I saw your other message about actually getting your Alexandrine, so I realize I'm kinda late here.... but I think the scientific name is pronounced "sit a cue luh." :-)

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA

Cool i will try to pronounce it that way. I actually tried to pronounce it today - but asiatic is much easier (LOL)

cya
Tracey
Qld Australia

Hi tracey,

As nate said you've probably already got one by now. But I have one, so I can tell you about her, but that's not necessarily what they are all like, as you know they're all individuals.

She doesn't like to be petted at all really. She will tolerate it, but she doesn't enjoy it the way cockatoos do. On that you are correct. She does like to sit with us, ie she would sit on your shoulder for hours, she loves to go in the car; she can say a few things, but we've never actually tried to teach her so she could say more.

She is pretty smart and she can do tricks. She does a 360 around her perch for a treat. It was very easy to teach her. SHe did a 360 one day and we rewarded her for it, ever since then she knows. She even does a 360 'to beg' for food now. eg if she hears keith crakcing macadamia nuts down the yard she starts doing 360s.

HOwever she does have a negative trait. She rushes and attacks the bars of the cage when you walk past. When you go to get her she does her best with body language to say 'go away.' Very hostile on approach. BUT when you actually get her, she is sweet as pie and would never bite.

I think as a species they are especially territorial. I trust her on my shoulder but I don't stick my hand in her cage. AS soon as you get her away from her cage she is as sweet and loving as ever.

She does not like to go on the ground, she will not play on the ground. She always insists on being in the highest spot much more than my other birds. She is an extreme chewer and reduces everything to shreds. Pippi (my corella/galah cross) is nowhere near as destructive as she is.

She is a much more independent bird than pippi. She acts as though she couldn't give a damn whether she gets any attention or not, but when you give it her, she likes it.

She's like a grumpy old man that really likes you, just acts like he doesn't. So you must be strong enough to just ignore that and press on anyway. I must admit I was rather put off by her aggressiveness at first. I bought her as hand-reared baby from a breeder and she was so sweet when I saw her. But a week later I had a bird that bit the bars of her cage as I walked past and apparantley wanted nothing to do with me. Fortunately keith persisted with her and she turned out to be a nice bird.

But really, they can be hard to love if you're like me who loves a bird that 'loves' you. I must admit that the 'aloof, independent' type is not my thing in a bird. But she is smart, talks, is gentle when handled and likes to 'sit' with me. Just don't pet her.

Good luck

Ming

PS - make sure you go and look at some non-tame adults. Go up to the cage and talk to them. Watch their eyes and their body language. Your bird may act like that too. I'm not trying to put you off, just to make sure you know not expect a loving 'too in an alexandrine.

Proud owner of little corella - rose breasted cockatoo cross (Pippi), alexandrine (Cam Rahn) and princess parrot (Eep). From Qld, Australia.

Thanks for that. I have owned Rani my female alexandrine now for 7 weeks. I finished handraising her from 6 weeks old. I already own an eclectus and am quite used to having a bird who is not a love bug but loves to sit with me. I have also owned 'toos and a galah (rose breasted 'too) budgies, 'tiels and indian ringneck as well as canaries and finches.

I can't remember if I told the story of how I came to have Rani. I orginally bought a dna'd male at 13 weeks old (was told he was 9 weeks, but when told his hatch date he actually was older)and he was lovely, but had a deformed beak which I did not notice until I had him in the car and half way home. Long story short - I took him to two vets both said I should take him back and either get my money back or another bird. The second opinion was by an AV. The breeder was with me at the AV and he had offered me to get another bird twice, then offered it again, so I decided to take the offer.

Rani is a lovely little bird who does like to sit with me but does bite when she decideds she wants to although we are working on this and she is getting much better. I plan on doing clicker training with her just like with my ekkie. She is already trying to talk and I am sure I have heard her say hello.

Thanks for your help, it is much appreciated

cya
Tracey
Qld Australia

Back again. Not worried about this, just curious. My baby alex growls a lot when coming near her and trying to handle her, she also loves to bite and bite hard. I am working on this and she is getting better and is learning what "no biting" means. I have never had a bird who seems to enjoy biting before..............and I handraised her. she used to lunge at me everytime I went to take her out of her box to feed her (which I have never experienced before either). I am guessing this can be part of their inherint nature??? My ekkie growls and did bite me for a couple of days but not anymore. Just curious what others with alex's have experienced.

cya
Tracey
Qld Australia