Mature Male Pasting Food on Mirror

[SpokaneSummer]

We bought our male IRN a mirror toy with buttons underneath the mirror that talk when pressed. He loves it, and plays with it a lot at night before bed. Then, about a month ago, he began making a paste out of his pellets and he spends a good amount of time covering the mirror with this paste (even when the cage door is open). Is this behavior something I need to be concerned about? The first signs of a neurosis? Or is it good for him to have a goal of covering his mirror each day? I am thinking about covering the mirror with paper or something so he can continue pushing his talk buttons. But, if it is a behavior I don't need to worry about, I will let him continue.

Please respond!

[SpokaneSummer]

Does anyone have information about my birds behavior? Don't know if I should cover toy or not worry at all.

[Fieldz]

Uh... making a paste? Well, they do make pastes to feed other birds and the youngs, that is with no doubt the reason:mrgreen: He thinks it´s another bird and is trying to feed him like they do in nature

Haha good luck with your friend!

[SpokaneSummer]

Thank you, Fieldz!! My family is enjoying this thought.. that our little wonder is feeding his friend. Now, I think I will wait until he is out of his cage in the a.m. to clean up the mirrors, so I don't feel guilty about removing all of his hard work (who knows, maybe he will assume his friend ate his fill!). When you get back on line, I have one other question for you. How do you know this tidbit of information? I have been searching for an explanation for so long. Thanks, again!!!

[ellieelectrons]

Have you considered getting him a friend to regurgitate too?

Ellie.

[SpokaneSummer]

Ellie,

After finding this site, I see other people are having no problem with two birds. It will be a while before we take that step, though. We just successfully found a good home for an Eclectus we had the last two years. It is SO peaceful without her squawking. She was so much louder than we realized. And we are enjoying our IRN to the fullest now. Maybe, in the Fall, I can talk to my husband more about the idea of another IRN. Does having two change the decibel level? And, by getting another, would we be hurting our relationship with our current IRN?

It is really cute to see him so happy to be interacting with his toy. But, he does still come out and interact with us. His cutest behavior is his infatuation with our 9 year old yorkie mix. He talks incessantly to the dog and always has to know where he is.. am afraid he will be heart broken when he finds he lives longer than his furry friend.

[ellieelectrons]

Hi SS

Maybe, in the Fall, I can talk to my husband more about the idea of another IRN. Does having two change the decibel level?

It can make them noisier or it can make them quieter. You never can tell - it depends on the individual birds.

It is really cute to see him so happy to be interacting with his toy.

If his behaviour with the mirror becomes obsessive I would remove the mirror... and by obsessive I mean never wanting to be more than two steps from the mirror. I saw a cockatiel once that would take two steps away from the mirror and then walk back to it - kind of like how lions in captivity will sometimes pace back and forth. It's not healthy. Personally, I would find the regurgitating behaviour over the mirror a troubling behaviour but perhaps it is ok, I don't really know... which is why I recommended getting a second bird.

Increasing foraging opportunities may also help slow down this behaviour.

And, by getting another, would we be hurting our relationship with our current IRN?

Once again, it depends on the individual birds... but with our two, it hasn't but I do continue to put a lot of time into them both.

Best wishes.

Ellie.

[ellieelectrons]

P.S. I do commend you for not going for a second bird lightly. It is important to consider all the factors.

[SpokaneSummer]

Thank you Ellie.

Most definitely, we wouldn't consider the 2nd bird in a light manner. The longevity of this particular addition to the family is a HUGE consideration. And, I don't like to give them up to new owners; we have done it before, and it isn't something I like to go through.

I appreciate all of your comments! I will watch for obsessive behavior. At this time, I think we are ok, there, as he does come out and socialize with us, as well. I will continue giving him alternate stimulation.

Thanks, again!

[ellieelectrons]

Been chatting to my husband about your mirror problem and he seemed to think he'd be inclined to remove the mirror. However we're not experts... just thought I'd let you know his opinion.

Ellie.

[taywer321]

One of my birds has emotional attachment to certain items, he regurgitates attempting to feed his fav toys. And me. Haha! Also I was watching the IRN's on youtube and Marnie does the same things all over his little stuffed animals. I think its fine as long as it doesn't become an obsession, which you will notice in observing your bird. Good luck!

[SpokaneSummer]

Thank you! I think this new behavior is much more infatuation than obsessive behavior. It makes me feel better that you experience similar activity! By the way, I love the picture of your baby. I didn't have mine when he was young, and have loved to have experienced that time.