is the scene I saw:
Still Not Getting Along
Nani is still not fond of Mr. Feathersworth despite my best efforts to make her feel as if nothing has changed to the pecking order. I still greet her first, take her out first, give her fun one on one playtime, etc. It does seem to be making some sort of difference however, because she has pretty much resorted to ignoring him instead of dive bombing him at every chance. In fact, to my shock, she allows him to explore the top of her cage as long as she is in his enjoying his food and treats. However, if he gets too close she spazzes and tries to murder him. Here is an example of such behavior:
*facebook readers go to caiqueclowns.blogspot.com to view this video
Nani Amongst The Sunflowers Photoshoot
I picked up a few fresh-cut sunflowers and our local nursery the other day. They are stunning! I wasn't aware that sunflowers have a scent but they do...and I rather like it. It's kinda a cross between a green leafy smell, sunflower seeds, and a very light floral (daisy) scent. You have to get your nose right up into the flower and give it a good whiff. The very centers are sticky while the surrounding area is very soft like fur. They last about a week but if you snip a bit off the bottoms each day as well as give them fresh water then they may last even longer. Ahhhh, sweet Summer!
But I didn't get the just for their pretty smell or vibrant blooms. I've often thought of Nani's colors to be much like a sunflower's and decided to do a photoshoot. Of course Nani was afraid of the giant one-eyed beasts when I first introduced her to them but with some coaxing she finally sat still...well as much as a Caique can sit still anyway. I think I got some good shots and I may try once more before they wither. Of course Mr. Feathersworth got in on the action as well, but he's MUCH MORE cooperative.
Nani, the star
I was taking video of Mr. Feathersworth yesterday and of course Nani was having none of that! She is the star of the household you know...
Introducing Mr. Gizmo Feathersworth
There's just one problem...Nani HATES him. I have introduced them slowly, the first day letting her see him in him cage from a distance. As soon as the baby started making his "feed me" cries Nani freaked. She started lunging at the cage and pinning her eyes. My heart sunk, I hoped at least she'd be curious. I've made it a point reassure her in an obvious and exaggerated way that she is still top bird. I excitedly greet her first, take her out of her cage first, give her treats first, etc. I also am spending the same amount of time playing with her so she sees that just because there's a new addition nothing has changed. She is a lot more relaxed now and mostly ignores the baby except when I am holding him and she's out of her cage. Unfortunately yesterday she got to him and bit at him. I was sitting on the couch with him and she came running over. I held my hand out for her to step up (I have successfully held both at the same time as long as Nani is perched higher) but instead she lept to my shoulder and down my chest to attack. It happen so fast! He let out a loud scream and I was sure he'd be bleeding all over. To my relief he was untouched. I checked every inch of his skin and there wasn't so much as a mark. I think that maybe at the most she pulled on some feathers or the tip of her beak touched him and he got scared. Now I am making sure to either hold him in another room or do it when she's put away. She went to check out his cage today and I took some video...
Above: 2 days after arriving
Below: The basket I carry him around in. Notice his feathers have grown in quite a bit.
A New Addition
Nani and I have been discussing a new addition to our feathered family for some time now. Well, I guess it was pretty much a one-sided conversation that went something like this: "Nani, should we get a new bird?"... "beep, beep"... "so, is that a yay or nay?"..."beep, beep, beep, beeeeeeeep". So clearly she was on board. Next we had to decide on a species. Of course Nani felt we should bring home another Caique, preferably one with masculine features. I quickly shot that idea down, however. Besides, two Caiques would probably set up professional screaming matches and have daily contests. No, we'd need a more quiet, laid back breed. I pointedly let Nani know in no uncertain terms that while I did choose a Caique last time they were not my only preference. I had also been considering an African Grey or some form of Pionus. African Grey's are AWESOME and I would die to have one. But thanks to Nani Featherbutt's spending habits price is an issue. I can't afford $1,000 bird at this time...or probably ever for that matter. So that narrowed it down to a Pionus...but which kind? White Capped? Blue-Headed? Bronze-winged? Maxi? It was time to do some research!
After hours of net surfing Nani and I were astonished to learn that they are all pretty much the same bird in different feather combinations. Some sites suggested that the White-capped Pi's (when male) are territorial and nippy. But the vast majority of them are sweet, quiet, and a bit shy. I found a wonderful breeder in Florida (being there are no Pi breeders in Minnesota) that came highly recommended (see WingsAviary.com). She had Bronze-winged Pi's on eggs so that sealed the deal. I made the purchase and my baby hatched on Thursday, 5/06/10. Nani was thrilled. We started receiving photo updates of our new baby...
At about 1.5 weeks old
2.5 weeks old
About 4 weeks old
5 weeks old taken 6/2/10Nani has enjoyed watching her baby grow over these past few weeks. But she insisted on knowing whether she would be a big sis to a brother or a sister. She just couldn't stand the suspense, and made a very good point when she insinuated that it would be very hard to name the baby if we didn't know the sex. So I gave in. Today the results came in and.......IT'S A BOY! Nani seemed a little too happy about the news and I kindly explained to her about the birds and the bees of the parrot world. Unfortunately for her a boy Pionus would only be interested in other female Pionus parrots and he just may very well find her flamboyant feathering repulsive.
So now it was time to choose a name. Nani thought he should be called Nani Jr. but I argued that there is only one true Nani in this world to which she agreed. After asking around for suggestions we came up with a nice combination: Mr. Feathersworth....Mr. Gizmo Feathersworth that is.
Gizmo will be flying home this Friday night. Nani and I had to re-learn how to hand-feed a baby being I haven't done so for years and Nani can't remember that far back, after all she was just a baby.
We are both very excited about the new addition and will be updated everyone on his progress. Goodbye for now.....
"squawk!"
Mommy and Me Time
Yesterday I was feeling pretty sick with a stomach infection, so I did what anyone in my position would do. I barricaded myself in my room with my laptop all day. After a few hours Nani must have gotten lonely and I stared hearing beeps coming from the living room, then a few screeches, then silence. That's never a good thing. Regardless I stayed in the room. A few minutes later I feel a bite to my toes! She had come a knockin'! She seemed to appreciate the new screen saver I put up...
Nani never fails to make my day a brighter one! :-)
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