Search found 75 matches

by inept
Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:46 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!
Replies: 11
Views: 2541

I turned my bird's love of flesh into a game of sorts. I gave him a target in the form of my thumb and forefinger and when he bit I would neutralize the bite by grabbing his beak and saying "beep!" Now he doesn't bite. Instead, I grab his beak and he beeps. I did the same for face bites by...
by inept
Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:37 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Is he being naughty or is he clever?
Replies: 10
Views: 2813

How are naughty and clever any different? :lol: Ruffle is just the same way around bed time and I used to "solve" the problem by cordoning off the rooms and places he likes to fly to by closing doors and then just chasing him around until he tired out but he just got more and more persiste...
by inept
Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:46 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: He Speaks!
Replies: 8
Views: 2116

I guess you should watch videos of Ringnecks talking so that he can watch along with you! Ruffle now also says "Whatcha doin!" and "Hello!"
by inept
Mon May 11, 2009 8:00 pm
Forum: IRN Diet & Housing
Topic: Household items as toys.
Replies: 9
Views: 2749

Cork is one of my bird's favorite chews. He loves to rip it to bits. I buy him corks at a craft store and he assassinates them. There are toy pencils made for birds with naturally dyed wood and no graphite. Technically graphite shouldn't be poisonous or anything but experts say that it is and it's a...
by inept
Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:37 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: He Speaks!
Replies: 8
Views: 2116

He Speaks!

Finally, at around 15 months of age, Ruffle decided to start speaking. He's got such a charming little voice! :o

Now it's peek-a-boo this and peek-a-boo that. Best part is, I think he learned it by watching a YouTube video from my shoulder.
by inept
Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:30 pm
Forum: IRN Lounge
Topic: shipping
Replies: 2
Views: 1337

I believe that you can only import birds that have been in your possession for >90 days and that you must apply in advance for approval, provide documentation and accompany the bird. There may also need to be inspections and possibly a quarantine. There's no way the breeder can put the bird in a box...
by inept
Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:37 am
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: help!!!!!
Replies: 1
Views: 739

Are you sure it was blood or was the bird just eating something red like berries or color-dyed food? Is the bird behaving unusually or does it appear to be otherwise distressed? As always, if you're worried, you should visit a vet, but do be aware that food goes through birds quickly and the result ...
by inept
Wed Apr 15, 2009 3:46 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: as a pet
Replies: 10
Views: 2060

Well, they can be quite ornery and they are fairly stubborn and independent at times, but they are also hilarious, personable, clever, rambunctious, beautiful and infinitely charming. Naturally, a bird's personality has a lot to do with the way it's handled and treated. They're quite easy to care fo...
by inept
Wed Apr 15, 2009 3:39 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: moulting
Replies: 6
Views: 1573

Yes, but not all at once. He will lose them in turn, big and small, and look quite scraggly during the process as a result but he won't be bald or anything like that.
by inept
Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:08 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: moulting
Replies: 6
Views: 1573

At 2.5, you bird has probably moulted several times, no?
by inept
Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:07 am
Forum: IRN Lounge
Topic: ring at what age?
Replies: 3
Views: 1471

Juveniles and females do tend to have an "apparent" ring, but it's more like a shimmer or something like that where the ring would be. It's not "the" ring. You can typically only see it from this or that angle and only under appropriate light, etc.
by inept
Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:07 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: Claws / Nails Question
Replies: 5
Views: 1470

Oh he's such a little sweety! :D They're definitely getting up there, I'd say. I usually towel my guy and take a couple mm off the ends with a nail clipper, being careful to avoid the quick. Two people make quick work of it and a treat afterwards makes him forget all about it. Mine usually starts to...
by inept
Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:56 am
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: Claws / Nails Question
Replies: 5
Views: 1470

It's uncomfortable to have the bird stand on you? It gets stuck on fabrics when it climbs around?
by inept
Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:25 pm
Forum: IRN Lounge
Topic: Advice on change
Replies: 3
Views: 1433

Those look like pretty textbook stress bars, which are formed at the time the feather is being grown. Could be the result of dietary, mental or physical stress at that time.
by inept
Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:54 am
Forum: IRN Photo Forum
Topic: my line of ringnecks
Replies: 5
Views: 1764

Haha! Your Alex looks hilarious with her (?) head poking out like that. Adorable!
by inept
Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:44 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Guys Need Ur Help
Replies: 5
Views: 1244

You don't have to feed it chillies, but you can. Birds love peppers of all sorts ranging from the sweetest to the hottest you can imagine, and they're healthy so why not.
by inept
Fri Feb 06, 2009 2:47 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: Rambo has a ring
Replies: 7
Views: 1616

That is typical and does not indicate sex.
by inept
Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:01 pm
Forum: IRN Photo Forum
Topic: some more pics
Replies: 4
Views: 1391

Pair of good looking birds there!

Quite remarkable how animated he looks in spite of his terrible injury. Hopefully the vet is just a pessimist. What's on the perches? Sand paper?
by inept
Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:54 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: what is your birds fav toy
Replies: 7
Views: 1536

1. Food
2. Popsicle sticks
3. The clappers in birdy bells
4. My clothing

I usually make toys out of stuff from the dollar store. Hundreds of popsicle sticks for a buck. At the pet store they sell the same thing for 5x more. Use some hemp rope, beads, etc. and you're set.
by inept
Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:51 pm
Forum: IRN Diet & Housing
Topic: Keeping an IRN in an apartment
Replies: 7
Views: 5497

I can hear Ruffle screaming from quite a distance. As soon as I come home from work (I think he can hear my car or the garage opening) he is overcome with excitement. I can hear him from my mailbox.

:shock:

You might get some complaints in an apartment, depending on your neighbors.
by inept
Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:33 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: beak and feet
Replies: 3
Views: 1261

It's normal. They will pick away at little flakes of skin on their feet and bite their nails and such. The beak grinding is a sound of contentedness and typical of bedtime.
by inept
Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:05 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: Average size and weight
Replies: 6
Views: 8147

Also keep in mind that Smokey is flighted whereas the birds at the pet shop probably aren't. A bird that flies can look subtly different from one that doesn't and might certainly have a different size/weight profile.
by inept
Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:52 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Why Does He Do This?
Replies: 5
Views: 1440

When I say that you should stop rewarding bad behavior, I do not mean to suggest that you should instead punish it. I literally mean exactly what I said and nothing else. Do not reward bad behavior. Doing so reinforces the bad behavior and will make the bird increasingly more difficult to deal with....
by inept
Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:39 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Why Does He Do This?
Replies: 5
Views: 1440

It's not unusual for birds to become possessive of their favorite people, especially people of the opposite sex. He loves you and he doesn't want to share you with other people. You need to socialize him with patient members of the opposite sex who will not reinforce his feelings but will change the...
by inept
Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:24 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: Baby ringneck lose eyes
Replies: 3
Views: 1421

That's a scary thread title! Hmm, the white of the eye will start showing at around 3 months, I guess, under the right lighting, and your little guy's beautiful blue eyes will be completely finished cooking in the 4-5 month range. As for the prominent eyelid, I don't know. I never noticed it forming...
by inept
Sat Dec 20, 2008 1:02 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Odd Behaviour
Replies: 7
Views: 1717

I believe the purpose of this behavior is actually to blow dust and down feathers all over the place, sort of like, "WHEEEEEE!" I'm absolutely astonished by how powerful the wings on a little bird like a Ringneck are so I can imagine what it's like when an Alex goes all flappy. Must be lik...
by inept
Thu Dec 18, 2008 8:43 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: what age do the irn start to talk
Replies: 5
Views: 4578

Ruffle started whistling around 6-8 months and built up quite a repertoire including spontaneously-created songs made up of various whistles (totally adorable) but it's almost a year now and he hasn't really spoken. When he's very angry he makes a sound that I'm certain is "hi" but aside f...
by inept
Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:12 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Toilet Training...Help Please.
Replies: 2
Views: 984

Seems like it'd be a mostly futile endeavor. My guy's definitely got the pooping-in-the-cage concept figured out. When I come to get him, he'll squat down and give it his all. If he's out of the cage for more than 15-odd minutes, though, chances are he's going to poop regardless.
by inept
Sat Dec 13, 2008 2:25 am
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: HELP!! HELP!! HELP!!
Replies: 23
Views: 4403

Is it abnormal for birds to lose down feathers? My little guy lets out poofy down balls almost anytime he shakes out his feathers vigirously. He hasn't gone through a molt yet and he hasn't lost any primary feathers or semiplume. I always figured it was normal for the down to come out - is that not ...
by inept
Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:29 pm
Forum: IRN Photo Forum
Topic: best invention yet! Bird's private bed/change tent
Replies: 20
Views: 4353

I actually have something quite similar for Ruffle. I cut the sleeve of a large, old fleece sweatshirt, trimmed it to size and cut a slit down the side, strung it around some copper wire and cinched the top with a zip tie. The result is a cylindrical "sleepy tent" similar in concept to the...
by inept
Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:32 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: IRN buyed in very bad condition need urgent help with photos
Replies: 20
Views: 4275

Honestly, I think that bird looks pretty good considering the conditions you rescued it from. A bit shaggy but not too badly off. I'd avoid feeding it the shown seed since seeds are high in fat and stuff. They have protein and minerals, but they are not a healthy overally diet.
by inept
Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:23 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: New User, Problems with IRN bought from pet shop in Sweden.
Replies: 17
Views: 3743

No way that critter is 5 months old. With beak coloration like that, it's at least twice that old. If the shopkeep told you it was 3 months when you bought, it should have had a totally orange "baby" beak and its eyes should still have been black. At 5 months, the eyes would be blue alread...
by inept
Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:16 pm
Forum: IRN Lounge
Topic: Bites
Replies: 11
Views: 4135

I've been bitten by: African Grey Amazon IRN Quaker Sun Conure Various little conures There is a huge gap between the Amazon and the IRN. The grey was really painful and the bite was purposeful and targeted to hurt. Those little conures are the cutest. They bite and bite and bite and it barely even ...
by inept
Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:57 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: A Question about bar spacing
Replies: 1
Views: 631

I think it's too wide. That's big bird spacing and for a bird like an IRN that's somewhere in between big and small, it could mean getting stuck between the bars. 5/8ths is perfect for IRNs.
by inept
Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:52 pm
Forum: IRN Diet & Housing
Topic: Ringnecks and Alexandrines
Replies: 2
Views: 1479

You mean together? It depends on the specific birds more than on the species. In any case, they're very closely related and can mate so there's certainly nothing barring them from being housed together, assuming they're friendly.
by inept
Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:08 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Quiet IRN?
Replies: 7
Views: 2135

Personally, I don't find the so-called "IRN call" all that annoying. It doesn't matter how loud or often, it's simply not that bad. What I really dislike is the angry temper tantrum squawk/shriek. It's not as loud but it's worse. You'll hear plenty of both soon enough. :lol:
by inept
Sun Jul 06, 2008 11:13 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: pellets or seed?
Replies: 8
Views: 2496

Ruffle is on a mostly pellet diet and it's working out very well. I'm using Roudybush and it has really grown on him. I gave them a try and thought they tasted like apples and cinnamon, and Ruffle happens to really like apples. There were tantrums at first, but now he practically jumps out of his ca...
by inept
Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:59 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Pet Shops GRRR!!
Replies: 7
Views: 1788

The keepers at my local bird store were very pleased to hear that I had chosen an IRN for my first bird. They went on and on about how charming and clever they are and how they fit so much attitude into such a little package. They even wanted me to bring it over for a visit!
by inept
Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:35 pm
Forum: IRN Photo Forum
Topic: New Picture of my little man!
Replies: 7
Views: 1914

Aww. I wish their beady black eyes would never change! :o
by inept
Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:33 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: how to stop me smooching my irn
Replies: 14
Views: 3791

I just go in for the smooches anyway! I might get a little growl and my little guy might try to move away, but I smooch and smooch and smooch. He tolerates it now.
by inept
Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:55 pm
Forum: IRN Lounge
Topic: Toys
Replies: 6
Views: 1711

My guy likes to chew. Straw, palm leaf, grapevine, wood, etc. He loves those grapevine munch balls and he likes popsicle sticks. Not too interested in acrylic/plastic/lucite toys but some birds are.
by inept
Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:09 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: Stress? What for?
Replies: 3
Views: 1217

If the bird is making a crying noise, it's probably hungry. A very young bird at this stage may appear to have been fully weaned, but under stress will revert back to requiring hand feeding. If the bird is begging, you're better off feeding it than forcing it to find food on its own. The hungrier th...
by inept
Fri May 30, 2008 6:14 pm
Forum: Ringneck Stories
Topic: Ruffle's First Nail Trim
Replies: 3
Views: 2643

Ruffle's First Nail Trim

Ruffle is now approximately 4 months old and his nails, well they had become scythe blades. I was content to let them grow on for just as long as Ruffle was, but it was really beginning to hurt when he crawled on me so I decided to give clipping a try. He fought beak and nail, and he was scared poop...
by inept
Fri May 30, 2008 12:50 am
Forum: IRN Lounge
Topic: Amazon?
Replies: 16
Views: 3972

Maybe you can put a corner platform up for the bird near the area where he retreats to and cover it with something soft? Provide him with something to rest belly-down on with some comfort? Have you inspected the bird at all? Why can you not pick it up? Is there any obvious issue with it? Can you cla...
by inept
Wed May 28, 2008 12:33 am
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: behaviour again
Replies: 16
Views: 3018

Hmm. Ruffle bunks with me and he used to chirp away when he woke up because he wanted me to wake up and service him in whatever birdy ways he demands (Nutriberries please!). I just ignored him and he learned pretty quick that when daddy's still sleeping, he might as well not even bother. He eats and...
by inept
Tue May 27, 2008 12:32 am
Forum: IRN Lounge
Topic: electrical device
Replies: 10
Views: 2701

I'd say that what you want to do is very possible, but that the remote may or may not be able to function directly by solar power. You would probably need a rechargable battery pack and a charge controller so that the remote could store up charge when it's not in use for when it's needed. Radio is p...
by inept
Fri May 23, 2008 3:14 pm
Forum: IRNs Behavior & Taming
Topic: MY NEW IRN BROKE HIS LEG
Replies: 6
Views: 2030

Wow, that is crazy! I hope he gets well soon. I can't believe some of the crazy antics Ruffle gets into without hurting himself and to think that your little guy got hurt apparently doing nothing at all!
by inept
Thu May 22, 2008 7:19 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous Comments/Questions
Topic: Dark eyes and age
Replies: 3
Views: 1421

Depends on how carefully you look and under what lighting conditions. You'll start to see blue in there after just a few months.
by inept
Thu May 22, 2008 11:15 am
Forum: IRN Lounge
Topic: electrical device
Replies: 10
Views: 2701

thanks every one here... hmm, inept, do you know how to design a solar energy board, like the 1 usually aplied to calculator? thanks alot Well, what are you hoping to hear about? - The solar panel itself and how this is made? - How you might use a solar panel to power a device? - How you might use ...