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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Dec 10, 2021 21:05:57 GMT
Tweetie Pie has always been timid and skittish especially of people. Since Buddy was hand raised, he has no problem with people but he does show his independence and will come if he wants to. I can hold up my arm and say "Buddy, come". If he feels like playing, he'd come to my arm and kiss my thumbnail or I'd hold him up to my reading glasses and he'd chew them or beak at his image in the glass. Tweetie Pie never did that. Then, a couple of times when Buddy was on my hand kissing my thumbnail, Tweetie Pie flew over and shoved him off. After that Buddy would look over at Tweetie Pie if I called him. If Tweetie Pie were napping or not paying attention, the Buddy would come. Now, when I call Buddy, Tweetie Pie will go over to the perch where Buddy is and Buddy won't come play on me. Why is Tweetie Pie doing this? I got Buddy to be a friend to Tweetie Pie but I'd like both to play with me. Tweetie Pie only comes on me if I have food. I also have them trained to hop on my arm so I can taxi them to their food dish when I let them out. Tweetie Pie does that OK but if he's really hungry, it may be a touch and go. Any ideas on how to improve this?
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Post by ffiscool on Dec 10, 2021 21:09:06 GMT
My take, I’d say he’s jealous. Even though he could do it and come to you, he’s not keen that Buddy does.
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Post by Hezz on Dec 10, 2021 21:36:09 GMT
I’d agree that there is degree of … not sure I’d call it jealousy, but I can’t think of a better description. I’d be including both in whatever you want them to do, not just Buddy. You need to make yourself part of their flock, not them part of yours. They are already a flock of two and it is you who needs to be accepted into their world. From the birds’ point of view, of course. You need to think more like a bird, not try to make them think more like a human.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Dec 10, 2021 21:48:00 GMT
Hmmm, think like a bird. How does the third wheel make friends with a bonded pair?
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Dec 11, 2021 17:55:44 GMT
I wonder if I gave them a mirror to play with, would they become more independent of each other, especially Tweetie Pie? Is that a good idea? Any opinions?
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Dec 12, 2021 0:34:36 GMT
Any ideas
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Post by Hezz on Dec 12, 2021 1:00:47 GMT
A mirror is not going to come between two real birds in my opinion. But there is nothing lost by trying.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Dec 13, 2021 2:14:36 GMT
Hezz continues to give good advice. For the past couple of days I've been giving Tweetie Pie as much attention as I give to Buddy. I've been walking up to the cage, standing in front of Tweetie Pie, calling him by name and talking to him. I've also been talking to Buddy. Today, I held up my arm and called out "Tweetie Pie, come" and he did!!!! He flew over and perched on my arm for a few seconds. I then gave him millet as a treat. I hope he continues to do it.
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Post by Ira on Dec 13, 2021 6:35:34 GMT
It's easy to end up favouring the one who is more willing to come forward. Hopefully Tweetie Pie learns that he can have fun with you too.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Dec 13, 2021 15:12:42 GMT
I hope so Ira! He's just so timid. When I walk up to him, even if he's in the cage, he'll retreat away from me. If outside the cage, he goes back inside. If inside, he'll jump to a perch higher up and in the back. I usually move away from him and talk to Buddy. In the past couple days, I've stayed and just kept talking to him. Yes, Buddy is easier. When I come near him, he'll stay where he is. I can put my face right down to him and "scratch" his cheek feathers with the tip of my nose and he'll give me little kisses or chew on my glasses. I'd love Tweetie Pie to do that.
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Post by Ira on Dec 13, 2021 15:40:37 GMT
Sounds like Pippin. It takes a lot for him to not move away if I'm passing by. I have to bribe him to be able to take him back to the cage, and even that takes effort. He'll be leaning towards the millet, unable to reach, and if I try to move it closer for him to have a taste to tempt him then suddenly he's hopping off up the big ladder and is a metre away. I swear he can't see properly.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Dec 13, 2021 16:42:47 GMT
Fortunately Ira it sounds like Tweetie Pie is not quite as timid as Pippin. My little guy is a millet junkie and will fly to me to get millet. Tweetie Pie used to share with Buddy but no longer. He's the first on my hand to get millet. When Buddy flies over to get some, he'll get only a couple of seeds before TP makes the chipmunk sounds and gets between him and the millet. I had been shooing TP off my hand so Buddy could have some. I can see now how that may have contributed to TP not wanting Buddy to go on my hand. I now hold up one hand with the millet and TP comes to eat followed by Buddy. When TP tells him off, Buddy will sit on my arm looking forlorn. I then have another piece of millet which I hold up to Buddy. They then do a dance between the millet bits but each gets some and I don't shoo either off. Their late afternoon meal is a mix of cooked grains which they love. When Buddy sees me go into the kitchen, open the frig to dish it out, he flies onto my shoulder and sits there until I've finished dishing it out. As I'm carrying it to the table, Buddy will crawl down my arm onto the dish so he can start eating right away. TP has now starting flying over to my shoulder and then onto the dish also. He does watch Buddy and sometimes copies him. Hopefully by paying more attention to TP, he'll get friendlier.
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Post by Hezz on Dec 14, 2021 1:03:05 GMT
You have two budgies and you have two hands. No one needs to miss out. . I’m please for you that TP has already improved with just that little bit of encouragement. Little things that we aren’t even really aware of doing can be cause for a change in attitude in our birds, and yes, must too easy to favour the bold over the more timid. Well done, Tweetie Pie, for being a brave boy, as well.
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Post by criswell on Dec 14, 2021 23:01:19 GMT
It's brilliant that you've made progress with Tweetie Pie already. Well done to both of you.
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Post by Ira on Dec 15, 2021 15:27:57 GMT
tweetiepiesmom Pippin likes millet, it's just getting it close enough for him to take notice without spooking him. He likes it when I'm not looking at him too, and to transport him I need to make sure he's never between my body and a solid object like a wall, and go slowly. He's taught me sooooo much patience and I'm blessed to have him. ❤ Sounds like things are a little better with Tweetie Pie already. Maybe he was feeling a little excluded and envious. Glad you've found a solution. We don't have enough hands between us these days!
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