2-3 times, my parrot (that has a cage but is on an open perch during the day) has climbed (or attempted to fly) off and started walking around. The last time was found climbing the stairs to me when I went to investigate.
I spend time with her as often as I can and keep her close, but there are times that I put her away to a perch near her cage so she is quiet or at least not loud and bothersome so I can watch some TV.
I guess I could start locking her up during the day when not near her, but I’d rather not. Then she can still roam from purch to cage and back. (both are on pedastals.)
Or, do I have to deal with it or what?
I’d like her to have freedom but also be safe. (yes, I have a cat belonging to my daughter.)
Advise, suggestions, knowledge to impart??
No, I don’t spray to punish. Only a fine mist sprayer to wash with.
She does not wander around the house, and I try to let her watch TV on a kitchen perch but my husband doesn’t like it when she mutters or joins in the dialog. She was only alone for about an hour or so and I don’t know when during THAT she climbed down. She was only about 2-3 steps up the stairs.
Oh, and she’s Oogie, a yellow naped amazon.
I’ll pick the best of you, but thanks all for your imput. I wondered about your experience and fixes. I guess I’ll have to start thinking about putting her into her cage when I leave for a movie on TV.
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The decision is between freedom and safety.
Supervised freedom is great. My birds have open cage policy when someone is home. They are confined during absences for their own protection.
Parrots are smart and curious, there are too many hazards in the normal house to allow them total freedom, especially with another animal present.
Please to avoid a tragedy, lock him up when you’re not around to supervise.
Just lock the bird up. If she starts wandering around she can get lost or hurt. It’s possible for someone to step on her by accident.
Best to keep it in a cage with a cat around, cats are very unpredictable and hunt birds like no other animal….even if it seems its not interested 1 day doesnt mean it wont attack it another day.
My parrot used to do the same thing. The thing you need to do is tough love. When you spend time with her, be super-attentive and nice and caring. But when it’s time for you to go away, let her know. Birds are very intelligent and they can understand. Tell her "I am going away now but you must stay here."
If she does fly off her cage, pick her up, scold her, give her your angry face (they don’t like that and it really helps add some feeling into the discipline), and then spray her down with a little water spray bottle. They hate the spray bottle! And if you do this everytime she flies off, she will learn that flying off = mommy spraying me = something she doesn’t like. So, she will stop doing it. That is what happened with my bird. Within a couple weeks, she was trained not to fly off her cage.
Also, with a cat around, you might not want to trim your bird’s wings too much. If you let her have to ability to fly a little, then if the cat decides to pounce, your parrot will have the chance to fly away and defend herself.
Good luck!
Don’t spray your bird with a spray bottle….. That is a good way to scare them then you could never use a bottle to bathe them…. Maybe if you had a special "Parrot Safe" room. My bird is never confined to a cage the top to his cage is a play area so I leave it open(but he lives in my room and when I am not home I leave the door closed) he usually stays on/in hisw cage when he is by himself. Sometimes if I come home after dark and turn the light on in my room I’ll see a little yellow head peeking out from under my covers…. He’s so cute. But just make sure there is nothing for your bird to get hurt/poisoned/killed by. If there is no special place she can go then you’ll have to leave her in the cage…….
Never, NEVER spray your bird to punish it. Getting sprayed with water should be an enjoyable thing. It is good for their skin and feathers and is part of good bird health. Birds do not understand that kind of punishment and it’s only a quick fix and a trust breaker.
Leaving your bird out on a perch and/or having the cage open when you are not there to supervise your bird is SO unsafe. Cats carry Pasturella bacteria which is deadly to birds. One little puncture from a tooth or claw and your bird could be dead within 36 hours! Even a bit of cat saliva on the bird could end up killing it. birds preen so what’s on their feathers gets in their mouths. Even if you think your cat won’t go after the bird; your bird might get curious and approch the cat. If the cat gets mad or scared it could lash out.
Keep the door of the cage closed when you are not in the room and provide your bird with toys. He will adjust to the fact that at certain times, he has to entertain himself. You could also adjust to the fact that when you have a parrot you can expect noise. They are social creatures and like to spend time with us. I watch tv all the time with my bird on my lap.
If you must watch TV by yourself, close the cage door. Even then accidents can happen and a cat can swipe a bird through the bars. Maybe take the cat with you to watch TV? At least you would know they weren’t mauling each other.
Also, you found your bird on the stairs? How long was it left alone without checking on it? Someone I know had a bird that went on a little unsupervised walk about through the house and started chewing on the corner of a wall. The bird died from ingesting drywall and paint.
Hi it is nice to let them have freedom but if they are out of thier cage they need to be supervised.. My Ekkie walks around the house but only when we are home and my kids are teenagers they know to look around for him but usually I tell them watch out he is heading for the kitchen etc… He will climb down his cage or playstand and follow you in the kitchen when he wants a snack lol.. But you have a cat so I would suggest that if you are not prepared to carry him with you everywhere lock him up when you are out of sight.. And please don’t spray him with a bottle as a punishment thats bad advice.. First it won’t help it will only scare him and make him leary of you and the water bottle.. Everytime he gets on the floor pick him back up and place him back on his cage or playstand.. just keep doing this and eventually he will learn that he isn’t supposed to be on the floor… I hope this helps and good luck