Apparently, more people go to Bird Talk, so I'm posting this here.

[Jong81]

Hey all -

I don't know if it's because I was off from school the past two weeks or what, but Jake will not occupy himself if I'm in my bedroom. He'll stand at the corner of the cage staring at me until I finally take him out. If I try to leave, he screeches continuously. How do I get my Sennie to be a bit more independent? I mean, when I have off, I want to spend time with him, but I need him to be able to occupy his own time as well. Will he get more independent when he's older? Is this just a stage he's going through? I try to let him hang with me as much as possible (usually at least 2-3 hours a day), but he can't expect me to hold him everytime I walk into my room (although you know I'd love to). I'm just worried that he's too attached or something. I don't think it's healthy for him either. Also, like clockwork - just around bedtime, he'll flap his wings like crazy and screech inside his cage. Does this mean he wants me to cover him or cuddle with him? Usually I take it as cuddle, but tonight I went and tried covering him.

[kathleen]

Hi Jon,

Sounds like some relationships I've been in...hard to figure them out. LOL!!

I'm sure Jake just got used to you being around during your time off from school. When he's acting up, he probably just wants some attention. Acknowledge him with what you can like if you normally don't cuddle him at that time, then you can just talk to him.

I try to keep Pumpkin on a schedule and will put him/her to bed the same time every night. It may help distinguish if he wants to be covered or if he wants attention.

[LMPego]

Sennies have a tendency to get over-bonded. You need to teach Jake to play by himself. Does he have plenty of toys in his cage? Does he know how to play with them?
Try doing something in your room like homework while he's in the cage and completely ignore him (maybe buy some earplugs...) Don't look at him, don't talk to him. Reward him when he touches a toy or finds some way to occupy himself. Does he have a favorite treat? Cory likes sunflower seeds the best, so we save them for "good girl" treats. When he is playing independently, then you tell him "good boy". Otherwise, you have to ignore the behavior of trying to get your attention or he will learn that that kind of behavior is rewarding.
(I think I'm babbling - did that make sense?)

[Jong81]

Thank you ladies! Yes, I just ordered him some more toys actually. Lately, he goes to the bottom of the cage to scratch the corner if I don't take him out (because I'm doing what you told me). So I'm getting some wiffle balls and crunch toys for the bottom. I also got him a calamity chain with bells so he can drive me crazy. He has one bell already and attacks it when he's pissed at me (he HAS to be male). Laura, do you keep Cory and Zen in the same cage? What size is it? Thanks!

[LMPego]

No. Cory and Zen's cage are next to each other, but there is about a foot of space between them. I also keep their blankets on the back half of both their cages during the day so they can hide from each other if they choose to. They are not friends. They tolerate each other until they are too close, then they beak battle.

[Jong81]

Oh no ... that stinks! What birds are compatible roommates? Zen's color is BEAUTIFUL! Oh and was Cory so active when he was little that he messed up his feathers all the time - Jake's are all jagged? What is your cage size for Cory? Another thing is that I'm concerned the pet shop cut Jake's flight feathers too short. He hits the ground pretty hard if he's startled and his flight feathers don't seem to be growing back. It's been almost 2 months since they were first clipped.

[LMPego]

I don't know Cory's exact cage size - I'll see if I can find the dimensions online.
Cory was never a rough player as a baby, she'd rather cuddle and have me fix all her feathers for her.
We actually let Cory keep her flights after they grew out from her baby clip. I found it helped a lot with her shyness. She's still fearful of anything different, but now she feels like she has freedom to take herself away from the situation and I think it's made her a much better companion to have those choices. But, you have to look at your own situation to see if Jake would be safer flighted or clipped.
As far as roommates, I personally would never force 2 birds to live in the same cage unless they were already mates. Cory can be very aggressive with Zen. When we were looking for our second bird (Zen was our first), our vet told us that we should get the bird that we want because the 2 birds are either going to get along or they aren't and there's nothing you can do about it. I would put a second cage next to the first and if they choose to share a cage, then that's their decision.
I hope that helps.
I'll get back to you with the cage size.

[LMPego]

Here's Cory's cage. We've had it now for about a year and love it! When we got this one, we sanitized Cory's old cage which was a Hagen Cockatiel Motel and gave that to Zen.

[Jong81]

Wow! That's large! I could never do something like that with the space I have, but you had originally intended on them both sharing it when you bought it, right? So they [Senegals] don't react badly if you upgrade their cage after a year or two? I've heard that they get attached to their own cage - like territorial or something.

[LMPego]

No. We bought the cage just for Cory. I felt like there wasn't enough space with all the toys she has and we got it for a really good size. It is really big, though. I wonder if Jake's feathers aren't getting messed up because he doesn't have enough space with the toys in his cage. We bought the cage with the intention that we'll have her for 20 something more years and this is her permanent cage now.