Various Tips

I've rethought parts of my plan to tame Henry.  First and foremost being to eradicate my family's access to him.  And, if they must interact then they'll only do so under the closest observation.  Why?  Because they don't listen to the simplest guidelines and half the the time don't even remember his name.  Their negative attitude isn't helping matters in the slightest.  Henry is much smarter than he lets most people see and takes advantage of their gullibility.  While it may have been amusing to watch (and still is) I shouldn't let it happen. Shame.  Secondly, I gave Henry treats every time I saw him in the hopes that he'd equate me to good things.  Since then I've realized that I should use them more sparingly so they have greater worth.  Also, if he acts out then the treats are going away for 15 minutes (or more) because "no" doesn't mean anything to some people.

On a different topic, my German is coming along pretty good considering I've studied it sparingly.  I know about 30 words/phrases so far and even how to spell the majority of them.  Still, I've figured that it takes me at least two sessions on the babble app before I remember all the words given.  However, I was trying to learn 15 words then move on to the next lesson with 15 more immediately.  Well, that tired me out too quickly.  In the future I'll go over a lesson, wait an hour or so before moving on, completing at least three lessons a day on various topics.

Epiphany

Been a while since my last post, can't say I'm happy about that but it's been a mentally trying week (weeks? Honestly I don't pay attention to days).  The fact that my computer vehemently refuses to power up really isn't helping matters.  On an unrelated note, I've had an epiphany regarding Henry.  The facts are these; Henry loves to bite any and all people and though I would love to have some contact with him that doesn't involve biting the probability of that ever happening is slim to none.  However, when it comes right down to it I truthfully couldn't care less.  Which, is not to say that I don't care about him.  I love him and will always no matter whatever "faults" he may possess.  In fact, I rather like that little quirk of his.  The joy on his face and in his actions once he's managed to fool a human to coming that tiny bit closer so he can savagely playfully bite into their tender flesh is amusing to see.  Of course I'll keep trying to curb the habit though.

Side note: I finally managed to get my hands on a lavender plant so future wise there will be some posts about that.

Creating a Bonsai Tree & Nora Update

Went to Uwajimaya today and stumbled across this little item...

Bonsai Starter Kit

As simple as it may look the instructions are much more demanding than I had anticipated.  First it asks that I soak the seeds for 24 hours (not an issue) but then it wants me to refrigerate them for a few days and soak them again, put them on a paper towel in a zip lock bag and after a few months buy some special 100% bonsai soil.  I mean really? Really?!

Anyways, here's a new video of Nora!

You'll notice that Nora jumps off my hand in the very beginning and falls to the floor.  No harm done!  Nora is starting to "fly" and hasn't quite mastered it.  Still, he tries.  There's also the balance issues.  After all, Nora is a baby and babies fall over.

Nora Update

Nora has started eating some millet seeds and occasionally does these small flying jumps so I've moved him into a temporary cage.  I say temporary because this is Henry's travel cage and until I make a flight cage it will have to do.  Since Nora is still very young I've left the heat lamp close to the cage but farther from his "nest" than it was before.  As I write this Sweetheart is watching over the finch.  I don't know what I'd do without her.  Lucy would have had him for a snack day one.  However, if you are taking care of a baby bird I do not recommend having a cat guardian unless you are absolutely positive it will not eat the chick.  Nora is a lucky bird to have such a companion.

Nora Update

I realized a few days ago that my blog is turning in to one of those about someones new baby/kids.  I never understood the point of those.  I mean why would I care about your kids?  I don't know them.  Still, even if Nora is not human I still consider him mine and absolutely adorable.  I can't wrap my head around the fact that someone would find Nora uninteresting.  I assume it is the same for other parents.

Anyways, Nora is about an inch long now and no longer needs to be feed consistently throughout the night. ^_^  

I am still going to do two or three night feedings until his feathers grow in but I can finally sleep now!

Henry - Attack Conure

Lately, Henry has been more and more of a pill, screaming all day long and he's shown no improvement on the hand-taming front.  Just a few hours ago he "violently" bit a family member.  Of course, I blame them.  If you know a parrot bites you don't go up and stick your fingers in the cage at every opportunity.  It probably didn't help that I laughed but how could I not?  For some twisted reason I find it immensely humorous when someone else is in pain for no other reason than stupidity.

Still, I really need to find a training method that works.  Clearly, what I'm doing now is not improving the situation.  Although, sometimes I think it does in a very small way.

Baby Finch Update

Baby Finch

Sorry so long on the update!  This morning the baby finch made it's first flight out of the nest.  Well, it was more of a collection of hops. >_<  She/he is so cute.

Baby Finches!!

Zeus and Hera had a baby!  Well, technically they had several but only one is still alive.  I'm freaking out!  After so many failures it is truly uplifting to see him/her in the nest.  This time I took of the bottom part of their cage off and laid down a soft towel with some newspaper on top so the baby would survive if they end up kicking it out (as they have done in the past).  I also made sure they had fresh millet and apple slices (I'm boiling them an egg too).  If it ends up abandoned I do have baby bird food.  I'm not looking forward to feeding it every two hours, but I will if it comes down to it.

At this point, the only thing I'm worried about is the wheezing-half-whistle type of noise I occasionally here coming from the nest.  I'm hoping it's just the baby asking for food.  Though it occurs to me that it could just be the parents regurgitating food.

Here's a pic of an unhatched egg for size comparison

Update - Henry's sketch

Still working on Henry's sketch, just a few minutes here and there.  It doesn't help that I've lost yet another eraser, I could use it of the fine details but oh well.

Finches In The Flock

Yesterday, I went out and got a pair of finches.  They're so cute, even if they wake up at an ungodly hour and jabber way.  Alas, Henry is jealous.  He actually bit me!  Not a hard but a bite nonetheless.  That's  not all either, every time I pass by his cage or change his food/water he fluffs up his head feathers and tries again.  My first impulse is to give him more attention, but it occurred to me that won't work out well in the long run (not because I don't have time, but he would soon realize biting = attention).  So I'm at a loss.  *sigh*

Note that this small cage is only until I help build them a bigger one.

Sparrow Rescue

Fairly recently I was given a new bird feeder, well it was getting low on seeds and some poor sparrow somehow managed to get himself trapped inside it.  Luckily, I was able to set him free with him freaking out too much.  I do hope this incident hasn't scared all the birds away.

The Superbowl

I admit, I see no point in watching football.  It just bores the hell out of me.  But, to my slight amusement, Henry (my conure for those of you who don't know) rather enjoys it.  Throughout the game he has been a non-stop chatterbox.  Not the screaming kind but a softer warbling.  So cute. =)