IndianRingNeck.com

Hi, I am new to this forum.

I have a male ringneck. He flew into our backyard 6 months ago and ended up in my cockatiel's cage who was sunning himself (to this day we still have NO IDEA how he got into my bird's cage.) In any case, we bought a cage for him. He is in no way tame. He is banded (open band which leads me to believe he was not hand raised but not a wild bird.) We have provided a large cage for him, good food (pellets, seed, veggies, fruit daily), toys (no interest), etc. He spends a great deal of his time gnawing at the bars of his cage (as if trying to escape.) Is he unhappy? Letting him back into the wild doesn't seem right or fair after providing him with food, shelter, etc. for months. I love my birds (have two others) and want to do right by them. Thoughts?

What a weirdly cool story!

Have you thought about introducing foraging?
See http://www.indianringneck.com/forum/vie ... =2&t=11701

I've found it can be hard to get them into it and to understand what's expected but it does seem to be worth it... it gets their minds active.

Of course the other thing you could think about is getting him a friend. Generally male ringnecks will get along with other male ringnecks but you could get a female if you wanted too... but unfortunately there are no guarantees that they will get along.

I agree with you that releasing him back to the wild doesn't seem very fair. Are IRNs native to your area? If we purposely released one here (Australia) I imagine we'd get in trouble if the powers-that-be found out!

Ellie.

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I live in Los Angeles and yes, there are wild parrots/parakeets near by. The majority I have seen are black hooded parakeets, but they travel in large flocks and it's hard to differentiate the species. Because mine is banded, I know he isn't wild. My gut tells me he was a breeder and escaped an aviary.

I will try the foraging though he doesn't seem bored (like looking for something to do.) I have tried every kind of toy (homemade) imaginable and he just has no interest. I have thought about a mate for him. He was with my cockatiel (male) and loved him - even if only for a couple of hours. I am concerned though that if I get a mate and it doesn't work out, then what? Also, what are the cage requirements for two? He has a large, tall, domed cage - not sure of measurements.

is it possible for someone to have put him in the cage? I too would be wanting to know how he got in