Jim
07-16-2005, 02:22 PM
Jean ask me to tell a little about how we got where we are so here goes.
My mother always had small bird(s) around so I guess that's the start. My first experience with a macaw was at 10 y/o. My Aunt & Uncle had a MM that absolutely amazed me. As I grow-up I got away from all that, the 60's & 70's took over so birds were not first on my list.
After I came around and joined the real world I became interested in birds again. I read a lot about them (all birds) and enjoyed reading and learning, although I didn't have one. Next came the struggle inside myself as to wither birds should be in a house and caged. That was a tough time. I started reading little bits and pieces about people keeping birds flighted in their homes and some even flying outside. Guess this is where I got hooked. This was something I thought I could do, maybe better stated, understand and live with.
Jean ask about mentors.... probably Steve Hartman (Hartman Aviary) would be that person. I have learned a lot from him. I think the reason has to do with we didn't always agree but stayed friends. He always gave me sound advice, not the street corner lawyer stuff I read so much of on the internet. No pun intended.
I can't say all my learning came form Steve. I read and learn from different sources. The freeflight list has been my flight safety net. I read and learn ALL I can about behavior from the professionals. For me, operant conditioning, better known as clicker training, is my road to communicating with my birds.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has been my live saver for identifying a behavior and the why's the behavior is being done. I read everything I can written by S.G. Friedman, Ph.D and read her list, ParrotBAS. I use her ABC's in working on behaviors and have come to understand and apply it easily now. It's was a whole new way of thinking and looking at, understanding behavior, for me. It's has paid off big time for me.
If I were to say anything about what I have learned it would be something like this.
Parrot keeping is like cooking. Look into and explore ALL the spices, recipes, and combinations of, and come up with what works or tastes good to you. Do not disregard something just because your idol or friend doesn't use it or like it. I believe in the bottom of my heard that each of us will be happiest with our birds if we do what works for us on an individual basis. Not saying to disregard the obvious tried and true methods, that's a given. Just never say never if it is something you REALLY want to do.
One last thing as an example of what I have learned and/or seen. I see my birds as fully functioning parrots. They have and are allowed to use all their natural behaviors. (within reason of course) In my mind this builds trust and confidence. A confident bird is trusting and relaxed.
One example: Bird is on owners arm/hand and I am talking to the bird and would like to hold it. Birds opens his beak and doesn't want to come to me. Owner tells the bird to stop and gently holds the birds beak or kisses it to settle it down. Bird is placed on my arm. Now in my mind and experience I have a bird on me that COULD bite with no warning ! ! ! Bird has been taught to not WARN about his dislike. No warning, just bite.... and as we all know that hurts, not only me, the bird could be hurt if I jerk/react. Just something to think about and or discuss.
My mother always had small bird(s) around so I guess that's the start. My first experience with a macaw was at 10 y/o. My Aunt & Uncle had a MM that absolutely amazed me. As I grow-up I got away from all that, the 60's & 70's took over so birds were not first on my list.
After I came around and joined the real world I became interested in birds again. I read a lot about them (all birds) and enjoyed reading and learning, although I didn't have one. Next came the struggle inside myself as to wither birds should be in a house and caged. That was a tough time. I started reading little bits and pieces about people keeping birds flighted in their homes and some even flying outside. Guess this is where I got hooked. This was something I thought I could do, maybe better stated, understand and live with.
Jean ask about mentors.... probably Steve Hartman (Hartman Aviary) would be that person. I have learned a lot from him. I think the reason has to do with we didn't always agree but stayed friends. He always gave me sound advice, not the street corner lawyer stuff I read so much of on the internet. No pun intended.
I can't say all my learning came form Steve. I read and learn from different sources. The freeflight list has been my flight safety net. I read and learn ALL I can about behavior from the professionals. For me, operant conditioning, better known as clicker training, is my road to communicating with my birds.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has been my live saver for identifying a behavior and the why's the behavior is being done. I read everything I can written by S.G. Friedman, Ph.D and read her list, ParrotBAS. I use her ABC's in working on behaviors and have come to understand and apply it easily now. It's was a whole new way of thinking and looking at, understanding behavior, for me. It's has paid off big time for me.
If I were to say anything about what I have learned it would be something like this.
Parrot keeping is like cooking. Look into and explore ALL the spices, recipes, and combinations of, and come up with what works or tastes good to you. Do not disregard something just because your idol or friend doesn't use it or like it. I believe in the bottom of my heard that each of us will be happiest with our birds if we do what works for us on an individual basis. Not saying to disregard the obvious tried and true methods, that's a given. Just never say never if it is something you REALLY want to do.
One last thing as an example of what I have learned and/or seen. I see my birds as fully functioning parrots. They have and are allowed to use all their natural behaviors. (within reason of course) In my mind this builds trust and confidence. A confident bird is trusting and relaxed.
One example: Bird is on owners arm/hand and I am talking to the bird and would like to hold it. Birds opens his beak and doesn't want to come to me. Owner tells the bird to stop and gently holds the birds beak or kisses it to settle it down. Bird is placed on my arm. Now in my mind and experience I have a bird on me that COULD bite with no warning ! ! ! Bird has been taught to not WARN about his dislike. No warning, just bite.... and as we all know that hurts, not only me, the bird could be hurt if I jerk/react. Just something to think about and or discuss.