Oh I'm sorry, did my thumb get in the way of your beak?!?!

In true Zaire fashion, we were having a relatively nice morning just chillin in bed together. He was calm, I was calm... but then he just reached down without any warning and bit my thumb! I tried very hard not to react big because I think he wants a heated reaction. I'm trying to follow all the advice I read about birds who bite. So add one more scar to the old thumb.

How Much is that Birdie in the Window?

Mali and Zaire joined me in the kitchen this morning for their showers. African Gray Parrots are what's known as a "Powder Down" species (Cockatoos and cockatiels are also included in this grouping). The powder down birds have these tiny feathers that they break off when they are preening. When the feather breaks it releases a powder that is used to condition and waterproof the feathers. The bird room is often covered in a layer of white powdery dust from Mali and Zaire. To say that I have to keep up on my dusting is an understatement. The more I bathe my greys the easier it is to keep the dust down. Mali always enjoys a good bathing, but Zaire is usually a squawking nut about it. However, he seemed to enjoy it this morning.

Toys!

Birds are extremely intelligent creatures. They need toys to play with and keep their buzz saw beaks busy. Zaire seems to use his toys as a stress release. When I bring high stress items into the room like the vacuum cleaner, he heads for his knotted toys and begins to chew and chew. I think it's comforting to him to be able to sink his beak into something and squeeze, much like us and "Stress Balls."

Avian Bloodwork

Birds are notorious "Bad Health" hiders. Because they are prey animals, they have to be careful about letting on that they are vulnerable to those who would like to make a meal of their tasty selves. For this reason, it is a good idea to do an annual exam with a blood test to make sure all is well with your deceptive little friend. Sometimes it might even clue you into unacceptable behaviors.

Getting Ready for the Day

This morning I went to get Zaire off his perch and he just flat out refused to step-up. I let him be. Mali and I went to the bathroom and got ready for the day together.

My African Morning Coach

This morning I headed out for a run in the cold morning air. I will usually come home and do a core workout before hitting the shower. Zaire was not as happy to see me as I was to see him when I busted in the bird room after getting back from my run. I talked him into getting on the towel and coming out into the front room with me. He was all sorts of puffed up and cranky at me. He does this thing where he will rub his beak real slow on my hand and make his eyeball pupils do this crazy big small, big small thing. He looks like he just wants to peck my eyes out when he does this.

A lazy Sunday

I decided to go get Zaire out of his cage this morning and watch some tv in bed with him. I have to get him to step up on a wooden perch first (because I'm too scared to ask him to step on my hand as of yet. I have quite the collection of scars on my hand from his beak. He always attacks the perch and then steps up on it real nice. Then I take him in the hall and have him step on the floor where I then wrap him in a towel to pick him up. He protests at first then calms down. I spread the towel out on the bed and let him just sit with me. We don't trust each other, but this morning so far has been very good for us. He even played with my hair some and has been unaggressive about letting me pick him up with my bare hand while sitting in bed with me.

2012 and Zaire

It's a New Year and a new resolution. Zaire and I have not been getting along lately. I'm not exactly sure what is going on with him, but he keeps wanting to tear the flesh from my hand. Not my idea of a healthy relationship. Sooooo, it's time to get to the bottom of what's going on and fix our relationship. He is making me crazy right now because I have to use a perch to move him anywhere. I suspect it's because I am working full time and going to school, but Mali doesn't seem to mind. I went to a "Pet Psychic" the other day and she said that he wants to go on more trips outside of the house. Looks like we'll be taking some adventures with Zaire on the outside.