Amazing Escape Story

[QuakerLover4ever]

Hello everyone!

Well, with four out of five of my family members living in Ohio (for now) we decided that it would be fair if we let one bird stay in Florida to keep the one person who couldn't come with us company. It was my step-dad Ed, who unfortunately had to stay, for work related reasons. Anyway, he visits about once a month for two days. Buckeye stays behind in Florida with two bowls filled to the brim with food, and two water bottles.

We learned that when he got back today, that Buckeye had let himself out of the cage. He was absolutely fine, but he had chewed through some magazines and a stray Pepsi can that was left on the porch. He had not eaten any of the can or the magazine. Also, there was nothing on the porch that he could get into to hurt him, but that is not the amazing part.

He lets himself out tears up the place, then when Ed opens up the door he is on the back of the wicker chair WATCHING TV. How the bird got the television on I will never know. As Ed is staring at the bird wondering how he got out, Buckeye turns and looks at him, and very rudely says, "WHAT?" He was not at all pleased that he had been interrupted during his T.V. time.

I still have a hard time believing this story!

Taylor, Blaze, and Buckeye the Escape Artist

[becca623]

LOL! I guess he was hoping your step-dad would stay away longer. Birds are smart. My mom's moluccan learned how to turn up the extra heater in her room last winter. She never turned it down or off, always up.

[QuakerLover4ever]

Originally Posted by becca623

LOL! I guess he was hoping your step-dad would stay away longer. Birds are smart. My mom's moluccan learned how to turn up the extra heater in her room last winter. She never turned it down or off, always up.

Haha! They really are smart! :) I just never thought that he would learn how to turn the T.V. on. I can fathom him opening his cage but not figuring out how to work electronics! At least I know I'm not the only one with a mischievous birdy! Though I'm sure next time he'll be on the computer, surfing Bird Board!

[red192]

Too funny! I can see this in my head! Glad he didn't get hurt.

[delilahiris]

I was watching a show on GBH last night about a local parrot shelter. The people who run the shelter were worried about keeping all of the parrots stimulated, so they made up all of these games and things for them. One was a computer screen kept just outside of the cage, and levers were put inside of the cage so they could change pictures on the screen, watch videos, and play music. They left the bird under video surveillance and left for an hour or so. They show a video of an CAG happily "surfing" the net, playing music, dancing, singing, and watching videos of his favorite person. :)

They also had a contraption which was attached to a sort of lever that would dispense treats. The bird would have to read an arrow to know what to do to make the treats come out. If the arrow was up the parrot would pull the lever up. The same for down, left, or right. The bird could read them all. It was amazing! They are so smart!

[jenseits]

Originally Posted by delilahiris

I was watching a show on GBH last night about a local parrot shelter. The people who run the shelter were worried about keeping all of the parrots stimulated, so they made up all of these games and things for them. One was a computer screen kept just outside of the cage, and levers were put inside of the cage so they could change pictures on the screen, watch videos, and play music. They left the bird under video surveillance and left for an hour or so. They show a video of an CAG happily "surfing" the net, playing music, dancing, singing, and watching videos of his favorite person. :)

They also had a contraption which was attached to a sort of lever that would dispense treats. The bird would have to read an arrow to know what to do to make the treats come out. If the arrow was up the parrot would pull the lever up. The same for down, left, or right. The bird could read them all. It was amazing! They are so smart!

I'd love to see video of that. Do you have a link you can share?

[delilahiris]

I just hunted it down

The show is Scientific American Frontiers on WGBH.

Here's a link to the video online. It's completely amazing!

The Fosters shelter that they feature on the show is a town over from where I live.

PBS - Scientific American Frontiers:Pet Tech:Watch Online

Scroll down to the African Grey video.

[jenseits]

Originally Posted by delilahiris

I just hunted it down

The show is Scientific American Frontiers on WGBH.

Here's a link to the video online. It's completely amazing!

The Fosters shelter that they feature on the show is a town over from where I live.

PBS - Scientific American Frontiers:Pet Tech:Watch Online

Scroll down to the African Grey video.

That's third video down is the Alan Alda interview with Irene and Alex (from back in 2001)!! If you haven't read Irene's book Alex and Me, I really recommend it. She talks about that interview specifically in the book. Alex & Me by Dr. Irene Pepperberg Best in Flock – Parrot Blog

Alex really opened our eyes about what parrots are capable of.

p.s. not to hijack the thread, but since we're on the topic of Alex... I know we were all heartbroken when he died, but the work of The Alex Foundation continues, and right now there is a fundraiser with a matching gift. Please consider a donation to help Dr. Pepperberg continue the work she and Alex started: The Work of the Alex Foundation Continues – Please Help Best in Flock – Parrot Blog

[QuakerLover4ever]

Originally Posted by jenseits

That's third video down is the Alan Alda interview with Irene and Alex (from back in 2001)!! If you haven't read Irene's book Alex and Me, I really recommend it. She talks about that interview specifically in the book. Alex & Me by Dr. Irene Pepperberg Best in Flock – Parrot Blog

Alex really opened our eyes about what parrots are capable of.

p.s. not to hijack the thread, but since we're on the topic of Alex... I know we were all heartbroken when he died, but the work of The Alex Foundation continues, and right now there is a fundraiser with a matching gift. Please consider a donation to help Dr. Pepperberg continue the work she and Alex started: The Work of the Alex Foundation Continues – Please Help Best in Flock – Parrot Blog

I actually requested that book from my local library a few days before I posted this thread. I love to read about Alex. Wonderful parrot. :) I might have to think of some cool ideas to keep my birds stimulated. OFF TO THE PLANNING BOARD!

[QuakerLover4ever]

Originally Posted by red192

Too funny! I can see this in my head! Glad he didn't get hurt.

Yeah me too! That was the first thing I asked. He's ok right? He was fine, just a little peeved that he had to go back to his cage!