She-Woman Man haters club.

Lola hates men. HATES them. She attempts to bite any man that approaches her cage, but will happily take treats from them. She will allow almost any woman to scratch her neck, and loves giving kisses. Throw a man in the picture and she bites. Now, of course, the men of the house are afraid of her, so they react and pull away quickly when she goes to bite. So she now finds joy in scaring the boys.

....one battle at a time I guess.

Her vocabulary is impeccable. She now says "step-up," "come on" "hi Lola" "good girl" "come here" "okay" "no" and a slew of other understandable phrases. Her sound effects are spot on... everything from the dogs barking, to the sound of the cicadas outside. She loves to monologue, and will talk for hours. I have not been able to get her to talk on command. she usually clams up if I try to get her to talk.

She enjoys her outside cage, and spends some time out there every day. It is located under the gazebo, so she is able to spend time with the family as we eat, and watch all the other outdoor activity. It is also out of direct sunlight, so there is little risk in her over-heating.

She steps -  up much more easily now. It sometimes still requires asking more than once, but within a minute she will step up on to my hand if she is ON her cage. no luck in getting her to step up from inside her cage, although I can usually coax her out and then get her to step up.

She steps up readily from the interior of her outdoor cage. Go figure.

She loves shelled almonds and sweet potato. Is beginning to like steamed carrots and peas. Has to be convinced to that broccoli is delicious, and turns her nose up to any other vegetable. She enjoys papaya and banana. She LOVES lafeber's nutri-meals. One bar lasts about 4 days, and she gets a piece a day as a snack. Nutri-meals have fruits and veggies in them, so I feel better about her veggie intake when she has one of those.

We are going to try sprouting soon, and seeing if she will go for those!

Chatty Lola

Lola won't shut up! She mumbles and sings and says many different words in different tones. She seems to not only be able to repeat, but is picking up the meaning of several words. For instance, I say "good morning" when I first uncover her, and she replies with a "hello." Her favorite word seems to be "ok." Since she says it quite often!

She is stepping up off her cage almost 50% of the time. She is more apt to step up in the morning, then she is in the afternoon. Once she is off her cage, she will step up every time she is asked to. She enjoys spending time in her outdoor cage, and loves a little slice of banana every morning. She is also a fan of papaya.

Still fighting over vegetables. She loves sweet potatoes, tolerates steamed broccoli, and is starting to try some cooked carrots. 

She isn't the biggest fan of her flight suit, but after a few minutes with it on, she stops trying to bite it. She doesn't like the sound of the Velcro undoing when I take it off of her.

Here she is in her glory, shredding a toy on her play stand.

Flight suit.... Check!

Lola had her first flight suit training today! She was fine having it next to her, was playing and biting it while it was on her perch. I picked her up and placed her on top of the suit, and she was fine. So I began scratching her neck, and carefully picked each foot up and placed it in the "holes." She was very still because I was scratching her the entire time. Once the feet were in, I pulled her wings through the holes, and velcro'd her in....all while scratching her neck. Once she was in I immediately made a big fuss about her being a GOOD girl!

She wasn't THRILLED with the idea, but tolerated it. She tried munching on her suit, but I would say "no" and redirect her attention every time. 

 

She wore it for about 10 minutes, while I fussed about how she was such pretty bird. She was very nervous when I had to take it off, because of the Velcro sound. I reassured it her the entire time, and scratched her while I unvelcro'd it. Then I spent a few minutes doing up the Velcro, and undoing it so that she can grow accustomed to the sound. Overall, she was such a good girl, and has really taken everything in stride! We celebrated 5 weeks together on Saturday!

Great weekend for Lola!

Memorial Day weekend has proven to be Lola's weekend! I had a personal emergency on Saturday, so was unable to spend much time with her. She was allowed out of her cage, but did not get any "training time" or time on her play stand since I am the only one who can bing her out of her cage,and I  wasn't home. She spent a few hours outside on Sunday, while we washed cars, BBQ'd, and enjoyed the sunshine. Lola LOVED talking to the other birds, and ruffling her feathers at the wind.

Today was Memorial Day so we were not home for about 10 hours. When I arrived home and opened her cage,  she came right out for kisses and snuggles. Than she "stepped up" on the FIRST ask, and traveled to her outside cage so she can spend some time watching the sun set with the rest of the family. This was her first time, stepping up the first time it was asked. It usually takes about 6 minutes of convincing to get her to step up from her cage. So this was fantastic!

After spending a couple of hours outdoors, she came back in to her cage. I decided to try and see if she would do her two tricks.... AND SHE DID, from her cage, with visitors over, and dogs barking, etc! She "waved" and "turned around" on command every time it was asked! She must've been very happy to see me after an exciting weekend, because she did everything when asked the first time. 

what a great weekend for Lola!!

Vomiting..?

Lola did something very strange today, she "threw up" a piece of nut that she had eaten earlier, while we were playing. She was not upset, didn't fling it around, or show any sign of distress. She simply started to pump her head up and down, and out came a piece of nut. Her behavior has been normal, lots of talking, playing, and exploring her newly re-decorated cage.

I am worried that she may not being feeling well, or that she got too many nuts. Or perhaps she is fine, and just loves me so much she wants to vomit on me. Either way, we are laying off of the peanuts for a couple of days and seeing if that may be the cause.

New diggs..

Lola's outside cage won a home-makeover! She got some new perches, a ladder, a swing. A couple of new toys, a even a small mirror. After cleaning her outside cage, and redecorating it, Lola, was given the opportunity to check it out! 

Seems like she was impressed! She was a little nervous at first, but quickly settled down. She climbed around a bit, tried out her new swing, and checked herself out in the mirror. Then she spent some time trying out all of her whistles, and some of her words. 

It was interesting to note that she didn't choose the highest perch as her favorite. Instead, she chose the large pink sandy one, which is in the middle of her cage. 

All in all, she has been with us for ALMOST a month, and really seems to be settling in quite well. I think varying her routine, and introducing her to new things constantly, helps her become a brave bird.. And increases her trust in me.

The great unknown...

On Sunday, Americans everywhere celebrated the woman who raised them, loves them, and cares for them - MOM! Lola showed her appreciation for me, by allowing herself to venture off of her cage, at HER leisure, and joining the family for a brief gathering outside to enjoy the warm weather. She has an outside cage, that is a bit smaller then "home base" and perfect to help her feel secure. Although she was little nervous about getting in, she settled down on a perch and watched as we "crazy people" used ladders to climb up high to put the canopy on the gazebo. She even fluffed up and rested a leg!

She was outside for a total of 45 minutes. She then decided she liked it out there, and was in no hurry to step up and come back in the house. Given the success of her first venture into the unknown, I have ordered some perches and toys to "spruce up" her outdoor cage which currently only contains 3, same-sized perches. I am hoping Lola can Join us for breakfast out in the gazebo on warm summer mornings!

Polly wanna cracker?

Lola LOVES unsalted crackers. So much so, that she jumped off of her cage and onto the dinner table to grab them from me. Like a child, she only likes what's not good for her!

She is still very unsure of "stepping up" from her cage. She usually goes back inside and hides. I have not been forcing the issue, and if she refuses to step up, I walk away and do something else. But today, she voluntarily stepped up even when she was hanging out on the tallest part of her open cage!

She's still not a huge fan of veggies. I am going to move her vegetable food bowl to be the highest  bowl in her cage, and see if that encourages her parrot instincts to eat some greens. 

On a much sillier note, she is talking up a storm! She coughs, sneezes, whines like the dogs, says Lola, "ok, ok bye" is a master of saying hello, and has even shouted the dogs names once or twice. None of this is prompted, and when we do ask for a word or phrase, she clams up. 

But it's funny to hear her monologues!

Coaxed..

I saw Lola ON TOP of her cage today, so with a little bribery and some coaxing, I was able to get her to step up onto my arm, for the first time in 3 days. She spent a few minutes not the couch with me, as we watched a movie, and then I decided to introduce her to the (finished) playstand!

She was a little nervous at first, and spent a few minutes just hanging out and resting her leg. After a while, she wanted to explore some of the toys!

Slight set-back

Lola's had a slight set-back, in her "stepping up" training. She is refusing. She doesn't really want to come out of her cage much either. I'm not sure what has changed for her, but she is seems happy. She is talking up a storm and plays with her toys. She just isn't too keen on stepping up from her cage. We've had visitors this week, so that may have been a little bit of a change in routine for her.

I finished her play stand, and even bought her a cage for outside. She hasn't been able to use either one yet, because of her sudden shyness. But, we are hoping that once we settle back into our routine, she will be eager to try the new toys.

Two steps forward, one step back...

Mini play-set!

As we wait for the vetwrap to come in, in order to make Lola's playstand non-slippery, I decided to build her a small table top one, using all the extra pieces. It doesn't have any toys yet, so serves more as a "perch" right now, but she seems to be enjoying it.

I cut up an old t-shirt to wrap around the PVC to provide grip. Make slits and tie. Piece of cake!

Here is Lola showing her "best side!"

Play-stand!

I decided to get creative and build Lola a play stand. I researched quite a bit online and saw many built from PVC. Given that we have a PVC scissor, I figured it couldn't be so hard to build. I was right! The hardest part was figuring out what pattern or plan I wanted to use.

So I headed over to the hardware store, and bought 50ft of 3/4 inch PVC pipe for under $10. I grabbed a bunch of fittings, some rope, and 5ft of 1/2 inch PVC pipe to build a ladder. Once I was home, I cut the pipe into 1ft and 2ft sections, and I got creative. I fiddled around with the design and layout until i felt it was perfect. The best part is that I used NO glue, so the stand can be rearranged at my will.

The rope ladder was woven easily, and an additional larger rope was tied so she could climb around. I even made a rope swing, in case she ever gets the urge.

The only thing missing, now, is to create some grip with vetwrap and introduce her to it so she isn't so nervous and scared. I also need to attach a few toys. Iin the end I think it looks great and I'm very happy with the results. I think Lola is going to LOVE it!

Well - played Lola, well-played.

So Lola is settling in better than expected in the short time that she's been here. She enjoys being with people, particularly me. She "steps-up" on command about 85% of the time now, even from her cage!!

She is still iffy about vegetables. She will eat broccoli, loves sweet potatoes, and is not a fan of carrots, at all. She also prefers to be hand-fed her veggies, instead of eating them from her bowl. So that takes a few extra minutes every day to hold her broccoli while she nibbles it.

She enjoys "play time" and is allowed out of her cage for about 4-5 hours every day. Some times she chooses to perch on top of it, and flap around. Other times, she wants to come explore the house with me.

She still does her strange climbing pattern before bed every night. She ONLY does it at night. She doesn't do this at any time of the day when she is closed back into her cage. She will climb in a pattern for about 10-15 minutes before settling on her perch and preening before bed. I don't see any other signs of stress, so am putting it off to being a either a comforting release of energy, or a "tantrum" in which she doesn't quite want to go to bed just yet.

She came up to the door last night, after being closed in asking for scratches. As soon as I opened her door to give her some lovin', she ran for the hills and spent the next 5 minutes flapping around on top of her cage. She CLEARLY did not think it was bed time. Finally managed to coax her back into her cage. Gave her a few minutes to settle, and covered her up. Well-played Lola!

And here she is exploring and 7-up can after dinner last night.

Strange climbing pattern...

Lola is allowed out of her cage whenever someone is home,  which usually ends up being from 3pm until her bedtime around 8:30. Every night, for the last 4 nights in a row, she has began climbing in a specific pattern, repeatedly, after being closed in her cage for the night. I can't find any information on this anywhere, so I'm definitely curious as to why this is happening..

This went on for over 15 minutes. She has me stumped! I'm not sure how to respond, or whether to just ignore it. 

Steppin' on up!

Lola had some boot camp training with "step-up" today. After a small chase around the outside of cage, I was able to get her to come onto my arm, and spend some time at the dinner table with us. There, we worked on "step-up" with various people, and always giving her a sunflower seed as a treat. She picked that up VERY easily.

So I placed her on her cage, and asked her to step-up. She lowered her head for a scritch, so I said no and turned my back to her. After 30 seconds or so, I turned to face her again, and asked again, and she stepped up for her seed! It was a success.

And another picture of her eating broccoli, because she is the cutest!

Pellets, and Carrots, and Broccoli, oh my!

Found Lola holding a pellet with her little piggies this afternoon! Looks like the conversion to pellets isn't that difficult for her after all. I am "smooshing" them in ziplock bag with a roller, in order to mix the crumbles with her seeds in hopes of tricking her to eat them. It seems to be working! She had a few of the unbroken pellets today as well.

She also tried some steamed broccoli and was "OK" with it. She took a few small bites. Even a small step, is progress to healthy eating! The carrots weren't interesting. Not even a little bit.

Her vocabulary is increasing as she gets more comfortable with the noise and new routine. She is making all sorts of noises, and even some mumbled words!

Sweet potato!

I went to the grocery store yesterday, armed with a shopping list to appeal to Lola's distinguished taste. I brought home: kale, broccoli, red peppers, sweet potatoes, oranges, apples, and spinach and bananas.

So this morning, I made her a breakfast of broccoli, carrots, red pepper and a slice of banana. I ate bits of it (which is difficult to do at 5:30 am) to try and convince her to eat. We didn't have much luck. 2 hours later, the food was either on the ground, or untouched and in her bowl.

This afternoon, I decided to microwave a sweet potato, and enjoy it myself. I offered some to Lola, expecting the typical food flinging. Instead, I got a happy, munching, bird!! She was a little suspicious of the plate, but began to tear at the plate and eventually ate some potato!

If I could shake my tail feather like Lola, I would. but she does it best, so I will leave it to her!

Straying..

So Lola is playing it brave and is beginning to stray from her cage on occasion. Tonight, she enjoyed a short stay on my shoulder that was initiated by her. After a a half hour of riding around shotgun, she was able to be coaxed onto the kitchen table, where she found her peanut jar.

She was DETERMINED to get a peanut... Silly girl ;)

Miserable when wet.

Gave Lola her first "shower" today with a spray bottle set to mist. One squeeze of the trigger, and she squawked, ran around her cage, then fluffed up and shut up.

I ended up spending a half hour misting my face, while she grunted and squawked, before I put the bottle away and admitted defeat.

Here she is in her fluffed up glory.

Break through!

I was getting ready to put Lola to bed, a few minutes ago and was giving her our usual scratches and saying "bed time!" In a sing song voice. Well, not a second later, she climbed out and directly onto my arm, without me asking, or begging, or demanding a "step-up!"

So now, I sit here on the couch, multi-tasking between typing on my iPad, and petting the neck of a very happy and comfortable grey!

Broccoli bits

Lola is beginning to settle in and become more vocal. I let her out of her cage every morning as I get dressed and ready for work, and then bribe her in with breakfast. It works 50% of the time. The Rest of the time, I annoy her by asking her to step-up as she avoids me and my arm, and eventually escapes into her cage. I guess "step-up" is a battle for another day.

She is not speaking any words yet, but does whistle, chirp, kiss, growl, and squawk occasionally. At her old home, she wouldn't shut up. So I am hoping for the day she is comfortable enough to speak around us.

Still no luck with eating the Pellets. I've tried wetting them down a bit, but she just tosses them. I am mixing them with seed, since I am afraid she won't get any food, and don't want her to starve. Unfortunately, she picks out the seeds, and tosses the pellets. I am going to purchase a different brand of "smaller" pellets in hope that it will be easier for the princess' beak to grabbed eat, without breaking. Maybe a change of flavor or texture will open her up to trying new foods,

She did have a bit of steamed broccoli today.. And actually ate it for the fist few minutes! After about 5 minutes, she began tossing it at me. I have adopted a 4 year old child. She hates vegetables, has yet to eat any fruit, and only wants peanuts, and seeds. But I am determined!

She attended her hourly "wing-flapping aerobics" class, and accidentally jumped off her cage, landing on top of the dog. I think she frightened herself and the dog. Dog ran towards the crate, Lola climbed up my leg. When I asked her to step-up, she did so immediately and snuggled on my lap as I watched a movie. She let me scratch her neck, and left a fine coat of dust all over my black shirt.

She went to bed easily, and I covered her up for the first time today. She was VERY leary of the cage cover. But will hopefully grow accustomed to it soon.

Healthy eating vs. tasteful eating.

Lola had a good night, and is taking to preening and grooming herself. She was not very vocal today, and aside from her kissing noises and the occasional growl of distrust, not a peep was heard.

I filled her bowl with Zupreem pellets today, in hopes that she would gobble them all up and make me proud! ...well, she did gobble them up, but then proceeded to spit them out and fling them. She doesn't like pellets. Actually, she hates pellets. I tried hand-feeding, giving them to the dogs, pretending to eat them myself...nada, nothing, zip.

She thinks I am poisoning her.

Her previous owner said she was fed, "whatever was cheapest" at Petsmart. I am assuming this meant a diet of seeds, because she LOVES seeds. And peanuts. She loves peanuts.

Mission 1: healthy-eating.
Challenge - accepted!


She played in and out of her cage today, but she refuses to step up. And is a pain to put in her cage for the night. I am still not covering her cage as I don't want to upset her routine too much just yet.

Ahh, the life of birds!

Lola's HERE!!

I had to wait for my dad to go pick up Lola, because my car isn't large enough to transport her cage. We headed out, with a small dog carrier and a towel. We were hoping her trip home would be uneventful and assuring.

When we got there, I met her "girl" who introduced me to Lola. She was perched on the kitchen chair, eating an orange. Upon introduction, she whistled. It was love at first sight. After a little coaxing, and some growling, we were able to get her into the carrier safely. We loaded her cage and toys into the truck bed, and headed towards home! She was quiet in her carrier, and did not try to bite. She would occasionally make kissing noise.

Upon arriving at home, I brought her into the house, and let her out of her carrier. She immediately stepped up, and climbed up my arm, to my shoulder, tucking herself beneath my hair. She stayed there for a little while, before allowing herself to step up to my mom's arm, so that I could go unload her cage.

Once her cage was unloaded, she spent the rest of the afternoon on top of it. I didn't change anything around, as I didn't want to scare her. She perched on top, occasionally going inside if she felt a little scared. I sat nearby and read, while she watched me.

At 9:30pm, lights were turned off, and she was closed in her cage. I did not cover her cage, since her old owner never did.her first day/night was as uneventful as we could've hoped for. And I am officially a "parront!"

Lola comes home!

I'm nervous, excited, anxious, excited, nervous... Lola is coming home today!

Lola is a 2 year old Congo African Grey parrot, that is being rehomed because her owner is going away to college. I've always loved Grey's, and when I saw her picture and description, I couldn't resist. I've had birds before, and currently own 2 adorable (but loud!) lovebirds. This will be my first experience with a medium sized parrot, and I have therefore done my homework and gotten as much reading done as possible.

The possibilities, and choices are endless - clip wings or let them be flighted. Pellets, or Seeds. Shower or mist. It seems that for every argument In one direction, there are 10 equally appealing arguments in the other direction. It is a scary adventure, but I am ready!