Search found 46 matches

by Patrick
Sun Aug 17, 2008 8:54 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: Help - Mice!
Replies: 19
Views: 4359

That is something to worry about. Last winter we had a tiger on the loose here in Los Angeles--yes, a tiger. Some idiot's illegal 'pet' had escaped and kept being spotted out in the suburbs until it was tranquilized and captured by the authorities. Two years ago a local lake was fenced off for six m...
by Patrick
Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:09 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: Help - Mice!
Replies: 19
Views: 4359

And I'm right there with you on the reccoons, bastard_x5. They nest up in the attic, swim and wash their paws and food in the pool, and they love nothing better than feasting on every goldfish they can get their little paws on in the koi pond. But they sure are cute when they take their little babie...
by Patrick
Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:59 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: Help - Mice!
Replies: 19
Views: 4359

As long as there is food available and even the smallest access mice and rats are going to be a problem. With a bird there will always be food available . Can you try to locate and block or screen the locations where the rodents are entering you apartment? I had my house replumbed last year and the ...
by Patrick
Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:28 am
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: Flying low?
Replies: 6
Views: 1877

We let Charlie Parker's flight feathers grow back and it is amazing just how accurately he can fly now--the other night he made an air raid on the dinner table flying through a 7" railing opening without even brushing a wingtip then grabbing a midflight mouthful of lasagne and making a perfect ...
by Patrick
Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:14 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Is 'she' doing what I think 'she' is?!
Replies: 4
Views: 1603

It does sound as though someone wants to 'play house......' Charlie Parker is also obsessed with one of the kitchen cupboards--the one that holds the birdseed and the peanuts. The door doesn't close completely and he's always poking his head in or gesturing to us to help him check it out. After mont...
by Patrick
Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:36 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Pet Shops GRRR!!
Replies: 7
Views: 1788

Don't you hate how some people consider themselves experts and feel the need to inform you of everything wrong with your bird and his care? I've been told by the owner of our local bird specialty store that ringnecks "aren't a real parrot," that they "make terrible pets," because...
by Patrick
Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:07 pm
Forum: IRN Lounge
Topic: Moody Boy
Replies: 5
Views: 2209

Charlie Parker wouldn't stop making air raids on the dinner salads tonight so I finally put him in his cage for a timeout and boy did we have one mad little birdie for the next half hour. He spent the entire time angrily ringing his bell and screaming 'hello!' at us while swinging on his swing and l...
by Patrick
Thu Jun 26, 2008 11:59 pm
Forum: IRN Diet & Housing
Topic: Poppy Seeds?
Replies: 0
Views: 1377

Poppy Seeds?

Are poppy seeds safe for birds? I've seen poppies listed as a poisonous plant and yet the seeds are included as ingredients in several birdie bread recipes and in wild birdseed mixes. Edible poppy seeds come from the plant papaver somniferum, commonly known as the opium or breadseed poppy, and do co...
by Patrick
Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:48 pm
Forum: IRN Lounge
Topic: A question to the member Mikaela
Replies: 2
Views: 1448

I agree with you--beautiful bird, fantastic photography.
by Patrick
Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:45 pm
Forum: Polls
Topic: does ur irn have a bedtime?
Replies: 48
Views: 29892

Like clockwork Charlie Parker starts chatting and ringing his bell at 9:20PM, then climbs up on my shoulder while I change his papers, wash his dishes, and put all the toys back into the toy basket. Then we have a fruit snack and he hops over to peck my longterm houseguest on the nose, then gives me...
by Patrick
Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:49 am
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: Bird ID
Replies: 9
Views: 2479

BEAUTIFUL photographs--the resolution, color, and quality are fantastic. I'm looking to get a new camera and wonder if you would mind telling us what make/model you used? Many thanks--
by Patrick
Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:39 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: what was that mean?
Replies: 5
Views: 1526

The Watussi is a 1960's dance step 8) .
by Patrick
Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:04 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: what was that mean?
Replies: 5
Views: 1526

Sounds like he's doing the Watussi :lol: .
by Patrick
Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:56 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: question
Replies: 5
Views: 1500

While Charlie Parker isn't aggressive he does like to eat clothes. A lot. Anything with buttons, zips, a hanging thread, tag, or little hole is an invitation to destroy. It was a losing battle trying to train him not to chew, plus it's so damn cute when he climbs inside my shirt or into my pockets, ...
by Patrick
Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:33 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: What's The Best Time For A Bath?
Replies: 11
Views: 2951

Charlie Parker gets a spray bath every morning and loves it. He still manages to give himself an occasional water dish bath. On hot days I give him a pie plate with a little water and float some toys in it and he hops in and splashes away for fun.
by Patrick
Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:29 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Chet Womach's training vidio - UR oppinion!
Replies: 6
Views: 2237

I can't say anything about the video, but once you log into the site they keep sending you spam forever.
by Patrick
Thu May 29, 2008 12:17 am
Forum: IRN Diet & Housing
Topic: Blackberries
Replies: 4
Views: 1969

Blackberries

Blackberries are in season so I bought baskets and baskets of them but after spending several hours cleaning up the stains, purple poop, and a very happy little purple-faced bird I had second thoughts about feeding them to the little monster again. After making blackberry ice cream I had tons of the...
by Patrick
Thu May 29, 2008 12:04 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: The Color Red
Replies: 12
Views: 4897

That is hilarious. Charlie Parker has always HATED every vacuum--the brown one upstairs, the little hand vac (every bird owner's best friend ,) the shop vac, and especially the red one downstairs. I can't even have him in the room when a vacuum is off or he takes off flying. I guess that since his l...
by Patrick
Mon May 26, 2008 11:17 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: my baby had a xray and a plaster for his broken leg
Replies: 4
Views: 1409

All I can think of is Jimmy Stewart in 'Rear Window...' With feathers, of course. And Rose is a beautiful blonde like Grace Kelly. Glad to hear he is on the mend--
by Patrick
Mon May 26, 2008 11:06 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: The Color Red
Replies: 12
Views: 4897

Charlie Parker was terrified of the color red as a baby--shirts, hats, toys, you name it. The second he would see it he would fly into a frenzy screaming and flailing his wings. He completely outgrew it by the time he was about nine months old.
by Patrick
Fri May 23, 2008 12:07 am
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: when they will talk, or they will never?
Replies: 17
Views: 3575

Charlie Parker is coming up on one year old and is becoming quite the motormouth--a few hours of chatter & singing each morning and evening, and any time he sees anyone in the kitchen (food potential--impress the humans with singing!) He has the wolf whistle down cold, has just about mastered 'h...
by Patrick
Thu May 22, 2008 11:56 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: ideal age?
Replies: 9
Views: 2109

Charlie Parker came home with me when he was about 12 weeks old--eating solid food on his own but still being handfed twice a day. His previous person gave me a good lesson on feeding, and included several weeks of formula and a clean syringe. I think that part of the reason we bonded so well and th...
by Patrick
Tue May 20, 2008 12:57 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Odd Sleeping Habits?
Replies: 8
Views: 3386

One morning when I decided to grab a little catnap in my home office Charlie Parker was obviously in the same mood and I caught him several times on his upstairs perch just as his eyes were closing and he was drifting off. You could tell the exact moment sleep set in because his eyes would close and...
by Patrick
Tue May 20, 2008 12:47 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Ice?
Replies: 2
Views: 1009

Ice?

I was wondering about ice - is it safe to allow the birds to play with an ice cube or two? Charlie Parker is fascinated by it and I we've been having record heat here so I floated one in his "wading pool" this weekend along with his usual bath toys. He tries to catch it in his beak (usuall...
by Patrick
Thu May 15, 2008 11:33 pm
Forum: Polls
Topic: Is your Irn Lefthanded or is it Righthanded?
Replies: 28
Views: 15118

Charlie Parker is a lefty, I'm ambidextrous.
by Patrick
Mon May 12, 2008 12:16 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Obsession with teeth?
Replies: 6
Views: 2394

That's it exactly--when he isn't actively trying to lick your teeth he'll sit on your shoulder for hours with his little head poking around your cheek while he stares at your teeth with that fascinated look in his eyes. I guess we'll just hope that he gets over it and learn to accept the little gree...
by Patrick
Sat May 10, 2008 11:46 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Obsession with teeth?
Replies: 6
Views: 2394

Obsession with teeth?

Okay, I thought that Charlie Parker had a case of the spring hornies and had fallen madly in love with me, but now he's acting weird to my friends as well. He is completely obsessed with teeth--he looks into your eyes and then tries and tries to beak your front teeth. He'll bite them gently and won'...
by Patrick
Wed May 07, 2008 8:48 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: Molting and Napping
Replies: 2
Views: 1089

Charlie Parker is moulting like crazy these days and also likes a good nap or two during the day, in addition to sometimes three or four baths in his water dish in addition to his daily shower. The other day when the temperature hit the high nineties I gave him an old pie plate with about a quarter ...
by Patrick
Wed May 07, 2008 8:43 pm
Forum: IRN Diet & Housing
Topic: Red cage?
Replies: 3
Views: 1609

Charlie Parker HATED the color red when he was a baby--shirt, shorts, hats, anything red would send him into a frenzy. Now at almost a year old he's completely outgrown his fear.
by Patrick
Wed May 07, 2008 8:38 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: the voice
Replies: 12
Views: 3542

Charlie Parker has a very obviously displeased growl/screech when he throws a temper tantrum, and a quiet but very distinct growl he lets out any time his tail is accidentally caught or pulled. I instantly check on him when I hear the latter; the tantrums get nothing more than a quiet but firm "...
by Patrick
Wed May 07, 2008 8:27 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: A little problem
Replies: 25
Views: 5127

Charlie Parker is almost a year old and got the 'urge to merge' this week. He hasn't started humping yet, but I can't get him off my head and shoulders, and he's constantly trying to nibble on my ears, my lips, my teeth and my nose. I even shaved off my beard thinking he was just getting too interes...
by Patrick
Wed May 07, 2008 8:15 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: screaming problem,please advise
Replies: 19
Views: 3878

Locking Charlie Parker in the bathroom would only accomplish three things: a five hour shower, even more time spent admiring that hot birdie in the mirror, and total destruction of all the tissues and toilet paper. And you know who would end up on clean-up duty..... :lol:
by Patrick
Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:09 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Chewing feathers?
Replies: 6
Views: 1748

Chewing feathers?

Charlie Parker is almost a year old and we're dealing with his first big moulting with lots of pin feather scratching from both of us and frequent baths (once a day from me with the spray bottle, and sometimes three or four swims in his water dish. ) I'm wondering if anyone else's bird chews his fea...
by Patrick
Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:55 am
Forum: Polls
Topic: Birdie on the shoulder
Replies: 50
Views: 22916

I tried (and failed) to train Charlie Parker to stay below my elbow after reading that it was a bad idea to let him up, and now we're both used to him living on my shoulder, where he rubs his head on my beard and likes to gently nibble on my ear. The only problem is when he gets excited and talks to...
by Patrick
Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:46 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Playing with toys
Replies: 17
Views: 3589

Charlie Parker's favorite game is keep-away: He stands on the edge of his cage top and I bring one of his golf balls close. He lunges and grabs the ball in his beak then shakes his head and throws it. If I can't catch it he scores a point, otherwise I bring the ball back and he tries again to outsma...
by Patrick
Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:44 pm
Forum: IRN Lounge
Topic: Name change suggestions..
Replies: 14
Views: 3824

Hee hee, Charlie Parker has been both Piglet and Oscar-the-Grouch a lot lately as well. Spring has sprung here and someone is only interested in eating and complaining. Loudly on both accounts. Oddly enough, we almost never call him by his name--usually just 'Hey Birdie!' or 'Pookie Bird!' PS--Keep ...
by Patrick
Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:18 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: scratches
Replies: 6
Views: 1772

Keep trying--when all those itchy pinfeathers come in after a good moult you may end up with just the opposite problem!
by Patrick
Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:13 pm
Forum: IRN Lounge
Topic: Do your birds like music?
Replies: 22
Views: 5635

My next door neighbor is a (semi) famous rock musician and had quite the jam session yesterday/last night. We can now add hardcore industrial guitar rock to Charlie Parker's list of favorite music. Me I'm not so sure. :?
by Patrick
Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:57 am
Forum: IRN Lounge
Topic: Do your birds like music?
Replies: 22
Views: 5635

Charlie Parker loves to sing along with Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Hagen and likes to shake his little birdie butt to Ike & Tina Turner . My first degree is in piano and he insists on jumping on my hands and/or the keyboard when I play--I'm not sure if that is positive or negative criticism, or ju...
by Patrick
Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:09 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Playing with toys
Replies: 17
Views: 3589

I am constantly amazed at Charlie Parker's fascination with anything knotted--using only his beak he has been able to untie even the tightest knots in his toys, my shoelaces, ropes, etc. I'm relieved that he is too timid to go explore the blinds...
by Patrick
Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:22 am
Forum: IRN Diet & Housing
Topic: Are there any safe flowers...
Replies: 9
Views: 4453

I found this site and bookmarked it for the future after completely panicking when Charlie Parker surprised me by making a quick tossed salad of a houseplant I'd just brought in with the groceries. Both Charlie and the plant survived, but my nerves may never be the same. Needless to say, I'll be a l...
by Patrick
Sat Mar 29, 2008 3:07 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: a question on your birds talking....
Replies: 8
Views: 2216

Charlie Parker has a chatty time every morning and evening, and any time that water is running, music is playing, or the gardeners are making noise with the leaf blower or pool equipment. When he started talking he would stop when I'd step back into view, but now he just yaks away, although he alway...
by Patrick
Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:35 am
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: pating my bird
Replies: 6
Views: 1862

I must be really lucky--while ringnecks aren't "supposed" to be the cuddliest birds, Charlie Parker loves to be petted and scratched (especially since his first moult--itchy pin feathers!) and will even climb up my shirt (inside or outside--you never know ) and perch himself on my chest to...
by Patrick
Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:25 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Coincidence or does he know??
Replies: 7
Views: 2101

Charlie Parker was a dirty bird for a while--he'd hop in his water dish and give himself a bath at most once every week or two. He'd make such a splash that I started giving him a shower twice a week with the spritz bottle, and then he'd get a blowdry with the hairdryer (which he LOVES) when the wea...
by Patrick
Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:16 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: Bathing
Replies: 7
Views: 1897

Charlie Parker puts up a fuss when I go to bathe him with the mister, but once he feels the water he loves it and will dance around and wave his wings and spread his tail until he is absolutely soaking wet. I try to give him a shower every few days because otherwise he'll do it himself splashing in ...
by Patrick
Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:54 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Smiling?
Replies: 5
Views: 1607

Smiling?

Is it just me anthropomorphising or do birds smile when they are happy? I could swear (and my houseguest agrees) that my IRN appears to have a smile on his beak when he is happy and/or satisfied. Does anyone else see this?