Hoot loves just 'hanging out' with us. She's quite happy in the evenings on her play stand with a few toys until she gets tired and it's bed time (she has a night cage in another room) During the day she's in her large cage with untold amounts of toys where she is quite happy to play and watch what is going on around her - that is unless someone is eating or Pete and I are at home together (He works shifts so sometimes he's here, sometimes not) and then she insists on being out with us.

From what I've read about Moustache's they are 'bossier' than other types of Psittacula and have found that at times Hoot and I can have a fair battle of wills which of course I have to win. Last night for e.g. she went to bed an hour earlier than normal because she was being stroppy. If she's in one of those moods nothing works but major time out. This morning she woke up like an angel and has been an angel all day!

She's not a 'touchy, feely' bird so when she climbs up my arm and snuggles on my shoulder while I'm on the computer that's a real compliment! I have worked hard with her to get her to accept being 'petted' and touched and have gotten her used to being completely covered in my hands, tipped over, hung upside down, feet touched, wings touched and even take things that she's playing with out of her beak.

When it comes to destroying stuff she will rip, tear and chew on toys but I have never seen her do any of that to anything, unless it's actually given to her.

My Hootie is sweet, funny, clever, cuddly, quiet, noisy, stubborn, bossy, stroppy and brave. I love her heaps. :)


Debbi
NZ

Thanks, that's encouraging. I'm in no hurry to get another bird, but my girlfriend has been smitten by three different ringnecks so far and she's really keen on the idea of me getting one (she lives in an apartment that doesn't allow pets). I like them too, but want to learn more about them before I start seriously contemplating the idea of getting another bird.


Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA

If you do decide to get one I really recommend getting a hand raised baby. I find that adults tend to have memories like elephants and if they have been handled in the wrong way it's nearly impossible to counteract this. (Check out the photos of my 'Motley Crew" that I just posted) I think you have your hands full enough with Darwin to consider taking on an adult that may have problems.

Darwin and Pheobe are both 'pre loved' birds aren't they? By getting a baby you will be introduced to a whole new way of dealing with birds, training from right at the beginning is so different than trying to teach new ways to a bird with old habits. And anyway, babies are sooo cute!!! :)

Debbi
NZ

For help with species choice have a look at -
http://home.wanadoo.nl/psittaculaworld/PsittaculaWorld.htm

Something I forgot to mention - My Alexandrines (I no longer have them) were very good at quitely destroying things. So the answer to your question, assuming that most psittacula are pretty similar, is no.

Debbi
NZ

Kiwi and Bok Bok don't seem especially interested in chewing, to be honest. I was expecting the egg-box-and-string toy to be gone within the day, but it lasted a week or so. The also have a toy with wooden blocks, which they give the odd bite occasionally, but they don't go nuts for it. I haven't had them out of their cage yet, so I couldn't speculate what they'd be like with furniture, and other house things.

Glyn.

Thanks again, both of you, that's all good stuff. Ringnecks are sounding better all the time, Elizabeth will be glad to hear all of this.

Yes Debbi, Phoebe was 5 when I got her, and Darwin was (still is) 20, so a baby bird will be a new thing for me. I really want to raise one as Lisa is doing with Bean, it is the real meaning of the term "fully fledged."

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA