Male Or female??? And also why doesnt it want to play!!!

[mawse]

Hi My name is Emz, Im from Australia and just got my first indian Ring neck. So I have a lot to learn.

I have had my IRN for about a month. Its quite chirpy it will whistle when i whistle and can say come on and pretty boy.

I bought it off a lady who said HE was about 7 months old, but i have a feeling HE might be a SHE and much older. So not sure if it is male or female on or age.
Name is Red, semi friendly. He was really friendly when i first got him, now tends to bite a lot and be a little grumpy. I've been told thats bluffing, he still get a a lot of attention and to roam around. He eats lots of fruit and has a big cage.

Bit he/she doesn't play with anything, none of his toys, i've made him a play stand and i got him a foraging box but its not interested in anything. Bells, rings, climbing ropes. I try and play but it has no interest just sits there.

Also when i pat/stroke its head it makes a weird screech (sometimes sound like a dog whining or a squeaky toy) . Ive watched a few videos on Indian ring necks and he doesn't make any sounds like the ones i've seen.

Sorry cant upload pics yet. but I can give you my drop box details if anyone would like to take a look

Thanks in advance to all. Hope you have a lovely weekend

[AJPeter]

Welcome Emz to the forum from freezing Birmingham England. Red is a good name for a male IRN, just assume he is male until he shows female characteristics or lays an egg.

It is not a good idea to try and stoke him until he has settled down, check out the forum for good advice

[InTheAir]

Hi Emz,

I'm in the aus too.

I am not sure about bluffing, my birds haven't been through it. I'm inclined to take the view that if I am getting bitten it is a reaction to something I have done that the bird doesn't like.
I found this article very useful when we got our first bird http://goodbirdinc.blogspot.com.au/2012 ... e.html?m=1
It's well worth looking over the whole site, Barbara is an excellent trainer and explains things very well.
The ringneck noise for "I am mildly annoyed" is a very cute noise. Nila will do it if we pat him. I don't know if you are talking about the same noise, this one is very quiet and sounds very similar to the one he makes which means "yum this is my favourite food! ". I've heard Sapphire make the first noise to Nila, and if he doesn't watch himself she soon growls and threatens him.

Is the sitting around a new thing? If so, it's worth going to see your avian vet. I'm a little confused by the references to your bird being very active in the start of your post. If he has suddenly become grumpy and listless, he may not be feeling great.
Nila, our older bird, shuns most bird toys except foraging ones. He will spend hours playing with a piece of paper on a string, a bottle cap or the cardboard roll from unscented toilet paper that has been stuffed with paper and treats! Bala or yucca chips are another favourite and gum nuts sometimes keep him occupied for a while. If I go spend $20 on a toy from a pet shop, he almost always looks down his nose at it. If I buy him a ball with a bell in it from the cat section of the pet shop, he's a happy camper. He's a cheap date.

Good luck with Red.

Regards,
Claire

[t5copper]

My ringnecks didnt do much for weeks then suddenly came alive, I was eager to have them jumping through hoops when I got them but soon realised patience is the key and they do things in there own time

[mawse]

Thanks very much for tge response. I will take a look at the link. Thank again.