Re: Urban Flyer

["Dan" <Shawkeyr2@A...>]

Teq too is an Urban Flyer.....though SELDOM crosses the border of the 
yard defined entirely by a stockade type fence. He'll venture to the 
unfenced front yard with me, but RARELY by himself. He watches the 
world go by with all the kids, garbage trucks, bikes, joggers, dogs 
ect. 

Teq is a fiesty Sun Conure who takes no bullying from the local jays 
and squirrels. He does recognize danger from above though. We're not 
far from Linda and Hunter and have the same hawks and vultures 
prowling overhead. He's had them swoop at treetop heights and knows 
what to do.... head for cover and sit quite. That's fine if I know 
where he's at otherwise I worry like hell and just hope he's ok 
during all this. Often he's hidden right overhead and I don't even 
know it till the danger has passed. All I can do is watch the hawks 
then and maybe deter them. Sun Conures are so bright though, that I 
wonder how he disappears from me and I wonder how well he's seen from 
a "hawks-eye" veiw!

A couple days ago a military helicopter was approaching and could be 
heard from some distance. With nervous antisapation he kept a 
watchfull eye skyward and let out that concerned "Squawk". I called 
to him but then it came into sight and he bolted accross the yard to 
a tree of heavy cover. There he froze with his head cocked skyward 
watchin' thru the leaves. Nothing I could say or do would make him 
budge. I could only stand below and wait, hopfully try reassuring him 
that it was ok. He stayed there till it was long past and the sound 
had dissapeared in the distance. Then.........it was forgotten and 
everything was back to normal with no further concerns!

Yesterday though was quite a surprise. Teq's cage is right next to 
the sliding door of the backyard. His cage has an opening top with a 
high perch and a perch on the side just inchs from the window glass.

While sittin on this side perch he let out the "Squawk" that got my 
imediate attention. I thought maybe a foot got caught or somethin' 
but he was head cocked and still! I walked over wondering what was 
up. You know birds though.... when one eye is lookin up the other is 
lookin down. He "SQUAWKED" a couple more times and I thought he saw 
something outside on the ground like a cat or somethin' but I saw 
nothing. I thought maybe he saw something on the ceiling inside.... 
his "Squawking" was incestant AND NEAR PANIC! Then there it was..... 
a snake about 3 foot or so was coming across the patio just outside 
and right past the door! The closer it got the more concerned he 
became and didn't let up till it was gone! He sounded quite like the 
jay birds that are so common here and I'm not sure he hasn't picked 
up their calls of danger and alert.

Still...... I'm quite baffled as to how he came to recognize the 
snake as a grave danger and possiable threat!

This little fluff of sunshine has really amazed me!

Dan & "Teq"