Oh, The Places They’ll Go!

February 24, 2010 by Patricia Sund

My birds are travelers. They enjoy going on”walkabouts” around our home. Occasionally, I have to do a” beak count” to make sure I have them accounted for. I’d do a roll call, but Parker is stubborn and keeps mum if he’s out checking out the back forty. Once in a while, one goes missing. I have a sudden, quiet anxiety attack, thinking of horrible circumstances: electric shocks, drownings, smothering etc. I do worry. But I don’t like to keep them locked up every minute and deny them a life.

Like children, they are going to wander and explore. I’ve “Parrot Proofed” the house pretty well, so there isn’t a whole lot they can get into that will cause them harm. I keep the toilet seats down for the most part, and I don’t leave any running circular saws lying around. But nevertheless, I worry. Parker has developed the nimbleness of a Ninja when it comes to sneaking past me and I’m sorry to report, that Pepper is developing a sneaky nature as well. But, I have learned where to look for them. Here is one of the first spots Parker discovered and I used to find him there often:

Parker usually gives his location away by pinging Mattie’s water bowl with his toenails.

Here is another spot I’ve occasionally found him:

I don’t know if he’s checking out the photos or what, but both Parker and Pepper like hanging out in the guest bath. I am at a loss as to why. Here is Pepper’s favorite spot in the guest bath:

I think she’s nesting back there. She gets very broody and does a lot of “clucking around.”

Parker is more of a wanderer than Pepper. Sometimes he just strolls around the living room:

But Parker’s all time favorite spot to go to when I’m not paying attention is here:

Sure, it doesn’t look like a big deal from this angle. But look at the entire scene:

I have absolutely no idea how he gets up there because I’ve never been able to catch him doing it.

Good God…

Posted in Memo to Parker and Pepper, Patricia Sund, essays and articles | Tagged African Grey, behavior training, Bird Blogs, Bird Talk Writer, blogging about parrots, Cincinnati Zoo, Parker the Grey, Parrot Blog, Parrot Blogs, Parrot Nation, Patricia Sund, taking care of parrots | 12 Comments

12 Responses

on February 24, 2010 at 11:20 am | Reply leicalady

I can just see a parrot added to our menagerie someday…..
I just love your posts!
dana

http://leicalady.wordpress.com
- on February 24, 2010 at 11:27 am | Reply Patricia Sund
  
  Well, get ready for doing a little hunting! They tend to wander off if you don’t have your eye on them every second…
  I must say they do enjoy it and Greys are occasional ground foragers, so it’s instinctive I think. Thank you for the kind comment. It’s nice to hear from you!
on February 24, 2010 at 12:16 pm | Reply Sandy

love it! put little scrubs brushes on their feet………
on February 24, 2010 at 10:29 pm | Reply Bart Henry

Hey, I LOVE to go walkabout too but I’m usually looking for Mom or Dad when I do. However, I am quite fascinated by the underside of the kitchen cabinet overhang. Quite cozy under there.

BTW, I see Pepper’s got some red feathers too! I’ve had a few come and go over the last few years and until the last couple months had never heard of such a thing. Now, we’re EVERYWHERE I look!
- on February 25, 2010 at 5:17 am | Reply Patricia Sund
  
  Hey Bart!
  Thanks for toddling by. Pepper isn’t a climber. That’s Parker’s department. But she does enjoy trying to cram herself under the china cabinet occasionally.
  Pepper has had red feathers for a while now. I think she has damaged follicles from what I’m not sure, but I think some of it is due to a malnutrition deal she must have had going on before she came to live with us. But now she eats like an utter hog and gets good reports from Dr. Backos.
on February 25, 2010 at 8:33 am | Reply Tim Wagoner

Sharing my Family Album.

http://gallery.me.com/twagoner#100087&bgcolor=black&view=carouseljs&sel=0
on February 25, 2010 at 4:03 pm | Reply Bart Henry

Great photos, Tim! We especially like the closeups of Mac. The super closeup of his eye and over the shoulder are our favs. And we see you’re a fellow Mac person. Is Mac named for the computer or macaw or both? ; >
on February 25, 2010 at 5:20 pm | Reply Patricia Sund

Thanks Tim! They’re beautiful. I appreciate you sharing it. It’s kind of like my set-up except it’s about ohhh, 10 times as big…
on March 1, 2010 at 11:32 am | Reply Karla

Great Blog Patricia !!!! Interesting and great humor !!!
- on March 1, 2010 at 12:25 pm | Reply Patricia Sund
  
  Thanks so much Karla! I really appreciate it…
on March 4, 2010 at 11:13 pm | Reply Lynne

ROFL!!!!! OMG! Patricia this is so funny. My two greys are just like this and I just laughed all through your pictures. Very fun! One of my greys also likes to sit in the bathroom. He just sits there in the dark by himself with his back to the cabinets. I do wonder why this is, but apparently they have their reason.
Thanks for sharing.
- on March 5, 2010 at 7:29 am | Reply Patricia Sund
  
  Thanks Lynne!
  I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s birds go for “Walkabouts.” I’m simply amazed at how much they enjoy strolling around.