Here are a few pictures of Herkimer. We have been allowing him more and more out time of his cage and he has really calmed down and enjoyed the company of our own amazon, Pico. It took a little bit for Herki to allow Pico to give him scritches, but within a day, they were enjoying each other's company and comforting nibbles.

We were a bit worried about entering and exiting the front door, since this playstand stands directly to the right of it, but as long as we come and go calmly and slowly, he just kinda watches us from a high perch. we do hold on to a wooden stick just in case we need to pick him up from the ground if he tries to fly at us or keep him in check on the playstand before he jumps. (he is easy to dodge since one of his wings is a bit crooked). but we've only really needed it once. it just seems that he is a much more happier bird outside his cage so we do this as much as possible.

he doesn't jump at us at every chance he gets. he'd much rather preen and be preened and sit pretty on the playstand (or explore it).

herkimer has been doing well. he really likes to be around other amazon birds - he looks to be at ease the most when he sees at least one other amazon in the room.

herkimer is also a quick learner. if i had more time with him, i would try to teach him a few more things besides waving hello (which he is a pro at).

he still allows some scritching either on his wing or head, but on his own terms. sometimes he is just not in the mood for any human interaction so we just respect his wishes. everyone that comes by to see him all agree that he is indeed a handsome bird. he just has a few trust issues that he, understandably, has that we are slowly working through. he is definitely willing to trust, however.

here is the proof that herkimer allowed my husband to give him a wonderful head scritch. it has taken him almost a whole year to allow one of us to do this to him. its a wonderful breakthrough! in the video, if you listen closely, you can hear herkimer "purring".

BREAKTHROUGH

well, my husband has been doing this for a while, but it has become progressively better!

Herkimer now allows my husband to scratch his head for a rather long time - at least a few minutes! and i have it on camera! i will post it as soon as i can. he just holds on to the side of his cage with his beak and lets the scritching begin! i was taking a few pictures, but then i realized he was also making a kind of purring noise which was just precious, so i had to make a short movie of it.

Herkimer will also occasionally come up to the side of his cage when i ask him if he wants a scritch on his back, and he allows me for a few seconds to do so. it has taken about a year to reach this point, but it was soooooooo worth it!

You think owning a parrot (or two) is for you? Have you ever thought about whether you would be able to take the chatty "contact calls" that happen every morning and every evening? Play the following movie with your sound up all the way. This is in a house with 8 parrots, just after breakfast. (We cover the ground with towels to catch the poop.) Enjoy!

PS: I look forward to these conversations...:-)