Rainbow …
19:58 | 
Posted by
Fletch |
Eric Berne (1910-1970)
A short time ago I penned a post that introduced you to Rambo, and I was pleased with the response from visitors who thought it was a hoot. One regular even coerced her family into watching the video and reported back that they all enjoyed it. That's the sort of feedback that a blogger thrives on!
I now have to declare that I got one salient fact totally wrong.
Sex.
Rambo is now Rainbow. And that is official.
'Sexing' an Agapornis rosiecollis The Peach-faced Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis), also known as the Rosy-faced Lovebird, is a species of lovebird native to arid regions in southwestern Africa such as the Namib Desert. A loud and constant chirper, these birds are very social animals and often congregate in small groups in the wild. They eat throughout the day and take frequent baths.
Finding a pair of these birds for breeding is not easy because their sex is not easily determined. The sex can be determined by the pelvic bones which in males measure 1-3 mm while measuring 6-8 mm in females.
is a bit of a 'hit-or-miss' affair. So, getting it wrong is par for the course. Rainbow only started to show signs that she was a female when we observed her reactions to Barney, the dominant male, who also happens to be her 'grandfather' in human terms. Each time he showed an element of aggression towards her, she would crouch down with her wings spread, a sure sign of female submissiveness in the species.
At first we found all this amusing, but on reflection it is a bit of a problem. We know she is a 'special needs' bird, but since we aren't going to tell her that, she carries on with her life as if everything is normal. She craves company, and since the other birds tend to instinctively attack her, apparently knowing something about her is 'wrong', something that we are unable to identify, she turns to her humans for that company. It is fun to keep her amused for an hour or two, but she can be as demanding as any hyperactive child, with the added problem that we can't explain that we are tired, and that by forcibly returning her to her cage we are not being cruel. Or perhaps that is the easy part - not having to offer an explanation?
Nevertheless, she is the star attraction for all who drop in on us, especially family and close friends. They are all aware that we have her, and they can barely manage a cursory greeting at the door, before making straight for Rainbow's cage to invite her out to play. She is then carried about the house as if it is the most normal thing in the world to walk around with a tiny bird perched on one's head, shoulders, hands, fingers, whatever! And, of course, she absolutely loves the attention.
Here are a series of recent shots showing the grandson 'bonding' with the bird even though he wasn't too sure about it at first.
(click on any thumbnail for a larger image)
Regular readers of this blog will put it down to just another 'nutty day' at the 'nuthouse'!
We call it home.
Come back again, soon ...
Key words:
Whodunnit?
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@ Terry14 years ago
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My Gizmo's
Cheers!
A cheeky little red
Here's a toast to your health.
"Lang May Yer Lumb Reek!"
(Scottish for 'long may your chimney smoke')
or if you prefer,
"Bottoms Up!"
13 comments:
Hi! This is my first time visiting this blog...I've been to your technical one! I must say...this blog is aesthetically beautiful! And this story about your bird is absolutely charming! You've told it so well! I thoroughly enjoyed it! I'll be back for another visit...you have a great place! Thanks for letting me crash your party :-) ~Janine
Thanks for visiting, and the kind comments, Janine.
As bloggers we are all 'busy' people, but if you trawl back to some of the older posts you'll find several threads that you can follow. And where I thought it 'helpful' I've added links to older posts.
Enjoy - as much as I do when dropping by your site ... !!
Maria and Eugene,
It's been a while since I've shared a thought a two.
Now this, this is very close to my heart since I was with you guys and saw the interaction first hand. I am still missing one picture - that of Maria's sugar sachet being opened by - is it BIKI? Or?
Lots of love and beautiful memories.
Pam
Thanks Sis.
Yes, it would have beeen Beaky (that's my name for her - Maria refers to her as BIKI - all the same in the end) opening the sugar packet. That's her 'party trick', as you observed first hand.
I'll try to find that pic and send it to you. I may even post it on the site, as anybody that hasn't seen this trick will certainly be 'impressed'!
Yes, it is soooo easy to mistake gender, isn't it? As you may recall, I became a cropper of that myself, not so very long back (giggle).
My family will be delighted with your special needs bird update.. I don't know which is the cutest, her or your grandson.. it's too close a call. Both certainly appear to have found a friend.
Carol,
I hadn't consciously given that incident any thought when I penned this. But the point isn't lost on me!
Grandson and bird are both precious. Grandson can be returned to his parents after he has been spoiled rotten by us (laughs maniacally); the bird, unfortunately, has nowhere to go!
Ah, perhaps that is why she is such a bird-brain?? (Wink)
Beautiful photos and great to read the update on Rainbow / Rambo. I call this place of mine the nuthouse! Hubby answers the phone - "Nuthouse. Chief nut speaking!" True.
I don't know how I missed this post before I came out on hols. It didn't update in my blog reader so I will have to keep an eye out for your posts!
Hi to Maria. And Thyson. And Beaky. And Rainbow of course. Oh and yourself... phew! As bad as my place.
Welcome back to blogland, Cath.
(Hi to ...... phew!)
We tend to go through a 'Waltons' routine ourselves! Can't avoid it ...
Awww! Looks like you've got both an adaptable grandson and an adaptable bird. What a wonderful way to enjoy the amazing way two species can interact! Thanks for sharing this Terry!
Cheers!
Lee
Glad you enjoyed the post, Lee. The bird is the one that continues to surprise.
The grandson is simply a delight, but he has reached the 'questioning' stage ...
Thanks for posting the links to the two stories on ocP, Fletch!
I knew after reading this delightful chronicle of Rambo to Rainbow that I've been missing out on your little corner of paradise as I completely forgot to visit this repository of gifted blogs.
I absolutely loved the video and think it could go viral on YouTube.
Cheers!
Jean
Welcome back to my humble abode, Jean, and thank you for the kind words.
I've allowed my 'Blogs' (there are several) to lapse due to my total involvement with ocPortal and my main website. I find I am unable to spread myself thinly enough to take care of all of them, so something had to give!
I had considered putting up the video on YouTube, BUT, I am sure the music police will come after me for using Colbie Collet's little ditty as the background music. No matter that it was probably written for just such exposure!
See you in the ocP forums ...!!