Of Parrots and Rabbits

So, finally we have success! While our friend was over this weekend, we decided to try Deuce in the Rabbit Room again.

Last time she flew around in there, it was disaster. The rabbits flipped out, the parrot flipped out. They both shot away in different directions, everyone was breathing heavy and in general looking traumatized.

We've spent the last few weeks letting the parrots fly around in other rooms so that the rabbits got used to hearing the sound and occasionally bringing a parrot over to the doorway so that everyone got used to seeing everyone else. Of course, Elton makes regular raids in the grey room so they're used to seeing him hopping around here and there. The greys are a little bemused but otherwise undisturbed. The cockatoos still make a huge racket and even Elton has decided there are other, more interesting, less noisy rooms to check out.

Since the rabbits were intrigued with their new "best bud", the treat dispensing guest we thought that maybe (just maybe) they wouldn't focus on the sound of wings since they were too busy investigating. It worked!

Deuce perched and watched and then eventually decided she needed to fly to our guest and find out what exactly was so interesting about him! After all, the rabbits were fascinated, there must be something to all of this.

Deuce flew across the room, directly over the rabbits and they didn't even flinch. Deuce didn't notice the rabbits because she was too busy looking for treats that might be hiding. The rabbits didn't notice Deuce because they were too busy looking for treats that might be hiding. And our poor friend was suddenly surrounded.

He took it all in good humor once he got over the weirdness of a bird flying over to sit on him. It's always funny to see people fumble to figure out how to provide a landing pad. Eventually we got everyone straightened out and they had a nice visit. Deuce still hasn't quite decided what a rabbit really is... she calls them cats, or toys, or food. It's funny seeing her try to fit them into what she knows of the world.

For their part, the rabbits could not have cared less about the parrot. And that's just the way it should be. As far as the rabbits are concerned, parrots are furniture... flying furniture.