Sept 15, 2013 16:23:58 GMT
GoldieNYC
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http://youtu.be/F9ADEs8IHJk Here's a new video, featuring the little yellow bird.
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Post by GoldieNYC on Sept 26, 2013 21:09:19 GMT
As I have posted to this forum, Goldie the Budgerigar is wonderful. She's a character and a bolt of energy. When she came to me at the end of July (from points unknown) she was quick to discover that captivity (again) wasn't going to be all by her terms, and some trust issues went out the window as she came in (a neighbor's rough grabbing, a night in a wire trash can).
Today, after finally getting both of her feet planted on my hand for an out-of-cage feeding (great step in trust), I discovered that she was going to fight me tooth and nail (wings and cunning) in coming back to her albeit-small cage (after hours of playing). We've had these scenes before. Some days, she flies around for a half an hour intermittently then finds her way back inside. Today, she had no intention of returning to her wired home, before -- ??
It ended up with me placing her on the same perch a good twenty times, wherever she'd landed - each with the same (game-like) result of flying away as we approached the maw of her cage to her last play site along the windowsill. If that failed, she'd glue herself to a picture frame -- anything at all but going home. The room was a relative wreck, and I'd had enough.
Eventually I cornered her with the cage itself, so that there was nothing to do but get inside. I've done this before, and it's always last-resort stuff. I'm trying very much to avoid negative associations, trauma - any steps back. But this is tough and stressful.
Are there some tried-and-true processes for dealing with this scenario? Her larger cage arrives very soon -- thankfully.
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Post by Hezz on Sept 27, 2013 1:03:11 GMT
The tried and true necessities for owning a budgie - patience and persistence. All you can do is do what you are doing, don't get frustrated, angry, depressed or any other negative feelings, and don't let her win. I always use a small room for training the birds to step up outside the cage and basic training and therefore returning to the cage, as out of cage training has to end sometime. I use a small ensuite bathroom, because otherwise you can spend a lot of time following said budgie around the room/house with a perch in hand hoping that this is going to be the time they do stay put long enough to be put into the cage. Also make sure when you do have out of cage time that you have plenty of time ...... don't try fitting it in between breakfast and dashing out the door for work, as an example. If the present cage has a small door, this makes the problem even harder ..... they don't like going through a small door space; makes them nervous and feel confined. Getting them back home can be helped by keeping food and water in the cage only, so she has to go home for a feed. If it makes you feel any better, even the best, tamest, well-trained budgies will give you the odd "I'm not going home yet" fly around when the mood suits them. They really do have a mind of their own and are not afraid to use it! Good luck.
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Sept 15, 2013 16:23:58 GMT
GoldieNYC
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http://youtu.be/F9ADEs8IHJk Here's a new video, featuring the little yellow bird.
Posts: 449
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Post by GoldieNYC on Sept 27, 2013 2:17:36 GMT
Hezz - thanks. You described the day perfectly. I have attempted to let her find her way out, while in the bathroom, but there's been no EVA while there. Perhaps I should keep that smaller room strictly in mind. She was having too much fun ripping up little surfaces (some invited, some not), and I knew there was an aversion to being in the cell again. Hopefully, this new cage will arrive with a proper doorway. My hands are large anyway - reaching a 12th on the piano. I need the space as much as she does :0)
Glad I'm not alone; glad I seem to be doing about the right thing. She's otherwise quiet at night and adorable in the morning, before her first coffee.
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Post by ffiscool on Sept 27, 2013 7:11:44 GMT
ah you are doing brilliantly, and so glad she is so lovely.
And even when they do go on your hand or perch or whatever, as above, they don't always want to go to bed... I had to stay up much later the other night, as someone would not come off the top of the cage, where he was, I might add, nodding off...
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Post by Hezz on Sept 27, 2013 10:21:11 GMT
Hezz - thanks. You described the day perfectly. I have attempted to let her find her way out, while in the bathroom, but there's been no EVA while there. Perhaps I should keep that smaller room strictly in mind. She was having too much fun ripping up little surfaces (some invited, some not), and I knew there was an aversion to being in the cell again. Hopefully, this new cage will arrive with a proper doorway. My hands are large anyway - reaching a 12th on the piano. I need the space as much as she does :0) Glad I'm not alone; glad I seem to be doing about the right thing. She's otherwise quiet at night and adorable in the morning, before her first coffee. Forgive me, but I am not sure of what you are saying with this. Probably something I really shoulde be familiar with, but can you please interpret from me??? Just so you don't feel so alone, my next move from the bathroom is my own bedroom, and I can honestly say that the number of times I have walked around the bed while budgie flew across in about a fifth of the time, doesn't need to be mentioned ....... i keep telling myself that the exercise is good!!!
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Sept 15, 2013 16:23:58 GMT
GoldieNYC
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http://youtu.be/F9ADEs8IHJk Here's a new video, featuring the little yellow bird.
Posts: 449
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Post by GoldieNYC on Sept 27, 2013 13:02:25 GMT
Ah... EVA = extra-vehicular activity (borrowed from NASA). The vehicle is the cage - in her case apt, as it does travel now and then inside the apartment. The point is that she wouldn't take the option to leave the cage when in the bathroom. She seemed to feel this was a punishment(?) She's feisty by nature.
The budgie has a good life - the center of attention and concern. I watch in amazement as she flies like a hummingbird. Not a bad way to spend a life. I've tried to fly, but the arms just don't provide enough lift.
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Post by Hezz on Sept 28, 2013 1:50:19 GMT
Ah ha! Gotcha! Goldie sounds like a typical hen. Lots of people only want cocks as they talk more, are more easy going, bite less etc, etc, but a hen brings a whole new dimension to budgie ownership. The term hen-pecked wasn't coined for nothing! As for you - hollow bones and feathers are required there, so sorry, you lucked out!!!
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Sept 15, 2013 16:23:58 GMT
GoldieNYC
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http://youtu.be/F9ADEs8IHJk Here's a new video, featuring the little yellow bird.
Posts: 449
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Post by GoldieNYC on Sept 28, 2013 3:53:52 GMT
The good news is - the large cage (a medium one in the "Vision" series) was an instant hit. She entered it like Natalie Wood surveying her dream house at the finale to Miracle on 34th Street. The hens are, apparently, a bit brighter too. She'd bear that out. She's sharp and aware. No talking as yet. Great singing, though.
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Post by Hezz on Sept 29, 2013 0:49:34 GMT
Who wouldn't like a bigger house, especially as she doesn't have to clean it!
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Sept 15, 2013 16:23:58 GMT
GoldieNYC
Normal Green
http://youtu.be/F9ADEs8IHJk Here's a new video, featuring the little yellow bird.
Posts: 449
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Post by GoldieNYC on Sept 29, 2013 2:01:45 GMT
She's chirping her head off. That loud, plaintive variety, most of the day. Could be unbridled joy... I'm happier to see her even flying inside the cage. I know she was excited to figure that out. I did pull the mirrored toy, late in the day. I needed a little rest too. I must be feeding her amphetamines. Where does she get it?
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Post by birdguhl on Sept 29, 2013 8:09:23 GMT
Good on you +++ for giving Goldie such a great home! She sounds like a great character. After reading about hens on here I confess to being the kind of wimp who is heartily glad to have 4 boys. You sound like you are definitely a match for gutsy Goldie!
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Sept 15, 2013 16:23:58 GMT
GoldieNYC
Normal Green
http://youtu.be/F9ADEs8IHJk Here's a new video, featuring the little yellow bird.
Posts: 449
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Post by GoldieNYC on Sept 29, 2013 8:42:57 GMT
Good on you +++ for giving Goldie such a great home! She sounds like a great character. After reading about hens on here I confess to being the kind of wimp who is heartily glad to have 4 boys. You sound like you are definitely a match for gutsy Goldie! Chances are, a sweet-natured boy wouldn't have made it to a sixth-floor fire escape in a crowded Manhattan neighborhood. I have to accept what came to me. On the other hand, I now have a quarantine cage, and budgies start at $18US here in town, should I feel like getting a more docile bird. She does surprise me often, nevertheless. I guess one should honor the creature with a good home as part of the basic pact.
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Post by birdguhl on Sept 29, 2013 9:28:30 GMT
Hats off to the feisty budgie hens! If there weren't a force to be reckoned with as hole-nesting creatures they wouldn't have been able to defend their young from predators (no escape route) and we wouldn't have budgies now!
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Post by stace on Sept 29, 2013 10:10:04 GMT
Goldie is gorgeous. Love the vid. She's clearly keen on exploring.
My little boy bird came to me in a very similar way, some three years ago now. I'm in the middle of Sydney city, and three floors up. He was just a tiny baby and suddenly appeared on my balcony as i was on the phone, checked me out for a minute, then flew onto my head and started singing. It's been love ever since.
He had to live in an upturned laundry basket for a couple of nights, then a small donated cage, which he absolutely loathed. No way was he going in that tiny door.
He's also very smart, adventurous and courageous. I think it may be exactly those characteristics that saw them take flight from wherever they were before.
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Sept 15, 2013 16:23:58 GMT
GoldieNYC
Normal Green
http://youtu.be/F9ADEs8IHJk Here's a new video, featuring the little yellow bird.
Posts: 449
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Post by GoldieNYC on Sept 29, 2013 14:23:47 GMT
Glad to hear about it, stace. Goldie alighted on my shoulder one time - the day we met. I've since been trying to build back that trust, but who can read the thoughts of a creature without eyebrows? I do my best and try to be kind but firm, firm but kind. I lucked out on the sale price of this Vision M01 cage. Hopefully, she'll realize it's a terrific home within a home. I've even got her eating a bit of lettuce (the good stuff) from a water-filled container. Little steps. I hope your boy is doing well, and thanks for watching the video. I'm adding more stuff soon.
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