I think it may have something to do with the excitement people have when they are new to something. When you are first getting your IRN you run around sharing the news and learning stuff (like yourself) and immerse yourself in the social situation on the web. Once you've had your bird a while you get used to the idea and become a little less explosively excited, settling in to the workings of life and more advanced aspects of bird keeping.
That's my opinion. I've been on this forum a little over a year. When I was first here, I was very interested in helping people who were a little more new to bird keeping than myself. I spent a lot of effort reading the forum and writing for people. Now I'm tired of wearing myself out to help people who are asking the same newbie questions and my excitement level about interacting with people has gone way down. I'm still like a kid on Christmas about my BIRD, but the blush is off the rose for the social scene. I think that might explain the drop in poll participation level for those with older birds. Here in the forum, they've just been there, done that, and moved along.
However, I welcome you and your observation, and despite feeling a little cranky will certainly try to help you as your questions come along.
For the record, my bird is 11, and I have had him a little over a year.-MissK
! Just don't find much time to visit this lovely and informative forum. By the way my Kiwi is how old? Not too sure, but the numbers on his leg band are: SP01 09 38. Does any of those digits indicate his age? I wonder if anyone knows 
