New break throughs

[sparkysmom]

I am so happy. There is all kinds of great things going on with the Maxi Pi that was given to me in December.

I got him from an elderly lady who had all these different Pi's in her back yard in rabbit cages covered under a tarp. No toys no anything.... It made me cry.

ANyhow this one in particular got really excited around me so she gave him to me. Said he wouldn't pair w/ any birds and was mean......

On the contrary he is anything but mean.

$1800 later this is where we are:

Mackey still doesn't like ANY out of cage time. But I leave his door open for him when I am home and he seems content with that. I cannot handle him. He will jump on my hand if I put it in the cage, scream and then jump off. So he wants to but he doesn't. I towel him to do his nails and have tried to get him interested in the play stand but he dives off it and runs under the nearest piece of furniture. Man these Pi's can run fast.

Any way I have been reading to him and I sit in there on the couch and talk with them all. He and one of my Cags seem to have a bond from afar. Which is really cute. He makes all his lil baby noises.

Okay okay here is the cool part. Now out of nowhere (mind you this has taken 8 months) he runs down in his cage to the perch nearest me on the couch.. He used to stay on the same perch, no matter where I moved it and keep his back to everyone. He actually faces me and looks at me while puffing his facial feathers and looks at me with HAPPINESS! I thought he was like this major PTSD bird who would never snap out of it. But he is!!!!

His grooming skills are totally awful. He will not groom himself.......I give him spray mists everday. He won't even break the shield off of his new wing feathers. So I helped him to do the ones he was just leaving. He did kinda try to do one and he ended up shredding one side. I don't think he knows how to preen. Is that possible?

The feathers he is growing in are quite beautiful with a nice sheen to them. Goodbye stress bars!!

Things have been slow but I felt he should not be forced to do anything. It was like he is emotionally stunted....but I think he is getting better.

Can it really move this slow? Progress I mean? I do not want to force anything like I said.

One interesting thing....this bird was on a seed only diet. Well he doesn't much care for fruit but there is not a leafy green or veggie he will not devour. I am very happy with his eating. And another weird thing about his eating....he doesn't throw food. He eats everything!!! Nothing on the cage bottom.......unless it's fruit.

Oh yeh and the vet says he is now totally healthy. We have had 4 trips to the vet since I got him.

Any thoughts, input or advice? Any of this 'normal' Pi behavior? Is it okay to leave him at his own pace even if that means staying in his cage ALL the time?

Sorry this is long. I had alot to say about Mackey.

Thanks for reading this

[Monica]

Sounds like you are doing fine! Some birds are easy to tame within months, while others may take years.... you sound to be doing just fine by me!

[sparkysmom]

Thanks Monica...I never thought of it in terms of possibley taking years. But since he lived like that for years...I guess he is doing pretty well.

I wish more people talked about their Pi's here.

[fluffy_stitch]

hi,im glad things are turning out good for you and him!!..umm dont want to sound like an idiot but what kind of bird is a Pi?

[fluffy_stitch]

ok i just saw that this is posted in the Pionus section........i think i am a bit of an idiot!!!!!!!!

[CrazyforCockatiels]

What great news! You are an inspiration!

[Sally]

I don't have a Pi, but it sounds like he was treated so badly for so long that it sure will take time. It took several months to get my healthy, but wild child Chipper to be my best friend after we bought her. I bet this will just take more time. I think your progress sounds great. Keep remembering how it is better now. In any case your Pi is so very blessed to have you.

[sparkysmom]

Thank you all for your comments and thoughts. I appreciate you taking the time to read this.

I just love my big brown eyed Mackey! I will try and get him to let me get a decent pic to post.

[qmichelle]

Oh that is absolutely wonderful news! Kudos to you for really letting him set the pace! I'm sure that is why he's getting more and more comfortable with you!

I'm so glad he's perching near you and is very interested in you. In time, who knows? It's lovely, again, that you are celebrating the milestones he makes, but aren't forcing anything. I love it!

[birds-r-best]

What a great story with your rescued Pionus! It is also a good example of how free birds aren't really free...

I have a Maxi too and she is a little picky on what she will eat. She likes some fruits/veggies but is just not excited about everything. Luckily I got her to like Harrison's pellets so that is her base diet. That is terrific that he will eat any veggie!! Sounds like you've really gotten him healthy.

I don't think you should feel bad about him staying in the cage if that is where he is comfortable. It is indeed like he is socially stunted. It may take a long time but I would let him go at his pace while giving him options (like the door open). I think once he is healthy for a while he will have more energy to want to progress socially.