Mandolina was so happy today! And, we’ee happy for her. We love our shy little girl.

We have a giant bird room down stairs for seven sweet parrots. Our parrots come out each day on a schedule. Mandy and Peachy come out from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Mandy loves to fly from her bird stand to her 18″ Double Ring Rope (Hanging Orbiter), back to her cage, or onto my out-stretched arm while I’m working. Mandy can land, turn on a dime, and guide herself to exactly where she wants to go. She loves to follow me around the house.

Mandy took a giant step today, though. Our flighted, bright eyed Amazon took the risk and dared to fly upstairs to join her human flock. (Could have been Daytona. She loves Jr. #88.) Of course, she was rewarded with an apple slice and grapes! Our little Mandy gal gained a bunch of self confidence in order to take that risk. Mandy can be little skitish but she took a huge risk today. Her eyes show her joy and self confidence. Her plummage is full and her chirps are sweet. I swear, experienced parrot people can tell when their parrots smile, and Mandy is smiling as I share her new skill.

Did you know that Orange Winged Amazons have sort of a Hawk Headed Parrot Nape when they are happy or content? Mandy loves showers on her shower perch and always raises her nape for a bunch of scritches. So today, after her huge success, she is sitting at the dining room table, chirping – showing her self confidence and contentment. She does a little trill for me and says “Maaaaandeeeee!”