Posted on 01/18/2019 6:49:15 PM PST by lee martell
I have two parakeets; Sky Blue and Ice Cube. I have owned them for about two years. Last December, I finally got enough nerve to start letting them out of their cages for one to three hours, few times a week.
One reason I began now, vs waiting for warmer Spring weather , is because Ice Cube has begun pacing in his cage. Back and forth on a perch. It makes me dizzy just to watch. I'm thinking he must be bored out of his mind or just want to spread his wings a little. They both like it. Neither bird will hop on my finger the way the YouTube videos advise. So, I have to gently catch them, hold them in one hand and transfer to a table or bed. I always make sure their heads are free to see where I'm taking them. To remind them they are being transported, not abducted.
After all these weeks and out of the cage events, Ice Cube is still pacing on his perch. He seems physically healthy. He is also the more rowdy of the two birds, quick to start battles over a boiled egg yolk surprise or some millet sprays. Maybe he will always be this way. The other bird remains the picture of unflappable calm. Except for the times he has to give Ice Cube a direct peck on the forehead as a signal to 'Stop bothering me!" Neither of them ever draw any blood during their Perch Privilege Battles.
Any advice on what can be done for the bird who does a lot of pacing? It's not 24/7, thank goodness, but very often. None of my other birds ever acted this way.
Sorry, I can’t help you get your bird to stop pacing, but I’m curious if you’ve ever taught a parakeet to talk? I knew one that did; prior to that I’d heard it was possible, but the only I knew that could was Otis. “Where’s Steve? Where’s Carolyn? Quality Dairy. Quality Dairy.”
Your bird may pace back and forth on his perch or even climb around on the bars of the cage to get your attention. Boredom - Your bird will get bored sitting inside of their cage all day. ... Health Issues - Pacing back and forth in the cage can be a sign that your pet is sick.
After seeing the KFC ads, he is rightly so nervous.
Yabba-Dabba-Do!!
What would happen if you put a houseplant in the cage with them?
Something nonpoisonous of course.
No talkers yet. Lots of screamers. They all identify as Peacocks, who are notorious shriekers when looking for a mate.
The only thing I can think of is maybe switch him to decaf?
I have potted Wheatgrass in there. They love to fiddle with it.
You can buy a flight cage from Amazon for very reasonablr, free shupping.
My guess is that you put the NY Times in the bottom of his cage! YOU LET HIM READ IT! ;-)
Good idea. Something more spacious.
They are not like my Zebra Finches, who seem to like being in a crowd.
Film @ 11!
KFC!
You’re bird is anticipating
A Deep Fat Fryer!
my beloved keets thought they should have run of the house when I was home. so I left their cage door open when it was feasible. My last one, Sunshine, would bash her toys against the door if I didn’t open it as soon as I walked in. She never went anywhere, just sat on the door all flumphed out, cheek feathers puffy and very pleased with herself, until I got a cheese slice or glass of juice, then she would teleport to my shoulder and scold until I shared.
My friends said parakeets learn more easily from a woman’s voice. That was certainly the case with Otis.
I don’t know if I could handle a shrieking parakeet. Do they usually quiet down when you cover the cage?
Does it identify as a tiger?
Our cats can cure them of the pacing.
I have noticed that too. After the big Shawshank Redemption jailbreak, most times they don’t do anything special. One will find a place to perch and stay there. The other spends most his time climbing all over the finches cage peeping at their doings.
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