In sharing this information with you I ask you to acknowledge along with me that parrots are intelligent, sentient and self-aware individuals capable of feeling a wide range of human-like emotions.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
x<\/span><\/p>\n x<\/span><\/p>\n x<\/span><\/p>\n During the process of inventing toys and games for Elvis (Green-cheeked conure), we created \u2018paper toys\u2019. A \u2018paper toy\u2019 is a small piece of walnut wrapped and scrunched inside a small square of blank white paper. Elvis receives one \u2018paper toy\u2019 with his fresh food each morning. He then has the freedom to play with his daily \u2018paper toy\u2019 when and\u00a0how he chooses.<\/p>\n x<\/span><\/p>\n Another innocent\u00a0 activity that had caused Elvis a lot of stress was cleaning his cage and sleeping nest box. Now\u00a0 when cleaning I will leave his paper toys scattered around the cage floor, leave his nest box\u00a0completely alone, and only wipe clean the bars at the cage bottom and replace the paper in the tray. Elvis feels much more comfortable with his \u2018paper toys\u2019 laying where he left them. Periodically, throughout the day,\u00a0 he will go to an individual one and either move it or begin playing with it at random.<\/p>\n x<\/span> x<\/span><\/p>\n x<\/span><\/p>\n Allowing Elvis the right to choose his level of involvement in these basic activities has\u00a0 made a world of difference in eliminating situations that had been stressful for him. It has also improved our relationship. Since I do add a new\u00a0 \u2018paper toy\u2019 each morning we have started a new game where I remove one – and only one – old \u2018paper toy\u2019 each morning as he\u00a0receives his fresh new\u00a0 one that holds his tiny walnut surprise.<\/p>\n x<\/span><\/p>\n x<\/span><\/p>\n When charting his progress regarding learning to leave my clothes and earrings alone, Elvis still has some work ahead of him. His impish personality \u00a0coupled with his unwavering persistence in this area tells me\u00a0that I must remain vigilant in being consistent with him. When I was teaching Maria, one of my Blue and Gold macaws, to leave my clothing and earrings alone it took about a year of consistent positive reinforcement and redirecting her actions to alter this behavior in her.\u00a0 With Elvis, it will take as long as it takes, but I do know he will be able to improve this behavior.<\/p>\n x<\/span><\/p>\n x<\/span><\/p>\n It has now been nearly two years\u00a0 since Elvis joined my family. His last feather destruction incident was about a year ago. His plumage is in wonderful condition and he loves his sprouts. Our relationship has grown, and he is very dear to me. Elvis trusts me and feels loved, valued, and cared for.\u00a0 He has learned to play with a variety of toys, safely exploring new ones placed inside his cage, and eagerly enjoys\u00a0 wholesome fresh foods. He now bobs his head in that playful conure manner as he says, \u201cSqEEE-bul\u201d, and I repeat \u201cSweet bird\u201d, back to him.\u00a0 But more importantly Elvis has developed self confidence. He\u00a0 has learned to be patient with and accept change, and has come to understand that respect flows both ways. I respect his needs and he respects and trusts my judgment in caring for him. Elvis\u00a0 has discovered his own niche in being a self fulfilling, happy member of a multi-species family.<\/p>\n x<\/span><\/p>\n Did this post provide you helpful information? Do you have questions? Please send us a comment.<\/p>\n x<\/span><\/p>\n This is the final posting in sharing this article with you that first appeared in its entirety in the August 2007, issue #115, of Parrots<\/em> magazine. Subscriptions to Parrots<\/em> magazine are available on-line at www.parrotmag.com<\/a> .<\/p>\n x<\/span> For more information on Leslie Animal Communcation and Healing Work see her article\u00a0\u201cHealing Emotional Upsets & Behavior Issues at the Source\u201d.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\nUsing a Holistic Approach for Healing Feather Destruction<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/margolincom.com\/bbfe\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/DSC_00261-Elvis-papertoy-sm-300x213-300x213.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCreate New Toys<\/h3>\n
Identify Stressors<\/h3>\n
\nAlthough I would not normally provide a nesting box for a companion parrot (not engaged in nesting activities), because Elvis came to me with this nest box – and because it provides a sense of comfort and safety for him – the nest box will always be apart of his enclosure.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/margolincom.com\/bbfe\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/DSC_00371-Elvis-papertoy-2-sm-300x213-300x213.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLet Your Bird Choose<\/h3>\n
Positive Reinforcement<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/margolincom.com\/bbfe\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/DSC_0043-300x275-300x275.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHealing Results<\/h3>\n
\nThis article series, 1 through 7, tells the story of Elvis when he joined my family in May 2005.
\nx<\/span><\/p>\n