Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    Foot stomping is a sign of unhappiness.  You are doing well
    with your wild caught so far.  Eventually she will trust you
    more and stop.
    
    USUALLY, the females eyes are a lighter color (brown) than the
    males (more black).  The iris is easier to see in the female
    eye.  This is not 100% accurate.
    
    Moluccans make delightful pets.  They are very affectionate, love
    to be touched and preened, and can be taught to do many tricks.
    
    They are among the most intelligent of the parrots.  Their beak
    strength is incredible.  They can actually eat through chain
    link fences.
    
    Try feeding your baby lots of vegetables (dark green) and things
    like carrots, sweet potatos and broccoli.  This will help to bring
    out her pinkish color.  Beware that wild caught Moluccans may be
    finicky eaters.  Don't give up.
    
    Congratulations on your wonderful choice of a pet.  What did you
    name her?
    
    Pat

    Pat,
    I named her Cloie.  She is so sweet.  I put her cage in an area
    where she can see us and we pass by her often.  She peeks around
    the corner at us when we are in the kitchen area.  She seems to
    like attention, and when I stand near her cage and talk softly
    to her she starts to climb all over in her cage.  Last night I
    was talking to her for quite some time and she seemed to really
    enjoy it.  When I left she let out a shrill squawk.  She has already
    chewed through her thick perch. Looks like I will be replacing
    her perches frequently - like once a week!  I have placed a
    clean maple branch in her cage and she has already done a number
    to that as well.  She seems to like most foods.  I gave her
    a large stock of broccoli last night and she demolished it.
    I read that they eat coconuts as a staple food in the wild, so
    I bought a coconut and she likes a piece of that with the shell
    at night to chew on.  She also loves popcorn (unsalted and un
    buttered), and peanuts, but her favorite food is an apple.  She
    just relishes that.
    
    I gave her some fresh spinich leaves last night and she nibbled
    on them but soon lost interest.  I am going to try her on monkey
    biscuits tonite.  I doubt she will like them but I would like her
    to get used to them If I can.  I will continue to introduce her
    to new foods.  She tries anything I put into her dish.  The crunchier
    the better it seems.
    
    I do so appreciate your help.  I know so little about her and want
    to do what is best for her.  Understanding her behavior is the
    first step.  I want to tame her but do not want to rush into it.
    I was planning to give her a week or so to get used of the house
    and over the initial shock of travelling.  Then I will start to
    work with her gently.  
    
    Are you the same Pat Walz that writes for Bird Talk?  If so I really
    enjoy your column.  I read Bird Talk cover to cover each month.
    
    Well, again, thanks so much for the most helpful tips!
    
    Regards,
    
    Denise.

    Yes, I am the same Pat Walz.  Thank you for the compliments.
    
    Cloie is a great name.  You are also fortunate that she likes
    different kinds of foods.  Usually wild caught Moluccans are
    picky eaters.
    
    Moluccans are easy to tame.  You need not wait too long to start.
    The key is to get to rub the top of her head.  Once she realizes
    that your hands will give her pleasure, not pain, she will look
    to be rubbed and petted.  I have been able to tame them in as
    little as one half hour.  (And I must admit, there was one I 
    was never able to tame).
    
    Do you use manzanita perches?  They are really the most durable.
    Make sure there are plenty of other wood toys for her to gnaw on.
    She needs toys because of her high intelligence.
    
    Their screams can be really raucous.  They are also prone to
    "night frights."  It is really eerie to hear one of these
    screams in the middle of the night for no apparent reason.
    
    I'd love to hear your progress.
    
    Pat

    Denise,
    You mentioned you have other birds, specifically a Yellow nape.
    I have been looking at both napes and cockatoos, specifically
    Tritons, see note 108.  I've called MANY breeders/pet shops who
    sell both napes and cockatoos but I still can not decide which
    bird to buy.  I am ALWAYS open to all opinions on these and other
    types of birds, and would appreciate yours, especially since you
    have BOTH birds I'm looking at.  Too bad I can't afford both or
    I'd buy them and solve this problem.  This will be my first bird
    and probably not the only one.  Also, it will only get attention
    in the evenings since noone will be home during the day.
    Thanks in advance for any comments/opinions.
    
    			Rich
    

    Reviewing note 108.8, do you have any new advice since the new addition
    of the Cockatoo?
    			Rich
    

    My birds have TV when I am home and not in the same room.  I put
    the radio on when I am not there.  I have noticed they do not eat
    well or seem as lively if I forget to do this.  It also helps that
    we eat in the same room.
    
    Charla

    I agree wholeheartedly with the eating in same room comment.  This
    helps out a whole bunch with my baby.  She will eat a lot more if we
    are eating at the same time.  In fact, she seems to eat when we eat.
    I make a practice of going home at lunch when I can, and she eats
    while I make/eat lunch.
    
    Ed

    A few breeders and trainers have told me not to leave a radio
    on if noone is home. The reason being is you want them to respond
    to yo as a peron, not just a voice in the air. How well this works,
    I really can't say. But our cocktoo doesn't do anything but the
    Amazon loves the radio, and water, these will trigger her to talk,
    and do her antics. 
      The cocktoo is what i call a stuff shirt he is stuck in his ways,
    sreeches whenever we leave the house, if he falls into a deep sleep
    he'll falloff his perch. It's funny to hear this dead weight just
    hit the floor and wake up to see himself on the floor.
       My expierence is to get a Amazon but then the only Cocktoo I've
    knowwn is an older one and will try to bite me if I get too close.
    
    lise