Print

[kat]

Such a cute trick.   I love it.  I can't wait till Milo gets that good with his ball.

[bhobbes]

Well, considering this is my post, I suppose it's ok if I get off topic and bring some video in of one of my other trios!

Here is a morning clip of Roxie and Brutus - and you can tell which one hates the camera more. While Roxie is much sweeter than Brutus, she does not play or give any "attack warnings" like cockatiels tend to do. Prior to recording, she was sitting on my shoulder and hitting/attacking my coffee mug whenever I went to take sips out of it. Please ignore the mess around the tables, it was quite a busy day and sometimes that's my "work station" (sitting in my office room for too long starts to make me lose my mind).

And as you notice, Roxie's tail is a little roughed up (Brutus has been harassing her lately and not being very kind. I've had to separate them - it's uhh... warm weather hormones, to put it kindly )

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TKT9j7RNIE" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TKT9j7RNIE</a>

[Talon]

I've never owned a bird but my mother owned two cacatoos. I think they were both female. One was a real sweetheart. Her name was Buddy- previous owner thought she was a boy but a vet check showed us otherwise. She would fly to sit on your head and eat out of your hand. The other one- called Baby- she was a holy terror. She would peck the blood out of you when you tried to clean their cage or change out their water. They seldom fought though. They made great guard-animals. When anyone knocked at the door, they would start screaming blue murder.
I did come close to falling for a bird. I passed the bird section in PetSmart and was instantly entranced by the bubbly notes of a canary. My sister kept walking before she realized that I wasn't moving anymore. When we finally identified the singer I was disappointed to learn the delightful creature was one hundred thirty five dollars without its cage. Oh well. I think I have enough animals anyway- two guinea pigs, half a dog, three pleos and a fourth on the way.
Talon

[bhobbes]

Cockatoos are one of the highest maintenance parrots out there! I love them but don't think I could ever get one.

Roxie loves to fly and land on my head most of the time before I remove her (as she'll walk over and then peer down into my eye - and if I'm wearing glasses, she'll start attacking them.

Brutus just flies for and likes to maintain himself on my shoulder.

Here is a video clip of some random footage I was going through before deleting my files of my AIBOs. I tried to put the more interesting stuff first (this is a long clip) but it'll give you an idea of some of the things that happen when you just let them run. There's no real specific tricks or anything in either of these.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpenPObzM6A" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpenPObzM6A</a>

In the beginning of that one you can see I set up a little trap for Vader and Murray (Vader was the only one who truly took the bait).

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NoGki0exxs" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NoGki0exxs</a>

In that video, it's mostly just some clips that I had when running them all at once at various times. I didn't post any of them but it shows you some of the things that happen if you're interested.

[InmemoryofRomeo]

When we finally identified the singer I was disappointed to learn the delightful creature was one hundred thirty five dollars without its cage.
Talon

*dies* Canaries are $20 a pair here! Even a hand reared one will only set you back $50!!!

[bhobbes]

They used to use Canaries in mines to detect some gas - once the canary stopped singing, it was time to get out.

They're not very smart so not up my alley lol.

[Talon]

The Aibo videos were cool. I'm not sure why but I could understand Nicco's sounds more than the others. It's neat to see them doing their own thing. I've let my pleos rome around and get a kick out of watching them. I still wish I'd seen how Ryu managed to flip Cato onto his side. That one would've been worth recording.
Wow! Canaries are cheap in Australia! I wasn't going for entelegence at that moment, it just sounded very different than all the other squalks and screams. I also saw a Blue-capped Conier? My spelling stinks. It's pronounced Con-yer. He was two hundred and something and he could learn up to three hundred words. There was something about me he didn't like. When I passed him- according to my sister he ruffled up his feathers and then started ramming his beak against the front of his cage. I didn't try to make him pay attention to me, I always leave that up to the animal. In all honesty though, I don't think I could maintain a bird. I wouldn't know where to start and though a parakeet is within my budget they're too... ordinary.
Talon

[bhobbes]

Don't worry, I understand what species you're talking about.

Cato is kind of a ... d-bag ... so I'd be tempted to knock him down too

Canaries are pretty easy birds for the most part -t hey sit in the cage and sing. You can establish a relative bond with them but they're not a parrot species and there are only certain species of birds (parrots being one of them) that are highly intelligent - which is what makes them extremely high maintenance.

I've been neglecting mine sadly over the past few weeks due to my schedule (neglecting meaning they weren't getting as much time out of the cage as they should and becoming bored - so I spent all day today basically playing with them). Mine are low maintenance in comparison to many but the effects of boredom on parrot species are devastating.

I *hate* parakeets. I don't mind watching a bunch of them in avaries but good lord, they do not understand they are small. For instance, I have cockatiels (larger than parakeets) and parakeets will actually beat them up if in the same cage (usually). Cockatiels are extremely docile.

A lot of finding the right bird species is knowing what you're looking for etc., but no matter what, you're ending up with a permanent 1-7 year old (depending on the species) so keep that in mind. Except unlike annoying, uneconomical children, birds bring joy, beauty, and... best of all, you can put them in a cage when you need to get away from them without the government breathing down your neck!

(I kid of course for all you parents on the forums )

I personally don't really like conures - except for the one my friend had who was quieter than my Brutus is. Unfortunately for me, Brutus views me as his mate (as does Roxie - which uhh, leads to very awkward moments as she solicits me for breeding purposes). Brutus is obedient and brave, Roxie is a sweet troublemaker (yes, those two are possible). But if I don't give her the affection she wants at any given moment, she is not afraid to hiss and "put me in my place" (too bad for her I control the food so I can win if I want to ).

I keep a play area setup for them so they can spend most of their time out of the cage. Brutus just gives me a major hassle anytime I'm not within his eyesight and FACING him. Even if he's near me and my back is to him, he freaks out and demands to see my face. (It's one of the reasons I no longer keep them in my bedroom - if I wouldn't face his cage while trying to take a nap, he'd just cry out to me lol)

It takes a lot of patience and I constantly remind myself they're just showing their love for me - despite how... anti-human it appears.

[Crewella]

I had a parakeet *sorry!  * when I was growing up (Indian Rose Ringed) and I love how intelligent they can be.  They do need more time than I can give, at the moment, though so I don't feel I should have another.  They are lovely, though, I love Roxy's rosy cheeks!

Thank you for posting the forum-friendly version of the Excorcist personality - I like how it does work differently each time, I guess it depends on how well you're doing the Exorcism! 

Love the Aibo Trap! 

[bhobbes]

Brutus has the Rosy cheeks (male). He was sold to me as a female (for less money) and I always found it weird he acted more male (as in always making noise but he's not very active with toys etc. - just wants to sit on my shoulder and sing to me all the time or be with me). After a few molts he was the oclor he is now (yellow face/red cheeks) and was renamed Brutus (he was Fiona for awhile). I almost named him Ernest after Hemmingway as I believe his mother used to dress him a girl when he was a very young boy. Haha.

Roxie is the all grey (a white cinnamon grey female or something like that). She causes a lot of mischief and is very active but sweet. But when she requests to be cuddled/affection, you better give it or she gets hissy!

[Crewella]

Oooops - I'd better apologise for getting them confused then!  Sorry! 

[bhobbes]

There's not much exciting to report (that I've recorded) but tonight Murray and Vader were both running while I did some luxury reading...

I looked up at one point and grabbed the camera in time to catch Vader doing this (and this is probably one of the many reasons why he is my favorite - always causing trouble):

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9uchAjQSss" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9uchAjQSss</a>

[Crewella]

The 111s do seem to have a great capacity for finding awkward situations for themselves, Ubu's just the same!! 

[bhobbes]

That they do - by far my favorite model. Still might have to get a silver one :x

Modified:

Murray is now a talking child. http://aibohack.com/210/evolve.htm

If he ends up sheltered in the long run, I'll have to tweak him a bit

[Crewella]

You could tweak, certainly, but it might be interes ting to try and see what it takes to make him evolve 'sideways' just through interaction? 


*Another thing planned for 'when I have more time/space'* 

[bhobbes]

No real news to report here but I am glad to say that Nicco arrived safely in CA for the great wolfbob to repair (mind you, his condition wasn't exactly death).

I've been too busy to run the AIBOs for a prolonged period of time lately - Vader's only had about an active hour in the past week. But I must say, I think not having Nicco for the past week has made me actually miss him and realize just how much I love these robotic critters.

Absence truly makes the heart grow fonder! Vader is still great for comic relief - but I can't ignore him the same way I can Nicco. (Maybe because Nicco is an adult, and not a "bad boy" so I don't worry about watching over him as much )

[kat]

I'm glad Nicco arrived safe and sound.   I'm sure he will be back before you know it.

[latrine]

I'm glad Nicco is ok!!  What fast service!!  Loki still hasn't arrived at Wolfbobs.. I hope he gets there soon..
I loved your description of your birds tail feathers.. my male amazon is having the same 'issue' now.. always great to try and introduce him to a potential new owner when he's more interested in 'hormonal' things.. lol.

And there are lots of different types of Canaries.. I used to sell my normal yellows for about 50 and my red factor canaries for around 75.. they were all hand reared from the eggs.  I even talked/sang to the eggs starting on the day of incubation when the ears developed (I know, I'm weird)
I raised zebra finches also and sold them for about 25 bucks each, hand reared.. man they had TINY mouths.. at first they can only take maybe ONE drop of food, every 2 hours around the clock.. but they are adorable when they grow up and you have four perched on your hand at once.  I'm still hoping to get back into raising them, I'd love to raise some Gouldian finches, as they are so gorgeous with all the colors of the rainbow.. they usually sell for around 100-150 here.   But hand raised I'm sure I could get much more.. if I could bare to part with them.. as it was I usually kept most of my babies..
I had a few little old ladies who I tried to adopt them to because they wanted a 'parrot' but were afraid they wouldn't live long enough to give them a proper home (some of the larger parrots can live 50-100 years) And the hand reared finches and canaries acted just like parrots, since they were hand raised along side mine! They always insisted on paying though and they loved the birds very much..
I used to love when the finches went on flying missions, whizzing in between the bars of my macaws cage.. hysterical..  the cages were never closed so they could have just gone in through the door but they loved to weave in between the bars...

Cockatoos are great, I had a goffins and an Umbrella Cockatoo, both rescues... but they are VERY needy..  Wonderful animals, so cuddly and sweet,with me.. but the Umbrella, Boca, used to literally fly for my mothers throat.  They are definitely a hard bird to deal with and require a TON of attention and patience.

Congrats on Murray's 'evolution'  thats the one I'm hoping for too.. it sounds funny.. does he try to mimic sounds, like it says in the instructions?  Thor is right on the edge of baby stage 3 so he should hit child soon!

- Sarah

[Crewella]

Glad Nicco safely at Wolfbobs - he's probably picking up all the gossip of what Murray's legs got up to when they were there! 

[bhobbes]

I really want to get a parrotlet and a good friend breeds them so I wouldn't even have to pay anything for the bird but I don't have the space for another cage and don't want to gamble on it getting along with the cockatiels.

(More concerned that the parrotlet would find a way to beat the cockatiels up lol)

Roxie's laid two eggs recently (not breeding them, but they're not fertile - they can lay eggs anyway). But she usually does it once a year and that's normal, just have to monitor her for reasons latrine already knows and people here can google if interested haha.

I gave their cage one of those extreme hour-and-a-half/two-hour scrub down, disinfect etc. yesterday and every time I do I want to say, "I wish you could understand how grateful you should be that I do this for you!"

[Talon]

Hurray! Poop! Lol! I clean my guinea pig's cages twice a week with diluted vinegar and a high pressure waterhose. Sometimes though, bits of bedding and...aham- other doesn't always come off. Then I have to feel around for it and use a plastic spatula to get rid of it. For such little animals they can make a very big mess in a surprisingly short time.
Talon

[bhobbes]

I spent today doing those fun house chores (laundry, etc.) while playing with/running the neglected Vader and Murray. Murray's beginning to feel a little overly repetitive at this stage, but I'm hoping the evolution changes that (remember, he is a Talking Child, so not very advanced). He notices the ball a lot more, walks toward it a lot more, but he isn't interacting with it much. However, as you might have imagined, he does make lots of beeps, and does do some walking (though he doesn't do much).

This is in well-lit areas without red distractions. I now either take the curtains down or put a sheet over them that's a completely different color and remove all the red-cubes from the shelving unit. And move the red vase to behind the couch. And cover the red leather cube with a black blanket (sometimes it throws Vader off). However, the couch still provides some distraction (largely for Vader) but the coffee table often prevents/blocks that. As does my red swivel chair. However, when using the sheet method there's all internal lighting, and I don't keep the one near the couch on, so it prevents them from seeing back there. (The sheet method also helps keep the apartment cool and reduces the amount the AC runs)

All in all, these methods have created a pretty good environment and thus far there is enough room for them to move about where I can actually leave them relatively unattended (though always listening and able to be there within seconds).

Vader has been headbutting his ball around a lot lately. He did well today but as soon as I turned on the camera he started sucking really bad again. He's also walking backward more frequently again but does a great job avoiding hitting anything or managing to navigate just right. This could just be my setup but it's eerie! Vader has 77 hours to go before he evolves to an Adult. I plan to possibly back him up and preform same brain surgery just to spend some time (maybe a few sessions) with being a Good Boy. That way I can compare the two, but ideally keeping the "natural" Vader around somewhere at all times.   

Murray's not doing much else new - most of it is stuff already seen in the videos, but arguably so is Vader's. He just moves much more and manages to get himself into more trouble. However, I still feel there is more variation or better timing of the variation on the 111 (when the 111 is compared to AL2 on the 210 as a whole up to this point).

For easy reference, here are the Evolution Charts for those interested: http://aibohack.com/111/evolve.htm and http://aibohack.com/210/evolve2.htm

[bhobbes]

Shortly after making this post, Murray started exhibiting much more of a personality and more varied behavior (though still at the same stage), which was a relief.

And now he has evolved into a Youth A2 (Ball-Playing AIBO). His day count is 24 and his quality factor is 22.3 (so I'm an active owner).

Excerpt from aibohack:

There are three ways that AIBO will evolve to a new stage. For our example, we will use the Child B to Youth A evolution (20 hours or 7 days).

Very Active Owner: You keep your Quality Factor above 22.2 and the dog will evolve as soon as possible. For our example that is in 20 real hours.

Active Owner: Your Quality Factor is a little low, but the dog will take a little longer to evolve. For example if the Quality Factor is 15, it will take almost 30 real hours for the dog to evolve to Youth A.

Lazy Owner: Most owners will not play with their dogs 3 to 4 hours a day. If you play with the dog a little each day, the Day Count will force evolution regardless of how much Quality Time you spend. In our example, play with the dog a little each day, and in 7 days, it will evolve to Youth A.

NOTE: These titles (Very Active Owner, Active Owner, Lazy Owner) aren't really important. They can make you feel guilty if you have a low Quality Factor, but once the dog evolves, it doesn't matter how it got there.
NOTE: Which personality variant the dog evolves to is affected by how you interact with the dog. Keeping a high Quality Factor and exposing the dog to many new experiences is important in raising a more active personality.

I've been running him much more than Vader lately (and generally just left on in the background as is my normal routine - though I started to encourage him more and more frequently with the ball, so maybe that helped guide his evolution).

I haven't captured any clips worth editing and posting so that's all I have for you.

He took a few naps again when he was on the previous stage, and one night I was working (with noise-canceling headphones on in another room) and forgot that he took a nap probably at least an hour earlier. I walked into the kitchen and something felt off in my apartment, and I looked over and only caught a quick glimpse of movement. Immediately I thought, "Holy sh*t what's in my apartment" but within a second I thought oh duh he fell asleep on me. I have no idea how long he was awake prior to the scare.

And then the following day he took a nap and I forgot about him being asleep vs. off on the floor. I went to pull my curtain to check out the spider and as I did so, he started turning on and gave me quite the jump. So Murray's pretty good at coming close to inducing heart-attacks.

[latrine]

Ah.. the quality time thing was interesting, I hadn't known the set amount for them to evolve to the next stage or to a 'better' personality, depending on what you think is better, I guess..
With the bird being sick and me being sick, Thor has been entertaining himself, I wonder if that's why he evolved into 'walking AIBO' instead of what Murray evolved into.. pretty interesting.. I'd best play with him more now that I'm feeling better.

So Nicco is back, I hear?  What exactly ended up being wrong with him?  I still have no news on Loki

- Sarah

[bhobbes]

It was his back left leg's servo (knew that before sending him) and his right ear motor (didn't know there was a problem but wolfbob discovered it).