My bird is afraid of broccoli, and other adventures...

[VRSparks]

She's on my arm right now, so this will have to be short as it's hard to type. Holly has started eating cooked beans and grain, as of last night. The feeding was going so well, I decided to offer her some broccoli. She was so surprised at the sight of it, I thought she would fall off the playstand. She actually climbed all the way around the stand to get away from it. LOL! I wrapped the stand in sisal, so at least she can get around it now. I have pictures of her and the stand, which I'll try to post later.

I've found that she likes the color yellow, and plays with yellow toys more than all her other toys. Anyone else here notice their bird prefers a certain color?

Also, I just had to put my poor sick kitty down. He was throwing up the last few days. We've vacuumed, and cleaned the hard floors. Holly likes to get down on the floor and walk around. How long should we keep her off the carpet for the germs to die? It's already been over 24 hours.

One other thing...Holly likes to hang on the inside of her cage by the beak, lift one foot up behind her head and scritch herself, eyes slightly closed. What on earth is she doing??

[Tiki]

In Australia you can get a version of broccoli called broccolini. It has the broccoli head but the buds are looser on a long stalk. My tiels are addicted to it. I would post a pic but they already ate it all, shopping day is tomorrow. I just clip it to the wire on the front of the bird room, they are all hovering around like vultures and pounce on it the minute I leave.

[birdyland]

Sounds like you're getting along fabulously. The wrap on the perch is probably helping with her confidence and trust. Young birds are clumsy perchers, didn't you say she used to fall off?

My Macaw too is afraid of broccoli.... unless it is mixed with something else. She also hates tomatoes unless mixed. Birdy bread is a good idea to get all those nutrients into them.

Congrats on the progress.

Sounds like you've got a clown on your hands with the way she is hanging from her beak and posing..... enjoy! Uless the act seems distressing to her, I'd laugh it up, she's an acrobat.

[MiniMacMum]

All my Severes like to hang & perch while using their foot to scratch them selves. I think it's a comfort thing. They did it as babies & still do it today. I also think it's a macaw thing cause my Hahns also did it. I can be scratching their heads & they will help me by doing this. It's like they're in another world. :icon_smil It sounds like things are getting better with Holly :icon_smil

[greyburd]

It sounds like you've made some improvements with her. Congratulations, I know you must be happy.

As far as the broccoli goes, eat some yourself (with others) and make a HUGE deal about how good it tastes. After some time, she should get curious enough to want a taste herself. (just a thought, see if it works)