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My most wanted list: Peacock kitty wizard, carnelian mouse wizard, copper patina frog wizard, autumn leaf poads, pumpkin spice kitties
This morning my cockateil was sitting on top of her cage, as usual, making all kinds of noise like she normally does when I wake up. I had received a call from my sister begging me to come out to breakfast with her because she had a strong craving for pancakes. As I was getting ready to walk out the door, I said “good bye” to all of my animals who were watching me leave, when all of a sudden, my bird decides that she wants to be on my head (that’s her sitting spot for some strange reason)just as I open the door.
Keep in mind that her flying is not that great and when she tries to land on my head when I’m watching TV she sometimes misses horribly, going right over my head and then flies back to her cage for another attempt.
So she misses my head and goes right out the front door! I haven’t clipped her wings in a while because she’s very good about not going anywhere. I can answer the door with her sitting on my shoulder or on my head and she doesn’t move. I sometimes believe that she forgets how to fly because most of the time she’s walking around on the floor like a dog.
She flies over the apartment across the yard and disappears behind it. I spent about an hour looking for her in the trees and on the ground and I even put her cage outside in the open yard so she could see it (that’s what people have told me to do). After another hour goes by my neighbor gets home and she helps me look for her…finally we heard her! It took us a while to locate where her tweet was coming from, and while we were calling her she made another noise and it turns out she was in a tree about 15 feet above us!! It was really windy and a gust of wind hit the tree causing a branch next to her to hit her in the face (poor thing) and scared her away.
She crashed on the ground about 20 yards away in the woods and after about 20 minutes or so trying to get her I finally managed to catch her trying to fly off the ground!She bit the heck outta me when I put her inside my jacket but I didn’t care. I just wanted her back inside and outta the cold. You can bet that tomorrow when she’s calmer I’m clipping her wings first thing in the morning!
Can anyone recommend any vitamins or something I can do for her to prevent her from getting sick?? Anything at all??My most wanted list: Peacock kitty wizard, carnelian mouse wizard, copper patina frog wizard, autumn leaf poads, pumpkin spice kitties
I don’t know anything about birds but just wanted to say I am glad you got her back OK. Somthing happening to one of ur beloved pets is a tragedy.
Just remember that a bird with clipped wings can still fly. Especially a light bodied bird like a cockatiel! There are more birds that escape every year that have clipped wings than those that do not. It’s because clipping gives owners a false sense of security… even with a severe clip (which I never, never recommend) a light bodied parrot can catch a breeze outdoors and go for miles. It sadly happens.
You should never supplement your bird’s vitamin intake unless directed to do so via a vet. Adding vitamins needlessly can actually cause toxicity in a bird. The things they sell at the pet shop (that you put in their water) can actually be very harmful. A balanced and healthy diet will contain all the vitamins a healthy bird needs. What are you feeing her? 🙂
If you are concerned that she injured herself then you will want to get her a check up with a vet anyway. If you are just worried because she got cold outdoors yesterday, she should be fine… for short durations even tropical parrots can be okay in cold temperatures.
I’m so glad that you got her back okay! I’m a little worried that you leave her out, free-roam, unsupervised though (Unless I misunderstood you- in which case I am sorry). There are so many things that can happen to these little guys.
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My art: featherdust.comJennifer–She only has free roam when we are home and we can keep an eye on her. When we leave we put her back in her cage and shut the door (only left it open a few times by accident when we went out to dinner or something like that). My husband didn’t go out with my sister and I this morning so she stayed out of her cage cuz he was going to be home (he was in the bathroom when it happened). I know she can still fly with clipped wings, now with most of her feathers grown out she has more control. Before when her wings were clipped she fluttered around like a chicken and couldn’t get very far.
I haven’t given any vitamins to her at all because I know they can be harmful, but was just thinking of how cold it is out and I’m worried about her getting sick from being out there for such a long time. She’s not injured or anything, lost a tail feather but other than that she’s fine. I’m just worried that’s all…over protective pet parent if that’s what I’m called.
I feed her Kaytee forti-diet cockatiel food and she gets crackers,broccoli and apples. Millet once in a while (fattening) and honey treat sticks too. Spoiled!! 😉My most wanted list: Peacock kitty wizard, carnelian mouse wizard, copper patina frog wizard, autumn leaf poads, pumpkin spice kitties
Hehe, sounds like she is doing well! If she will eat them (tiels are SO darn picky) she’d benefit from some dark leafy green too, like kale, bok choy, etc. Mustard greens. 🙂
Oops! I knew I was probably missing something, I’m sorry I thought you meant you were going to leave her out. 😳
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My art: featherdust.comI’ve tried to feed her several different kinds of greens but you are right about them being picky. She completely avoids them. It took me long enough to get her to eat the apples and broccoli. I’ve tried other fruits too but she’s too picky I think.
I’m glad I found her out there because most people say that once a small bird like that gets out, there’s almost no chance of getting them back. Just got lucky I guess.My most wanted list: Peacock kitty wizard, carnelian mouse wizard, copper patina frog wizard, autumn leaf poads, pumpkin spice kitties
Just be sure to keep her nice and warm, and watch her closely for any sign of illness. I’m sure you know what to look for.
The key with getting birds to try new foods is to be consistent with them. If you offer it every day, eventually they’ll take a taste. It’s taken a while, but my flock will eat just about anythign I put down in front of those little piggies. 😆
Yes- sadly most birds that get out the door are never seen again. 🙁
The broccoli is a great food, lots of natural vitamins and calcium in the tops!
Volunteer mod- I'm here to help! Email me for the best response: nambroth at gmail.com
My art: featherdust.comI went outside with one of my lovebirds. It flew into the renny’s birdhouse and slept overnight. My grandma retrieved it the last day.
We had 16 birds at one point, even breeding lovebirds. Cockatiels, and one really, angry old budgie that could push any of them out of the way for food.
Jennifer wrote:Just remember that a bird with clipped wings can still fly. Especially a light bodied bird like a cockatiel! There are more birds that escape every year that have clipped wings than those that do not. It’s because clipping gives owners a false sense of security… even with a severe clip (which I never, never recommend) a light bodied parrot can catch a breeze outdoors and go for miles. It sadly happens.
You should never supplement your bird’s vitamin intake unless directed to do so via a vet. Adding vitamins needlessly can actually cause toxicity in a bird. The things they sell at the pet shop (that you put in their water) can actually be very harmful. A balanced and healthy diet will contain all the vitamins a healthy bird needs. What are you feeing her? 🙂
If you are concerned that she injured herself then you will want to get her a check up with a vet anyway. If you are just worried because she got cold outdoors yesterday, she should be fine… for short durations even tropical parrots can be okay in cold temperatures.
I’m so glad that you got her back okay! I’m a little worried that you leave her out, free-roam, unsupervised though (Unless I misunderstood you- in which case I am sorry). There are so many things that can happen to these little guys.
I just watchted a zoo report yesterday where they clipped the cranes. They said exactly the same, but then added that they only clip one side for exact purpose, so if they catch wind they sail in circles and mostly touch ground again.
I’d not clip her, I’d just keep a strong eye on any other possible escape gaps/doors/windows. My bird (a common sparrow) did that escape too years ago, and even despite his slightly mental weakness and nuttyness was so freaked that he never ever got close to a window or even door again.
But I’d listen to the pro too here 🙂 *points nam*
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