Bobby's imaginary friend

Rosemary · Post by **Rosemary** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:39 am

I must be doing something wrong, I submitted this subject a week ago but have not seen it come up.
Bobby has an imaginary friend. Every day when we let her out of the cage she makes for anything shiny that she can see herself in. Sometimes she sits and gabbles away for hours. I presume she thinks it is another birdy. She used to be very content sitting on my shoulder and just playing around, but now she seems more interested in looking at herself. How can I break the habit, if we leave her locked in the cage she screaches or makes her telephone ring noises and drives us mad.
Has anyone any suggestions as to how I can break this habit, or has anyone had a similar experience.

kimtoo · Post by **kimtoo** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 7:08 am

Hi Rosemary,

I don't think you did anything wrong but I am guessing that most people have not had this problem. I know I haven't. But I did want to reply so that you know the board works! and we do try to help each other wwith problems...there is a lot of good advice available on this board but apparently not on your particular issue.

I had a lovebird that that I inherited from someone else, she had a mirror, she was obsessed. I took it away and I guess she did like to find things like picture frames, with glass in them...it hadn't occurred to me until you mentioned your birds behavior. Gracie's problems after the mirror was taken away wasn't particularly troublesome so I did not worry mich about it.

Does your IRN have a mirror in his cage? Has he ever had a mirror??

kim

Xenobia · Post by **Xenobia** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 10:48 am

Ringnecks like shiny things.

Busey kisses/talks to mirrors, the screws in his playstand, the window - anything shiny and reflective. A few times a day he'll get up in the mirror and do his "dance" for it. I honestly think that they're just very vain birds!

As long as your birdie still gets plenty of human interaction, I don't really think it's a problem. If he/she is starting to get aggressive and "defend" the shiny things or is completely obsessed to the point of not wanting human interaction, then you just need to take the shiny things away.

Rosemary · Post by **Rosemary** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:38 am

Thanks for your replies, yes she has had a mirror in the cage but we took it away, she became very aggressive with it. In the last couple of days, as soon as she gets out she makes straight for the shiny bowl. We do take it away for periods, then she starts her telephone ringing and will not give up, it is becoming rather a problem. Before all this started she was happy to climb up the tree just outside our lounge door, but not any more, she just screeches and screeches until she gets back to the shiny bowl, we are just about pulling our hair out. When she does climb up to my shoulder she is just her usual cuddly self, but it is becoming less and less. I am quite worried about her behaviour.
I also wonder if it could be anything to do with the change of season, in New Zealand we have just come into spring, is she looking for a mate???

Thanks for your suggestions. Always interested in reading all the postings. Regards, Rosemary

Mikaela · Post by **Mikaela** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:59 am

Always click, view posts since last visit and you shouldnt miss anything. :wink:

If you arent getting a reply, its because noone sees it. Cant explain why though. Just hit BUMP.

Get pushy! lol

xo Missi · Post by **xo Missi** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:48 am

LOL Atleast she's actually looking at SOMETHING!!

My baby Eclectus will bob her head and coo, sqwak, and chorble at the wall for minutes!

Fids! Never cease to amaze us!