#46772 - 12/17/04 07:47 PM
Re: my u2.......help
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,016
alaska_toos
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Alaska
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I understand your wanting to have a relationship with Snow White where you can touch her. But at the same time you also stated that it was not important to you. The best thing that you can do at this time is to sit quietly and read to her, sing songs, or just talk to her until she becomes accustomed to your voice and her new surroundings. I would also avoid direct eye contact as this can make her feel uneasy. Since she has been re-homed many times and has gone through 2 homes in the last couple months she has no reason to trust you. It is very hard on a bird being re-homed and this alone can cause issues when it comes to trusting people. Have you tried offering her favorite foods if you know what it is? Even if it means the bird seeing you putting the treat in their dish (they kind of remind me of men at this point because their stomach is the way to their hearts LOL). IMHO the key here is to make sure that the bird does not see you as a threat and may require you keeping your distance until they become more comfortable with their new home and yourself. Although he is not a too, I have a CAG that was abused and very misunderstood. I have had him at my house for about 2 ½ years and I still cannot love on him. It took months before he would come out of his cage after he came here (which didn’t make cleaning his cage an easy task). I found out that his favorite food was almonds and although I didn’t try handing them to him for a very long time, I would put one on top of his cage and leave my hand a foot or so away from it. I gradually moved my hand closer to the almond and he will now take them from my hand. Jacqo will also allow me to hold out my fingers and he will come over and touch his beak on them. I understand that there is a world of difference between Too’s and CAG’s but the point that I am trying to make here is that you must allow the bird to advance at their own pace, they will let you know when they are ready to advance to another level. Take your time, after all you have nothing but time to enjoy your new household member. I forgot to mention that Jacqo is probably in his early 30's. Never too old to learn 
The woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best. Henry Van Dyke
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#46773 - 12/17/04 08:27 PM
Re: my u2.......help
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 218
Mikki
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Member

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 218
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I would also avoid direct eye contact as this can make her feel uneasy I'm not disagreeing with you in any way but I'm surprised to hear this as I have always used direct eye contact as a way to connect with birds. I especially do it with abused birds, watching for pinning and other aggression cues. The only time I've ever had a bad experience was with a huge macaw who must have gotten the wrong signals from me. I walked up to him, looked him in the eye and gave him a big smile. The next thing I knew, this massive bird jumped on my shoulder and would not get off me. He wasn't agressive, just stubborn and aparantly in love LOL. I guess I learned something today 
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#46775 - 12/18/04 06:36 PM
Re: my u2.......help
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,016
alaska_toos
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Mikki,
Why would you want to cause a bird undue stress by starring into their eyes? They are already uncomfortable as this is a new home, but to be starred down by insisting that they look into your eyes is another story. It’s kinda like being the new kid on the block, you go to school and all the kids do in class is stare at you the entire time your there for the first week or so. Wouldn’t this make you terribly nervous? It’s alright to make some eye contact (it doesn't have to be direct), but until the bird is more comfortable in it’s new surroundings why do this to the bird? All birds are different and handle things in their own ways as they are all unique individuals, but why cause a bird that may not be able to handle it more stress than is necessary from the time they enter your home?
There is always the dominance issue to be addressed as well. One would want to make sure they have their position in the flock established from the time the bird enters the home, but IMHO I believe it would cause more damage than good to stare the bird down into it’s position when the bird can simply be kept at a lower eye level or held (if you can) on your lap or forearm. Remember that a wild animal when cornered or it feels threatened will attack the person or animal that is making it feel this way, these birds are far from being domesticated and are definitely wild animals.
One of the birds that I have had here for years still cannot handle direct eye contact. He knows my place in the flock and has never tried to challenge it. Everyone will handle their own birds differently, but I DO not believe in causing a bird stress when it is not necessary or there is a valid reason for it.
The woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best. Henry Van Dyke
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#46776 - 12/18/04 08:23 PM
Re: my u2.......help
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 218
Mikki
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Member

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 218
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Good grief. Why would you want to cause a bird undue stress by starring into their eyes? I believe it would cause more damage than good to stare the bird down I didn't say anything about "staring" at birds. I said that I make eye contact. There is a big difference. Pinning is a very good indicator of a bird's mood and you can't tell if they're doing it if you aren't looking. If it appeared to cause stress I would avert my eyes and watch for other cues.
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#46779 - 12/23/04 08:15 PM
Re: my u2.......help
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 21
snowwhite10
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 21
north carolina
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This is the husband(Derrick) I have more time and thus,more of a relationship with Snow White. She will let me touch her,kiss me,play with my teeth.She won't do this with anyone else in the family. Update on Snow White.day 8..she gives what I call sugar..kissing the lips,or beak to lips...is this safe for her? I know it's not safe for me...she even goes inside and licks my teeth..is this normal? what's she doing? From reading here,I'm not gonna keep trying to force her on my arm..she will let me pet her and almost any touch I want to,just not off the cage. I have my recliner(chair) right beside her cage.She has come out and into my lap twice,but if I try to get up,she's gone... In the weeks before we got this wonderful little girl,I questioned all of you guys sanity about loving a bird....well,now I can see how they can get to your heart faster than a puppy !!! I hope I didn't offend anyone,but until you have a adopted U2,you don't know how muh you can love one.At least I didn't. Thanks to everyone on any and all advise.
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