JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 4, 2017 9:35:07 GMT -7
I have read so much about Greys body language and hints to what mood they are in that I can't remember what mean what. I seen where fluffed feathers mean the bird is relaxing or self calming or is it upset? Lowering the head with the wings out is a mating behavior or is a territorial defense action... I can't keep it all straight yet so I have an idea... I must be more of a visual learner so lets incorporate some photos here! I'll start, I'll post a few pictures and hopefully some can explain what is happening in the bird mind at the moment. Please feel free to add your own shots with a description of the captured behavior. If I post some duplicates of an action let me know and I'll remove one so we can try to keep this organized. Thanks No.1 While standing in front of her cages open door. Wings out and slowing moving them up and down. Not flapping or trying to fly. Almost looked like she was fanning.
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JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 4, 2017 9:41:55 GMT -7
No.2 We stood back and allowed her to exit on her own. She climbed to the top of her cage and stood near the edge like she wanted to step on to my wife's arm. She was very hesitant (understandably) and would hold her wings out and bend down to meet her arm with her beak, no biting or holding on for stability, just a soft touch...looking for a treat maybe? My youngest daughter did the same actions as my wife and she eventually stepped on to her arm and went straight to her shoulder. Scarlett has only allowed my daughter to do this with her so far.
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JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 4, 2017 9:53:47 GMT -7
No.3 On my daughters shoulder for a few minutes. Looking a little grouchy, but what do I know. Scarlett seems to be very camera shy or just wants it to go away. Is this fluffed up look a restful or angry demeanor? Scarlett was very nice to my daughter and didn't nibble her ears or jewelry even though my daughter was extremely nervous and tense as this was the first time any of us had the privilege to have contact with her. She did do a few very loud squawks near her ear.
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JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 4, 2017 9:55:27 GMT -7
No.4
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JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 4, 2017 9:56:17 GMT -7
No.5
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JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 4, 2017 9:56:55 GMT -7
No.6
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JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 4, 2017 9:58:37 GMT -7
No.7
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JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 4, 2017 10:01:57 GMT -7
No.7 Relaxed and exploring her hair???
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JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 4, 2017 10:07:32 GMT -7
That's all I have right now, please at to it if you've captured some displays of behaviors with a clear meaning behind them.
A reply with something like... "No.5 is playful and wanting you to turn to look at her and give her attention, no threatening postures" or "No.2 is pissed. Leave her alone"
Hopefully this can help other new "parronts" (I saw that somewhere on this forum, beakertrout maybe, I like it) understand as well.
Thanks in advance everyone!
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Post by beakertrout on Jun 4, 2017 10:17:23 GMT -7
Normally, I offer a shoulder (cage is about the right height) and Beaks climbs aboard.
I don't offer an arm as there is nothing for them to "hang onto" (like a finger), and they use that beak for leverage as well as biting.
I stick my hand out and if he wants to he climbs on.
One thing my son and I have noticed is that if Beaker is comfortable with the shoulder, or leg he has camped out on, he will start to preen.
Preening is a sign they are not afraid of the surroundings.
Scarlet has great plumage!
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JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 4, 2017 10:44:17 GMT -7
Scarlett should be used to hands because the previous owner would just reach right in her cage with both hands and grab her (nicely) around her body and wings and just pull her out and snuggle with her. She didn't offer anything, just grabbed her and Scarlett didn't seem to mind at all.
We think its a bit early to try this. She has only been with us 3 days now and I didn't want to scare her with it, besides non of us are brave enough at this point to just grab her like that. She still backs up a little when we approach the cage unless of course we have a snack for her.
She allows us to reach in and deal with her food and water bowls and says nothing about it, but if she thinks we are coming after her she backs up. We always speak nice and softly to her while we are in there and say one of her favorite phrases "it's alright". which she will repeat after we have left her area.
Thanks for the compliment, we think she is Beautiful!
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Post by beakertrout on Jun 4, 2017 11:01:14 GMT -7
3 days? That is great progress.
It has taken over 5 years for Beaker to finally accept that my son isn't going to eat him.
Now he doesn't try to bite him and will sit on his shoulder, but still no preening.
Those two have a completely different relationship then what I have with Beaker.
Sounds like you got a great bird.
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JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 4, 2017 13:18:19 GMT -7
We try to leave her alone, but it's so hard because we see a bit of progress everyday and want to nurture it and let her know she's safe. Scarlett JUST stepped off of my daughter and onto my wife's shoulder. She is so happy! She even stood next to Scarletts cage after about a 10 minute shoulder ride and Sacrlett didn't hop off she stayed on my wife's shoulder... She still is unsure of hands though so we offer, but dont push it.
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JnM
Weaned Todd
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 36
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Post by JnM on Jun 4, 2017 13:23:34 GMT -7
I believe we really did get a great girl. She is not a huge fan of me though maybe she is unfamiliar with men..she seems to shiver or tremble when I'm close even when my wife sat next to me with Scarlett on her shoulder. Should I stay close when she shivers or move away... She doesn't mind me feeding her from my hand and she almost stepped up on my arm earlier. Put one foot on me and then decided it was too early.
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Post by Haz on Jun 4, 2017 17:01:34 GMT -7
No. 1 and 2 show that she is hesitant and considering what she will do next. Most of the other photos show that she is cool on your daughter's shoulder. No. 7 looks like she is on alert.
Most experts think you should not allow the bird on your shoulder unless you know the bird very well because you can't see the bird's eyes while it is on your shoulder. When a bird is about to bite, it will often "pin" its eyes. That means the pupil goes small and back to normal very quickly.
In Chyloe's case, she just tells you to stop it, move, or go away. If you persist, she says, "ouch" meaning if you don't stop what you are doing, you will say ouch.
I think it is Scarlet's age that is making her mellow. That is very fortunate for you. Keep up the good work.
Haz
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