ChirpyNurse

So I had this exact problem about a year ago. Let me share what I learned. The key thing is putting treats inside paper cups, folded paper, or tissue for foraging. A lot of people also recommend reading "The Parrot Problem Solver" by Barbara Heidenreich. My avian vet in downtown Toronto also suggested checking for a subtle environmental change you might not even notice which can sometimes be an underlying factor. Good luck — feel free to DM me if you have questions!

My Lucky read this post over my shoulder and started nodding. I'm only slightly concerned.

I switched to Goldenfeast last year and haven't looked back. My zebra finch's feathers have never looked better.

Oh man, this brings back memories. When we were dealing with this with Poppy, I thought we'd never get through it. Now it's just a funny memory. It gets better, I promise.

Welcome to the forum! Great to have another bird lover from the GTA. Your Indian Ringneck sounds adorable — what's their personality like?

Hello! Been lurking on this forum for a bit and finally decided to make an account and participate. I've had my Amazon parrot Echo for about 6 months now. Always nice to connect with other bird people in the GTA — most people I know think I'm crazy for having a bird lol. Excited to be here!

If you're near Mississauga, PetSmart on Dundas St actually has a decent bird section. Better than most locations.

How old is your bird? That might explain it — my lovebird went through something similar around 3 years.

Welcome! I remember being a new bird owner and this kind of community helped SO much. Excited to have you!

Having a caique has honestly made me a more patient person. I never expected a bird to teach me about communication, trust, and the importance of routine. Captain has changed my life in ways I couldn't have predicted. What has your bird taught you?

Welcome! I remember being a new bird owner and this kind of community helped SO much. Excited to have you!

Dealt with this for months. What finally worked was changing their perch layout and just being really patient. They come around eventually.

Hang in there! It gets better. My Eclectus went through this too.

Oh my bird did this for about about a month and I tried everything. Honestly, time was the biggest factor. They just grew out of it.

Welcome! I remember being a new bird owner and this kind of community helped SO much. Excited to have you!

Spent the weekend building a custom play gym for Pistachio using natural branches from safe trees, some rope, and a few stainless steel hardware pieces. Total cost: about $30. My cockatiel has been on it non-stop since I set it up. Used apple and maple wood branches. Happy to describe the build for anyone interested!

Switched from Harrison's to Harrison's pellets about a month ago. Here's my honest take: my Quaker parrot likes the taste way more (actually eats it willingly vs throwing it on the floor). Consistency of droppings improved. Feather quality seems about the same. Price is comparable. Overall I'd give it a solid 8/10. Anyone else tried this brand?

Totally agree with this! My umbrella cockatoo is exactly the same way.

This reminds me of when I first got Tweety. I was so overwhelmed but looking back, those early days were actually really special. The bond building phase is tough but beautiful.

With all the dust my canary produces (seriously, it's like living in a flour mill), I need an air purifier. Which ones are safe around birds? I know ionizers are dangerous. Any recommendations that work well in a Toronto apartment?