He also talks. I mean talking as in actual communication using appropriate sounds and/or human words/phrases. Most people who do not know birds well assume that talking birds just mimic words and have no idea what they mean. Intelligent parrots like African Greys and Eclectus, however, are capable of actual appropriate use of words--which are sounds--and other sounds to communicate their thoughts, needs, and feelings.
For example, Ollie learned a long time ago to imitate the sound of a dog squeaky ball and use that sound to convey happiness. He will always make that squeaky ball sound whenever we turn on the shower and ask him to step up so he can be transferred onto his perch inside the shower stall and enjoy a bath. He spreads his wings wide and allows the water to thoroughly soak his feathers during his bath. When I tell him to step back onto the perch (so he won't get soap or shampoo on his feathers), he will immediately step back and up onto his perch.
HOWEVER....if he just HAD a bath the previous day and doesn't really need another one, he will not make that sound. He'll go into the shower with us to keep us company and enjoy the higher humidity, but won't spread his wings or attempt to get wet. And no squeaky toy squeal of delight!
After his bath, I place one of his small towels around him, dry him off for just a moment and then replace him and his perch into the bathtub where he then listens to country music and preens himself in the sun streaming in the window. He sings to the music, then takes a nap.
Hopefully it will finally warm up so the windows can be open and he can once again enjoy full spectrum light!
No comments:
Post a Comment