Interesting article

[Jim]

I found this an interesting article/study. I personally think they are on the money from what I have oppserved with my birds. They are mostly cage free but I see them always going to a place out of the main flow of traffic when we have company.

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/516946/

[harleybaby]

Very good article Jim and definitely gives you something to think about. I find it interesting about cage placement too. Thanks for posting it!

[Jim]

I thought you would like it Leah. I liked the cage placement but I really liked what was said about behavior it's like organs (lungs and heart) and needs to be healthy.

I'm a firm believer that enrichment and proper behavior makes for a happy healthy bird. I think they need to work for food and other fun things in their life. Like us, I think it must give them a feeling of self worth to work for the good things they receive. I'm not near as consistent as I should be but I try to not just give them food everyday in their bowl with out at least a few simple behaviors/tricks. I do see a marked interest in food when I do and I 'think' (pretty sure) I notice a difference in their personality too.

[Shirley]

Wow! And it's from Purdue U. -- right up the highway from me... How cool!
I've pasted it to Word in case they take it off their site and will print/read later.
Thanks so much, Jim! :thanx: :dance:

[harleybaby]

Yes, you've brought up some great points too. Once I get my life back to normal those are all things I want to start doing, clicker training etc. :D I would have 2 great teachers here, you and Shirley ;)

[Jean]

Jim, I am glad to see these studies are being done. I agree, from what I observed of parrots body language. Their body language tells us they have very specific needs. I wish more people understood their emotions play a huge part of their overall well being.

Thanks for sharing the link.

Just something I'd like to share. Through the years I've collected a few dolls and love to look in doll shops. I take Elvie with me and he really thinks they are human and talks to them. He seems to pick and choose the ones he likes best as a child would. He even likes to hold his own Barbie doll. He's gone through at least 6 dozen of them.

If you ever want an exciting outing with your parrot just stroll into a doll store.

[Jean]

Another thing is the cage placement. I personally helped a lady that had a too that kept screaming when they left the room. I suggested she move the cage away from the window. Bingo.... the screaming stopped. I told her he may frightened of being alone by that window, some animal, object, bird, or person could of frightened him. I told her he needed to feel there was a secure wall behind his cage.

[Shirley]

...

If you ever want an exciting outing with your parrot just stroll into a doll store.

I never would have thought of that! Thanks, Jean :D

[Shirley]

Jim, I shared the link last night via email with Dr. Cook -- she just wrote me back and said this: "interesting-the animal behavior specialist at the vet school is also publishing a book on parrot behavior-I already ordered it. Supposed to be out late last year, but now due in the spring. Supposed to be some good stuff!"

How cool! I'm glad to see this subject addressed by others than just "parrot owners" -- hopefully, in addition to the scientific angle and new light shed... people might pay a little more attention to the hookbill as an *Individual living creature with thoughts and feelings and needs* and so on.

[Junkzoo]

Thanks for the link Jim,,,,,:thumbup:
Printed it out here,,,for future reading/reference,,,

[Sue]

Thanks for the link Jim,,,,,:thumbup:
Printed it out here,,,for future reading/reference,,,

Me too:agree: Thanks for the link Jim:goodjob:

[Jim]

Thanks everyone.

Good idea about the dolls Jean. Makes total since too me. I think you've seen the attachment below. Nino and Teo love these rabbits, never tear them up and Teo is preening his. Funny... we bought them 2 rubber duckies at least 8 months ago, a blue one and a pinkish/red one and same thing, they play with them in their room but haven't chewed them up one bit.

Amen Shirley, I too am sooooo glad to see parrots addressed/studied by these types of people. The thing is IMO the studies about behavior and teaching/training (that apply to all creatures) has been known for years. Heck you know it, same as teaching special needs children. I think aviculture is getting there. It seems (to me) the general public doesn't listen until it's said by respected researchers, which I understand, I just wish it would happen a little quicker. Hard to undo some of the ways/thoughts we have about husbandry.

Jeff, You have experience with dog training. I bet you guys do all the right behavior stuff to train dogs for K-9 use. Again the knowledge is there, IMO it just needs to be applied to parrots as a parrot and not a pack animal.

[Jim]

Oh and BTW, Jean I know what you mean about the cage placement. It's important IMO and there's no standard. Each bird/s is different. Some days the boys just don't want the window shade up all day. I've tried to see what they might see outside that is upsetting. Some days I see something some days I don't see anything.

Wish they could just fix the window how they want it for the given day or moment. This might sound silly, you all know I'm silly anyway, but I've thought about the auto/electric openers. Making a box or something with a lever/button and teach them what it does. They would probably wear it out at first but I was thinking they could learn to open or close it as needed.
I told you all I was a crazy idea guy.:nuts: :idea: :funny:

[harleybaby]

Not really Jim, Irene Pepperberg made Einstein a box that goes on his cage whne he is alone. He can watch tv or listen to music or watch videos of her talking to him, he has total control and they filmed him privately and he figured out how to use it. I think that's so cool!!!!

I also wish there were more reseachers that would publicize this. Have any of you heard what is going on at the Scudder's aviary? I've read that transcripts and it's very sad the mentality. It's so sickening to me that these birds(breeders or not) spend their lives in big empty dirty cages. So, they get to make babies that's it. People need to start giving them the intellectual acknowledgement that other animals have been given, chimps, dolphins etc. Ok I'll get off my soapbox now.

Jim that is a great pic of the boys and I find it fascinating about the rabbits.

[harleybaby]

Shirley if you talk to Dr. Cook again would you mind getting the name of the book. Thanks!

[parrotgirl]

Thanks for sharing that Jim, very interesting. I'm printing it out as we speak.

[Shirley]

Shirley if you talk to Dr. Cook again would you mind getting the name of the book. Thanks!

Leah, I did a search and found his Purdue homepage -- he has written some amazing papers, research work, etc.!

He also has a Ph.D. in Philosophy, in addition to some other degrees.

Here's the book I found that is "in press":

Garner, J.P. (in press). "Perseveration and stereotypy - systems-level insights from clinical psychology." Stereotypic Animal Behaviour: Fundamentals and Applications to Welfare. (2nd Edition). J. Rushen and G. Mason. Wallingford, England, UK; Tucson, Arizona, USA, CABI.

And his homepage -- click on his research button -- amazing stuff he's doing with all kinds of animals regarding their well-being!

http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/faculty/garner.htm

[harleybaby]

Oh wow Thanks Shirley, I'm gonna save that link!:thanx: