Jonathan, our parakeet, needed
a playmate. I wanted another male parakeet so there would be no worry
of eggs. :-)
Jerry called faithfully to tell me
of all the other parrots available from Dusky's to Hahns Macaws but I had
my mind set on a small parrot that Jonathan could play and relate to.
Still no male parakeets. The breeder told Jerry she was in
the final process of weaning a clutch and she knew for sure one was a male.
Then the call came announcing the arrival
of a beautiful lovebird! I asked where was the parakeet?
Jerry told me I would not be able to resist the lovebird. It was
hand fed and beautiful.
After several calls back and forth
I decided Jonathan would be getting a little larger playmate. :-)
It was my birthday and when I saw this beautiful bundle of peach and green
feathers I just knew it was the best present ....up to date...I had ever
received! :-)
His name would be Benjamin, it suited
him well. Although, he was *hand shy* he was sweet.
For those who don't know, *hand
shy* is a fear of human hands. This occurs when a baby is handfed,
but not socialized, weaned too early, or scared at one point by
a hand. For whatever reason Benji was afraid.
He was frightened by his new surroundings,
but was comfortable being held and loved on, as long as I did not move
my hand. Putting him in his new cage was also a little scary
as it was much larger than what he was use to. I lowered
the perch to the lowest level put food and water in the respective places
and I also put a food dish on the bottom of the cage if he couldn't find
the others during the night.
In the morning, he was sitting on his
perch eating away. When I opened the cage to bring him
out he took flight from one corner to the other. :(
It was obvious our lovebird was not
happy with my hand in his new domain. But over the next
few weeks with constant nuturing, security of well being, and the presence
of my hand, he calmed down enough not to be frightened.
Being hand shy made the taming process
of Benjamin a bit more difficult. But he *wanted* to he held
and loved on, he just couldn't bring himself to admit it. The same
as some children do. :-)
I knew taming was for his best interest
as well as mine. He couldn't totally enjoy his new surroundings
if he was afraid of those he came in contact with. Especially
the large cumbersome hand that was attached to his human playmate.
I wanted him to at least know and accept
the "up" command before having freedom outside of his cage. But he
had other ideas! When I opened his cage for his daily instruction
he would quickly fly out!
I spent more time than I care to admit
going behind him, hands cupped, saying "up" - "up". My hubby
thought I was a bit crazy with my training process but at that point all
I wanted was for him to step onto my hand. Each time his little
body got close enough for me to pick him up..I said "up" and praised him.
I gave him a kiss along with a little
hug before putting him on the playset. He soon realized "up" was
not a bad word and it meant a quick *free* ride wherever he wanted to go.
Benji knows and accepts the "up" command
without fear of my hands, but is still leary when hands approach him from
behind or above when loving on him. But he is young and each day he comes
closer to accepting my hand without hesitation.
Next Benji meets Jonathan
