How do you welcome your parrots to a new day?

Describe your morning ritual - how do you welcomeyour birdies into the new day?

I am the first one to greet the babies in the morning and I think it is very important for them to have sound whether it be music or the TV after they hear my voice welcoming them to the day I make sure that some kind of background sound is on and will remain on for the rest of the day. I often will do dancing and bop-ping movements, which they seem to enjoy, and some begin to imitate this behavior, as they get older.

Gayle Pezzo, Bird Brain Parrot place - New York

I am usually up and running be-fore the birds are even thinking about waking up. Once it starts to get light out I enter the bird area and greet them with a quiet, “Good Morning Beautiful” and a “did you miss me” statement. Up until that point everyone is quiet. The really cool thing is that every now and then the “Good Morning Beautiful” is reciprocated. It always makes me chuckle as I realize that these birds are truly demonstrating unconditional love as I stand there with in my pj’s, no make-up and “bed head”.

Vicki Pierce, Vicki’s Parrot Place- Zeeland, Michigan

I am usually the one who is up first in the morning so I get the pleasure of greeting the flock. I go into the sunroom (where our birdies live) and say 'good morning and how are you doing?"  I talk about the day. the weather and make small talk as I uncover each of the cages.

I then tell them what's for breakfast. We have SI Eclectus in our personal flock so fruits and veggies are usually on the menu.  I would already know what I intend to serve beforehand so I will deliver on my promise. For example: if I say "fresh mixed veggies with home made birdie bread", then I better deliver that. I always rotate who gets fed first so to offset any feelings of preference everyone gets personal attention, a refreshing of pel-lets and water along with a special greeting.

Elena Galbraith, Beaker’s Parrot Place – Wilkeson, WA

Every morning, before the sun comes up, I get my coffee to start the day. Then I go to my birds and as I uncover them, I say good morn-ing and hello several times. The birds that can speak say hello and one bird tries to say good morning.

They let me know when they want to get uncovered and get their clean cup of water. I change water cups at least twice a day and more frequently when they make "soup". When they make soup I talk about that. I tell them “We must get you some fresh water.“

As I un-cover each and every bird, I talk about the weather, and just how beautiful they look. I ask them if they slept well and then I sing a short song about them using the individual names as I do. I either use my own made up song or I take a nursery rhyme and put my own words to it. I say anything that I can think of while giving a big smile to them.

I find that I always speak to my birds, as if they were human toddlers. While some don't say words they know exactly what I mean because I use motions with my fingers or hands. When I talk to them, as if they were toddlers just learning their first word, non-bird people think I am nuts! But the more that you talk to them, the more they will learn con-cepts, even if they don't respond verbally. They know when you want to do something with them because you have shown them what you mean by your actions.

Diane Macary, Diane's Parrot Place - Woodbury, CT

Every day I get up before they do. I prepare their fresh vegetables and fruit bowls and get the formula ready for the babies. Sometimes they start to chirp so I call back to them and say that I am on the way. I have a bird room so as I enter the room I say, "good morning, breakfast is ready" while opening up the blinds and turning on the radio.

As I put in the breakfast bowl I take each one of my birds out and say an individual good morning and give them a kiss. They are all eager to return to their "condo" to eat their break-fast. (They also get fresh water with their breakfast).

Alison Benson, Alison’s Parrot Place – Cary, IL

Each morning I go into the room where our parrots live, usually I’m welcomed with many “Hello(s)” and “Hi(s)”. I go to each cage and as I change the food and water, I talk to each parrot. I open the curtains to al-low the sun in, my conures then get a bit louder, welcoming the sunshine. I continue to talk with the parrots as a change food and water. Then it’s time to eat breakfast. I make sure to feed higher protein foods, such as pel-lets mixed with dried fruits and veggies and nuts. This gives the parrots a good healthy start to their day.

Tracy & Brad Hoffman, Sunny Harbor Parrot Place - Central Florida

I do cover my birds I know some people do not but I think this is important for the bird’s health. So every morning the birds are uncovered with “Good Morning” and “I really, really love you!!”Having a bird say I love you is a great feeling and makes you think the sun is shinning even when it isn’t!

Then I start making toast and ask who wants toast this morning. They all respond
the only way they know how……very loudly!! I put crunch peanut butter on toast and cut it into about 6 pieces. As I go to each cage they know they have to be on a perch to get their toast. I say “why aren’t you on your perch” and they choose a perch and sit and wait patiently for their turn.

My B/G, Shelly thinks I should hold hers but I tell her she has to take it…she would much rather let me hold it so she can lick off the peanut butter!!

There is usually a piece left for me so we start our mornings enjoying toast and peanut butter. It is a great together thing and I can then do whatever I have to do in the morning knowing my birds are fine and can wait a while to be fed!

Emily Copas, Parrot Place on the Ridge – Laurelville, OH

How do YOU welcome your bird(s) to the new day? Please share with us your morning "birdie" ritual in the comment section below. I look forward to hearing about you birds.