Ok...everybody keep their fingers crossed that this is not just a one-night stand (step). I got Cleo on my finger tonite..THREE TIMES!
So tonite, Cleo was acting aweful as usual about getting on the perch. Bites/lunges and for some reason she seemed particularily mad tonite. There is a difference in things now because of this treestand I bought recently and put in the living room. Now, number one, she loves that tree. Number two she LOVES being with the flock.
We have been bringin Cleo into the living room to watch tv and hang out with us more since we got the tree. She looooooves that tree. After I got home from work tonite, we put in Ratitoulle.(oh yea, moms' at work, me and the kids pop that pizza in the oven, throw in a bag salad, put pj pants on and EAT IN THE LIVING ROOM! and say "fart" when moms' not here. )
Anyway back to the Cleo Chronicles...
She was acting incredible to get on the perch, which is "hard to get" multiplied. So, open to new techniques, I told her NO BITE when she drew the machete and tried to carve her initials in the hand perch. And then, I turned her lite off and closed her door to her room. I was planning on coming back in about 10 minutes and try again to get her to "go to the tree!" That's my cue.
As I walked out of the room, she said, like a smart butt, "aweee" and then growled.
I went on to watch the cooking rat with the kids. A few minutes later we heard "HI" and she was coming, waddling, around the corner into the living room. Her room has two doors and one leads, the long way around, to the living room. But, she scaled down off her cage, waddled thru the bathroom, thru our bedroom, down a hall and by gosh, Cleo was coming for pizza and a movie! I swear I heard her mutter: DO NOT CLOSE MY DOOR AGAIN!!>>>MISTER MAN....DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM??
So, I got her on my hand and she uses it like a launchpad for liftoff when she's on the floor. Off she flew to her tree and she was happy.
I moved over and sat by her and let her get some treats outta my hand. And then I tried something new.
BOLDLY where no man had gone before, my heart raced..Just do it Mark, get Nike with her, I quickly moved my finger under her belly and she stepped on there. WITH BOTH FEET. And, I raised her up HIGH in the air, praises to the Heavens and at that moment the stars aligned perfectly and she smiled.
I sat her down back on the tree and gave her big praises and the keys to a new car.
Then, I did it two more times and she did it the same. She didn't "want" to be on there, but she didn't bite either. And she didn't try to fly off.
It was allllllllgood. The kids were like WOW..The cooking rat even stepped away from his pot and walked to the edge of the screen to see the green bird on Mark's finger.
Then, as usual, the clouds parted, Satan himself walked thru the door and the next time I tried it, she flew to the chandelier and hung upside down like a big green bat. Then, she wouldn't have anything to do with my hand, and flew down the hall back to her cage.
But....it wasn't that bad. It CAN be done, I know now.
I honestly think that she is confused as to what the hand means. Being suspect of being abused before I got her, it's hard to know really.
I know on her cage, she's in command and don't play. But, on the tree, at this point at least, she's not as comfortable and may not be as venomous.
SLOOOOWLY...very slowllllly we're getting there.
For one shining moment, one freezing Tennessee nite, she looked and felt right at home and durn happy on my hand. She did good.
K...that's all for now.
Hope all is well with your nest,
Mark

Mark, thanks for an early morning laugh. Give little batbird some special treats from me, k?

Mark, that post was hysterical. I'm sitting here at work laughing. Thank you! That was good stuff.

You crack me up Mark! Reading your posts always makes me laugh!

Mark...your posts always brighten my day! You are one funny dude!!

Seems like Cleo is certainly keeping you on your toes, and is making strides every single day. Obviously she is learning that your hand at least sometimes can be a safe place ...lol. (Boy do I remember going through this with Maple...who by the way now regularly waddles all over the house with the NEVER close MY door attitude!).

You are doing a wonderful job with that little bird, I can only imagine how safe she feels now. Keep up the good work, and keep the stories coming! I always look forward to hear how Cleo is doing!

So how is Cleo, the green batbird, doing tonight? Anyone need to contact the local blood bank or is the ceasefire still in place?

That is cute! Great visuals LOL! Zons can be such little brats LOL!

Awwww, congrats on all of your progress and hard work. This is the first post I've read in days and it truly made me smile.