Since Zazu grew his flights in and began flying a couple of years ago, he's always been eager to fly to me, not always at convenient times... if i'm studying or doing an art project everything goes fluttering to the ground in the sweep of B&G wings - he's always been a bit of a velcro bird.

So, i taught him (hah) to ask permission to fly to me. Zaz says, "Wanna hop?" and i'll say, "Wait, please," or "Okay."

He's been doing great with this for the last few months, but yesterday the lightbulb went on. He was asking to flyover repeatedly, and i kept putting him off. He kept asking, using different inflections, loudly, whispering, pacing up and down on his favorite perch.

Finally, he hunkered down in launch-ready, announced, "Wanna hop? Okay!" and the next thing i knew i had a pleased macaw on my shoulder and narrowly missed having a lapful of hot coffee.

Back to the drawing board, i guess...