Natural Interactive Play

[Jim]

Hi all - I have a real interest in natural interactive play with Nino (B&G macaw) and Teo (GW macaw) and would love to hear your thoughts and ideas about playing with our birds.

Avian husbandry has come a long way in my short time of having birds. I'm in hopes a discussion about playing with our birds can add to these already good husbandry practices. Raise the bar, so to speak.

If I had all the answers, I wouldn't have brought up the topic. I really want to hear from *everyone* that would like to share.

What's on my mind, as the tile says, is natural interactive play. We do it with our dogs and cats, some of us, like Rachel (Nolan's Mom) do it with Snow Leopards. That amazes me when I think about it. An animal that can do some real harm can learn to chase and be chased by a human. That has to be fun for both.

So, to our birds. Lets explore natural interactive play with them. Not all play I see between my boys is hands on, or should I say beak to beak, wing to wing.

For obvious reasons that would be a good place to start exploring this topic.

I ask Rachel in private if she would share her knowledge and experience in this area and she graciously agreed. Outside of being cool as heck to play with a Snow Leopard, I believe there are reasons beyond fun she would do this.

So lets talk about play and maybe Rachel can explain the pros, cons, and how not to bring out aggression and fears while we play with them.

If you're interested, here's the thread this topic took birth in.

http://www.thebirdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8214

[Geoffrey]

For some reason, my canaries really just aren't into playing with me ;)

But, I figured I would chime in with a short little paragraph (even though I'm not Rachel) about "pros, cons, and how not to bring out aggression and fears while we play with them."

Instead of dogs this time, I am going to relate it to cats. My two cats are brother and sister, but you cannot play with them in the same manner at all. For Meow (that really is his name, by the way), he gets really into catching his cat toys and loves to hang on while you try and wrest it from his claws. Another thing he seems to enjoy is if he's laying down and you poke one of his front paws and then pretend it wasn't you. He likes trying to catch you in the act and "bite" your hand (it's not painful) or catch your finger with his paws. His sister, on the other hand, enjoys neither. Poking her paws makes her nervous and aggressive and she, like Meow, will catch your hand....but she will do it with claws extended and draw blood. As for fighting for a toy, she is timid and will release the toy and leave the game if you don't let her win. Physical play just makes her upset and results in bloodshed or her going neurotic and not trusting you. Instead, she enjoys chasing cat toys but not fighting for them and she's been known to enjoy laying on a blanket and having you grab one end and slide her around on a hard-wood floor (she also enjoys sneak attacks on your legs, but I don't like that game). We used to have more games, but since they are now 12 and Meow is pudgy...he's become less interested in back-flipping for a catnip mouse, or jumping at all really. He has a chronic limp so our games are more sedate these days. Winky has always been mroe sedate anyway...she's too nervous for all-out play and will attack you if you play too vigorously. She will also attack if you play too vigorously with Meow, even if he is enjoying it.

Edited to add: Winky also enjoys solitary games. She likes grabbing rugs and "fighting" them and rolling herself up in them like a cocoon. She also likes getting under kitchen stools and playing with the rungs and fighting them while laying on her back. She won't play with anything that fights back though (except a mouse). Interactive play is a slippery slope between fun and danger when it comes to her.

Two related cats, two different personalities, and two different styles of play. You have to tailor the game to the animal's personality.

For the pros and cons section:
I think play helps animals to bring out their personalities and perhaps even develop their personalities to an extent. Also, the interaction helps to form a bond between those that are playing, assuming the game is "fun" for all involved. But, like with Winky, if you are not careful play can do damage to the relationship.

[Nolan's Mom]

Wow! I feel really special that Jim mentioned my name a bunch of times in the beginning of this thread! I hope I can live up to expectations ;)

Just to start and then later (when I am not using work time!) I can come back and add more to it.....

Jim mentioned that I have "played" with snow leopards...and I have, but I'd like to qualify that and say that the play time I had was strictly hands off...she was behind bars down in her holding while I ran up and down the hallway and she stalked me. Would I have done this without the bars....um....no.....I like beling alive! Here is where this ties in with your birds. You need to know how to read them if you are going to interact with them in this way. There is no other way to put it, you are going to risk getting bitten or startled and/or scaring your fid if you can't look at them and know that it has gone too far. Just like Geoffrey knows he has to play with his cats in different ways, you need to recognize how you can play with your parrots without risking breaking down all that wonderful trust you have worked SO SO hard to build up.

There are going to be different levels of play for all birds....Jim can chase Nino and Teo around the house, I can't put Nolan on the floor because then it would be play for my dogs...not Nolan! But, Nolan loves to play chase around the top of his house and on the bathroom counter....I just have to tailor it to him.

I think I am going to leave it there for now. I need to let my brain think a bit and then I will try and come up with some ways of introducing more natural play to birds that this would maybe be a negative thing for.

PLEASE PLEASE add your own thoughts. I am NOT an expert in bird behavior and I am extrapolating a lot of this from my experience with other animals in captivity, so I would really appreciate your feedback as more experienced birdie parents!! :D

Off to work! :doh:

[tropiclegirl]

Some of this i copied from the other thread:
Im always puting Roxy and Marlon down on the floor and have them follow me around its hilarious.

I do a bit of hide and seek with Roxy. I put her in one room and go hide in another and call out to her and let her find me. The look on her face when she finds me is so funny.

They both like to climb the steps too from the basement and its carpeted so its easy to pull themselves up

Roxy and Marlon also love being pushed on there swings and while doing so i play the "gotcha" game.

Marlon loves for me to do the airplane with him. He will flip upside down and flip all over the place while i swing him around in the living room and he says "Shewwwww Shewwwwwww!. Roxy now has caught on to this a little bit but with her i swing her around or run through the house while she flaps her wings. I say "Roxy''s flyin weeeeeee" and she tries to say weeeeeeee!

My husband puts Marlon on his shoulder and runs around the house. Marlon ducks down while doing this while him and my husband are saying "weeeeee" lol. Our kitchen and living room are separated by a small wall in the center where you can go through an entrance on one side and come around back through on the other. So he runs in a circle, in and out of the kitchen.

We also play the "Peek a boo" game sometimes we do it in the blankets while laying in bed watching t.v or we pop out from behind a wall. Only problem is that Marlon has put a twist on this and says "peek a boo A**hole" sometimes.:doh: There is a story behind that one :funny:

[CocosMomma]

I think peeka boo games are so cool; I know kaisaj plays that with Captain. Last night I was playing with Coco. She was on my shoulder, and jumped off, did three circles like a helicopter, and gracefully landed on the floor in front of me. She did these circles directly in front of me (I was standing still). So I thought - ok - she's got something on her mind!:doh:

She started walking away; I figured to explore. So I went the opposite direction. Then I saw her follow me. So I started hiding by going around a corner, calling her, and then she would just come and find me and I would praise her. Because of the set up of my house, she was able to go through one door, me another, and I could sneak up behind her while she was going a different direction looking for me. She seemed to get a big kick out of that. It ended by me going in a different room, sitting down and calling her, and she literally ran (I think it must have been 15 mph:nuts:) to find me, and then got up on my lap to just hang out. She ran through two rooms to find me that time. So it was a lot of fun, I'm sure, and she started it off by flying off my shoulder, but landing in front of me at my feet. She wasn't trying to get away and explore; she really did want to play. Who knows if that game is what she had in mind, or if she just wanted some type of interactive play. But fun was had by all! Now that we have developed this specific game, it will be interesting to see if she instigates it again!:)

[Jim]

Thanks guys for posting. Good stuff, exactly what I'm looking for. If I'm getting what we've said so far. Each bird is going interact differently and we need to be very aware the play is enjoyable.

This is something I learned *after* many light hearted games and getting to know N&T a little better.

I most often changed toys while they were out of the room at night sleeping. They got, what I thought at the time, very upset and aggressive when I tried to change toys with then in the room.

I'll save you the long drawn out details. One day I needed, in my mind, to change out a couple toys. They'll get over it and I'll cuddle them afterwards, is my thinking. We're talking BIG bird, wings full out, eyes flashing, loud, etc.

My assuming they were mad, aggressive, upset, whatever, and it was a no no thing, was forever changed that day. Saving you the details again. That day I gave up changing the toys and Teo signaled to me that the game of BIG aggressive bird while toys was getting the pliers used on it was quite the game.

Today I chime right in and we all get mad, loud, and let that toy know we're feeling good about being that way.

Point being for me and the boys. Them being like that at the time of changing toys is something they do and seem to enjoy. It does seem natural to me that there are times they need to be aggressive and as long as it isn't directed towards me, I have not seen any problems.

One more thing. I agree with Geoffrey that as long as we do these games in the proper manner, the relationship is strengthened.

[FlyingWithoutWings]

Well, Pen doesn't "play" yet, but Hannah, oh my.. that girl would play till her wings fell off. One thing I love to do with her is hide-n-seek, but with her being flighted, she always finds me. LOL It's also fun to get like a blanket and do peek-a-boo with her.
Since you have MUCH MUCH bigger birds to work with, what about doing something along the lines of fetch? I know they aren't dogs, but Hannah loves for me to throw a ball or roll a ball and she'll beak it back to me :) It's fun!!!

[Jim]

I like it Robin. Sounds like you and Coco had fun. Yep, I love peeka boo games and so do the boys. Hide and seek is another good one we play.

Wonder, you of all people know me, always wondering about the what if's.:) What ya think may have unfolded had you followed Coco?:shrug2:

Plus, she is the Diva and they do expect to lead the way, ya know.:)

[CocosMomma]

Wonder, you of all people know me, always wondering about the what if's.:) What ya think may have unfolded had you followed Coco?:shrug2:

Plus, she is the Diva and they do expect to lead the way, ya know.:)

I did that once... followed her... she stopped and put her head down for scratches...:agree:

:watched:(Then, I heard her mutter under her breath: "NOW - gimme the darn sunflow'ah seed in yer pocket and no one getz hurt...."):yikes:
:rofl:

Speaking of the diva leading the way (I know you were kinda joking, but you KNOW it's true)... - - she also likes to say a word first and have ME repeat her... not the other way around!) ;) It's another game - she keeps thinking up new words and I have to repeat after her!:doh: (I usually get it right...):foot-tap:

[tropiclegirl]

Since you have MUCH MUCH bigger birds to work with, what about doing something along the lines of fetch? I know they aren't dogs, but Hannah loves for me to throw a ball or roll a ball and she'll beak it back to me :) It's fun!!!

I have tried a type of catch and throw game with Roxy, not Marlon he freaks out :funny:. Here is a video of where i got the idea but i use a pair of socks tied together. She has'nt quite gotten the idea yet.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7SslJ8mUIM

[Jim]

Retrieve is a good idea, Brook. I'm the retriever around here.:rolleyes: They throw, I retrieve, they throw again, I retrieve again. Oh ya, they love it.

On a serious note, not that the above isn't true, it is. Teaching retrieve is an excellent game. Teaching them any trick or behavior is cool.

What I've been working on the past few years is, for lack of a better word. It just came to me.:idea: These aren't my words but say exactly what I'm trying too.

"it is my responsibility to provide them with as much natural interaction as I can in an unnatural setting."

That one sentence says a lot to me. It's my goal, and I'm sure it will be never ending.:D

Please don't get me wrong. I love teaching what I've learned, as if you can't tell. I love teaching my birds and I think I've done OK in that department.

So everyone understands where I'm at. I've come to a point where I don't want to focus so heavily on teaching them, but learning how to become their best trusted friend. Be another bird to them and stay a human.

So far it feels great being somewhat excepted as part of the flock. See, that was my point about changing toys. I'm thinking, both boys do it, it's what the flock does. To be part of the flock I have to learn to act like and be part of the flock.

My toy changing is the same as peeka boo or hide and seek when we look at it in that light. Being "part of" natural behaviors or play.

[Jim]

...Speaking of the diva leading the way (I know you were kinda joking, but you KNOW it's true)...I was only a little knda joking.:) That's a hard concept for us humans to understand. Letting them lead the way, empowering them, it just doesn't fit in or way of live. Back at ya with - but you know it's true. Almost like the more we listen the more they listen.

[FlyingWithoutWings]

I wish I could learn how to love on Penelope and her love back. she's so old she may never do that, but you have great ideas and I wish I could make headway with her and even be able to cuddle her. She's too scared :(

[kaisaj]

I think the peekaboo game that Captain and I play is a bit of hide and seek also because she has to figure out what side of the bed I'm on.

she does like to get in the chair or couch and flop over on her back and when I "get" her belly she grabs my hand with her foot. Problem is, naturally, it goes right in the beak and she is so excited that she forgets "gentle" and starts to clamp down kind of hard while I am saying "gentle, gentle" So we don't play that game too much.

I'll put her down on the floor and she runs all over wild eyed while I tell her to come back. She comes back then runs away again. I think she really likes it. :D

[Nolan's Mom]

Nolan and I are really getting into the chase on top of the cage and after reading all your posts about peek a boo, I threw some of that in there too. He LOVED it, he came running across the top of his cage to see where I was hiding. I think the next thing we will try will be shutting the bedroom door and letting him play in there on the floor with just me and no fuzzies!

I really like this thread, I think it is really helpful to me to get all these ideas on how to play with Nolan and I think it is benefitting him a lot. He just talks up a STORM while we are playing, so he really seems to enjoy it.

Obviously one of the major "pros" to playing like this with your bird is to build trust between the two of you, to be more integrated as part of their flock. I am wondering what other "pros" everyone here sees while they are playing with their fids. For me, Nolan seems to be much more interactive, and stimulated and he initiates play on his own now, which is a big change from where he came from. How about everyone else?

[Nolan's Mom]

I wish I could learn how to love on Penelope and her love back. she's so old she may never do that, but you have great ideas and I wish I could make headway with her and even be able to cuddle her. She's too scared :(

I really think you and Penelope will reach a place where she is more comfortable and will no be so scared. I always have to remind myself to be patient with Nolan and let him do things in his own time, it is when I push too much that he gets all squirrely! I bet Robin would have some good ways to build trust with an amazon....:highfive:

[CocosMomma]

Just a couple quick thoughts (since I am at work) - me in blue:

He just talks up a STORM while we are playing, so he really seems to enjoy it. This has been my experience with my "talking" birds, that talking often indicates a high level of excitement, interest and desire to engage. For example, Coco talks up a constant storm during shower time. That includes making lots of birdie noises too, but it is one way she expresses her excitement. I think talking as a very good sign. Just in the way of clarity (to put my mind at ease) for those whose birds don't talk or don't talk frequently, I will add that lack of talking does not mean a bird is not engaged, interactive or happy (naturally!):doh: But for a talking bird, talking is an excellent indicator of a desire for some sort of interaction.

Nolan seems to be much more interactive, and stimulated and he initiates play on his own now. This is so true for Coco - for the obvious reason that since it was her idea, she is ready and willing to have the fun interaction with me. It is nice when the bird can have a way of letting us know this - and I bet Nolan does.;) This of course would be unique to each bird. It might be talking, hanging upside down, scritching their own head... something that they can use (body language usually) to get our attention to let us know that they WANT to interact! Then every time we reinforce this by interacting with them, they were successful and empowered to communicate their desire to interact and have that desire come to fruition. Thus, the next time they want interaction, they will know just how to successfully ask for it~!:agree:

[arcadiareptiles]

I dont think i have many "Games" I play with chiko. One that seems to get him all excited is when i open my hand up and say WINGS!! and hell half open his wings and kindof chirp. to others it might not be a game but he seems to really like it. probably since its exciting.


the other is if he gets on the floor hell open his wings halfway click his beak and then start running away. when he does this i know hes playing and wants me to chase him and catch him. Its always a giggle fest when were doing it and as soon as my hand is a surten distance from him he turns around and climbs back on and looks at me with "shinning" eyes. Its the only way i can explain it but that look is his look of utter contentment

[kaisaj]

I dont think i have many "Games" I play with chiko. One that seems to get him all excited is when i open my hand up and say WINGS!! and hell half open his wings and kindof chirp. to others it might not be a game but he seems to really like it. probably since its exciting.


the other is if he gets on the floor hell open his wings halfway click his beak and then start running away. when he does this i know hes playing and wants me to chase him and catch him. Its always a giggle fest when were doing it and as soon as my hand is a surten distance from him he turns around and climbs back on and looks at me with "shinning" eyes. Its the only way i can explain it but that look is his look of utter contentment


I think these are both games. I know my quaker likes to play tug-or-war with anything cloth. she'll make these weird chirping sounds, but she starts it, so I know she enjoys it. If they start something, they want to do it and love to have you play along. :agree:

Captain also loves the game "I throw down you pick up." :rotflmao:

Sounds to me like you and Chiko have a great time together! :goodjob:

[Jim]

I think these are both games. I know my quaker likes to play tug-or-war with anything cloth. she'll make these weird chirping sounds, but she starts it, so I know she enjoys it. If they start something, they want to do it and love to have you play along. :agree:

Captain also loves the game "I throw down you pick up." :rotflmao:

Sounds to me like you and Chiko have a great time together! :goodjob:Ditto: Sounds like a fun game to me, Camille.:thumbup:

[Nolan's Mom]

I totally agree with Jim and Kaisaj, Camille! If that's not playing a game with you the I don't know what it is!!! Sounds like Chiko absolutely enjoys it and I TOTALLY know what you mean by shining eyes...Nolan does that too, especially when we have had a really good moment together.

I think it's cool that you play these games with Chiko, because I think small birds can benefit just as much as the big guys from natural play. Maybe now some of the smaller fids can come out and play chase too!!! ;)

[Nolan's Mom]

Captain also loves the game "I throw down you pick up." :rotflmao:



Oh my gosh! We are addicted to "people fetch" as well call it at our house!!!:roflmao2::roflmao2::roflmao2:

Nolan can play it for soooooo long that we hand off wooden beads to each member of the family, when we get tired! It is the one game that Jeremy and my 11 year old step son can play with Nolan :) Hey, there is another "pro" for us for play....it is one way he gets to interact with other people in the house (gives mom a break now and then :cool:)!

[Jim]

I'd like to throw a little more on the table. We're doing good with this play stuff. Lets go with the momentum.:)

Here's what I'd like us to talk about. A little deeper into communication of play time.

Here's the example: We have little to no understanding of verbal language with each other. I'm basing this on observations of Nino and Teo. What I am posing is a natural behavior. No one taught them this.

I'll be the parrot. You're on the couch watching TV with the remote beside you. I've seen you with this remote thing many times. I want your attention or to play. Knowing you use the remote, I approach looking at the remote, them at you, them at the remote, then at you.... all the while getting closer.

I'm thinking, me being a human, you'd get it that I was going to grab the remote. Not because I want to chew up the remote. I let you know straight up what I was planing. Had I wanted the remote to chew on I'm smart enough to know NOT to be so obvious. I'm hoping you see this was my way of letting you know I wanted to play not chew up your remote. If you miss what I'm telling you, I may.:funny:

Had I been doing this for a while and you hadn't gotten it. I would obviously move to something else like, nipping, screaming, pacing.... trying to find a way to talk to you. Is that thinking wheels I hear turning?:)

For me, this works in reverse also.

I see Nino and Teo interact like this. I interact like this with them. They understand me, I understand them (best I can) and life is good.

Where can we go with this?

[kaisaj]

Oh, sure. I've seen Captain do this many times. If I have something she wants it. But more than her wanting it is her wanting to come down to be with me. Then she checks it out for a minute and she's ready to play. So you know it's not really the remote (or whatever) but what they really want is you. :clap:

[Jim]

Oh, sure. I've seen Captain do this many times. If I have something she wants it. But more than her wanting it is her wanting to come down to be with me. Then she checks it out for a minute and she's ready to play. So you know it's not really the remote (or whatever) but what they really want is you. :clap:You win the prize. A+ :thumbup:

We know that sometimes it is the remote they want, right? Now what? That's not directed at you only, Kaisaj.

Then, not to be negative, we may have a bird with a past history that going for the remote was a bad experience, when in essence he wanted to play. So, another question to all. What did this bird learn when he tried to tell someone he wanted to play?

Not to get off topic here but I believe it's a habit we need to stay away from. As in the example above. Assuming the bird is going for the remote to chew it "because that's what birds do", can lead us in the wrong direction. Much less what it may be doing to the bird.

OK, Kaisaj can't be the only one that has thoughts on this.:)

[Nolan's Mom]

Me in purple~


We know that sometimes it is the remote they want, right? Now what? That's not directed at you only, Kaisaj.

I try and make sure I have a toy around that Nolan can play with, that way if there is something he really wants but can't have I can shift his focus onto something else....works MOST of the time! ;)

Then, not to be negative, we may have a bird with a past history that going for the remote was a bad experience, when in essence he wanted to play. So, another question to all. What did this bird learn when he tried to tell someone he wanted to play?

Well, seems like he would learn that when he asked to play he got in trouble....which in my head would lead to other behaviors that would keep his brain occupied other than play....i.e. FDB, screaming.....

Not to get off topic here but I believe it's a habit we need to stay away from. As in the example above. Assuming the bird is going for the remote to chew it "because that's what birds do", can lead us in the wrong direction. Much less what it may be doing to the bird.

OK, Kaisaj can't be the only one that has thoughts on this.:)

So, we haven't really talked about the "cons" of natural play. I am wondering what everyone would think those were. Are there any "cons" at all??? Just wanted to get this train moving again ;)

[tropiclegirl]

OK, Kaisaj can't be the only one that has thoughts on this.:)


Well, one of Roxy's new things to do is when we are laying on the couch and i am watching t.v (my face turned completely away from her) she will grab at my face but not hard. If i didnt know her, i would think that maybe she was becoming aggresive or trying to attack my face. This is completely not the case in this situation. She is grabbing at my face because she wants my focus on her and not the t.v. She wants me to play with her and pet her while looking only at her :funny:. Her only way of communitcating to me to do this is to use her beak.

[Nolan's Mom]

Well, one of Roxy's new things to do is when we are laying on the couch and i am watching t.v (my face turned completely away from her) she will grab at my face but not hard. If i didnt know her, i would think that maybe she was becoming aggresive or trying to attack my face. This is completely not the case in this situation. She is grabbing at my face because she wants my focus on her and not the t.v. She wants me to play with her and pet her while looking only at her :funny:. Her only way of communitcating to me to do this is to use her beak.

Nolan is ALWAYS putting my fingers where HE wants them! I can hear his little voice saying...NO mom...HERE, SCRATCH HERE!!! :doh::funny:

[tropiclegirl]

:funny: Marlon is the opposite. He will use his beak to grab my fingers to softly push them away when he does'nt want me to pet him or touch him in certain places such as under his wings. Sometimes he loves it and other times he just "aint in the mood! " :D

[Nolan's Mom]

I am certainly "told" to not put my fingers there if Nolan doesn't want scitches in a certain place ;) He used to never let me get anywhere near his "armpits" but now when we play I can tell him I am going to tickle, tickle, tickle and he lets me for a couple of seconds, then he is VERY gentle bout moving my fingers...SUCH a difference from when he first got here!!! :thumbup:

[Nolan's Mom]

You're up LATE Tina! :beerchug: A lot of the time I am all alone on here by now...it's lonely in PST ;)

[kaisaj]

Well, one of Roxy's new things to do is when we are laying on the couch and i am watching t.v (my face turned completely away from her) she will grab at my face but not hard. If i didnt know her, i would think that maybe she was becoming aggresive or trying to attack my face. This is completely not the case in this situation. She is grabbing at my face because she wants my focus on her and not the t.v. She wants me to play with her and pet her while looking only at her :funny:. Her only way of communitcating to me to do this is to use her beak.



My sun does that. If I am doing something with my hands and not playing with her she actually bites me. Not really hard but enough to say, "hey! I'm here, pay attention to me." I don't dare have her on my lap and type on the computer. That's just not acceptable! :rotflmao:

[Jim]

Wow, you guys have been busy over the night and this morning. Just when I was getting a complex that this thread was going no where.:( Posts start flying out like treats. What a BIG R+ (positive reinforcement) this is this morning.:emot-danc

I'm going to saver all that R+ for a while for before I give up any input. Hey, I'm selfish! What can I say?:shrug2:

[Traci]

I let her out of her cage and ask her "where's your baby" she knows what I'm talking about because its the first thing she seems to look around for, we spend ages playing catch back and forth with this poor beat up stuffed toy. she just loves it, when she drops it sometimes she'll say "uttohhh" http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/traci626/Karrah2-1.jpg ...... my CAG Boo loves to rough house but he tends to do it so easy not to bite to hard or pinch, my bare eyed loves to rough house too but he tends to get caught up in the game and bites to hard.. Stella she loves to play with my hair and preen it for me, stick her beak between my fingers.. Kirby my TAG isn't one much for being touched but LOVES to pull my hair...

[Nolan's Mom]

Sounds like your crew has NO trouble playing!

[Traci]

I try and do the best I can for them, its just me and them at home (+2 dogs) and I work 7 days a week.. It's also a good thing that my schedule doesn't seem to bother them.... :)

[Nolan's Mom]

If I tried to work 7 days a week I think Nolan would dis-own me! :rotflmao:

[CocosMomma]

Jim, I just wanted to share a couple things that Coco and I do together. They classify as play in a more loose definition of the word, in that she is interested, engaged and having fun (so for her, it qualifies as play)!;)

When I get home from work and clean up her area, if she wants to get on my shoulder she will go to a certain place in her fort that is level with my shoulder so that when I walk by she can jump on the transportation. ;)

We then walk around to windows and places that I know she likes to visit. From there, I go to the kitchen, set her down on the cupboard, get out her bowl and veggies from the fridge and start preparing things. She is fascinated with the prep process, watching as I add each new item to her bowl, and usually dives in immediately (sometimes while the bowl is still empty)! :doh:

While she is busily/happily eating, I can do a few other things in the kitchen like dishes, make a pot of coffee, etc. Sometimes she is more interested in watching me work in the kitchen then eating at that moment. I then grab my own bowl and make myself a salad. She is still sitting on the counter leisurely eating her veggies. This usually results in her 'tasting' a thing or two out of my salad bowl.;)

We then go back to the bird room, with bowls and drinks in hand (her on my arm). I sit on the floor, place her and her bowl down and my bowl in my lap, and we both finish eating. When she is done (and usually I am not), she will either climb up and sit on my knee, or walk herself back to her ladder and return to Fort Coco.

This morning she jumped the transportation to participate in the morning rituals of tooth brushing, makeup techniques, etc. In this instance, it is best to leave her on my shoulder since putting her down on the counter means she's going to explore everything sitting there! But she is fascinated and stimulated by simply watching me, and of course I am in front of the mirror so she can see herself and me in the mirror as well... very intriguing!

Not your traditional 'play', but natural and interactive, eh?:dance:

[Jim]

Wow, Robin. Great interaction and that's play in my book.:agree:

Sharon was fixing herself a bowl of ice cream the other night. I came in, looked at her, looked at the bowl, of course we both speak english so there were some playful words. I pinched her on the ____ (I'm old not dead) she turned around and threatened to put ice cream on my nose. That was play.

Birds can learn to interact like this with us. Most of us see this in our birds. Let me explain. Playing with toys, wanting us to scratch their head, watching us do things, pulling our fingers...

All we need to do is generalize *nice communication* to where ever we want them to interact with us.

Love your interaction with Coco, Robin.:thumbup: