I read books and see videos that talk about how, with much patience and great care, you will, one day, induce your pet bird to sit on your finger. Much joy will ensue.
Let me tell you, after awhile the ensuing joy starts to wear off.
My birds love me. Insanely. They want to be on me ALL THE TIME. I have one on my shoulder right now, another grooming the nape of my neck, and a third one standing on my left ring finger which is really slowing down my typing speed.
HOW DO I GET THEM OFF ME?
HELP!
Too. Much. Love.
They will NOT leave me alone! They complain when removed - even when removed to a food bowl. Yes, it was fun at first to me nuzzled lovingly by a warm, feathery bundle of affection but it is TOO MUCH for this mammal!
Break out some flour, Seven Herbs and Spices and a pot filled with vegetable oil, see if they take the hint, if they do, great, you get peace and quiet, if not, you get a really fresh dinner
Broomstick, are all your birds conures, or do you have a mix?
Parrots are flock birds, so really needy in the social aspect of life. Since you are the Flock leader, it’s especially important to their mind to cultivate your favor. That’s what they are hard-wired to do. This is one of the main reasons that people who want to have parrots as pets should know what they are getting into. A lonely parrot is a truly sad individual; they really need attention and companionship.
Toys can help while away the hours, but parrots really need good attention. I guess I’d have to ask: do you like spending time with them, and, do you like the attention they give at all ? You gotta really like birdies at a close relationship to have parrots, and, since they live a good while, be prepared for a long time.
I’ll take the stance that the common line ‘You have to devote ungodly amounts of time to your birds to keep them socialized and happy’, is bunk.
We have a Cockatiel that’s going on 24 and an African Grey that’s 10. They get a little attention each day (15-30 minutes) and they’re well adjusted and happy. I spent a long time initially weaning and training the Grey, but the time spent dropped significantly once the kids were born. He’s had his moments, but he’s not neurotic, well socalized, and not especially needy.
The kids have also been raised in a bird household with no major ill effects. One got a pretty good nip as a toddler and that was all it took for them to respect the bird’s space.
Right now a conure and two cockatiels. We’ve had a different conure, other cockatiels, and lovebirds in the past. We’ve been bird people for, oh, 15+ years now.
Well, actually, the conure’s favorite human is my husband, but he wasn’t feeling well and sleeping most of the day, and when that happens the conure tends to get even more needy and seek me out more.
Sure - but I’m not a bird. I’m not even a particularly social human being. Not feeling terribly well myself (both the humans have had some sort of bug this weekend) and thus feeling even less social than usual.
Nonetheless, I pretty much wore the flock all day. For about two blessed hours they all took a nap (while sitting on me) but for some reason they were full of energy today where I wasn’t. My husband finally woke up and and took over flock leader duties.
The only time I get really peeved is when they decide to “help” me play WoW or Guild Wars. And the guild loves it when they hear chweeep-SQUAAAAAACK! over ventrilo.
Just feeling a bit overwhelmed by them today, it happens - most days I don’t mind being a mobile bird perch. If I’m in the house and in their line of sight they want to be with me, it’s nothing more than that.
When it came time to put the darlings in their cages while I cooked dinner (safety first!) the conure didn’t want to go - she got on the opposite side of the cage from me, glared at me, and I could have sworn she said “F*** you!” I hope she didn’t. I really don’t want her to learn to swear. Regardless, the sentiment was there!
Sorry, Hon, after seeing you know birds well…yeah, I understand…my Cockatiels were shouting as I typed the above, noted as, um…hmm. ironic.
So, Hope you forgive me for for being wondering and querying, but, my cockatiells are rescue birds, and cockatiels tend to end up in shelters because of their Very Vocal abilities, and shreikiness in expressing loneliness. Have had other parrots too, and hate too see them mistreated.
Have you got a separate dedicated bird room with a door you can close?
Have you tried making a reaaallly interesting playstand or rope web festooned with toys and food puzzles? Sometimes they can be eased into self-entertainment.
My parrotlet, if I’m home, he’s on me. He gets pissed when I move; if I leave the vicinity of his cage, sometimes he’ll bite my neck to remind me who’s in charge. If I blow my nose he attacks the handkerchief out of, I assume, jealousy.
