2nd trip out!

[alwaysodile]

Well, El is on her second trip out of the cage as I type. She's sitting in front of me on her playpen. Her first trip I let her flutter out by herself. She landed on my arm, panicked a little and had a bit of an adventure looking around my room. Today I left all her doors open and she'd come and sit on them but didn't actually take the plunge and climb/flutter out. I took a wooden perch (the ones that fork at the end seemed to work best, she's familiar with them) and pressed it against her chest lightly and she stepped up on to it (this is how I got her back to her cage the first time). Now she's quietly sitting on the playpen, just watching me type/eat. Her breathing is normal and she seems relaxed. I can put my face mere centimetres from hers and she seems very comfortable with that. As I said, she's very quiet and sticking to one spot rather than exploring her pen, but I'm really happy with her progress so far.

My question is, is she being quiet because she appears to be relaxed or could it be that she's too scared to do anything but stand stock still? I've been talking to her gently and she's been cocking her head to one side curiously, so I'd like to hope that she's just taking in this new experience, but some reassurance would be great! >o

[Islandbirdies]

If she's scared she will look all skinny because her feathers will lie down, if she's contented she'll look a little fluffier, that's my experience anyways, hope this helps.

[alwaysodile]

Thanks! She looks very normal to me, just not as vocal! :)

LOL! Well, scratch that, she's just started singing! :happy:

[michael]

Sounds like wonderful progress with EL. Some skiddish behavior should be expected as its only natural for them to be cautious or protective. Next thing you know instead of trying to get her to come out, you may be trying to get her back in :) . I believe EL is very interested in getting to know you better.....Michael and Goofy

[vero]

You mention that if she's skinny she's scared - is that really true? Bubbles seems to love it when I chirp and then he chirps back, and then we have this game of chirping in tandem [usually i get bored of it well before he does, he could go on forever to the annoyance of the other humans in the house] but every time when i start our 'game' and do that first chip, his eyes go wide and all his feathers go straight flat -he gets really skinny. I thought it was him paying really, really close attention. he puffs up as the game goes on. any thoughts?

Vero:confused:

[Janie]

No, in my experience it is not true. My older lovie, around 11 now, rarely fluffs up but my younger birds (just over two) often fluff up. I think it's far more common for younger birds to fluff up often during the day but no so much for an older lovie. Just my :2cents:

[Z28Taxman]

You mention that if she's skinny she's scared - is that really true? Bubbles seems to love it when I chirp and then he chirps back, and then we have this game of chirping in tandem [usually i get bored of it well before he does, he could go on forever to the annoyance of the other humans in the house] but every time when i start our 'game' and do that first chip, his eyes go wide and all his feathers go straight flat -he gets really skinny. I thought it was him paying really, really close attention. he puffs up as the game goes on. any thoughts?

Vero:confused:

It doesn't necessarily mean scared. Ditto does it to when I chirp at him. He'll flatten his feathers tight, stand tall, chirp and start his happy dance. :happy: It means he's happy and excited.

He'll also do it when he wants to come out.

If he's scared (rarely happens) he'll get skinny, stand tall and very still, not dance and chirp.

[michael]

Vero. I've had the same conversations with my single lovebird Goofy. As usual he out lasts me by a long shot/chirp/beep. At times he'll puff up really big and let loose with a good peeeep! Then he gets slim and into some serious verbal exchanges. I'd be careful though, sometimes they'll talk your ear off and the next thing you know your late for work!.........Michael and Goofy

[carrier]

That's too funny....Fenway stands up really tall, flattens her feathers against her birdie-body, starts chirping and flapping her wings while pointedly looking at me. It's as though she is announcing " I am the queen of this house!" (don't tell my dog that) ;)

[Kirby]

LOL I thought Kirby was the only one who did that..

He'll get a flattened head (Ill try to get a photo) and his eyes get big, then he'll stand SUPER TALL, and mimic what ever noise im attempting to make. Then he'll get all happy and talkative :P