Hi All,
Kiwi can be so sweet when she wants to be, but when she gets mean, boy is she ever mean!
She's been moody lately and I thinking it has a lot to do with learning a new way of life.
I work and play with her as much as I can, but I try not to be too consistant or let her get too much into a routine, because I never know when I am going to go into a flare (can't move much when I have one). When I do go into one then I can't be consistant and routines can't be kept.
So, I play and work with her at different times of the day and sometimes I will spend my time just talking to her without any physical attention. I have a hospital bed, which is in the same room as her cage...the family room, so we're together alot.
Anyway, I figure by doing this, when I do go into a flare she'll be ok with just our conversations and will be ok going days without me playing with her physically.

I can only think that this is the reason for her moodiness, especially because I don't know how life was with her ex-parronts.
I'm sure in time she will learn this new life style, but in the mean time...my fingers show I have a bird that bites.
I know it can be hard on a bird when they go through a big change, but she is still young, very outgoing and friendly, and I know she will do just fine.
For now though she has been biting more often and I don't know if I should just leave her alone when I know she is in one of these moods, then I am not giving her the chance to bite, or, if when I go to spend physical time with her and she wants to bite if I should continue playing with her... teaching her not to bite even when she is in one of her moods.

When she isn't in one of these moods, she is so sweet.
My husband loves the fact that he can actually pet her.
Rita would never let him pet her...she was a one person bird.

Anyway, I am just not sure how I should handle these moods of hers. I truly think once she gets used to the new life style she'll be alot better and the moods may even go away, except for the once in awhile moods that all birds have now and then, especially at molting time.
I could sure use any opinions some of you may have.

I hope you and your fid's are all doing great!

Hugs,
Lisa & Kiwi

Lisa,
I haven't been keeping up as much as I used to with the board, so not sure how long you've had Kiwi (I get mixed up with the different birds, same name..LOL!!!) But I would imagine it is a combination of hormones and the change in homes. When Gabby was like that a few weeks ago, I just kinda left her alone and just talked to her as always. I don't physically handle Gabby as much as I did Joy, but then she's perfectly happy to be on her playtop on top of her cage...She plays alone very well, and so, when we have to leave for the day, I don't feel so badly about it and she's fine. If Kiwi is in a biting mood, I think I would (personal opinion) would leave her alone...when she feels like interacting, she won't bite..That's just how I see it..How would I like to be MADE to do something if I don't want to do it? But the difference is that I can just voice my likes and dislikes, whereas, they try to "show" us with body language and if we don't "listen" to that, they bite...."NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, I DON'T WANT TO PLAY RIGHT NOW!" H-E-L-L-0???

I don't know what kind of "flare-ups" you have, but it sounds like you are doing good by not handling her so much so that if you aren't feeling well, she won't rebel and pluck or something. Gabby is one of the happiest birds I have ever seen, and we don't handle her that much at all. If I am sitting here on the computer, she can see me and talk to me, but if I think she wants to be closer, I just take the cushion off our wrought iron barstool(which is right here by the dinette table) and let her sit on it..she loves it...Today, I sat outside in the sun for a bit and I pulled the barstool over to the french doors, which have screens, opened them both and let her sit there and watch and listen to the birds outside and she was able to see me too. She loved that.. I think some birds do very well, playing alone, as long as they can see and talk to us...Sometimes she will say, "hello"...and if I don't respond she's like "H-E-L-L-O?????" LOL!!! but she's pretty much a one-person bird...that's ok, 'cause I'm a one-bird person...LOL!!! She will let hubby take her from room to room, but she prefers me..If I have to be away for the night, she does fine with him...she talks to him but prefers not sitting on him...

I hope you don't have too many "flare-ups"....
Take care,
Rebecca

Hi Rebecca,
Thanks so much for your reply! It really helped reassure me...knowing that someone is thinking very similar to me.
So similar that I had to laugh as I read your reply, especially when you said you're a one bird person. I am the same way. My husband came close to buying another bird and I told him "no way!" Whatever bird attention I have available I want to go to Kiwi. I also have my dog and cat attention and I don't want to spread it too thin. It wouldn't be fair to the other animals if I took time away from them, especially when I don't know how I will feel from one day to the next.
Kiwi is 2 years old and I have had her for about 2 months.
She has come a long way since then and I am amazed at how well she has done so far.
Rita, my last quaker passed away just before I got Kiwi.
I became so close to Rita and couldn't live without having another one.
Anyway, like you, I was also thinking that it would be best if I let Kiwi be when she is in one of her moods. I was thinking if I bug her when she is not in the mood for play...to the point that she feels like biting, then it's just going to make her angry and the last thing I want is for her to become agressive.
She is so sweet and funny! She is totally different than Rita, but I am falling in love with her just as much.
Rita was just like your Gabby. She was so happy and had no problem keeping herself entertained. She loved her toys and even made toys out of things that weren't toys, like little tupperware bowls. lol
Kiwi has only one toy she likes and that's her bell that she came with. I am slowly introducing her to new toys, but it's taking time.
She has a great vocabulary which is getting bigger and bigger by the day. And she does the same thing as your Gabby when she wants attention with the "H E L L O!" Sometimes it's "HEY!"
She came to me knowing a bad phrase and I know she won't forget words, so I am trying to get her to use it in a different way. She says "God Da**it", so whenever I hear the "God" part come out I quickly say "bless you". She says it so quickly though, and when least expected, but after she says it I say "God bless you" for a little while...hoping she will learn to put those words together and drop the other part. No luck so far.

Yes, I am noticing there is a lot of Kiwi's here.
My Kiwi was already named and I thought about changing it, but she knew it so well that there was no way I could, espcially after hearing her sing her "Kiwi poop poo" song. HA HA

As far as my flares...I have a spine and hip disease, and when I go into a flare the pain and stiffness makes it very difficult to move. They can last anywhere from a day to a month. That's why it's good that Kiwi isn't too far away from me.

Thanks again for your reply. It really helped!
Hugs to you and Gabby!
Lisa