Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 3:24 pm Post subject: My boy won't play!
Please help, I beg you. I love my male kakariki deeply. He is an indoor bird with a very large cage, and I let him fly around my bedroom at times. He has lost 2 girlfriends, and is alone now. I don't think he's more than 2 years old but I don't know.
He won't play. I have a box of new toys which he wouldn't even look at. I've tried foot toys, shredding toys, ladders, swings, balls, bells. I have not used mirrors although he sometimes looks in mine when he flies in my room, but it doesn't excite him.
What can I give this poor bored bird who sleeps and sits around? HELP!
1st run a search (you have quicksearch block on the left side) for sick, illness, etc... that might shed some light and give you a quick guide on what to do.
Consider bringing the bird to a good specialist in exotics in your area. Try to talk to breeders, etc... they might be able to direct you to someone that could help.
A regular dog/cat vet is many times not very useful, it must be a exotic specialist.
Avoid chasing him around when out of the cage or even inside, leave him alone. Kakariki... when they want to play, they come to you (I have an aviary full of parent-raised kakariki that I only see 3-4 times/week and they are all over me when I'm inside the aviary biting my shoes, clothes, etc...). Especially if the bird is sick you do no favor at all by chasing him around or bothering him with many new toys at once in his cage.
By the way... what diet do you feed your bird?
Only seed? or do you add greens/fruit to his diet. No need of fancy stuff if you have just 1 bird, just an slice of the apple/pear you are about to eat, or spare him some salad or boiled veggies, etc...
Extra protein is very important (a leftover bone, or a teaspoon of your bolognese sauce, etc.. will do ok).
Water must be renewed daily and a few drops of apple cider vinegar is a good complement, specially for a sick bird.
Good luck and keep us informed of any progress or further questions you can't find an answer on old posts.
Cheers / Pablo _________________ AD ASTRA PER ASPERA
No not boiled veggies fresh and raw...
I spent a lot of time in the bush, never saw any birds cooking up over a fire...saw a few being cooked on our fire thu... _________________ My Spelling is Not Incorrect...It's 'Creative'
Yes, I do give him veggies (raw), although probably not as often as I should. His favourites are cos lettuce and corn on the kabob. For special treats I will give him just a few shelled peanuts or a piece of walnut. I am extremely careful to give him natural, no-added-anything food only. He likes pear and apple but rarely gets them (I forget). I had no idea I was supposed to give him protein. I offered him a piece of prawn once (a ringneck I know is fond of it) but he wouldn't touch it.
I don't think he's sick - he has always been a quiet bird and I've had him for a year now. He happily bathes twice a week then flies off the excess water and drip-dries in my wardrobe. I have tried to make friends with him by gaining his trust but he is very standoffish. No, I don't chase him around the room - I simply ask him to put himself back in, and he (usually!) does. The worst is when I have to trim his claws; of course I have to hold him for that and he hates it.
He's my first parrot, but I have kept budgies, canaries and finches before.
(I would use his name, but I've called him after a Maori deity and don't want to offend anyone. Apologies if I have.)
Any suggestions, however bizarre or far-fetched, gratefully received!
I actually meant to spare some veggies you are about to boil and give them raw, although myself... I give them sometimes frozen potato salad mix unthawed and they like it.
(but I doubt of the nutritious value of any frozen vegs, have to research about this)
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The worst is when I have to trim his claws
How often and why do you do this?
I mean... are the nails getting long so much it's difficult for the bird to perch? Do you use natural perches or plastic perches?
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don't want to offend anyone.
I think everybody here is tolerant enough to understand its your own right to name your pets after a deity as a tribute or just simply because you like the name. You won't do wrong.
Well... to be honest I don't really know what can be happening. I understood your first message like he spent the last 1-2 weeks fluffy and apathetic, but... if he has always been like that I don't know what can happen.
Most kakariki I met so far are very lively, active and inquisitive. Usually their will to investigate will overcome fear in less than a couple of minutes.
(for instance release a recently purchased bird in an aviary, stay inside to observe them and take a few pics, and after a couple of minutes they were biting my shoe).
It might be possible that he simply has a different personality or that he suffered some trauma and now doesn't socialize.
Veggies, etc... try to feed them daily. No need for a big quantity: a slice of any fruit you eat, a couple of dices of veggies, etc... Sprouted seed is a big favorite also.
Cheers / Pablo _________________ AD ASTRA PER ASPERA
Like Pab says trim claws? kakariki have claws longer than most parrots
And from our experiance with rescued kakariki, they eventually snip their own claws IF they get too long... Clipping you would have lost trust...
What u need to do now is give him very good reason to come to you.
rea a book, and have 1/2 an apple sitting on your knee...along those lines.
When he comes down, ignore him, so he feels save close around you.
Favourite veggies....
If they are getting enough then they dont have a 'favourie' they just eat what they require at the time....kakariki comw from the sub tropical forest/bush..there is little or no grass type seeds...
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He's my first parrot, but I have kept budgies, canaries and finches before.
Kakariki can not be compared to other parrots/birds, by nature they do what they want when they want.
Curremtly, bottom line you and the kakariki co habit togrther well... thats good...I feel u just would like him to land on your shoulder every so often, a bit more interaction on his part correct?
like our king parrot here...he is being ignored by me. .. but I have something he wants
http://www.kakariki.net/modules.php?set_albumName=Bob-Cohabit&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php
he doesnt like being touched, we co habit with Bob...and our cats ..interactive activities happen when it suits both parties, or 1 party gives the other good reason to. _________________ My Spelling is Not Incorrect...It's 'Creative'
Kakariki can not be compared to other parrots/birds, by nature they do what they want when they want.
Bit of off-topic here. Girlfriend has 2 handfed budgies as pets. The female doesn't socialize at all, eventually will come and perch on top of your head, that's all.
The male... will come and socialize, when he comes, under his terms. If the game at play is not of his liking, he will fly away to the next person or if he is really upset will fly out of the room making a lot of noise, we think as a signal of protest.
If he wants to be alone, you can call him, etc... he won't come. Magic trick... to hit a glass with a spoon or fork, pretending you are stirring coffee... then he comes back "on fire".
I don't have enough experience with different pet budgies, but this guy is not really that different to a kakariki. The problem is... he is handfed and has a weird behavior many times, so might not be comparable to other budgies.
In any case Steps is right kakariki are not the conventional pet parrot/parakeet.
In any case... as Steps says... use something you think can be motivating for him to approach you. Food usually works quite well. Kakariki are very nice to interact with, very funny and lively, it's worth the effort!
Cheers / Pablo _________________ AD ASTRA PER ASPERA
Most kakariki I met so far are very lively, active and inquisitive.
That's what I understood about parrots in general, and the 2nd girl I had was a beloved rascal, although she also was somewhat shy of me. I am not a noisy or 'sudden-moving' person, and I know how to behave near birds (that's the only reason I said I had kept other birds, I wasn't comparing them).
My boy's name is Tane. I clip his claws because I was told when I bought him that I would need to if they grew too long. I use wooden perches, different sizes so his feet aren't locked in one position/size, and I make sure the perches are not too narrow for his feet.
Lately I have been letting Tane out and lying on my bed reading a book, with a lettuce leaf or similar on the bed near my leg. He will come and eat, but won't investigate me, and will fly away if I move my foot accidentally. This is the best I have been able to achieve. My rascally Kea (who in spite of her name was a kakariki!) once sat on my foot, and once landed on my book while I was reading it.
No, Tane is not fluffy and apathetic - he'd go straight to the vet if he were (I know of a bird vet). I guess I just have an extremely quiet bird. For all I know, he might be autistic. Reading other forums, I noticed a large hamster wheel is meant to be popular - guess I'll give that a try. I will also buy him another girlfriend - I know he's lonely. Otherwise he seems content enough.
Please let me know of any suggestions/toys/food/whatevers that anyone might have!
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