A few questions...

[Kitathena]

Hi all, I just got my parrotlet on Saturday and she is still trying to get used to us. She eats her bird food just fine, but when I cut up fresh veggies and fruits, she doesn't seem very interested. She did eat a little banana that I was eating yesterday, but really didn't seem to excited about it. Is this something I need to worry about it, or will she start eating these when she gets more used to us?

Also, she just sits on one perch in the cage, if she is not at her water bowl or food dish. I have about 4 toys hanging up in there. When I take her out she is pretty active, but when I put her back in, back to the perch she goes.

Any advice would be appreciated :)

[danforth3]

Congrats on your new fid.

Keep offering the fresh foods. It takes time for them to get used to the texture. Try sprinkling a little seed or millet over the fresh foods offered and see if she'll investigate it. Eventually she will try and eat that which she likes.

Also if you are not doing so, trying warming up the veggies and dicing everything very small.

It is going to take her time to get used to everything. Coming to her new home is a big transition. When you take her out, show her the toys, how to play with them. She may not know what they are. If you are enthusiastic about the toy, etc., she will get curious and investigate as well.

Also parrotlets like small intricate toys with leather, wicker, beads on them.

[smallonion]

Congrats on the new addition! My guess is that your little parrotlet is still a bit nervous about his new surroundings. I'm sure he'll start to check out his toys soon.

As for the fresh fruit and veg....you've only had him a few days and some of us have had loooooong struggles to get our birds to eat the good stuff! So don't worry yet!

What worked for me is hanging up the fruit and veg so that it seems like a toy. Obviously this will only work when your parrotlet is more confident and is playing with toys. My Humphrey wouldn't go near fruit or veg, and then I hung it up. He is SUCH a curious bird, he had to go over and bite the new toy. And...it tasted good! So he went back again. Jungle talk sells a great kabob skewer for birds to eat their fruit and veg hanging up.

Best of luck with the new baby!

[Skyebirdsmom]

One way I've found with lots of young birds is to sit with them when you give them people food and eat it along with them. They are curious and a case of 'birdie see, birdie do', LOL. It works though. If not at first, keep at it. Make it seem as if it's the best thing you've ever eaten. Make lots of yummmmy sounds, be enthusiastic. My Skye was that way when I first got him, and it worked like magic after a few days. Birds do not naturally know what is edible or not...none were with their parents long enough to be taught. So you have to do the teaching. It's fun, so go for it!
Good luck,
Linda & HRC~

[Stasia]

Congrats on your new p'let!

I don't have any great advice, but just for some reassurance I am in pretty much the exact same boat as you are! :) We just got our parrotlet 2 weeks ago and he doesn't seem too sure what he thinks of us yet and he still hasn't taken any fresh foods, he will only eat seed and pellets and millet right now. I practically put an amusement park in his cage and still he only sits on one of two perches and ocasionally checks out a bell in there, but that's about it. He is just over 3 months old.

So just hang in there, I know how hard it can be to wait when you just wish they could be all warmed up and playful already :) Everyone on birdboard is great though and they always have a great advice to help out. Keep us updated, I'd love to know how your little one is doing as time goes on. Hopefully both our birds get used to things soon :)

Stasia

[Kitathena]

Hi all, thanks for the great advice. I cleaned out her cage today and rearranged some of her toys. I also found one with beads and ropes at the store and gave it to her and she actually seems interested in it. I did a double take when I saw her chewing on it , lol. I guess I will just keep working with her. She is making progress day by day, I was just being paranoid as usual.

Stasia , nice to know we are in the same boat! I will cross our fingers that our babies will realize how much we love them and how wonderful we are hehe :)

Again, thanks for the friendly and quick responses :)