I thought I'd post about my latest revelation about Winston - not really a revelation, but something that's been right in front of my eyes but I hadn't taken the time to pay enough attention to it.

It's no secret that he's not very comfortable with stepping up, but that's ok; we work around that just fine and I don't force it. But I have been getting him to fly to me for treats and he'll land on me out of curiosity too. Daily I work with him getting more used to my hands by feeding him treats from my hand. This past week we've stepped it up to having him be on me for his out of hand treats.

In the past I knew that he was very uncomfortable with the standard technique of gently pushing back on his belly right above his feet to get him to step up - at first his balance was out of whack and he feet were very weak, so it's totally understandable that he was not cool with me throwing his balance off even more. And I've never gotten him to step up onto a hand-held perch of any kind, and I've tried lots of types of "perches."

What I've learned in this past week is that he is:

1) Comfortable jumping onto my arm and NOT my hand/finger - I've even offered him my flat hand and he doesn't go for that. But he'll go onto my forearm no problem. The hand-held perches might have been too small in diameter for him. When on my arm he will waddle down to my hand if I move the treat near my hand.

2) Not comfortable putting one foot up and then another, but as I said in #1, he has to JUMP/HOP onto my arm. And it hit me the other night that he HOPS onto the small dinner plate of veggies every night, he NEVER steps onto it. And every night when he goes back in his cage when offered, he HOPS into the cage. Never steps.

So simple yet it hasn't fully clicked until this week, and now I can better work with him and where he's comfortable.

Sarah, I can relate to what you've just said. I have had those light bulb moments with my guys. I have thought many times that I should video more and then really scrutinize exactly what I may be inadvertently doing or not doing that would help a situation.

Good for you that you figured it out!! Looking forward to reading how this helps Winston in weeks to come.

sounds good

It will be very interesting to see if over time he strengthens his feet & legs.

Laker wasn't strong enough to climb the Boing where it was really steep.
It was early in the summer that i finally saw Laker climb vertically. Before he just couldn't do it & would get off the Boing & climb using his beak, up the side of the cage. He follows Rio a lot. Rio is very athletic & will get himself in the silliest posses - upside down etc. Laker never did & still does not do many of these things. Laker is getting stronger tho.

I think this may be related to being cage bound for some time.
Certain muscles & abilities are not nurtured. Look how athletic Pogo is! I was always amazed when i saw his videos - & now i see the same silly stuff with Rio. I imagine Jerry was/is the same.

Hope Winston progresses as Laker has done.

Sounds like you are progressing Sarah.

I think this is very true. My guys have come a long way, but it remains to be seen if they will ever master the condition, ability or confidence to move around the way I see other birds do.

I think this is definitely true.

And yes, Jerry is very athletic and acrobatic - he does somersaults over his rope perches, can swing from toys like Tarzan, do many aerial tricks. Winston is bare-bones basic with everything - no fancy tricks in the air, just the basics of being able to turn and land and increase/decrease altitude. No fancy playing with toys, he only beaks toys.

as my mom says sounds good

Observation is so important with these guys Sarah, you and Jac are both really good at it. Sometimes it isn't easy for us to put 2+2 together and figure out the reasons behind what they do, or don't do.

Sarah that's great that you pinpointed Winston's limitations. I forgot to mention on your other thread that my lipoma hen does the slide down deal too after landing on my forearm.

But in my case it's because my arm is usually leaning downward no treats involved. If it's perfectly straight she'll try and be still or go up to my shoulder which she is not able to do at all. Only fly.

I totally agree with Homebird and you that the background even the fledging year of these birds is really important, then all the years after.

There are two Toos in the local barbershop here. I stopped going in there cuz I'm allergic AND it's depressing even though they are happy-ish BUT one has a grip like string....really nothing to speak of. Whenever I bring her food, toys or whatever she takes forever to actually be able to grip it. And she leans on me when she climbs out on my arm alot.

I don't expect my hen's strength to improve since she has other issues but it'll be interesting to see if Laker or Winston's grips noticibly improve.

I suggest using vet wrap or some other fabric like an ACE bandage even on your arms or perches and stuff. It seems to help them. And I think the wide perches or ropes will really help too. Alternating around.

Regarding Winston's personality to tell you the truth I never lived with an English for long, only months, but we sold alot in my store and they ALL were reserved and less "dynamic" than the Normals. But all babies so it would seem that's when they'd be more playful. Maybe someone here has more experience longer term. Regardless it's so great to see how he got such an excellent home and a fun wacky roomie, Jerry. Same with you Jac, it's rewarding for all of us to read the Budgie posts.