Lisa Shea Forums Parakeets General Parakeet Chat I want to introduce you to my parakeet, Frito

I got Frito on March 18th and have now had him for about a month and 5 days :D I purchased him from a pet store….that was poor quality in my opinion. Compared to Petco or something like that. Now that I know that there are bird breeders, in the future, I will try to find one. Unfortunately, I live in a VERY, VERY small city, so that's not going to be easy :( Anyway, Frito is an older bird, for he has no lines around his head. He is the color of blue and has black and grey dots and lines on his wings. Sadly, he looks like alot of the other blue parakeets. But do I care? No! He's my baby and just as unique as the most colored bird around. Frito is a very nervous bird. I believe it was because of his conditions at the pet store and maybe even before that. It looks like he is missing a toe :O and I'm not sure why :( He is so nervous, that whenever I used to move my hand to itch or something like that, he would jump as if there were danger and stop whatever he was doing. I've now moved him away from the window and near a wall, where he can partly see outside. I put a towel on his cage when I think it's time. I noticed he absolutely loves it when the towel is not on :) ??? Does this mean I don't need to use it anymore? There is a big difference now that he is away from the window! Thanks to Cyberbud. My favorite thing about Frito is his eyes. I believe that every bird's eyes are the best body part. They have life and sometimes even feeling ;) I think those black ‘wittle’ droplets of eyes are precious. Frito lives in a purple cage, normal size. He has a few toys in there. Homemade ones, for I cannot afford to get him new toys :( It saddens me. I want him to have more things to do. Any suggestions? At first, I had put a mirror in his cage, but he just kept paying attention to that and not even listening to me, so I took it out. I want to try to get him to imitate me and learn a few tones (I know this will take alot of work!). I'm hoping he will do so. I believe that taking him away from the window helps with that as well. He won't be seeing other birds as often, thus maybe paying more attention to the company he already has. He is starting to trust me alot. I put my hand in the cage almost near him and he just stares at it. I'm hoping to be able to pet him after a while and even hold him. Unfortunately, I cannot take him out of his cage... Frito is so very precious to me and will always be. I’m hoping he will live a long amount of time. If you have any suggestions as to health, please share :D I thought it might be nice to share all this to you, since I'm a new member and I want to get acquainted and you acquainted with me :) Thanks for reading!

HI Frito (love that name) very partial particular 'special name'
for us here & will share another time. Can relate to 'nervous'
had a girl bird once & very nervous & she stayed that way for
a while. I think from treatment at the store? or other birds
picking on?But they turn out fine. I am suggesting & sharing
here but the other nice folks here might be better & more
experienced and they sure have helped me make good choices
and learn RE: Patience #1 also there is so much On-line
help & Lisa's information? I wouldn't like the window so much
as the temperature 'changes' leave him be because it could
add to his stress by relocating and so keep in the right spot.
we must not do too much at first? I know that was hard for me?
Let him settle in ( like you're doing, like they tell us to:)
You know they say we have many years with them:) So you know,
resist 'temptation' ha Frito needs to adjust. I guess it's
all so new to THEM? Talking quietly, use his name ALOT
move slowly ( first weeks) I know he will change & get
better (It seems like forever:) but he'll settle in 'into'
a routine & you'll see him/behavior 'more typical like
fluff or shake his feathers to greet you or he'll chirp
or 'something' You'll know: like when you are uncovering
his cage in AM? Cover him for Bed time PM They need 8-
10-12 hrs, sleep? Covering seems to calm the bird and convince
them they are safe, & time to go to bed, even if you do not
goto bed yet? I haven't had alot of birds. (only 3) but
two were early birds:) & the one I have now sleeps in late
10:am & not usually a minute earlier. I'm a early riser
but worked it all in. It's about routine:) I've learned
they need to sleep nice & peaceful. But I think birds always
go back to their 'wild-roots' at times? instinct. (I didn't
know these things with my first birds?) In the day it's always
nice to have Tv on, radio on low ( news or nice music)
something you know? If it's too quiet? The birds start to
fear ( predators) nearby 'they're thinking' so against the
wall is great and maybe not exposeed on all sides to start.
Of course watch temperature fluctuations & Fumes
from ( bathroom/shower ect. and COOKING pans te-fel
and you will read alot about that and must be so careful.
Also I noticed when I got my bird ( I have now) he wanted
to fly AWAY more That roots instinct. Seemed he had it
more when he was a baby? It seemed he had that EXTRA longing
to fly away (like out-side and I always feared he'de get
away from me?) I think some birds do this more then others because
my other 2 did not behave this way. So keep him safe & doors shut
screens &everyone will tell you RE: safty I myself have to
have my bird's wings clipped. I do it to insure safty (here)
but that's me. If they can fly? they can injure or escape!
My bird DID fly away and I was VERY lucky to have retrived
him as when they 'take of flying' they go sooo fast and far
away. Usually I wouldn't think many get the birds back, but sometimes
depending? It's too sad ( to me) Anyway it's a choice & read
& talk more to others & depending your enviroment. And so
save $$ for check-up with avian vet ( usually distance away)
find one in areas and Save $ for good seeds & vitimins
and don't feed him Grit (these are things you can read
about and Lisa has so much Inf. I do not use the grill bottom
on my cage but others do. ( a choice) I tidy the cage every
day /and fresh water 1-2x a day or more ( that's me) warm
weather here:) debris & feces and even if the cage looks
clean? I keep a paper towel ( works for me on bottom) I change
it and helps me alot. Now when I got this bird he didn't
like toys alot and didn't like any home-made ones at all.
( my bird is spoiled I'm sure) Toys ( safe ones) they're
not all safe & like brittle plastic ones ( watch out)
also I bought feeding dish with a mirror and the mirror
fell out so careful. I got a swing right away. again
your choice. But my bird was a baby and didn't do much
for a long time? finally my husband would sit him up
in the swing and after a week (he loved it) Now I wouldn't
DARE to take his swing away. Mirrors ( others will dis-agree)
I love a mirroe for my bird & he's always fascinated and
a lover of his reflection. I know people say the birds
lose interest in (us?) RE: mirror? Not mine but your choice.
when he's settled:) my little guy needed "something"
I wouldn't think of Taking his mirror away OMG!
There are home-made toys, maybe put them Next to the cage
for a few days before birds accept? Some birds accept right
away? some wait for a few days. people here can tell you
what kind of home-made toys to use? My bird refuses:(
I use a few toys and shredder palm paper is good for
chewing. and a few toys and bells are great? some people
use toilet rolls and many different things? I kinda think
to have him settled in good:) so I say swing & mirror
but that's me:) so safe cage, clean it weekly & vinergar/water
is good and dry it good, a good diet & fresh veg. cut really
tiny and healthy stuff not white breads & sweets:( fruits
there's a lot of information RE: feeding:) always remove old
fresh food. I like brown rice, sweet pot. grain pasta
and grain breads ( ezekiol low sodium bread I use?) No
candy or chocolate or alvacodo but get good seed mix
or pellets<-people can help you? my bird wont eat pellets?
I use powdered vitmin mix and liquid and I swear by petamine
powder and others. cuddle bones & mineral blocks
and so many choices RE: diet/foods oh and millet:)
A routine routine routine! is best& to feed on time & regular
Play & entertain your Frito bird:) and curiosity (they have)
Toys & tv ( you could read scripture to him:) ha
I liston to music every night 6pm-7:30pm somewhere
around that time? and my birds picks the music ( that he likes)
yes & it's not always my kind of song:) ha and I know he
wants to do this every night now ( since) And I don't?
he'll 'tighten up' ha and look at me mad? but I talk to
him like I would any human & say you want music now?
oh boy he gets happy & so I sit & relax with him.
Usually the birds will sing and you'll enjoy that too:)
Pay attention to him? SET ASIDE "FOR" HIM:) same routine &
rituals -same times- it just takes a while to settle in
so Companionship is already there for you. God blessed you
with this special "gift" I know... And I think their little
eyes are their 'souls' and they speak to our hearts, yes:)
Remember (I learned very late) they understand EVERYTHING
you're thinking ( even to yourself?) so, and try not to
cry in front of them/upset They feel it? stress They feel.
I like that My husband & I get along sooooo good & never
'bicker in front of our bird' ha alot of times ( personal)
I use a speech bubble over my bird's head? like I try to show him
or talk and Not out-loud and this works for me in some areas?
I'm trying to get my bird to climb a ladder? ha speech
bubbles & nothing yet is working. People will help you
here RE: finger traning & all? Let him settle IN good:)
PS I'm from Oregon? So maybe the winds & noise outside?
good to be away from windows. I guess he'll get use to
the pitter patter of the rains? what color is FRITO?
he'll take good care of you <teasing> the best to you:)

I'm so glad to hear Frito is feeling more confident in his surroundings! Sounds like he's telling you to let me watch what's going on...I don't need to be covered. :-)

You don't have to spend loads of money on bird toys. Here is a website devoted to diy toys.

http://www.birdsnways.com/birds/ihang.htm

Sometimes you just have to watch your bird for cues and think about what you have in your house.

Heneri and Emily like to push inverted plastic party cups (usually their red) off the top of their cage and watch them fall, as long as someone trained in the game is there to pick them up to do again! :-)

Check out this site...it will give you lots of good ideas!

Kathy

ps: If you ever decide to put Frito in the window again, make sure he's not in direct sunlight and if he is that part of the cage is covered so he can get away from it.

Hi liveforchrist and Frito, It's nice to meet both of you
Sounds like Frito is starting to settle in nicely! Yaay!

I make a lot of toys too. I think they actually like them more than the ones I buy! LOL
That is a good toy making site that cyberbud posted. LOTS of good ideas.
One of the cheapest and easiest "toys" my 2 like is simple wads of paper! Yep, golf ball size paper balls! The more the merrier as they LOVE to throw them off the cagetop or platform that is in their cage. And of course..watch mom pick them up so they can do it again.
Another paper one that Ziggy really loves is fold a 1/2 sheet of paper like you would to make a fan? Then fold it in half.. take scissors and cut it in to thin strips like fringes. Cut almost to the fold. Then I just wedge it between cage bars in the cage and Zig loves to destroy it.
I make lots of toys with 100% cotton butchers string which I buy at dollar store for a buck. And I also use a lot of hemp string that I get at Walmart in the craft dept. And colored beads to string..as long as they are pony bead size or larger.
Buttons, empty thread spools, there are lots of things around the house u can use.
Another absolute FAVORITE of both my guys is those plastic capsule thingies ya get from a gumball machine? Put a couple beads in for rattling sound. They love em!!!
Sometimes you can find bird toys at Walmart for 87 cents. You just have to be there at the right time before someone else scoops em all up! LOL

RE: FRITO I bet he will LOVE the home-made toys:)
That's a very good 'Toy Site' -cyberbud:) WOW RE: KKsuns
What ever you usually share: makes alot of sense:)
Love your home-made toys & the "golf-BalL paper wads" ?
Frito will love that:) AND why do our birds get sooo
happy to throw 'stuff off and watch us Pick it up'
over & over again? <-not really asking question <teasing>
I mentioned SWING? My bird seemed to have liked the
(cheaper Round swing?) maybe it moves more ( like a toy?)
KKsuns RE: hemp string isn't it great? And the cloth is too.
Frito's going to have so much fun playing wait & see:)

Wow guys! Thanks SOO much Cyberbud, your ideas are awesome I will be writing more about this topic later. thanks aaadraine&chicki! Your advice is great Thanks for the encouragment. You all are awesome! I will give updates on how Frito is doing k?

Can we see a picture of him? I'd love to see it.

Soon. I will hopefully get a picture for you guys. I just need to borrow my mom's camera.

Can you explain the paper ball toy thing? Can one parakeet enjoy something like that? Or do there need to be two or more?

I also have a question, should I remove the the grill thing from my birds cage? It makes it look dirty and the fecus sticks to it and it's VERY hard to clean....???

I can't take my bird out of the cage, because we live in a rented home. So I have no other choice but to freak him out whenever I try to deep clean his cage. It's so bad!!! I also think his cage looks boring and needs more stuff. I also have a round swing for him to play on, but he doesn't go on it much. I wish I could do better for my bird....that website you gave me is really good!