Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 4:08 pm Post subject: Newbie--have questions about my bird
Hi there. I was wondering if someone could help me out with a few answers to my questions.
I bought a bird around 1994 just b/c I thought it was very funny and cute looking. At the time I also had a latino cockatiel, Sammy. I brought Kiki home and housed in a cage near Sammy and they got along great. It took me a long time to find out what kind of bird Kiki was b/c the pet store didn't seem to know.
I built a smallish aviary about 5' L x 2.5' D x 6ft H for the two of them and they were quite happy until Sammy started having strokes. I took him out and sat with him until he passed away. After Sammy died Kiki got very anti social... he still takes treats from my hand and still likes to fly around the house but sometimes he's a little nippy when I go to change his food. He will still step up on my hand when he is out of the cage. I put in a stuffed singing chihuahua for him and he loves it...but the batteries wore out and he's depressed again... he's talking to mirrors and continually says "Sammy".
My questions are as follows...
Should I find another Kakiriki to cheer him up? If so than I need more help.
I call him a he but I honestly have no idea. I read online that you can tell by looking at them... so if I sent in some pictures of Kiki can someone tell me if he is a boy or girl?
How do I successfully introduce a new bird to an older bird? He is very friendly with other animals...right now I have my bunny cage next to his and he always goes down there to talk to him. So perhaps the same method as before? But Kiki is very territorial about his cage now that he is the main bird... and I don't have room for another cage that size.
Also I wondered if I could get a yellow one to go with him?
Sorry I know this is long... but I want to do the right thing.. I can send pictures of Kiki's home situation too.
Other than being a tad lonely at times (he humps the chihuahua which is what made me think he's a boy ) he's quite healthy and full of energy and sass.
Also does anyone know why he is so avid about dipping all his food in his water? He's such a clown.
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:49 am Post subject: Re: Newbie--have questions about my bird
Pepper wrote:
I bought a bird around 1994 just b/c
That is interesting, we believe there is much information around regarding a Kikes life span,,,,the general belief outside this site is 4 to 7 yrs, I think we believe 12 to 15 yrs.
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I built a smallish aviary about 5' L x 2.5' D x 6ft H
As I have said before , we in NZ have no experience in smaller flights, but from info of other's post in these forms, u would have nps with a 2nd Kike
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Should I find another Kakariki to cheer him up?
Well it sounds like u r not the only one who misses his old Friend
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I call him a he but I honestly have no idea. so if I sent in some pictures of Kiki can someone tell me if he is a boy or girl?
Yes post in this thread using the attachment box at the bottom when u post back.....a reasonable good close up, more or less front on, and if possible also showing the iris..This way we can tell u not just the gender but breed/mutation etc.
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How do I successfully introduce a new bird to an older bird?
Also I wondered if I could get a yellow one to go with him?
1st off he sounds like of quite social nature so the chances are a straight intro would be OK...althu he could be a little over excited/boisterous. Problems can usually be got over 2 ways
1/keep the other bird in a smaller cage next or inside 'his'
2/Make some dramatic changes to his cage, change perches/ toys etc then intro both together in the evening. I would take this option.
Bear in mind, having a male and female can have consequences, like little males and females
Also bear in mind Kiki is getting on in yrs.
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Also does anyone know why he is so avid about dipping all his food in his water? He's such a clown.
Do u dunk your biscuits in your coffee? maybe hes learnt it from u
Thats not a serious answer
Parrots have a high intelligence and memory, from that they also get individual personality, habits and quirks. Could be just 'him'.
Could be a health thing due to age??..
I couldnt say for sure....just assume, I wouldn't worry about it. _________________ My Spelling is Not Incorrect...It's 'Creative'
Tickle, my male kakariki always dips raisins into his water bowl
Probably to soften them I dont know, but the water bowl after about 3 hours of filling it up often has about 5 raisins floating in it and a couple of seed husks.
check out this thread
http://www.kakariki.net/ftopict-134-.html
we have found some birds do it some dont.............My toby is a huge dunker and washer!!!!!!!!!!!only with his fuit and veg though.
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which is what made me think he's a boy 
) he's quite healthy and full of energy and sass.
