BTW Larry...

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

You were right on the money when you mentioned territorialism increasing at night. Sure as shootin' Linus made a beeline for beneath Theo's cage around 7:30 tonight and was not interested in coming out. I tricked him though and started doing something by his cage and that brought him running. As long as he's out in the open (not under something or tucked in a corner) he's manageable. THANK YOU!! I will be much more aware of this behavior from here on out.

Patty

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Patty - you are quite welcome.

But the thanks goes to our dear Peggy who gave me the heads up a couple years ago to watch out for patterns in behavior.

The birds ARE predictable when we learn their patterns. Now that you know what to expect around 7:30 --- head him off at the pass by involving him in something prior to the bewitching hour. Or you might have to put him to bed to break the pattern.

Let us know how it goes.... we are on pins and needles for the rest of the story.

Lar

[Dot]

Now let me give a warning. I went overboard in defending my feet. I had gotten to the point that Fergie was rarely allowed on the floor. I had her in a position where she had very few choices in her life and that was not good for either of us. I am correcting that and will take a few pinches to get things back to normal, and that means fighting for the floor. LOL

I am editing it again because I sound like such a terrible mama in the above. In my defense, I had been sick. I was still working and I was exhausted beyond comprehension. I had to take a nap each afternoon. I just didn't have much play time during that period, but I did try.

[iti hoa's mom]

If you always do what you always have done you will always get what you always got.

If you want something different you need to change your behavior.

Just a thought...is it being territorial (it is the breeding season) or is your bird finding a quiet or dark place to go to bed?

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

Now let me give a warning. I went overboard in defending my feet. I had gotten to the point that Fergie was rarely allowed on the floor. I had her in a position where she had very few choices in her life and that was not good for either of us. I am correcting that and will take a few pinches to get things back to normal, and that means fighting for the floor. LOL

I am editing it again because I sound like such a terrible mama in the above. In my defense, I had been sick. I was still working and I was exhausted beyond comprehension. I had to take a nap each afternoon. I just didn't have much play time during that period, but I did try.

I agree with you that they need some measure of control, Dot. I have not taken Linus's floor privileges away. Since he won't stay perched, it's either in the cage or on the floor. On the patio railing is the longest I can keep him anywhere. I'm trying to help him make better choices while he is on the floor.
He was considering launching an aerial attack from the top of his cage earlier. (I much prefer the ground assaults.) Fortunately, he thought better of it.

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

You're right of course, Peggy. It is territorial, nesty behavior. And he is so wound up, doesn't feel well, and then there's Theo. Poor guy's got a lot on his plate.