Silver has been trying to get Emma out into the dining room, and yesterday and today he succeeded. They were both on top of a bookcase, where it's dark. I tried to get them out with sunflower seeds, with no success. I waited a while. When I went to get them back into the cage, the two of them played a game of "catch me if you can," flying from the tops of bookcases to ceiling fixtures and so on. It was very difficult. The worst part is that they seemed to be enjoying it. I see what some people say about them getting an attitude when they are fully flighted.

So, I really can't have this.

I made an appointment to take both of them in for a wing clip on Tuesday. I'm not looking forward to getting them into a travel cage to go. In the meantime, I really feel I can't let them out .

When I took Emma a year ago, I put food into the travel cage and she eventually went in. I think it's going to be harder with the two of them. Suggestions very welcome.

Right now, Emma is backed up to the bars of the cage, apparently masturbating, while Silver is next to her, singing in her ear. She is paying him no attention.

When I want to put a bird in a carrier I usually just reach into the cage and grab the bird with my hand. MUCH easier than trying to persuade the bird to go in voluntarily. You can use a towel or glove if you're afraid of being bitten.

Don't they fly/climb away from you when you try to grab them?

If I decide to use the hunger method, how long is it safe to leave them without food so they will both be hungry enough to go into the travel cage?

Yes, they try to get away. That's why I go after them when they're in the cage instead of doing it when they're out of the cage. It often takes some chasing before I actually get them.

The amount of time it will take them to go after food in a carrier will depend on how afraid they are of the carrier. If they're not afraid it won't take very long. If they're seriously scared of it they might not ever go in.

Emma is back rubbing her vent on the cage bars, and Silver is making what I think may be the cockatiel mating call, into her ear. It's not a pleasant sound at all.

Is she maybe trying to lay an egg, or are they just getting hormonal and need longer nights? I think they've only been getting 12 hours recently.

Thank you for your description of what it's like trying to catch them. It's nice to know that it can be difficult, but still succeed if one keeps at it.

It sounds like Emma is masturbating. She's definitely feeling her hormones!

Beaker is pretty hormonal too.

My birds are actually less hormonal.

ha-ha, who cares for that if they are in the cage? sure they do try to escape but eventually I win if they are confined.