Thank you! It's been so many years since I've worked with animals in any real way, it's almost like I've forgotten my own methods. I've trained "wild", abused, or spoiled horses, tamed feral cats, raised wild birds, worked with dogs that other people were afraid of; and I feel like a total greenhorn now that Fawkes is here. It's good to be reminded that the methods I used on big, dangerous animals can also work on little, scared birds.
And even though Fawkes is still a "cage bird", I've noticed how much he likes to interact. He is a huge flirt! He doesn't sing much, but he'll call for me once in a while, and likes it when I whistle back to him. And he has this trick where he raises his crest, spreads his wings, and "takes a bow". He looks like he's falling off his perch, but he's just showing off. And of course he loves to stand on one leg and display his wings for me. He may not like being touched, but he definitely likes being told he's a pretty bird!
By the way, do you have any pictures of your 'tiel? I'd love to see him/her, if you don't mind sharing.
